9 d. ago Crunch vote on benefits curbs 'could be delayed' as panicking Rachel Reeves begs Labour rebels not to 'devastate' government

Keir Starmer is looking down the barrel of a huge rebellion with around 130 MPs having signed an amendment that would effectively kill off the plans.

Politics

3 w. ago Spanish PM apologises to voters after MP resigns over corruption allegations

Pressure grows for snap election as judge finds ‘firm evidence’ of Santos Cerdán’s possible role in kickbacksSpain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has apologised to voters but ruled out a snap election after a senior member of his Spanish Socialist Workers’ party (PSOE) resigned hours after a supreme court judge found “firm evidence” of his possible involvement in taking kickbacks on public construction contracts.Sánchez, who became prime minister in 2018 after using a motion of no confidence to turf the corruption-mired conservative People’s party (PP) out of government, is already contending with a series of graft investigations relating to his wife, his brother, his former transport minister, and one of that minister’s aides. All deny any wrongdoing. A former PSOE member was recently implicated in an alleged smear campaign against the Guardia Civil police unit investigating the corruption allegations. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago North missed £140bn of transport investment over last government, research finds

Independent analysis by think tank the Institute for Public Policy Research looked at Treasury figures between 2009/10 and 2022/23.

Economics

3 w. ago 'Rachel Reeves looks exhausted. She can't deliver': Labour ministers drip poison to DAN HODGES on why the Chancellor is doomed... and tell the woeful reason she thinks it's all gone wrong

It was the expression that spoke for a nation. As Rachel Reeves delivered her speech on new transport investment, workers at the Mellor Bus factory appeared less than impressed.

Politics

4 w. ago The Guardian view on Labour’s investment plans: sugaring the bitter pill of austerity | Editorial

The chancellor is right to be planning for the long term, but voters won’t be patient if change isn’t felt soonInequality between British regions is not a new problem and Rachel Reeves is not the first chancellor to want to close the gap. In 2014, George Osborne promised a “northern powerhouse” to rival the dominance of London and the south-east. He pledged devolution and investment in infrastructure to connect northern cities, to unlock productivity and growth.Since then, Britain’s economy has suffered multiple shocks, some external (the pandemic, inflation stoked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine), others self-inflicted (Brexit, Liz Truss’s mini-budget). Each time, the damage was more severe in places already falling behind. Boris Johnson claimed levelling up as his defining purpose. Rishi Sunak let the ambition slide. Now it is being revived by a Labour chancellor. In a speech announcing transport investments on Wednesday, Ms Reeves promised a “renewal of Britain”, with prosperity ...

Politics

4 w. ago Rachel Reeves' key promises as she announces £15bn transport deal in Rochdale

The Chancellor Rachel Reeves was in Greater Manchester today to reveal a package of investment for public transport in the North and Midlands

Economics

last month UK politics live: Reeves insists no new taxes and vows winter fuel U

Reeves has unveiled billions in investments to upgrade public transport networks

Politics

last month Reeves in fightback against Farage as she unveils £15billion transport deal ahead of spending review: Live

Reeves has unveiled billions in investments to upgrade public transport networks

Economics

last month Rachel Reeves begs Cabinet to cool war over spending cuts and talks up transport investment

Chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledged ministers will not get 'everything they want' in the spending review due next Wednesday.

Economics

last month LIVE: Rachel Reeves announces £15.6bn transport deal including massive Greater Manchester investment

Rachel Reeves is speaking in Manchester today

Economics