8 h. ago Tax rises: Freeze on income tax thresholds for millions left on table by Treasury minister Darren Jones

The Government has promised not to raise the ‘headline rate’ of income tax but has left open the possibility of freezing the thresholds for paying the levy

Politics

8 h. ago Treasury minister says ‘headline’ rate of income tax won’t go up, in hint thresholds might be frozen in budget – UK politics live

Darren Jones also declines to rule out wealth tax when questioned about government plansRecord-breaking extreme weather is the new norm in the UK, a report by the Met Office says. Damian Carrington has the story.Here is the Met Office summary. And here is the full report.The number of days with temperatures 5°C above the 1961-1990 average has doubled for the most recent decade 2015-2024 compared to 1961-1990. For 8°C above average the number has trebled and for 10°C it has quadrupled. This shows how the hottest days we experience in the UK have increased in frequency dramatically in just a few decades. Continue reading...

Politics

9 h. ago Income tax threshold freeze for millions beyond 2028 left on table by Treasury minister Darren Jones

The Government has promised not to raise the ‘headline rate’ of income tax but has left open the possibility of freezing the thresholds for paying the levy

Politics

9 h. ago Who will be hit by Labour's new wealth tax? Minister refuses to say as BoE warns firms are cutting jobs and hints interest rates will fall to prop up stalling economy

Treasury Chief Secretary Darren Jones dodged on what counted as a 'modest income' after promises that those workers would be protected.

Events

10 h. ago Minister wriggles on who will be hit by tax hikes as BoE chief warns firms are cutting jobs and hints interest rates will fall to prop up stalling economy

Treasury Chief Secretary Darren Jones dodged on what counted as a 'modest income' after promises that those workers would be protected.

Events

12 h. ago Rachel Reeves to launch 'concierge service' for wealthy – with tax rises for everyone else

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to launch a new 'concierge service' for wealthy individuals to help lure investors to expand in the UK - but will they be put off by the potential for a wealth tax?

Economics

29 h. ago Labour minister hints at tax hikes for middle class – but rules out rises for people on ‘modest incomes’

Transport secretary says ministers have promised not to raise taxes for ‘people on modest incomes’

Politics

31 h. ago Keir Starmer's ratings plunge to new record low after benefits shambles and Reeves' tears... with tax rise fears mounting

Just 18 per cent of Brits have a positive view of Keir Starmer's performance in Downing Street, according to a poll.

Politics

33 h. ago Chancellor guided by ‘fairness’, senior minister says of calls for wealth tax

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander would not directly rule out tax rises in the next budget as she toured the broadcast studios on Sunday morning.

Politics

56 h. ago Starmer and Reeves promised honesty about public finances. Can they stay the course?

Labour is being pulled one way by a desire to cut debt and the other by slumping poll ratings. With growth nowhere to be seen, tax rises loomDuring the first televised debate in the run-up to last summer’s general election, Keir Starmer used a phrase that received enthusiastic – and unanticipated – applause from the Salford audience.“I don’t pretend there’s a magic wand that will fix everything overnight,” he told them. Labour strategists were surprised by the clapping, and encouraged him to deploy the line again in future. Continue reading...

Politics

59 h. ago Car tax changes as certain drivers face rise of nearly £2,000

Bills are set to rise sharply as a result of the new tax year, with van owners among those affected by the increase

Economics

3 d. ago UK economy shrinks unexpectedly by 0.1% in blow to Rachel Reeves

May’s fall in GDP fuelled by sharp declines in manufacturing and constructionAnalysis: Fall in UK GDP puts focus back on expectations of tax rises in autumn budgetBusiness live – latest updatesBritain’s economy unexpectedly shrank in May, fuelled by sharp declines in manufacturing and construction, in a blow for the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, amid speculation over tax increases.The Office for National Statistics said gross domestic product fell by 0.1% in May, missing City predictions of a 0.1% monthly expansion. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Which tax rises could the government introduce to fill the black hole in Britain’s finances?

Labour’s pledge not to raise taxes on ‘working people’ leaves the chancellor with a limited number of workable options to fill the £5bn hole in the public finances left by last week’s welfare climbdown

Politics

5 d. ago Britons ‘desperately’ want to escape gloomy lives, says Jet2

Airline and package holiday group posts 11% rise in annual pre-tax earnings to record £578mn

Politics

5 d. ago UK politics live: Starmer rules out income tax rise at PMQs before bidding to strike migrant deal with Macron

PM answering questions from opposition in Commons now

Politics

5 d. ago Scottish island town with just 3 hours of daily sunshine named UK's unluckiest place to live

A new study ranked 121 UK postcode areas by luck, using data on lottery wins, sunshine, tax rises, and flat tyre searches

Politics

6 d. ago Council tax bombshell: Eight London boroughs face big bill rises or major cuts to services

EXCLUSIVE: London boroughs facing being hard hit by the controversial shake-up include Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Wandsworth, Richmond, Hammersmith and Fulham, Islington, Camden and the City of London

Economics

6 d. ago Council tax bombshell: Bills in London borough 'would have to soar 27%' to plug funding reforms black hole

EXCLUSIVE: London boroughs facing being hard hit by the controversial shake-up include Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Wandsworth, Richmond, Hammersmith and Fulham, Islington, Camden and the City of London

Economics

6 d. ago Met Office urges Brits to follow 4 rules in extreme heat this week

Heatwave thresholds are set to be met this week with millions of Brits urged to follow four strict rules to stay safe in the boiling mercury

Society

6 d. ago QUENTIN LETTS: The yelps of Tory mirth could have been the canned laughter they used on The Flintstones

Rachel Reeves could - arguably should - have been at the Commons despatch box to answer questions about her fiscal rules. Instead we had Darren Jones, Treasury chief secretary.

Politics