1 hour ago Spy chiefs set fiendish festive quiz for all budding Bonds... but can YOU crack the cryptic code in their Christmas card?

For James Bond, it would be child's play. But do you have what it takes to crack the code in GCHQ's fiendish Christmas card puzzle?

Politics

6 h. ago GCHQ sets fiendish festive quiz for all budding Bonds... but can YOU crack the cryptic code in their Christmas card?

For James Bond, it would be child's play. But do you have what it takes to crack the code in GCHQ's fiendish Christmas card puzzle?

Politics

8 d. ago The most misleading thing about Rachel Reeves’s budget? Who it was really for | Aditya Chakrabortty

Labour backbenchers have been cheering it as a win for the most vulnerable in socety. In fact it was aimed at the bond marketsThe charge is a grave one: that Rachel Reeves has just lied to Britons, spooking them into paying billions in extra taxes that she can splash out on higher benefits. However hyperbolic, this isn’t the usual Westminster sparring; this time, someone might get hurt. A week ago, critics of Reeves and Keir Starmer were, rightly, calling their budget “chaotic”. Today, it’s denounced as lies, and Kemi Badenoch is demanding the chancellor quit. It’s an accusation that demands straightforward answers, so let me give mine. Did the chancellor tell lies? On the available evidence, no. There were no whoppers, no falsehoods, no porkies. But despite Starmer’s comments yesterday, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to see here and we can all move along. Reeves did mislead the public about the factors shaping her decisions. Was it all to funnel cash to “benefits street”, as the...

Politics

8 d. ago Turmoil in markets blamed on Rachel Reeves putting out mixed messages over tax rises

Bond markets swung wildly in the weeks leading up to the Budget amid speculation over the state of the public finances and Chancellor Rachel Reeves' plans.

Economics

8 d. ago Rachel Reeves accused of trying to 'manipulate' the bond markets after wild swings ahead of Budget

Rachel Reeves has been accused of trying to 'manipulate' the bond markets in the build up to the Budget.

Economics

1 week ago Rachel Reeves says budget will cut living costs after shock OBR leak

Chancellor unveils action on energy bills, rail fares and two-child benefit cap as she reveals £26bn tax risesHow does freezing tax thresholds affect your tax bill?Budget 2025: key points at a glanceRachel Reeves has declared her budget will slash living costs for millions including ending the two-child benefit limit and cutting energy bills, but taxes are set to soar by £26bn to plug a gaping shortfall in the public finances.Major measures in the budget leaked early in a shock accidental release by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), triggering an instant bond market reaction an hour before the chancellor was on her feet in the House of Commons. After months of speculation, Reeves said her measures would put the public finances on a sustainable path while building “a fairer, a stronger, a more secure Britain” by tackling inflation and investing in large infrastructure projects. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Premium Bonds set for a boost? NS&I receives bigger fundraising target in the Budget

National Savings & Investments has received a new fundraising target in the Budget - and it could mean better rates may arrive soon.

Economics

1 week ago Financial markets in turmoil as Budget leak fiasco sends pound and gilts on rollercoaster ride

The pound and UK bonds swung wildly after a key Budget document was leaked ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves' speech.

Economics

1 week ago Borrowing costs rise as bond markets brace for Budget turmoil

The cost of government borrowing rose amid fears the Chancellor will not take the tough decisions required to put Britain's creaking finances on a stable footing.

Economics

2 w. ago What's your festive shopping personality? Take this Christmas quiz to find out

Discover your festive shopping persona with this new quiz

Economics

2 w. ago Premium Bonds rates update for all customers ahead of Budget

The prize fund rate for Premium Bonds has been cut several times this year

Economics

3 w. ago Best Christmas gifts for men: top ideas across food, fashion, and tech

Consider this your Christmas gifting cheat code for dads, brothers, uncles, cousins, mates and more

Politics

3 w. ago Treasury won’t cut threshold for higher rate income tax, say sources – UK politics live

Fallout continues over budget income tax U-turn, with Treasury saying expected fiscal gap has dropped to £20bnThis is from Helen Miller, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies thinktank, on the market reaction to the chancellor’s reported budget U-turn.Investors will have 2 broad concerns about news that Chancellor won’t increase income tax rates1. Does it signal less willingness to do politically difficult thingsBritain’s long-term borrowing costs were sent soaring as reports suggested the latest U-turn would leave Rachel Reeves scrambling to fill a gaping black hole in the nation’s finances just two weeks before the 26 November budget.Yields on 30-year UK government bonds, also known as gilts, jumped as much as 14 basis points in early trading, and the yield on 10-year gilts also shot up 12 basis points – rising the most since July. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Streeting says striking doctors ‘extremely irresponsible’ in angry phone

Health secretary unhappy as resident doctors in England have started a five-day strike todayThis is from Helen Miller, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies thinktank, on the market reaction to the chancellor’s reported budget U-turn.Investors will have 2 broad concerns about news that Chancellor won’t increase income tax rates1. Does it signal less willingness to do politically difficult thingsBritain’s long-term borrowing costs were sent soaring as reports suggested the latest U-turn would leave Rachel Reeves scrambling to fill a gaping black hole in the nation’s finances just two weeks before the 26 November budget.Yields on 30-year UK government bonds, also known as gilts, jumped as much as 14 basis points in early trading, and the yield on 10-year gilts also shot up 12 basis points – rising the most since July. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago UK borrowing costs up after markets spooked by Reeves’s income tax U

Pound down 0.5% against dollar in early trading after chancellor drops plans for upcoming budgetUK politics live – latest updatesBritain’s borrowing costs have jumped while the pound has dropped after the chancellor’s extraordinary last-minute decision to ditch tax-raising plans in the upcoming budget.Interest rates on government bonds rose by more than 10 basis points in early trading, putting them on track for their worst day since 2 July, when investors responded to a tearful appearance by Rachel Reeves in the House of Commons chamber. The pound, meanwhile, dropped 0.5% against the dollar. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Reeves ditched income tax rise after improved fiscal forecast

Dramatic U-turn ahead of Budget had sparked sell-off in UK government bond market

Politics