3 h. ago Rachel Reeves faces '£20billion Budget black hole' as downgrade fuels tax rise fears

The Chancellor is grappling with a big headache - the UK's woeful productivity - which could trigger the need for spending cuts and tax rises in the Budget

Economics

14 h. ago Of course I'm coming back for more in the Budget, Reeves admits as she scrambles to fill £30bn black hole

The Chancellor (pictured) said she was 'of course' looking at tax increases - as well as spending cuts - as she seeks to patch up public finances in next month's Budget.

Economics

19 h. ago Mansion wealth tax wouldn’t fill Budget black hole, economists warn Reeves

Former IFS director Paul Johnson says a mansion tax ‘wouldn’t raise anywhere near enough to fill a significant hole’ in the public finances

Economics

30 h. ago ‘Open hostility has become normalised’: Dutch Muslims fear rise of far right as general election looms

The poll is seen as a litmus test for the Netherlands and its democratic ideals, as activists decry a hardening of political discourse driven by Geert WildersThe drawing depicted two women; a young blonde with a friendly expression and a scowling older woman wearing a headscarf. On top of the image was a nod to this month’s general election in the Netherlands, along with the phrase “The choice is yours.”The social media post, made by the far-right, anti-Muslim politician Geert Wilders, prompted a record 14,000 complaints to the country’s anti-discrimination hotline. “Many of those who called to report the image compared it to Nazi propaganda from the second world war,” the hotline said in a statement, adding that the 19 anti-discrimination agencies associated with the hotline had flagged the post to police, amid concerns that it could be an incitement to hatred. Continue reading...

Politics

49 h. ago Furious battle over Budget inside government as Starmer urged to stop mansion tax plan

Rachel Reeves is said to be seriously considering a mansion tax to fill an estimated £40 billion budget black hole and appease the left of the Labour Party

Politics

3 d. ago Tax raid on cash Isa won't raise the funds to plug Budget black hole, Rachel Reeves told

The Treasury Select Committee urged the Chancellor not to halve the current £20,000 tax-free amount amid City lobbying.

Economics

4 d. ago Desperate Rachel Reeves is 'actively discussing' smashing Labour's manifesto by hiking income tax at Budget as she struggles to fill '£40bn' black hole

Increasing income tax is said to be a 'live debate' between the Chancellor and her aides amid fears she cannot bring in enough cash by solely targeting the 'rich'.

Economics

4 d. ago Rachel Reeves urged to hike taxes on HOLIDAYS at the Budget with new green levies on flights to plug £30billion black hole

The Chancellor should consider a range of levies on aviation to ensure the sector pays 'its fair share' towards Britain's Net Zero targets, according to a new report.

Economics

6 d. ago US ‘Night Stalkers’ seen in Caribbean as fears of regime change rise in Venezuela

Elite helicopter unit’s part in military deployment comes as Donald Trump ramps up pressure on Nicolás MaduroThey call themselves the Night Stalkers and their unofficial motto hints at the group’s lethal nocturnal line of work: “Death Waits in the Dark.” “You can flee, but they will find you,” warns a rare book about the US army’s secretive 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR).Since the elite helicopter unit’s creation in 1981, its daredevil pilots have taken part in some of the most dangerous missions in recent US military history: battling Islamic State during Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria, and Somali warlords during Operation Gothic Serpent; and spiriting Navy Seals into Pakistan to kill the al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden as part of Operation Neptune Spear. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Brexit has made UK economy and productivity ‘weaker’ than thought, says Reeves

The expected downgrade of the OBR’s previous assumptions is likely to make filling a black hole in her Budget even harder.

Politics

1 week ago At least 16 killed after fire engulfs chemical warehouse and garment factory in Bangladesh

Authorities fear death toll may rise as firefighters continue searching wreckage

Events

1 week ago Rachel Reeves given warning over tax changes that could affect millions

Experts told the Treasury Committee that Chancellor Rachel Reeves may have to hike major taxes in next month's Budget to plug the black hole in the public finances

Events

2 w. ago Nine killed after fire engulfs chemical warehouse and garment factory in Bangladesh

Authorities fear death toll may rise as firefighters continue searching wreckage

Events

2 w. ago Mortgage rates RISE for first time since February as Budget fears grow

Average mortgage rates are on the rise for the first time in eight months, as lenders exercise caution ahead of possible tax rises in November's Budget.

Economics

2 w. ago Fear and vigilance rise as attacks on houses of worship intensify across the world

In Germany, many synagogues have been surrounded by barriers and guarded by heavily armed police

Events

2 w. ago Fear and vigilance rise as attacks on houses of worship intensify worldwide

Statistically, attending a weekly worship service is a remarkably safe thing to do

Events

2 w. ago Taxman's blunder hands Reeves a £3bn boost: Borrowing figures were overstated due to faulty data

Chancellor Rachel Reeves (pictured) must find a way to fill an estimated £30bn black hole in the public finances at next month's Budget.

Economics

2 w. ago Banking shares rise after car loan scandal firms are handed a lower

FTSE 250 lender Close Brothers closed up 5.4% while Lloyds Banking Group gained 3.7% and Barclays rose 1.1%.

Economics

2 w. ago Why fears over ‘workplace productivity’ could see cost of a pint rise

The IPPR found one in three workers called in sick after drinking at work events over the past year

Economics

3 w. ago Massive landslide kills 24, including 7 children, as video shows building collapse into river

The region of Darjeeling in the West Bengal was hit by mudslides, with one official fearing that the death toll will rise as the rescue mission continues to find trapped residents

Events