8 h. ago Rachel Reeves opts for late Budget as she admits Britain’s economy ‘not working’

Rachel Reeves has come under pressure after soaring borrowing costs reach 27-year highs

Economics

18 h. ago Britain could have to import '70%' of oil and gas if we don't invest in the North Sea

OEUK chief executive David Whitehouse argued scrapping the windfall tax on the fossil fuels could help deliver more than two billion barrels - and add up to £150 billion to Britain’s economy

Politics

36 h. ago Blame migrants, or blame the rich? That’s the populist divide in Britain’s politics now | Gaby Hinsliff

Taxing the ultra-rich may be a vote winner, but it’s just as important to shift the conversation away from Reform’s immigration doom loopThe long, hot summer of discontent is finally over. Parliament returned this week if not exactly with a rush of back to school energy, then at least with the sense that the government is now back to fill what was becoming an increasingly dangerous August vacuum.When exhausted ministers retreated to lick their wounds over the summer, Nigel Farage saw his chance and took it, filling the slow news days with encouragement of protesters over asylum seeker accommodation. He was rewarded by polling showing voters now see immigration – the terrain on which Reform UK is palpably desperate to fight an election, because it’s terrain on which Labour can never go far enough to please some supporters without horrifying half the rest – and not a broken economy as Britain’s biggest problem, an impression arguably only reinforced when the government’s first announc...

Politics

1 week ago Which tax rises could fill the £50bn black hole in Britain’s balance sheet?

The Independent looks at Rachel Reeves’ options as she looks to fill the gaping hole in Britain’s public finances this autumn

Economics

2 w. ago UK inflation jumps to 3.8% as the cost of living for Britons goes up again

UK inflation rose by more than expected in July as demand for summer travel pushed up air fares and food prices continued to climb, the Office for National Statistics said today.

Economics

2 w. ago Britain braces for another tax bomb amid warnings UK economy is 'flashing red' as growth slows to 0.3 per cent while Rachel Reeves faces a £50bn black hole

The Office for National Statistics said gross domestic product grew by 0.3 per cent for the quarter after 0.7 per cent growth in the first three months of the year.

Events

2 w. ago Reeves pledges to tackle productivity challenge at autumn budget

Labour’s second year in power will be focused on ‘building a stronger economy for a renewed Britain’, the Chancellor said.

Politics

2 w. ago Boosting productivity will be main priority of my autumn budget, Reeves says

Exclusive: Chancellor says ‘investment and reform are our tools’ as she pushes back against mounting tax speculationRachel Reeves: Labour has fixed the foundations – now we must build a stronger economy for a renewed BritainRachel Reeves has promised to use her autumn budget to prioritise fixing Britain’s dismal record on productivity as she sought to downplay mounting tax speculation with a focus on economic growth.Setting out her priorities for the budget for the first time, the chancellor said tackling the efficiency of the economy through higher investment and a fresh assault on planning rules would form the backbone of her tax and spending plans. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Boosting productivity will be main priority of autumn budget, Reeves says

Exclusive: Chancellor focuses on investment and planning rules as she dismisses talk of tax rises as ‘speculation’Rachel Reeves: Labour has fixed the foundations – now we must build a stronger economy for a renewed BritainRachel Reeves has promised to use her autumn budget to prioritise fixing Britain’s dismal record on productivity as she sought to downplay mounting tax speculation with a focus on economic growth.Setting out her priorities for the budget for the first time, the chancellor said tackling the efficiency of the economy through higher investment and a fresh assault on planning rules would form the backbone of her tax and spending plans. Continue reading...

Politics