3 h. ago Jeremy Corbyn says ‘discussions are ongoing’ after Zarah Sultana claimed she would ‘co

Sultana announced on Thursday she was quitting Labour to join Jeremy Corbyn’s Independent AllianceMy colleague Lauren Almeida, who is running the Guardian’s business live blog, has shared the following:Rachel Reeves has not given herself enough fiscal headroom to manage public finances, Charlie Bean, the former deputy of the Bank of England has said, and has to “neurotically fine tune taxes”.About £10bn – that’s a very small number in the context of overall public spending. Government spending is about one and a quarter trillion so £10bn is a small number and it is a small number in the context of typical forecasting errors.You can’t forecast the future perfectly both because you can’t forecast the economy and you can’t forecast all the elements of public finances . The forecasts are imprecise and there is no way you can avoid that. That is a fact of life.In light of reports of atrocities committed by the Israeli government in Gaza and reports of the UK’s collaboration with Israeli ...

Politics

4 h. ago Home secretary rejects Zarah Sultana’s claim Labour failing to improve lives – UK politics live

Sultana announced on Thursday she was quitting Labour to join Jeremy Corbyn’s Independent AllianceMy colleague Lauren Almeida, who is running the Guardian’s business live blog, has shared the following:Rachel Reeves has not given herself enough fiscal headroom to manage public finances, Charlie Bean, the former deputy of the Bank of England has said, and has to “neurotically fine tune taxes”.About £10bn – that’s a very small number in the context of overall public spending. Government spending is about one and a quarter trillion so £10bn is a small number and it is a small number in the context of typical forecasting errors.You can’t forecast the future perfectly both because you can’t forecast the economy and you can’t forecast all the elements of public finances . The forecasts are imprecise and there is no way you can avoid that. That is a fact of life.In light of reports of atrocities committed by the Israeli government in Gaza and reports of the UK’s collaboration with Israeli ...

Society

8 h. ago Can Starmer and Reeves hold the Labour Party together? Ask John Rentoul anything

The Independent’s chief political commentator, John Rentoul, is here to answer your questions as Labour grapples with a welfare reform crisis, mounting pressure on Keir Starmer’s leadership, and growing doubts over Rachel Reeves’s position

Society

9 h. ago Keir Starmer says he understands what ‘anchors’ Donald Trump

The Prime Minister said it was ‘in the national interest’ for him to have a connection with the US president.

Politics

10 h. ago One year of Labour: City's patience fades as bond market signals damning verdict

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves launched a City charm offensive in the wake of their victory, hoping to persuade businesses and investors to back their economic strategy.

Politics

23 h. ago Rachel Reeves insists she’s ‘cracking on with the job’ as she hugs Starmer after Commons tears

The prime minister and chancellor shared a hug as they moved to calm the markets after a tumultuous week which saw tears in the Commons during PMQs

Politics

25 h. ago Chancellor Rachel Reeves' family life, husband with top government job and famous sister

After Keir Starmer came to Rachel Reeves' defence after a difficult PMQs, we take a look at the Chancellor's life away from politics - including her famous family member

Politics

25 h. ago Voices: For crying out loud: are you ready for the ‘politics of pain’ about to hit us?

I once accused the PM and his chancellor of being too gloomy, writes John Rentoul. Turns out they were not gloomy enough – and they’ll have to lead the nation through another vale of tears

Politics

26 h. ago New NHS plan shows ‘future already looks better’ under Labour – Starmer

Patients will be given more control of their health via the NHS app, while there will be less reliance on hospitals, the plan says.

Politics

26 h. ago Keir Starmer speaks out on Rachel Reeves’ tears in the House of Commons

The Prime Minister spoke about Chancellor Rachel Reeves' emotions during PMQs

Politics

27 h. ago You can’t fix the NHS without fixing social care, Streeting warned

Social care was described as a ‘very significant question’ hanging over the blueprint by the shadow health secretary.

Events

27 h. ago ‘Clearly I was upset,’ says Reeves as she responds to questions about tears at PMQs – UK politics live

Chancellor says tears due to ‘a personal issue’ but it was her job to be at PMQs supporting Keir StarmerStreeting says he has to go to the Commons to make a statement to MPs.But first he introduces Rachel Reeves, saying that she has put an extra £29bn into the NHS.It is thanks to her leadership that we’ve seen interest rates in our country fall four times. It’s thanks to her leadership that we see wages finally rising faster than the cost of living. And it’s thanks to her leadership we have the fastest growing economy in the G7.If Australia can effectively serve communities living in the remote outback, we can meet the needs of people living in rural England.If community health teams can go door to door to prevent ill health in Brazil, we can do the same in Bradford. Continue reading...

Politics

28 h. ago Rachel Reeves insists she is ‘cracking on with the job’ after Commons upset

‘People saw I was upset, but that was yesterday. Today’s a new day and I’m just cracking on with the job,’ the Chancellor said.

Politics

28 h. ago The toll it takes: Looking back at the times MPs cried in the Commons amid mystery over Chancellor Rachel Reeves' tears during PMQs

Looking back at times MPs shed tears in the House of Commons

Politics

28 h. ago Starmer vows to press on with welfare reform as he takes blame for U

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged his Government did not ‘get the process right’.

Politics

28 h. ago Rachel Reeves says her tears were NOT caused by spat with Speaker or PM as she hints at 'personal issue'... and is still 'totally' up for being Chancellor

Chancellor Rachel Reeves was flanked at the event in London by Keir Starmer - who gave her an awkward hug - and Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

Politics

28 h. ago Starmer defends Reeves but refuses to rule out tax rises as he announces 10

PM says only possible to transform the NHS due to decisions taken by chancellor, and denies the pressure is too much for herStreeting says he has to go to the Commons to make a statement to MPs.But first he introduces Rachel Reeves, saying that she has put an extra £29bn into the NHS.It is thanks to her leadership that we’ve seen interest rates in our country fall four times. It’s thanks to her leadership that we see wages finally rising faster than the cost of living. And it’s thanks to her leadership we have the fastest growing economy in the G7.If Australia can effectively serve communities living in the remote outback, we can meet the needs of people living in rural England.If community health teams can go door to door to prevent ill health in Brazil, we can do the same in Bradford. Continue reading...

Politics

29 h. ago Keir Starmer says he was unaware Rachel Reeves was crying at PMQs

"In PMQs it is bang, bang, bang... I was probably the last to appreciate anything else going on"

Events

29 h. ago No one's buying it, Rachel! As Starmer awkwardly hugs his Chancellor for the cameras, at least one onlooker can't hide her scepticism

Chancellor Rachel Reeves was flanked at the event in London by Keir Starmer - who gave her an awkward hug - and Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

Events

29 h. ago Rachel Reeves smiles and laughs in show of unity with Keir Starmer after Commons tears

The Chancellor joined Sir Keir Starmer and Health Secretary Wes Streeting in east London

Politics