3 h. ago Rachel Reeves makes 'fair' promise ahead of Budget despite tax rise fears

She has promised to push ahead and drive growth rather than lose control of public spending

Economics

19 h. ago Now Rachel Reeves blames SEXISM for backlash at Budget mayhem: Chancellor begs Labour MPs to get behind her on eve of package smashing tax promises

Chancellor Rachel Reeves made a desperate appeal to restive backbenchers as she prepares to deliver the long-awaited package tomorrow.

Economics

3 d. ago Security fears rise in Nigeria after more than 300 schoolchildren kidnapped

Christian group revises up number of students and teachers missing after one of country’s largest mass abductionGunmen have kidnapped more than 300 students and teachers in one of the largest mass kidnappings in Nigeria, a Christian group said on Saturday, as security fears mounted in Africa’s most populous nation.The early Friday raid on St Mary’s co-educational school in Niger state in western Nigeria came after gunmen on Monday stormed a secondary school in neighbouring Kebbi state, abducting 25 girls. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Christmas turkey shortage fears as UK farms hit by 'super strain' bird flu

A sharp rise in cases of bird flu across UK farms have raised fears of empty shelves in butchers and supermarkets across the country - just weeks before Christmas

Events

4 d. ago Cop30 live: summit president says ‘everybody will lose’ as fears rise that conference will end without a deal

André Corrêa do Lago issues plea to preserve Paris agreement with countries far from reaching agreement on scheduled final dayAn informal stocktake plenary is now underway [see live feed at the top of the blog]. Here the presidency will update parties on the state of the negotiations.My colleague Damian Carrington will be keeping across the main developments. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago ‘Death by a thousand cuts’: the people who could face deportation under Reform

As party’s rise fuels fears over future visa rules, people share how the lives they have built are in jeopardyAs Reform UK soars in the polls, Britain’s migrant communities are facing an uncertain future.The party has announced a swathe of hardline immigration policies, including its plans to abolish indefinite leave to remain – the right to settle permanently in the UK after five years of residence. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago 'It's just absolutely terrifying being here, I want to get out'

Potential safety fears were raised at a high rise tower block in Stockport

Events

1 week ago Dire warnings over aid and hunger following RSF’s capture of Sudanese city

Fears rise for displaced civilians as UN reports deteriorating situation and MSF warns of ‘staggering’ malnutritionThere are grave fears for civilians who survived the capture of El Fasher by a Sudanese paramilitary group last month, as the UN warned relief operations were on the brink of collapse and an aid group said malnutrition in displacement camps had reached “staggering” levels.The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) captured El Fasher – the capital of North Darfur state and the last urban centre outside of its grasp in the wider Darfur region – on 26 October. Survivor accounts and video and satellite evidence suggest more than 1,500 people were killed in ethnically targeted massacres in the immediate aftermath. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago 2025 Budget: Rachel Reeves hints at UK tax increases despite election promise

Millions of UK workers could see more of their wages taxed 💷

Politics

2 w. ago Fury as Indonesia declares late authoritarian ruler Suharto a national hero

Suharto presided over a period marked by rampant corruption, nepotism, censorship and allegations of mass human rights abusesIndonesia has awarded former authoritarian leader Suharto the title of national hero, in a move that has sparked accusations of historical revisionism in the world’s third-largest democracy.The award has deepened fears about attempts to whitewash Suharto’s rise and decades-long rule, a period marked by rampant corruption, censorship and accusations of mass human rights violations. Continue reading...

Culture

2 w. ago World War 3 fears rise as North Korea fires ballistic missile at South Korea

North Korea fired at least one ballistic missile toward its eastern waters on Friday, South Korea's military said, as Pyongyang steps up its testing activity while talks with Washington and Seoul remain stalled

Events

2 w. ago Flu levels continue to rise with fears millions are not vaccinated

There were 422 new hospital admissions for flu in England last week, up from 251 the previous week.

Science

2 w. ago Rachel Reeves is poised to break ANOTHER promise as she 'plots £300

Chancellor Rachel Reeves could unveil a 3p per mile levy on EVs, on top of other road taxes, as she desperately tries to fill a huge black hole in the public finances .

Economics

3 w. ago I won't quit even if I break my promise not to raise tax, Rachel Reeves says

The Chancellor hinted she is considering the first rise in the basic rate of income tax for half a century, saying 'we will all have to contribute' at the November 26 Budget.

Politics

3 w. ago Income tax fears rise as Rachel Reeves gives clear sign she will break Labour manifesto pledge

Chancellor rolls ground for tax rises in unusual pre-Budget speech at Downing Street

Politics

3 w. ago Rachel Reeves to promise 'fairness' in budget as income tax hike speculation mounts

"You will all have heard a lot of speculation about the choices I will make. I understand that - these are important choices that will shape our economy for years to come.”

Economics

3 w. ago Rachel Reeves speech live: Chancellor to pave way for tax hikes in major pre

Speculation mounting that government’s promise to not hike income tax could be broken in Budget

Politics

3 w. ago Reeves to lay groundwork for tax rises in ‘candid’ speech about budget

Chancellor to promise ‘fairness and opportunity’ but will not repeat manifesto pledge on tax, after PM’s hint at breachRachel Reeves will lay the groundwork for a tax-raising budget that could break Labour’s election promise on income tax, in a major speech in which she will be “candid” about the tough choices ahead.The chancellor will give the speech as the markets open on Tuesday, when she will promise to make fair choices at this month’s budget but decline to repeat her manifesto pledge of no rise in income tax, VAT or national insurance. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Reeves to promise ‘fairness’ in Budget as income tax hike speculation mounts

No 10 repeatedly refused to say whether Labour’s manifesto pledge not to raise income tax still stands.

Economics

3 w. ago City bosses warn on pay as UK minimum wage closes in on graduate salaries

Chief executives voice fears about impact on recruitment ahead of expected rise in Budget

Events