3 d. ago Investors warn Rachel Reeves she has little fiscal room for error

Chancellor criticised over decision to stick with £9.9bn of budgetary headroom

Events

3 d. ago Welsh Labour MP breaks ranks to launch punchy criticism of his own Chancellor

Welsh Labour MP Steve Witherden has hit out following announcements made in the Spring Statement

Politics

3 d. ago Voices: Independent readers react to Rachel Reeves’ spring statement – from ‘out of touch’ to ‘genuine poverty’

The chancellor’s spring statement sparked fierce criticism from readers, who accused her of reviving austerity by targeting the poor while failing to prioritise improving living standards, tax reform, and sustainable economic growth

Politics

3 d. ago Reeves on a double knife edge as she could be forced to order ‘blockbuster’ tax rises, say experts

Critics said her future as chancellor is under threat as a result of errors she has made since taking charge of the economy last year

Politics

5 d. ago Rachel Reeves told she 'would have been sacked in any other industry' by Tory leader

The Chancellor has been publicly criticised by the opposition leader.

Politics

5 d. ago Minister appears to criticise Chancellor over Sabrina Carpenter freebie

Matthew Pennycook said he does not ‘personally think it’s appropriate’ to take a hospitality offering to gigs at the venue.

Politics

1 week ago Jeremy Hunt hits out at ‘hyperbolic’ Brexit claims of backers like Boris Johnson

Ex-chancellor criticises ‘hyperbolic’ projections as report which claims economic impact of leaving the European Union less than previously thought

Politics

2 w. ago No exodus to state sector after VAT added to private school fees, say English councils

Most say they have seen no impact on applications for year 7 places, despite warnings from those against policyPredictions that adding VAT to private school fees would set off a wave of parents moving children to the state sector have been proved wrong at their first key test, according to figures from councils in England.While critics including the former chancellor Jeremy Hunt had predicted that up to 90,000 children could flood the state sector if VAT of 20% was charged, most councils say they have seen no impact from the policy in applications to start at state secondary schools later this year. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago ‘A risky bet’: Friedrich Merz criticised over plan to lift Germany’s debt rules

Chancellor-in-waiting accused of taking part in ‘debt orgy’ after proposing loosening rules to boost defenceGermany’s chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz, is facing a barrage of criticism from opposition politicians over his radical proposals to loosen rules on running up debt to allow for higher defence spending and boost the economy.The CDU/CSU leader’s proposals for a multibillion-euro package, agreed with his potential coalition partners the Social Democrats, have been described as everything from a “bazooka” to “an extremely risky bet” by economists. He himself has called them vital “in light of the threats to our freedom and peace on our continent”. Continue reading...

Events