2 h. ago Chancellor Rachel Reeves hit by triple blow as outlook for growth is slashed, retail sales are falling and bosses warn the high street is dying

The hat-trick of gloomy signs about the state of the economy came as the Chancellor prepared to reveal worsening official forecasts in today's Spring Statement.

Events

2 h. ago 'I'm too poor to be sick, why is Rachel Reeves trying to break us?'

As Rachel Reeves prepares for tomorrow's spring statement on the government's financial plans, three readers from the most vulnerable groups in society ask her to rethink her controversial stance on welfare claims

Politics

3 h. ago Budget 2025 latest: Reeves boosts defence spending by £2.2bn as more benefit cuts foreshadowed

The Chancellor of the Exchequer is under pressure to deliver in her spring statement

Economics

3 h. ago Reeves admits “further and faster” action is needed to kickstart growth

Before the statement, the Office for Budget Responsibility will publish its forecast on the UK economy, which is widely expected to slash its forecast for economic growth

Politics

3 h. ago Reeves to unveil £2.2bn UK defence spending boost in Spring Statement

Money for increase from April will come from aid budget and backup funds

Economics

3 h. ago Rachel Reeves to announce extra £2.2billion defence spending in Spring Statement

Ms Reeves will insist the spending is the ‘right decision in a more insecure world’

Economics

3 h. ago Rachel Reeves launches mission to 'face down UK threats' with Spring Statement changes

Rachel Reeves warned that the 'world is changing' as she revealed a major cash injection for defence ahead of the Spring Statement, where she faces a gloomy verdict on the economy

Events

3 h. ago Rachel Reeves should prioritise hiking spending on public services, voters say

It comes as the Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to deliver the Spring Statement on Wednesday amid fears unprotected government departments will see spending squeezed

Politics

7 h. ago Spring Statement 2025: Rachel Reeves to reveal budget – follow live

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will present her first highly anticipated Spring Budget to parliament on Wednesday.

Politics

8 h. ago Benefits reform and jobs cuts: The political headaches for Labour in Reeves’ spring statement

Labour chancellor set to squeeze Whitehall budgets by up to 7 per cent

Politics

9 h. ago Spring Statement 2025: What you can expect including taxes, benefits and spending cuts

The Chancellor is expected to reveal significant cuts to the Civil Service as well as unveil further details of the cuts to benefits and disability payments

Economics

9 h. ago What to expect from Rachel Reeves’s (brief) spring statement

Talk of tough choices ahead, an increase in debt financing, and more initiatives to promote growthThe spring statement offers an opportunity for Rachel Reeves to talk about progress since last October’s budget, the government’s growth agenda and how it is attempting to raise living standards. However, the chancellor’s message is likely to be defensive after being blown off course in recent months.Last year she promised “no return to austerity”. But after stalled tax receipts denied her the income she expected, and concerns over the global economy and Donald Trump’s antics raised the UK’s borrowing costs, Reeves is being forced to make cuts to stay within her budget rules. Here is what to expect from Reeves’s speech, which is predicted to be relatively short at just 25 minutes. Continue reading...

Politics

10 h. ago February inflation set to ease in ‘calm before storm’ of April bill hikes

The latest inflation data will be published on Wednesday, the same day the Chancellor delivers her spring statement.

Economics

10 h. ago Budget 2025 latest: Reeves’ staggering unpopularity laid bare in new poll ahead of spring statement

The Chancellor of the Exchequer is under pressure to deliver in her spring statement

Politics

11 h. ago Budget 2025 latest: Public want Reeves to tax super wealthy over cut spending in spring statement, poll says

The Chancellor of the Exchequer is under pressure to deliver in her spring statement

Economics

12 h. ago Why London's property market is broken — and what fixes can we expect in the spring statement?

A £2bn funding boost for new homes in England has been announced ahead of tomorrow’s spring statement

Politics

12 h. ago As Rachel Reeves tries to save her job, see exactly how the government spends every pound of YOUR taxes with our interactive calculator

The Chancellor is set to put the squeeze on some Whitehall departments as she tries to patch up a deep hole in the public finances.

Politics

13 h. ago REVEALED: Tomorrow's Spring statement has a £45billion black hole. This is what you need to be prepared for

It is going to be bad, very bad. But it could be worse, a lot worse. In tomorrow's Spring Statement, Rachel Reeves will be forced to plug a £15billion gap in the public finances.

Economics

13 h. ago DWP outlines help for people losing PIP entitlement or benefits under new proposals

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announce more details on the proposed reforms during the Spring Statement on March 26.

Politics

14 h. ago Britons cutting back on everyday spending due to gloomy outlook on ‘worsening’ UK economy

The Consumer Pulse survey from KPMG found three in five people think the UK economy is worsening

Economics