6 h. ago Keir Starmer to host Cabinet meeting after poaching top Rachel Reeves aide in No 10 reshuffle

The Prime Minister is celebrating his 63rd birthday today as he faces a host of challenges from the small boats crisis to tight public finances

Politics

27 h. ago Rachel Reeves admits Brits 'feel stuck' as dire poll finds nearly two

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing a brutal Budget reckoning this Autumn with warnings she has a black hole of up to £50billion to fill.

Politics

9 d. ago Rachel Reeves set to launch 'stealth tax raid' on workers to help fill Labour's £50bn black hole in public finances

The Labour minister is reportedly set to introduce a six-year freeze on income tax thresholds rather than increasing them in line with the cost of living or inflation .

Economics

9 d. ago Former Sri Lankan president admitted to hospital after arrest

Ranil Wickremesinghe, who faces charges of using public funds for private travel, treated for acute dehydrationSri Lanka’s former president was admitted to hospital on Saturday, a day after he was charged with using public funds to finance private international travel, as the government intensified its crackdown on corruption.Ranil Wickremesinghe, 76, was remanded in custody on Friday after being accused of using taxpayers’ money to pay for a two-day visit to the UK in September 2023 to attend a ceremony at the University of Wolverhampton granting an honorary professorship to his wife. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Labour rakes record £100 BILLION of taxes in July as Rachel Reeves plots new raid on middle classes to repair 'chronically weak' public finances

The haul - the highest ever for July - was boosted by Rachel Reeves' employer national insurance raid. However, that policy is also blamed for making it harder for firms to hire.

Economics

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

1 week ago Rachel Reeves considers ‘mansion tax’ to fill Treasury black hole

The chancellor is seeking ways to raise cash in the face of dire warnings about the state of the public finances

Politics

1 week ago Worrying number of pubs and restaurants that have put prices up revealed

Tax increases announced by Labour to tackle a hole in the public finances have led to price increases and job cuts throughout the hospitality sector, say bosses, as they called for help from the Chancellor

Politics

1 week ago Reeves explores reform to capital gains tax on expensive houses

UK Treasury considers overhaul of property levies as ministers confront a hole in the public finances of at least £20bn 

Economics

1 week ago Reeves explores reform of capital gains tax on expensive houses

UK Treasury considers overhaul of property levies as ministers confront hole in public finances of at least £20bn 

Economics

2 w. ago Rachel Reeves set for 'punishingly high' new tax raid on Brits as £500k warning issued

Fresh reports suggest Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering a new national property tax on homes above £500,000, which would be paid by owner-occupiers when they sell their home

Events

2 w. ago Reeves looks at UK property tax reforms in bid to boost growth and revenue

Treasury officials examine range of measures as chancellor seeks to address looming gap in public finances

Politics

2 w. ago Tax the rich more to fill black hole in public finances, Labour members tell Starmer

Exclusive: PM urged to conduct a ‘radical change of direction’ as the government attempts to plug gaps in the public finances

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 French borrowing costs close in on Italy’s as investors fret over debts

Anxiety grows over France’s public finances just as Rome improves its standing with bondholders

Economics

2 w. ago Scotland’s deficit grew by £5.1bn, Government estimate shows

The report said ‘public finances in Scotland weakening, as expenditure grew faster than revenue’.

Politics

2 w. ago Scots benefitting from 'economic strength' of UK as public spending remains higher north of the Border

The annual GERs report warned public finances in Scotland are "weakening" as expenditure grew faster than revenue.

Economics

2 w. ago 'Politics of envy': Fury as Labour opens the door to an inheritance tax raid on Middle England as ministers fail to deny push to end tax

Dame Diana Johnson, the policing minister, failed to rule out changes to the so-called 'death tax' this autumn amid growing concerns about the state of the public finances.

Politics

2 w. ago Major inheritance tax change talks as Sky News host grills minister on plan

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly exploring changes to inheritance tax - such as tightening the rules around gifting - as she battles to plug a hole in the public finances

Politics

2 w. ago Now Rachel Reeves plots inheritance tax raid on Middle England to plug huge gap in public finances as Tories blast Labour's 'politics of envy'

The Chancellor is said to be looking at tightening rules on gifting of money and assets before someone passes away to address an estimated £50billion spending hole at the next Budget .

Politics