45 h. ago UK government borrowing rises to £20.2 billion as pressure mounts on Rachel Reeves

The latest figure showed that the Chancellor had to borrow more money than expected over the month

Economics

47 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

6 d. ago Reeves faces anger from her local party over plans to cut disability benefits

Labour members from Leeds West and Pudsey to write letter to chancellor over plans to reduce Pip paymentsRachel Reeves’ local Labour party will call for the chancellor to abandon her plans to cut disability benefits as rebellion among MPs over the policy grows.The Leeds West and Pudsey constituency Labour party (CLP), which campaigned to return Reeves to parliament last year as its MP, has agreed to write to her “as soon as possible” to make clear it does not support the cuts. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. 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

7 d. ago Rachel Reeves faces call from her local Labour party to abandon welfare cuts

In its motion opposing the plans, the Leeds West and Pudsey CLP said disabled people ‘are not responsible for the state of the national finances’.

Politics

1 week ago Lib Dems launch ‘Reform watch’ to monitor party in local government

Exclusive: Ed Davey says Labour and Tories too scared of Reform threat to hold Nigel Farage’s party to accountThe Liberal Democrats have set up an internal “Reform watch” system to monitor Nigel Farage’s party in local government, with Ed Davey saying Labour and the Conservatives are too scared of the threat from Reform to hold it to account.The Lib Dem leader defended his party’s performance in last week’s local elections, saying council contests where they unexpectedly ended up behind Reform mainly happened because of a collapse in votes for other parties. Continue reading...

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 Diane Abbott slams Labour's 'disastrous' local elections and sends ten

Veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott has sent a strong warning to her Labour colleagues after her party suffered 'disastrous' results at the local elections last week

Politics

2 w. ago What next for Labour after local elections? Warnings for Keir Starmer from his own party

One of Labour's metro mayors has warned losses in South Yorkshire are the "canary in the coalmine" - while a north east MP said the party needs a "change of plan" more than a "Plan for Change"

Events

3 w. ago Farage claims transformation of British politics as Reform makes major gains

Widespread local election wins raise prospect of populist party becoming Labour’s main opposition

Politics

3 w. ago What we have learned so far from England’s local elections and byelection

Results show gains for rightwing Reform UK party and move away from traditional Labour/Conservative duopolyEnglish local elections – latest updatesA series of elections took place across England on Thursday, with the results now coming in. It can seem a confusing picture, but clear lessons are already emerging. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Voices: Poll of the day: As voters turn away from Labour and the Tories, is Britain’s two

Have your say: Reform’s surge and losses for both Conservatives and Labour in the local elections have raised serious questions about whether Britain’s two-party system is finally breaking apart

Politics

3 w. ago Reform local election results: Nigel Farage's party triumphs over Labour in by

It has been a big night for Reform and Nigel Farage, as the party gained its fifth MP after a close by-election

Politics

3 w. ago Labour peer says party 'will get its head kicked in' by Reform in local elections and must 'stop talking gibberish about diversity'

Maurice Glasman, the founder of the influential Blue Labour group, issued a grave warning days before the local elections in which Nigel Farage 's party is expected to make significant gains.

Politics