43 h. ago Kendall to add protections to welfare Bill amid backlash to cuts

Dozens of Labour MPs last month urged the Prime Minister to pause and reassess planned cuts, saying the proposals are ‘impossible to support’.

Economics

58 h. ago Rachel Reeves seized her moment – whatever the future brings, Labour’s economic course is now set | Martin Kettle

The chancellor is no mere technocrat: her spending review revealed a visceral commitment to social and economic mobilityThe consensus has long been that the 2025 spending review would be a defining moment for Keir Starmer’s government. For once, the consensus proved spot-on. The government’s main priorities were set out on Wednesday in a blizzard of Commons announcements from Rachel Reeves, some economically substantive, others more for show. The upshot is that the shape of the British state, as Labour intends it, is now decided until the eve of the next election.There are further crossroads still to come, some of them major, as the years covered by the review unroll. Taxes are likely to rise, probably as soon as the autumn budget, to pay for Reeves’s big ticket boosts on Wednesday for defence, health and housing. Council tax could rise too, with possibly dramatic results. The review’s emphasis on capital spending means current spending could be squeezed again, perhaps heralding pay...

Economics

8 d. ago Donald Trump to meet Xi Jinping in China after ‘very good’ call on trade

US president says he accepted invitation in first phone conversation between leaders since JanuaryDonald Trump said he had accepted an invitation to meet Xi Jinping in China after a phone conversation on trade was held between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies.In a post on Truth Social, the US president said the “very good” call lasted about 90 minutes and the conversation was “almost entirely focused on trade”. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Poland: Eurosceptic nationalist Karol Nawrocki elected president in tight election

Karol Nawrocki campaigned on a promise to ensure economic and social policies favour Poles over other nationalities, including refugees from neighbouring Ukraine

Politics

2 w. ago Trump says China ‘totally violated’ tariffs pause deal: ‘So much for Mr. Nice Guy’

Friday Truth Social post also claimed China had been in “grave economic danger” before a deal was reached two weeks ago

Economics

2 w. ago Trump tariffs take Detroit and Windsor from ‘best friends’ to verge of break

Deteriorating economic and social ties between the neighbouring cities tear at fabric of cross-border community

Politics

2 w. ago Spending cuts and tax rises loom in ‘challenging period’ for ministers, with welfare bill set to top £9bn

Scottish Government warned by economic experts it faces ‘widening gap on social security’ and will ‘have to find additional resources’

Economics

3 w. ago Trump’s ambush of South Africa’s president shows how low the US has fallen | Justice Malala

Instead of embarrassing Cyril Ramaphosa, the US president’s ‘gotcha’ moment illuminates the fact-free reality show that is Trump’s AmericaDonald Trump should really try harder.When the US president unexpectedly and dramatically dimmed the lights inside the Oval Office on Wednesday and played a video clip of the alleged burial site of white victims of “genocide”, he meant to embarrass and humiliate his guest, Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of South Africa. It was his “gotcha!” moment after four months of relentless social media attacks, executive orders, boycotts, and threats of economic and diplomatic sanctions. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Kendall says welfare reforms will address ‘economic and social crisis’

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall insisted changes were necessary to get people off benefits and into work.

Economics

3 w. ago Over 40 with a bad back? Labour's coming for your benefits! Liz Kendall says welfare crackdown MUST go ahead despite revolt

Liz Kendall is to use a speech today to defend plans to tightening the eligibility criteria for the main disability benefit in England, the personal independence payment (Pip).

Politics

3 w. ago Disability claimants with back problems to lose most in Labour’s welfare changes

Liz Kendall will argue her benefit cuts are necessary to save the welfare state

Politics

3 w. ago £5 billion welfare cuts needed to ‘save’ system, Kendall to say

The Government appears intent to press ahead with the plans amid mounting opposition.

Economics

3 w. ago Readers Letters: Addressing the historic injustices of land ownership in Scotland

As a councillor who represents Stornoway North in Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, I write to express my support for the principles underpinning the Land Reform Bill currently under consideration, while urging further ambition to address the historic injustices of land ownership in Scotland. The bill represents a vital opportunity to reshape our relationship with the land, ensuring it serves the common good and fosters thriving communities across our nation.

Culture