1 hour ago How did the UK's finances get into such a mess and what does the future hold?

The spring statement shone a light on the dire state of the UK finances - but how is it that our debt pile stands at £2.8trillion and we are paying over £100billion a year in interest?

Politics

6 h. ago Self employed to face higher fines for paying late tax returns

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the new measure during the Spring Statement.

Economics

8 h. ago ‘Was this new age austerity always coming?’ Your spring statement questions answered by Andrew Grice

In this exclusive Q&A session, The Independent’s political commentator Andrew Grice tackles welfare cuts, taxation, and the economic challenges facing the UK

Politics

13 h. 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

23 h. ago Rachel Reeves' visit to Wales: Handshakes, hugs, and a lesson in devolution

The chancellor spent a large chunk of her day trying to defend welfare cuts following her Spring Statement on Wednesday, March 26

Politics

23 h. 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

24 h. ago What Trump's trade war means for YOU: As tariffs throw markets into turmoil, what investors should do

The ink was barely dry on Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement before her plans to balance the nation's books were effectively blown out of the water.

Economics

26 h. ago Single mum carer on benefits says cuts adds to 'scumbags' stigma

The mum-of-two has been left disappointed by the Chancellor's Spring Statement on Wednesday.

Politics

27 h. ago Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement: Experts react to controversial changes – 'she'll need more'

The spring statement, worsening economy and Donald Trump's latest trade tariffs on cars has led to renewed speculation about more tax rises to come and a further hit to hard-up households

Politics

28 h. ago Rachel Reeves 'likely' to raise taxes in Autumn, Institute for Fiscal Studies say

It comes after a difficult Spring Statement

Events

28 h. ago Keir Starmer refuses to rule out Autumn tax hike amid think tank warning

It comes after a difficult Spring Statement

Events

28 h. ago Sir Keir Starmer refuses to rule out Autumn tax hike amid think tank warning

It comes after a difficult Spring Statement

Events

28 h. ago Eradicating child poverty ‘more challenging’ after spring statement – Swinney

The First Minister was speaking after figures showed Scotland’s interim child poverty targets were missed.

Politics

30 h. ago Premium Bonds warning issued after NS&I update in Spring Statement

Premium Bonds are a savings product, but instead of getting a guaranteed rate of interest, you're entered into a monthly prize draw

Events

30 h. ago Labour MPs threaten 'the mother of all rebellions' over benefit cuts with 'dozens' ready to revolt as child poverty hits record level

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

30 h. ago Wealthy and pensioners at risk of new tax raid in autumn Budget, experts warn

Labour chancellor has stopped short of ruling out further tax rises or spending cuts at the Budget

Events

31 h. ago What Trump's trade war means for YOU: As the President's tariffs throw markets into turmoil, read our expert's advice on what British investors should do to protect themselves

The ink was barely dry on Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement before her plans to balance the nation's books were effectively blown out of the water.

Economics

31 h. 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

32 h. ago The Chancellor is hopelessly boxed in and higher taxes are sadly inevitable

Big changes in the world order require big changes in fiscal policy - something is going to have to give

Politics

32 h. ago London's housing crisis is harming generations — so how could we fix it?

A £2bn funding boost for new homes in England was announced this week ahead of today’s spring statement but the housing market’s problems run deep. Here’s an overview of where we are and how we got there

Events