42 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

44 h. ago More blows for Rachel Reeves as government borrowing hit highest outside Covid in April despite huge NICs raid... with signs the economy is still stalling

Embattled Rachel Reeves saw the public sector rack up £20.2billion of borrowing last month, far more than the £17.6billion analysts had expected.

Politics

46 h. ago UK government borrowing rises to £20.2 billion as pressure mounts on Rachel Reeves

The latest figure showed that the Chancellor had to borrow more money than expected over the month

Economics

47 h. ago Another hammer blow for Rachel Reeves as government borrowing soared to highest outside Covid in April despite huge NICs raid on firms

Embattled Rachel Reeves saw the public sector rack up £20.2billion of borrowing last month, far more than the £17.6billion analysts had expected.

Politics

47 h. ago Pressure on Chancellor after Government borrowing jumps to £20.2bn

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

Politics

48 h. ago UK borrowing rises to £20.2bn, putting pressure on Rachel Reeves

April figure more than expected and comes despite increase in employer national insurance contributionsBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK government borrowed more than expected in April, underscoring the challenge for Rachel Reeves to fix public services and grow the economy while meeting her fiscal rules.With the chancellor under pressure on Labour’s tax plans, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said public sector net borrowing rose to £20.2bn in April, £1bn more than the same month a year earlier. City economists had forecast borrowing of £17.9bn. Continue reading...

Economics

5 d. ago The Guardian view on Britain’s new aid vision: less cash, more spin. The cost will be counted in lives | Editorial

With development assistance cuts, ministers have traded responsibility for rhetoric and borrowed from Donald Trump’s playbook Last week, the government justified cutting the UK’s development budget from 0.5% to 0.3% of gross national income – the lowest level in more than 25 years – by claiming Britain’s role is now to “share expertise”, not hand out cash. With a straight face, the minister responsible, Jenny Chapman, told MPs on the international development committee that the age of the UK as “a global charity” was over. But this isn’t reinvention – it’s abdication, wrapped in spin. No wonder Sarah Champion, the Labour MP who is chair of the committee, called Lady Chapman’s remarks “naive” and “disrespectful”. Behind the slogans lies a brutal truth: lives will be lost, and Britain no longer cares. Dressing that up as the “new normal” doesn’t make it less callous.Kevin Watkins of the London School of Economics analysed the cuts and found no soft-landing options. He suggests chartin...

Economics

8 d. ago Private nurseries in West Lothian warn over impact of national insurance rise

A spokesperson for the private nurseries said that despite “open and frank” talks the education department had not recognised the financial pressure caused by rises in the minimum wage thresholds and NI contributions.

Events

1 week ago ‘Punching walls’ and ‘shouting’: Inside the worrying rise of children reporting anger issues

School and online pressures have been blamed for the rise in children turning to Childcare for help with anger issues

Politics

1 week ago EastEnders star Lacey Turner reflects on cost of living struggles and parenting stigmas as she says: 'it doesn't matter what industry you're in, we're all the same'

In a chat with MailOnline, the EastEnders actress, 37, who welcomed her third child in January, opened up on pressures faced by new parents as prices continue to rise.

Politics

2 w. ago Spurs and Postecoglou face moment of truth on Bodø/Glimt’s plastic pitch

Tottenham are without key players for the Europa League semi-final second leg against opponents who have beliefEuropean football has provided Tottenham with a sanctuary during this most confusing of seasons. Their Premier League campaign has been a disaster but they have turned into a different team against continental opposition. They have veered away from the wilder excesses of Angeball during their run to the Europa League semi-finals – their quarter-final win over Eintracht Frankfurt was achieved with a crafty, gritty performance in the second leg – and silverware will be within reach for the first time since 2008 if they can hold their nerve at the Aspmyra Stadium.Freeze in the Arctic Circle, though, and the ice that Ange Postecoglou has been skating on since January will finally crack. This is the moment to move away from the modern Tottenham’s history to sort of dare, not quite do and fall short when the pressure rises. Postecoglou has railed against the club’s reputation as ...

Politics

2 w. ago Reeves insists she understands voters’ concerns after Labour election setbacks

Chancellor Rachel Reeves defended her actions in office as pressure mounted on Labour to U-turn on the winter fuel payment cut.

Politics

3 w. ago Tax hike fears mount as Rachel Reeves faces calls to splurge even MORE on public sector pay

Pay review bodies have recommended 4 per cent for teachers and 3 per cent for NHS workers - significantly more than the 2.8 per cent the government has proposed.

Economics