29 h. ago Rachel Reeves under pressure to find money to ease welfare squeeze

The Chancellor will set out her spending review next month, allocating funding to departments for the coming years, with £113 billion of capital projects to transform the country's housing and infrastructure

Economics

41 h. ago Labour pressure to ease welfare squeeze adds to Reeves’ headaches

The Chancellor faces demands to reverse the winter fuel payment cut, axe the two-child benefit limit and limit the scope of welfare reforms.

Events

3 d. ago Labour figures urge recognition of Palestinian state at UN conference

Ministers told ‘symbols matter’ and move would give Palestine stronger footing in future peace talksMinisters are under pressure from inside and outside Labour to recognise Palestinian statehood at a UN conference next month, with party grandees arguing it would bolster prospects for peace and demonstrate moral leadership amid escalating tensions. Alf Dubs, the veteran Labour peer and Holocaust survivor, said the symbolic recognition of a Palestinian state would offer Palestinians “the self-respect they’d have if they had a proper state,” and provide them a stronger footing in any future peace negotiations.“Even if it doesn’t lead to anything immediately, it would still give Palestinians a better standing,” Lord Dubs said. “Symbols matter.” The former cabinet minister Peter Hain echoed the call, warning that “delaying recognition until negotiations are concluded simply allows Israel’s illegal occupation to become permanent”. Lord Hain argued that formal recognition should be “a cata...

Politics

4 d. ago Labour Party under growing pressure to ditch its winter fuel payments policy after nearly 80 per cent of voters say it needs to change

The findings will pile pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to climb down over the cuts to the payments, worth up to £300 a year for vulnerable pensioners.

Events

5 d. ago UK borrowing rises to £20.2bn, putting pressure on Rachel Reeves

April figure more than expected and comes despite increase in employer national insurance contributionsBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK government borrowed more than expected in April, underscoring the challenge for Rachel Reeves to fix public services and grow the economy while meeting her fiscal rules.With the chancellor under pressure on Labour’s tax plans, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said public sector net borrowing rose to £20.2bn in April, £1bn more than the same month a year earlier. City economists had forecast borrowing of £17.9bn. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Rachel Reeves comes under pressure from her own local Labour Party to abandon her disability benefits cuts

The Leeds West and Pudsey Constituency Labour Party (CLP) has agreed to write to Rachel Reeves 'as soon as possible' to make clear it does not support the cuts.

Events

1 week ago Starmer’s former economic adviser warns Reeves will have to raise taxes

Labour prime minister and chancellor under pressure as US President Donald Trump’s tariffs continue to hit the UK, despite last week’s trade deal

Events

2 w. ago Just 21 companies prosecuted in 15 years for not paying minimum wage

Exclusive: Labour prime mininster Keir Starmer under pressure to ensure workers get the wages they deserve

Politics

2 w. ago Reeves insists she understands voters’ concerns after Labour election setbacks

Chancellor Rachel Reeves defended her actions in office as pressure mounted on Labour to U-turn on the winter fuel payment cut.

Politics

2 w. ago ‘You can’t do everything at same time’ says minister as Labour under pressure

Sir Keir Starmer has been facing calls to u-turn on his decision to strip winter fuel payments from millions of pensioners.

Politics

3 w. ago Bank Holiday tragedy as boy, 13, dies after jumping into Exeter canal

Emergency services were called to Clapperbrook Lane East in Exeter following concern for the welfare of a child after they failed to surface from the water - the 13-year-old boy died in hospital

Events

3 w. ago Starmer’s former minister Haigh urges him to rip up tax rules to counter Reform

Labour and the Conservatives are under pressure to reverse their parties’ fortunes after Reform picked up 10 councils and more than 600 seats.

Politics