6 h. ago How new £59 bin fee will work as more than 90,000 Greater Manchester households face new charge

The town hall has made changes to green and blue bins to balance the books.

Economics

10 h. ago DWP benefits budget facing 'billions' in austerity cuts as Labour looks for cost savings

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to slash billions of pounds from the welfare bill and other government budgets as she battles to balance the books

Economics

27 h. ago ‘Moral case’ to cut welfare bill, says minister as Reeves bids to balance books

The Chancellor looks set to curb welfare spending and the cost of the Civil Service in her spring statement.

Politics

4 d. ago “What do I pay my Council Tax for?”: Outrage after Stockport residents to be hit with new bin charges

Stockport Council said it had to make savings worth £26m this year through cost-cutting measures and “efficiency” changes to balance the books

Economics

5 d. ago Voices: No wonder Annaliese Dodds has resigned over cutting aid to the world’s poorest people – it’s the only right thing to do

Labour’s disgraceful attempt to balance the books on the backs of the poorest people in the world is shameful – but shows Dodds to be a politician of decency and principle, says former deputy foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell

Politics

6 d. ago All the new charges set to hit Stockport residents amid claims £59 bin fee is ‘poll tax’

The council says "difficult decisions" had to be made to balance the books, including introducing a new charge on green bins

Economics

8 d. ago Starmer balancing the books on backs of poorest, former minister suggests

Andrew Mitchell told the Commons he supported Sir Keir Starmer’s strategic direction to bolster defence spending, but argued he has ‘choices’.

Politics

1 week ago Willingness to ease off ‘debt brake’ may decide the German election

Rule dating from 2009 that limits borrowing looks vulnerable as main political parties promise to revive stalled economyGermany is used to running its economy with the brake on. Ever since the 2008 financial crisis Berlin has sought to burnish a reputation as the world capital of fiscal discipline, with a near-pious aversion to debt and pride in strong government finances.Under a rule known as the “debt brake” – introduced in 2009 by Angela Merkel to show Germany was committed to balancing the books after the banking crash – the federal government is required to limit annual borrowing to 0.35% of GDP. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Councils in severe financial distress granted support to protect services

A total of 30 authorities which are unable to balance their books have been granted financial flexibilities to protect local services.

Politics

1 week ago Falkirk council tax could rise by up to 20 per cent to balance books

The local authority will meet on March 6 to decide its budget for the year ahead

Economics