3 d. ago Rachel Reeves must rethink fiscal rules as social security cuts will inflict real pain

Writing for the Record, Stephen Boyd of IPPR Scotland urges Rachel Reeves to consider alternative means to raise badly needed revenues for public services.

Events

4 d. ago Keir Starmer is one of Labour’s most rightwing prime ministers. And one of its most leftwing, too | Andy Beckett

The PM offers a political hybrid designed for a fickle electorate. There are short-term electoral gains to be won, but risks in the long termFor more than eight months now, since shortly after Labour won power, more and more people have been outraged by the government’s moves to the right. Starting with its decision to keep the Conservatives’ cruel two-child benefit cap last July, the government has regularly given these critics reasons to feel shocked, betrayed or just disappointed.From deportation videos to Keir Starmer’s declaration that “I like and respect” Donald Trump, from repeated public sector cuts to the chancellor Rachel Reeves’s talk of “tearing down regulatory barriers” in this week’s spring statement, Labour has often behaved as if the boundaries between its supposedly centre-left politics and the politics of the right or even the far right have simply melted away. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Readers' letters: Rachel Reeves has declared war on the most vulnerable in society

A reader brands Rachel Reeves’ welfare cuts immoral and depraved

Events

4 d. ago Chancellor Rachel Reeves refuses to accept welfare cuts will push children into poverty

The UK Government chancellor visited Wales for the first time since her party's election successes in 2024 and a day after her Spring Statement

Politics

4 d. ago No evidence Labour welfare cuts will get more people into work, OBR says

The spending watchdog’s says it was not provided with an analysis of how the reforms could boost employment

Economics

4 d. ago UK politics live: Starmer vows to ‘put national interest first’ as he seeks deal with Trump over car tariffs

The US is the second largest export market after the European Union for cars built in the UK

Politics

4 d. ago All the Labour MPs who have said they are opposing Rachel Reeves's welfare cuts

Government faces challenge from its own benches amid controversy surrounding benefits cuts

Politics

4 d. ago UK politics live: Rachel Reeves may raise taxes ‘even further’ in autumn budget, IFS warns

Ms Reeves has denied there would be further tax rises or spending cuts at the Budget in the autumn but stopped short of ruling them out entirely

Events

4 d. ago Rachel Reeves says welfare cuts won't push people into poverty, despite government figures saying otherwise

An impact assessment warned that a quarter of a million could fall into financial hardship as a result of the cutbacks.

Politics

4 d. ago UK politics live: Business secretary calls for ‘cool heads’ after Reeves vows not to ‘escalate US trade wars’

A 25 per cent tariff on vehicles imported to the US will come into effect on 2 April, the US president announced

Politics

4 d. ago ‘Good chance’ Reeves will have to raise taxes in autumn budget, thinktank says – UK politics live

Institute for Fiscal Studies also warns Reeves over her focus on sticking with fiscal rules regardless of real world eventsIn an interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, said she would not accept free tickets for concerts again in the future.Asked about the controversy about her decision to accept two corporate tickets for a Sabrina Carpenter concert at the O2, she repeated the line that she used at her press conference yesterday – that a family member wanted to attend the concert (presumably one of her children, but she did not say that), and that she accepted tickets for a corporate box because security concerns meant it was not deemed safe for her to get normal tickets for the auditorium.I’m just saying I wouldn’t do it again. I felt I was doing the right thing. But I do understand perceptions.I am absolutely certain that our reforms, instead of pushing people into poverty, are going to get people into work.And we know that if you move from welfar...

Politics

4 d. ago Andy Burnham slams Rachel Reeves' DWP benefits cuts as 'the wrong choice'

The mayor has joined Labour MPs worried about the move, but says welfare reform is needed

Events

4 d. ago Labour MPs threaten 'the mother of all rebellions' over benefit cuts with 'dozens' ready to revolt over Reeves' cut to cash for the disabled

More than 30 backbenchers are said to be ready to vote against plans to make it harder to claim incapacity benefits and personal independence payments (Pip).

Events

4 d. ago Rachel Reeves' 'clumsy' Labour deputy makes grovelling apology for comparing disabled benefits cuts to reducing a child's pocket money 

Darren Jones admitted that he had been 'tactless' when he compared the drive to get millions of people back into work to telling a teen to get a weekend job instead of accepting a handout.

Politics

4 d. ago Rachel Reeves confronted by PIP claimant who fears being made homeless

In a series of interviews today Chancellor Rachel Reeves attempted to defend the controversial measures to cut sickness and disability benefits at her Spring Statement

Politics

4 d. ago Spring statement latest: Reeves won’t ‘escalate trade wars’ as Trump’s latest tariffs could hit UK economy

A 25 per cent tariff on vehicles imported to the US will come into effect on 2 April, the US president announced

Events

4 d. ago Rachel Reeves 'certain' benefits cuts won't push people into hardship amid growing Labour unrest

The Chancellor was also forced to defend Treasury minister Darren Jones who compared the benefits cuts to taking pocket money away from his children

Politics

4 d. ago Reeves denies welfare cuts will increase poverty amid warning poorest set to be £500 a year worse off – UK politics live

The Resolution Foundation says the UK’s poorest will be £500 a year worse off by the end of the parliament due to the spring statementIn an interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, said she would not accept free tickets for concerts again in the future.Asked about the controversy about her decision to accept two corporate tickets for a Sabrina Carpenter concert at the O2, she repeated the line that she used at her press conference yesterday – that a family member wanted to attend the concert (presumably one of her children, but she did not say that), and that she accepted tickets for a corporate box because security concerns meant it was not deemed safe for her to get normal tickets for the auditorium.I’m just saying I wouldn’t do it again. I felt I was doing the right thing. But I do understand perceptions.I am absolutely certain that our reforms, instead of pushing people into poverty, are going to get people into work.And we know that if you move ...

Events

4 d. ago Spring statement latest: Rachel Reeves refuses to rule out tax rises in autumn budget

Chancellor faces speculation she will be forced to find more money to balance the books

Economics

4 d. ago Trump tariffs: Britain scrambling to strike last minute deal to avoid 25% levies on car imports to US

The US president’s tariff on cars move came only hours after Britain’s budget watchdog warned the levies could force Chancellor Rachel Reeves to raise taxes or cut spending

Economics