90 m. ago Zelenskyy sets out Ukraine’s red lines in press conference with Macron – Europe live

Ukrainian president says focus remains on security guarantees, maintaining sovereignty and territory UK prime minister Keir Starmer is delivering a major economy speech this morning.You can follow all the key lines on our UK live blog with my colleague Andrew Sparrow, but there’s a particular line of argument that will no doubt reasonate in Europe, too.“Let me be crystal clear, there is no credible economic vision for Britain that does not position us as an open, trading economy.So we must all now confront the reality that the Brexit deal we have significantly hurt our economy and so for economic renewal, we have to keep reducing frictions. Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago Nine things to know from Keir Starmer speech including Reeves defence and Brexit damage

Keir Starmer told audiences in London today that the Budget was a 'moment of personal pride' as he defended Chancellor Rachel Reeves as she comes under fire.

Events

3 h. ago Zelenskyy says Ukraine peace must be ‘durable’ after Macron talks as US team head to Moscow – Europe live

Ukrainian president embarks on busy week of diplomacy as US ups pressure to end warUK prime minister Keir Starmer is delivering a major economy speech this morning.You can follow all the key lines on our UK live blog with my colleague Andrew Sparrow, but there’s a particular line of argument that will no doubt reasonate in Europe, too.“Let me be crystal clear, there is no credible economic vision for Britain that does not position us as an open, trading economy.So we must all now confront the reality that the Brexit deal we have significantly hurt our economy and so for economic renewal, we have to keep reducing frictions. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Starmer’s priorities have changed. He needs to be honest about why

The prime minister’s claim that he always wanted to scrap the two-child benefit cap will cast doubt on his attempt to reassure voters – and his own cabinet colleagues – that he and the chancellor told the truth about tax rises, writes political editor David Maddox

Politics

8 h. ago Keir Starmer speech LIVE: PM vows to go after welfare amid Rachel Reeves 'lies' accusations

In a major speech in London, Keir Starmer will call for sweeping welfare reforms - but he is likely to face questions about whether Rachel Reeves misled the public ahead of the Budget

Politics

3 w. ago British leftwingers elated by Zohran Mamdani’s victory in New York, with some saying election has lessons for Labour – UK politics live

Sadiq Khan, Zack Polanski and Zarah Sultana among figures on the left praising the mayor-elect as they look at potential blueprint for elections in UKLibby Brooks is the Guardian’s Scotland correspondent.Scotland’s finance secretary Shona Robison has called for “urgent engagement” with the UK chancellor after Rachel Reeves flagged up the prospect of tax rises yesterday.We are calling on the UK government’s autumn budget to deliver more funding for those public services, infrastructure, and cost of living support – including by abolishing the two-child limit in universal credit.Scotland has been short-changed in the past, and we must not be left as an afterthought in the UK government’s budget. Under the current arrangements Scotland has to wait and see what impact the chancellor’s decisions will have for us.Recently the chancellor admitted that Brexit has damaged the economy. Brexit has had a hugely negative impact on public spending, reducing the available investment for public ser...

Politics

3 w. ago Reeves refuses to say she will stick to manifesto pledge on tax rises and insists she must face world ‘as it is’ – UK politics live

Chancellor says she is focused on priorities for British people in pre-budget speech laying ground for expected tax risesBusiness live: UK borrowing costs fall and pound hits six-month lowReeves says welfare needs to be reformed.There is nothing progressive about refusing to reform a system that is leaving one in eight young people out of education, or employment. I put our public finances back on a firm footing, provided an urgent cash injection into a faltering public services and began rebuilding our economy.But since that budget, the world has thrown even more challenges our way. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Reeves says UK has suffered ‘years of economic mismanagement’ in speech preparing ground for tax rises – politics live

Chancellor says she is focused on priorities for British people and previous governments have limited UK’s potentialReeves says welfare needs to be reformed.There is nothing progressive about refusing to reform a system that is leaving one in eight young people out of education, or employment. I put our public finances back on a firm footing, provided an urgent cash injection into a faltering public services and began rebuilding our economy.But since that budget, the world has thrown even more challenges our way. Continue reading...

Economics