55 m. ago Reeves hints at priority as she says ‘trading relationship with Europe arguably more important’ than US – UK politics live

Chancellor said she understood the focus on possible deal with US, but added the EU remained ‘our nearest neighbours and trading partners’Water company bosses face up to two years in prison if they cover up illegal sewage spills under new laws coming into force, PA Media reports. PA says:The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said no prison sentences have been handed to water company executives since privatisation despite widespread illegal sewage discharges, and the tougher penalties were essential because some firms have obstructed investigations.Environment secretary Steve Reed said: “Bosses must face consequences if they commit crimes. There must be accountability. From today, there will be no more hiding places.”I’m now pretty optimistic that we are moving in a good direction.In the end, I think everybody understands that this is about our security in Europe. It requires cooperation between democracies, friends, allies, countries with the same values.The...

Politics

82 m. ago Rachel Reeves will meet US counterpart TODAY as figures show a QUARTER of UK car exports go to America

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will sit down with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington, where they have been both attending an IMF summit.

Politics

2 h. ago Rachel Reeves suggests UK trade with EU more important than US ahead of crunch talks in Washington

Chancellor is set to meet with her US counterpart Scott Bessent on Friday

Politics

3 h. ago Reeves reveals plan to rip up banking regulations brought in after financial crash

Chancellor indicates she wants to hand market freedoms it had almost two decades ago, before major banks were bailed out by government

Events

11 h. ago Reeves to hold trade talks with US counterpart in Washington

Rachel Reeves will conclude her trip to the IMF’s spring meetings with talks on a potential US-UK trade deal.

Politics

16 h. ago Rachel Reeves to say world leaders should 'reduce barriers to trade' ahead of meeting with US counterpart over Donald Trump's tariffs and a UK deal

The Chancellor will tell the International Monetary Fund 's spring meeting in Washington that the 'new era of global trade' requires a new system that 'provides security for working people'.

Politics

17 h. ago Reeves moves to appease Trump with new vision for global trade

As the UK scrambles to get a US trade deal, Rachel Reeves has made a speech calling for a new global trade system aimed at dealing with concerns raised by Donald Trump

Politics

17 h. ago Reeves to say global trade should provide ‘security for working people’

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is in Washington for the International Monetary Fund’s spring meeting of finance ministers from the G7 and G20.

Events

25 h. ago Group of 70 Labour MPs and peers demand 'youth free movement' deal with the EU as Rachel Reeves hints she backs scheme despite concerns it will fuel immigration

They made the call in a letter to Nick Thomas-Symonds, the minister in charge of the Government's ongoing negotiations with Brussels.

Economics

33 h. ago Rachel Reeves: There's a deal to be done with Trump that may see tariffs cut on US goods

The Chancellor told a summit the White House is 'keen' to thrash out a trade arrangement. But she insisted Britain will not rush into any accord that is not in 'our national interest'.

Economics

37 h. ago Rachel Reeves in US for trade showdown talks in hopes of saving ailing economy

Rachel Reeves will meet with US counterpart Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in the hopes of seeking the best deal possible for Britain amid crippling US trade tariffs

Economics

37 h. ago Rachel Reeves has been dealt a tough hand – she must hold her nerve

Editorial: The chancellor must resist the siren calls of higher borrowing or deeper public spending cuts and instead look at windfall taxes on big tech companies and banks

Economics

39 h. ago US ‘keen to do a deal’, says Rachel Reeves as she outlines red lines ahead of trade talks

Chancellor expected to meet US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent on Friday in an attempt to make progress on negotiations for a UK-US economic deal

Economics

40 h. ago Rachel Reeves says US trip about more than 'damage limitation' as she signals UK could lower import levies on American cars in bid for trade deal with Donald Trump

The Chancellor is in Washington for IMF meetings and talks with other G20 finance ministers to discuss the impact of the US president on global commerce.

Politics

40 h. ago US ‘keen to do a deal’, says Chancellor ahead of trade talks

Rachel Reeves has travelled to the US capital for the International Monetary Fund’s spring meetings of G7 and G20 finance ministers.

Economics

41 h. ago UK open to lowering tariffs on US goods to secure Donald Trump trade deal

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said Donald Trump is 'keen' to forge an agreement with the UK, which could ease the impact of his sweeping trade tariffs on British businesses

Economics

42 h. ago Rachel Reeves 'may not be far away' from more tax hikes as borrowing jumps, experts warn

A bigger than expected borrowing binge last year - coupled with a tariff-fuelled downturn - could force the Chancellor to line up more tax rises or spending cuts later this year

Events

43 h. ago Watch live: Rachel Reeves gives major speech on UK economy at International Monetary Fund in Washington DC

Watch live as chancellor Rachel Reeves gives a major speech on the UK economy at the International Monetary Fund in Washington DC on Wednesday (23 April).

Society

44 h. ago UK private sector shrinks as export orders slump; state borrowing nearly £15bn above official forecast – business live

Eurozone private sector ‘broadly stable’ in April; stocks, dollar, oil prices rise on hopes of US-China trade dealUK annual borrowing exceeds forecasts by almost £15bnThe collapse in confidence and drop in output during April raise red flags for the economic outlook and add pressure on the Bank of England to reduce interest rates again at its May meeting, said Chris Williamson, chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.While recent months have been characterised by UK businesses treading water, broadly stagnating since last autumn’s budget, businesses are reporting more of a struggle to keep their heads above water in April.April’s fall in output was the largest recorded for nearly two and a half years, consistent with GDP declining at a quarterly rate of 0.3%, reflecting falling activity and demand across both manufacturing and services. Continue reading...

Economics

45 h. ago Starmer urged to end benefit reassessments for those with learning disabilities

Sir Keir Starmer was questioned about personal independence payments at PMQs.

Politics