19 h. ago Drivers can use number plate checker to see if they need to pay £150 DVLA car tax rise

The DVLA raised VED rates on April 1 for the majority of petrol, diesel, and electric vehicle owners, leading to significant increases for some drivers - Here's how to check if you're affected

Economics

46 h. ago Tax rises ‘feel inevitable’ after jump in Government borrowing

The Office for National Statistics said public sector net borrowing rose to £20.2 billion, its fourth-highest April figure on record.

Politics

2 d. ago Starmer says he wants ‘more pensioners’ to get winter fuel payments in policy U

The prime minister told PMQs that as the economy improves he would loosen the eligibility rulesYouGov has published more details of its polling on the electorate’s relationship with Labour, as covered in the Sky News report mentioned earlier. (See 10.06am.)It shows that Reform UK supporters are most likely to think that Labour is trying hard to appeal to them – but least likely to say they would respond positively. Only 4% of Reform UK supporters say they would consider voting Labour, the poll says.I ask her if there will be any changes as demanded by MPs She says while “we want to make sure we address all of people’s concerns, but stressed: “whatever the fiscal position that the government faces, I think the system as a whole needs to change.” Continue reading...

Economics

2 d. ago PMQs live: Starmer says he wants ‘more pensioners’ to get winter fuel payments in major U

The prime minister says as the economy improves he would look again at thresholds YouGov has published more details of its polling on the electorate’s relationship with Labour, as covered in the Sky News report mentioned earlier. (See 10.06am.)It shows that Reform UK supporters are most likely to think that Labour is trying hard to appeal to them – but least likely to say they would respond positively. Only 4% of Reform UK supporters say they would consider voting Labour, the poll says.I ask her if there will be any changes as demanded by MPs She says while “we want to make sure we address all of people’s concerns, but stressed: “whatever the fiscal position that the government faces, I think the system as a whole needs to change.” Continue reading...

Economics

3 d. ago UK politics live: Rayner ‘urged Reeves’ to raise taxes on wealthy pensioners in secret memo

The chancellor has been adamant she will not turn to tax rises to fund the government’s policies

Economics

3 d. ago UK inflation jumps higher than expected to 3.5% amid bills increase

Annual rise in April follows upturn in national insurance contributions and higher household costsInflation jumped in April by more than expected to 3.5% after dramatic increases in water bills, energy costs and council tax, according to official figures.A rise in employer national insurance contributions and a boost to the national minimum wage also put pressure on companies to raise prices last month by more than City analysts had forecast. Continue reading...

Economics

3 d. ago Angela Rayner proposed array of tax rises in 'secret memo' to Rachel Reeves

Deputy Prime Minister set out proposals to reinstate the pensions lifetime allowance and change dividend taxes in the secret memo

Politics

3 d. ago Rayner ‘sent suggestions to Reeves on raising taxes ahead of spring statement’

The Chancellor has been adamant she will not turn to tax rises as part of the Government’s efforts to fund its policies.

Politics

6 d. ago Anthony Albanese has an opportunity to build a legacy of real reform. Will he take it? | Julianne Schultz

With overwhelming support from the Australian people, the enormity of this moment should not be underestimatedGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIn a dramatic departure from normal practice, Mr Crisis and Ms Opportunity have arrived arm-in-arm at the Australian front door. Usually – remember the pandemic – Mr Crisis arrives unexpectedly and noisily and leaves Ms Opportunity sitting in the car drawing up lists of transformative things that might be done.The enormity of this moment, when the Australian people have acknowledged the crises but signalled they want decisive action – by electing a stable majority government that no longer needs to jump at a Murdoch-shaped shadow – should not be underestimated.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news emailJulianne Schultz is the author of The Idea of Australia and Steel City Blues Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Here’s why the UK economy has grown so quickly, and what comes next

Tax rises and Trump’s tariffs could lead to a very different picture soon

Politics

9 d. ago Starmer’s former economic adviser warns Reeves will have to raise taxes

Labour prime minister and chancellor under pressure as US President Donald Trump’s tariffs continue to hit the UK, despite last week’s trade deal

Events

9 d. ago Pete Rose returns to the Hall conversation as baseball embraces his original sin

MLB’s all-time hits leader was exiled from the sport he loved because of his gambling. Now the game is embracing betting at every opportunityThe not-so-bombshell decision on Tuesday by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred to reinstate Pete Rose, ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson and others to eligibility for the Hall of Fame, was actually months in the making. In January, representatives for Rose filed a petition in support of the former Reds star, who died last September, with MLB. Then in an April White House meeting, Manfred met with Donald Trump and discussed the Rose affair. Trump has made his opinions known about Rose for years. Though the wheels were already in motion, the meeting made Rose’s reinstatement feel inevitable.Manfred was – and is – in a difficult position. Across American institutions – from law firms to media outlets to universities – the intense pressure from the White House to conform to Trump has been hard to ignore. And with immigration from countries that produce many of MLB’...

Politics

9 d. ago More UK high street misery as several stores to disappear for good – see full list

More empty shops are set to line the UK's battered high street, with the announcement that even more stores are set to close or already have done so . . . with tax rises to blame

Events

2 w. ago Labour warned of 'fight of our lives' against Nigel Farage as Rachel Reeves is battered by MPs over UK's 'economic doom loop'

Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden appealed for the party to pull together in 'a battle for the very future and the heart and soul of our country'.

Events

2 w. ago Card Factory confident despite ‘uncertain’ backdrop and cost hikes

The group reported a 6.3% rise in underlying pre-tax profits to £66 million in the year to January 31 as revenues lifted 6.2% to £542.5 million.

Politics

2 w. ago Wes Streeting: I will defend the tax rises funding 8.3m GP appointments

Exclusive: Health secretary to challenge Reform on how it would fund investment in NHSWes Streeting will launch a vocal defence of the party’s tax rises on Tuesday, pledging an extra 8.3m GP appointments to “end the 8am scramble” and telling his opponents that the investment would not be possible without the national insurance rise.The health secretary, who has been the party’s most vocal challenger on Reform, is expected to step up the attacks on opposition parties, which have dubbed the NICs rise for employers a “job tax” and said he would challenge those who had criticised the rise on how they would fund investment in the health service. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Shein and Temu prices rise as Donald Trump closes major tax loophole

The 'de minimis' tax rule allowed imports from China and Hong Kong that are worth under $800 to enter the US duty-free - but this came to an end on May 2

Politics

3 w. ago Barclays sees profits surge as tariffs turmoil boosts trading activity

The banking group reported a better-than-expected 19% rise in pre-tax profits to £2.72 billion, despite setting aside more cash for bad debts.

Economics

3 w. ago Barclays sees profits jump despite rise in bad debt provisions amid US concerns

The UK banking giant reported a 19% rise in pre-tax profits to £2.72 billion for the three months to March 31.

Economics

3 w. ago DVLA tells drivers they could be entitled to car tax refund amid price rises

Some motorists could get money back on their Vehicle Excise Duty after the cost of it rose for millions this month

Economics