42 h. ago Doctors threaten fresh strike action over 'woeful' 4% pay boost

Despite ministers accepting a series of recommendations by public sector pay review bodies, trade union bosses put Labour on notice of a possible 'summer of discontent'.

Events

43 h. ago BREAKING: UK Public Sector Pay: Teachers, nurses, soldiers and more find out salary increase

We'll be bringing you the latest updates on this Breaking Politics News story. Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story

Economics

43 h. ago Tax rises ‘feel inevitable’ after jump in Government borrowing

The Office for National Statistics said public sector net borrowing rose to £20.2 billion, its fourth-highest April figure on record.

Politics

45 h. ago Labour faces mounting strike threat from doctors, nurses and teachers despite bumper pay hikes of up to 5% set to be unveiled TODAY

The Government is expected to accept recommendations from public sector pay review bodies, set to be unveiled today, that are much higher than budgeted for.

Events

45 h. ago More blows for Rachel Reeves as government borrowing hit highest outside Covid in April despite huge NICs raid... with signs the economy is still stalling

Embattled Rachel Reeves saw the public sector rack up £20.2billion of borrowing last month, far more than the £17.6billion analysts had expected.

Politics

48 h. ago Another hammer blow for Rachel Reeves as government borrowing soared to highest outside Covid in April despite huge NICs raid on firms

Embattled Rachel Reeves saw the public sector rack up £20.2billion of borrowing last month, far more than the £17.6billion analysts had expected.

Politics

48 h. ago Pressure on Chancellor after Government borrowing jumps to £20.2bn

The Office for National Statistics said public sector net borrowing rose to its fourth-highest April figure on record.

Politics

49 h. 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

3 d. ago Millions of food parcels handed out in UK as number rises 51 per cent

There has been a 46% rise in food parcels provided to families with children, and a 32% rise in parcels to support children under the age of five

Politics

3 d. ago Secrecy over the final cost of PM's EU surrender: Starmer ducks questions amid fears bill will hit hundreds of millions of pounds a year

The Prime Minister repeatedly ducked questions in Parliament about how much Britain will pay the EU for his deal amid speculation it will run to hundreds of millions of pounds a year.

Economics

3 d. ago Sea level rise will cause ‘catastrophic inland migration’, scientists warn

Rising oceans will force millions away from coasts even if global temperature rise remains below 1.5C, analysis findsSea level rise will become unmanageable at just 1.5C of global heating and lead to “catastrophic inland migration”, the scientists behind a new study have warned. This scenario may unfold even if the average level of heating over the last decade of 1.2C continues into the future.The loss of ice from the giant Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets has quadrupled since the 1990s due to the climate crisis and is now the principal driver of sea level rise. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago Almost 300m people at risk of death through starvation – report

Aid cuts, conflict, climate and economic shocks contribute to sixth consecutive rise in numbers facing ‘high levels of food insecurity’Acute food insecurity continues to rise at an alarming rate, with almost 300 million people at risk of death through starvation, new analysis reveals.Escalating conflict and cuts to humanitarian aid along with climate and economic shocks forced an additional 13.7 million people into chronic food insecurity last year. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago United Utilities profits double as it hikes water prices in North West

The North West water supplier hit its more than seven million consumers with a steep rise in water bills

Economics

1 week ago Millions of Universal Credit claimants to receive first pay rise since benefits boost starting this week

Universal Credit payments increased by 1.7% from April 7 but the first payments which will include the higher rates will be paid from this week as it is paid monthly in arrears

Economics

1 week ago Now the nurses could strike! Union threatens action this SUMMER after Government ignores demands for 'significant' pay rise

Union boss's warnings come just weeks after the NHS Pay Review Body recommended a 3 per cent pay rise for nurses, but ministers have said they can only afford to pay 2.8 per cent.

Events

1 week ago UK jobs slowdown hits education and healthcare as spending cuts bite

Tight public sector budgets are a growing issue for labour market, surveys find

Society

1 week ago Nurses set to strike this summer if government continues to 'insult this profession'

The Labour Government faces a 'summer of discontent' as the boss of the Royal College of Nursing union will tell ministers nurses need a 'a significant pay rise'

Politics

2 w. ago ‘Crumbling’ Government cyber defences outpaced by cyber criminals – report

The report from the Public Accounts Committee warned there are significant gaps in public sector IT systems, leaving them vulnerable.

Politics

2 w. ago Card Factory confident despite ‘uncertain’ backdrop and cost hikes

The group reported a 6.3% rise in underlying pre-tax profits to £66 million in the year to January 31 as revenues lifted 6.2% to £542.5 million.

Politics

2 w. ago Ukraine’s strong economy is a great asset, but the US mineral deal shows how fragile it could be | Luke Cooper

Kyiv still relies heavily on foreign support for its war effort, and it has agreed to difficult terms to keep the US on sideDespite Russia’s occupation of its territory, missile attacks on its infrastructure and the enormous human costs of the war, Ukraine’s economy has been impressively resilient. Its effective military resistance against a much stronger adversary is in fact underpinned by this successful economic management. Rather than face institutional sclerosis or even collapse, Ukraine’s state capacity has been strengthened by the conflict. Through a combination of tax revenue collection and substantial networks of voluntary fundraising, the state has dramatically increased the size of its armed forces, invested in defence production and maintained a decent level of public infrastructure.State spending on soldiers’ wages, infrastructure and logistics – including public sector procurement from private firms – has had a positive knock-on effect, supporting demand in the civilia...

Economics