7 h. ago Business confidence sinks as firms weigh twin impact of US tariffs and tax rises

A poll of UK bosses indicated that sentiment is at its lowest point since late 2022, when inflation was surging to historically high levels.

Economics

15 h. ago Top economist urges Reeves to raise basic rate of income tax for first time in 50 years

Institute for Fiscal Studies boss Paul Johnson warned Donald Trump’s trade war is ‘badly buffeting’ the UK economy

Economics

46 h. ago SNP Ministers to receive £20,000 pay boost at same time as taxes rise for Scots

Ministerial pay will rise after being frozen by Alex Salmond in 2009.

Economics

3 d. ago Car tax set to rise sharply for certain vehicles – are you impacted?

Owners of zero-emissions cars are being brought into the vehicle excise duty regime for the first time, among other changes

Politics

5 d. ago Rats, rubbish and rising taxes: why Birmingham stinks right now – podcast

Why have the city’s bin collectors gone on strike? Jessica Murray reports“It’s been absolutely unbelievable,” William Timms, a pest controller, tells Hannah Moore.“Since March, calls have gone up 50%. Usually, I’m dealing with about three or four rodent jobs a day this time of year. And then I’ve got my insect jobs on top. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Birmingham faces a 'Victorian' disease crisis caused by rats feasting on tons of rubbish on streets unless ministers break union bin strike, Tories warn

Kevin Hollinrake warned that the Unite-led dispute could drag England's second city back to the 19th Century, as rats feast on tons and tons of uncollected household waste.

Events

6 d. ago Tax rises 'on the cards' as UK hit by Trump's tariffs exploding into all

London and South East to escape full brunt of US import levies hitting the North and Midlands, says ex-Cabinet Secretary Lord O’Donnell

Politics

7 d. ago Birmingham risks an outbreak of deadly virus that killed Gene Hackman's wife, warn experts as bin strikes create huge swarms of rats

The city has been plagued by ongoing bin strikes that have seen an estimated 17,000 tonnes of streets piled high with rubbish and rats thriving on a 'banquet' of waste.

Events

7 d. ago Birmingham bin strikes: Deadly disease outbreak fears as rat hordes multiply in scorching weather

An expert has raised fears large rats multiplying in hot weather in Birmingham amid large piles of rubbish caused by industrial action could spread a potentially fatal disease

Events

8 d. ago Workers facing a hit of up to £11,000 over the next five years due to Labour's 'job tax' as National Insurance rise comes into effect

Chancellor Rachel Reeves' hike to employer National Insurance contributions (NICs), which she announced in October, is now in effect and is set to keep down wages.

Economics

1 week ago Rachel Reeves speaks on whether tax rises will hit workers after Donald Trump tariffs announcement

The UK Chancellor was forced to make unpopular cuts to the welfare bill after the country's growth forecasts were downgraded.

Economics

1 week ago ANDREW NEIL: Tomorrow's £25bn national insurance rise is the most self

Employers will start paying the massive increase in National Insurance contributions Rachel Reeves announced in last October's Budget from tomorrow.

Economics

1 week ago Union dismisses Starmer's desperate plea to 'get round the table' and end Birmingham bin strike crisis as fury mounts at Labour council

Amid mounting fury at the Labour-run council over the chaos, with rubbish piling up and rats running riot on the city's streets, No10 urged Unite to negotiate 'in good faith'.

Events

1 week ago Plea to be kinder to rats even as rodents gorge on bin strike rubbish & terrorise locals

An animal rights charity has issued a plea with Brits to be nicer to rats calling them "wonderful animals". This message comes as shocking images show piles of rubbish taking over streets in Birmingham

Events

1 week ago Rats in Birmingham running riot along 'super highway' under rubbish in their 'millions'

An estimated 17,000 tones of waste has piled up across Birmingham following the bin strikes - residents have complained of horrendous smells in the city and rats 'the size of cats'

Politics

1 week ago BBC Breakfast host clashes with UK minister in live TV grilling

Treasury minister James Murray was confronted over struggling charities facing a double whammy of employers' tax rises - and now uncertainty over Donald Trump's trade tariffs

Politics

1 week ago Working age households set to be £400 worse off during the new financial year

An increase in wages is likely to be off-set by rises to fuel bills and Council Tax.

Economics

1 week ago How Birmingham bin strike's buried the city in 17,000 tons of rubbish, unleashed huge rats and a disgusting stench... as tempers flare: ROBERT HARDMAN

The children are just a few feet away. I can hear them on the other side of the fence. They must be able to smell it: a mountain of leaking bin bags, foul-smelling waste sacks and suppurating wheelie-bins

Events

1 week ago Starmer and Reeves face grilling as Trump prepares ‘liberation day’ tariffs

Economists have warned US tariffs could wipe out the Chancellor’s ‘headroom’ against her debt rules, requiring more cuts or tax rises.

Politics

1 week ago Council tax rises for millions from today – check if you can get yours for £0

Millions of households are facing a council tax rise from today, but there are ways you may be able to lower your bill – and 2.3million people can actually get it to £0

Economics