18 h. ago The government cuts key data used in hurricane forecasting, and experts sound an alarm

Weather experts are warning that hurricane forecasts will be severely hampered by the upcoming cutoff of key data from U.S. Department of Defense satellites

Politics

18 h. ago Reeves expected to freeze income tax thresholds to raise funds after welfare U

Government’s concessions over welfare cuts leave chancellor with a growing hole in her budgetRachel Reeves is expected to extend a freeze on income tax thresholds to raise fresh funds after the government’s U-turn on welfare cuts left her with a growing budget hole.The chancellor was already facing pressure to backtrack on pledges not to increase taxes further as she attempted to fix public services and grow the economy while meeting her fiscal rules. Continue reading...

Economics

19 h. ago Starmer ‘must hike taxes’ to plug £4.5bn black hole after welfare U

Sir Keir Starmer’s U-turn now leaves the government with a choice between raising taxes or cutting spending elsewhere

Economics

21 h. ago Reeves expected to freeze income tax thresholds to raise fresh funds

Government’s U-turn on welfare cuts leaves chancellor with a growing hole in her budgetBusiness live – latest updatesRachel Reeves is expected to extend a freeze on income tax thresholds to raise fresh funds after the government’s U-turn on welfare cuts left her with a growing budget hole.The chancellor was already facing pressure to backtrack on pledges not to increase taxes further as she attempted to fix public services and grow the economy while meeting her fiscal rules. Continue reading...

Economics

30 h. ago Another tragic fact about this disastrous welfare bill: it proves Labour hasn’t learned and doesn’t listen | Polly Toynbee

From cabinet members to the British public, there is an outcry about these benefits cuts. Why is the government always so poor at reading the room?This disaster bill won’t pass on Tuesday. The dangerous obduracy of the prime minister and chancellor confirms precisely what Labour MPs say: they haven’t listened, they aren’t listening and the fear is they won’t learn to listen. Even if the bill squeezed through with some softening, it will be a pyrrhic victory. Why take such a risk for so little? U-turns are better than crashes, but best not left to the last nanosecond.Senior ministers, some of whom have already spoken up in cabinet, will put their feet down firmly to insist on radical alteration, or better still that it’s withdrawn and rethought to avoid what they call “this catastrophe”. If niceties of parliamentary practice escape some, understand how extraordinary this rebellion is. Read their “reasoned amendment” with its crushing reasons why.Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist ...

Events

30 h. ago Another tragic fact about this disastrous welfare bill: it proves Labour hasn’t learned and doesn’t truly listen | Polly Toynbee

From cabinet members to the British public, there is an outcry about these benefits cuts. Why is the government always so poor at reading the room?This disaster bill won’t pass on Tuesday. The dangerous obduracy of the prime minister and chancellor confirms precisely what Labour MPs say: they haven’t listened, they aren’t listening and the fear is they won’t learn to listen. Even if the bill squeezed through with some softening, it will be a pyrrhic victory. Why take such a risk for so little? U-turns are better than crashes, but best not left to the last nanosecond.Senior ministers, some of whom have already spoken up in cabinet, will put their feet down firmly to insist on radical alteration, or better still that it’s withdrawn and rethought to avoid what they call “this catastrophe”. If niceties of parliamentary practice escape some, understand how extraordinary this rebellion is. Read their “reasoned amendment” with its crushing reasons why.Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist ...

Events

39 h. ago Delaying welfare reform is better than bad welfare reform, prime minister

Editorial: Prior to putting before parliament its plans to cut disability and sickness-related benefits, the government must first complete essential groundwork that ought to have been done already – namely, consulting with those at the sharp end of the change: people with disabilities

Politics

39 h. ago Conservative Central Scotland MSP backs proposals to give "taxpayers a fair deal"

Meghan Gallacher says her party's plans would cut the cost of running government, allowing a tax cut worth up to £444 a year for everyone earning over £15,397 in Lanarkshire.

Economics

67 h. ago SNP Government to cut jobs to help fill £2.6bn black hole as rivals blast 'gross mismanagement'

John Swinney's will try to reduce the public sector headcount.

Politics

68 h. ago Labour MPs accuse No 10 of being ‘in denial’ about scale of rebellion over welfare cuts

Ministers said to be considering further concessions with more than 120 MPs poised to rebel against governmentLabour MPs have accused No 10 of being in denial about the scale of the rebellion over the government’s flagship welfare cuts, amid division at the top of government over whether to pull the controversial bill. Ministers are understood to be considering further concessions to be offered to MPs by the weekend – with more than 120 MPs poised to rebel against the government.A number of cabinet ministers are now said to believe the bill has no chance of passing in its current form, though some are still being deployed to speak to angry MPs in an attempt to win them over. Keir Starmer fuelled further anger within the party after he appeared to shrug off mounting Labour unrest over the proposed reforms, dismissing the backlash as “noises off” and insisting his party remains “pretty united” behind the need for change. The prime minister is facing the biggest revolt of his premiersh...

Politics

3 d. ago More Labour MPs signal rebellion against Government over welfare reforms

Labour MPs Alex Sobel and Danny Beales were the latest to back an amendment to the Government’s welfare cuts.

Politics

4 d. ago UK welfare cuts: The 9 Scottish Labour MPs set to rebel against Sir Keir Starmer's government

The cuts to disability payments by Sir Keir Starmer’s government are estimated to push 250,000 people into relative poverty.

Politics

4 d. ago Nine Scottish Labour MPs support bid to block UK Government welfare cuts bill

The major rebellion comes amid growing fears about the impact of the changes on disabled people.

Politics

4 d. ago Dozens of rebel Labour MPs seek to halt Starmer’s welfare reforms

Opponents of the government’s bill that would cut benefits want to pressure ministers into making changes

Politics

4 d. ago Dozens of rebel Labour MPs seek to stop Starmer’s welfare reforms

Opponents of the government’s bill that would cut benefits want to pressure ministers into making changes

Politics

4 d. ago Over 100 rebel Labour MPs seek to stop Starmer’s welfare reforms

Opponents of government’s bill that would cut benefits want to pressure ministers into making changes

Politics

4 d. ago Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke MP welcomes UK Government’s expansion of Warm Home Discount

Over six million households in the UK will see their energy bills cut by £150 this winter after the UK Government removed restrictions that previously excluded many who needed support, and increased the level of spend available in Scotland for energy suppliers.

Politics

5 d. ago ‘High energy costs have held back businesses’, says Miliband as government announces industrial strategy – UK politics live

Prime minister says 10-year industrial strategy marks ‘turning point for economy’ as energy secretary says government will cut electricity costs for businessesBy the way, if you actually wanted to read the Modern Industrial Strategy document published by the government today, you can find it here.The government has just pushed out a joint statement from business leaders welcoming it, which says:The Industrial Strategy launched today marks a significant step forward and a valuable opportunity for the business community to rally behind a new vision for the UK – boosting confidence, sentiment, and enthusiasm for investment.From start-ups and small businesses to large corporates, businesses need a more attractive, stable environment that enables faster, easier, and more certain investment decisions.For too long high electricity costs have held back British businesses, as a result of our reliance on gas sold on volatile international markets.As part of our modern industrial strategy we’r...

Politics

5 d. ago Energy bills could be cut by up to 25% for thousands of UK businesses

The plan forms a key part of Sir Keir Starmer's 10-year industrial strategy

Economics

8 d. ago Labour Government frontbencher resigns over proposed disability benefit cuts

Vicky Foxcroft has resigned as a Government whip because she did not believe the proposed cuts “should be part of the solution”.

Politics