17 h. ago Who is running Britain’s economy – Rachel Reeves or Donald Trump?

The chancellor’s careful calculations for her spring statement are likely to be blown out of the water by a looming US trade war• From more tax to rewriting budget rules: six alternative ways Reeves could raise moneyAs Rachel Reeves powered through her spring statement on Wednesday, telling the country she was “restoring stability to the public finances” few in the House of Commons chamber seemed to know what to make of it all.Reeves’s message did not seem to resonate with the underlying mood of uncertainty and anxiety at home and abroad. Many Labour MP nodded loyally along with her, trying to impress the whips. Others on the government benches looked grave. Growth forecasts for this year had been halved. Money would have to be raised to meet the chancellor’s own fiscal rules, and the poorest would be the ones bearing the brunt. Continue reading...

Politics

34 h. ago Starmer urged to reveal if he made comparison between benefits and pocket money

Treasury minister Darren Jones faced backlash when he made the comparison in the wake of the Chancellor’s spring statement.

Politics

47 h. ago DAILY MAIL COMMENT: 'Awful April' will be the cruellest month

You've got to hand it to Rachel Reeves. Despite her lamentable Spring Statement being savaged across the political spectrum, the Chancellor is putting a brave face on it.

Politics

47 h. ago Watch: Rachel Reeves holds press conference after spring statement backlash

Watch again as Rachel Reeves held a press conference on 26 March following backlash to her spring statement.

Politics

48 h. ago Reeves’s spring statement almost as unpopular as Truss’s disastrous mini

Just one in five voters believe Rachel Reeves is doing a good job, as chancellor’s approval rating plunges towards that of her predecessor Kwasi Kwarteng prior to him being sacked

Events

53 h. ago How did the UK's finances get into such a mess and what does the future hold?

The spring statement shone a light on the dire state of the UK finances - but how is it that our debt pile stands at £2.8trillion and we are paying over £100billion a year in interest?

Politics

58 h. ago Self employed to face higher fines for paying late tax returns

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the new measure during the Spring Statement.

Economics

59 h. ago ‘Was this new age austerity always coming?’ Your spring statement questions answered by Andrew Grice

In this exclusive Q&A session, The Independent’s political commentator Andrew Grice tackles welfare cuts, taxation, and the economic challenges facing the UK

Politics

65 h. ago Keir Starmer is one of Labour’s most rightwing prime ministers. And one of its most leftwing, too | Andy Beckett

The PM offers a political hybrid designed for a fickle electorate. There are short-term electoral gains to be won, but risks in the long termFor more than eight months now, since shortly after Labour won power, more and more people have been outraged by the government’s moves to the right. Starting with its decision to keep the Conservatives’ cruel two-child benefit cap last July, the government has regularly given these critics reasons to feel shocked, betrayed or just disappointed.From deportation videos to Keir Starmer’s declaration that “I like and respect” Donald Trump, from repeated public sector cuts to the chancellor Rachel Reeves’s talk of “tearing down regulatory barriers” in this week’s spring statement, Labour has often behaved as if the boundaries between its supposedly centre-left politics and the politics of the right or even the far right have simply melted away. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Rachel Reeves' visit to Wales: Handshakes, hugs, and a lesson in devolution

The chancellor spent a large chunk of her day trying to defend welfare cuts following her Spring Statement on Wednesday, March 26

Politics

3 d. ago Chancellor Rachel Reeves refuses to accept welfare cuts will push children into poverty

The UK Government chancellor visited Wales for the first time since her party's election successes in 2024 and a day after her Spring Statement

Politics

3 d. ago What Trump's trade war means for YOU: As tariffs throw markets into turmoil, what investors should do

The ink was barely dry on Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement before her plans to balance the nation's books were effectively blown out of the water.

Economics

3 d. ago Single mum carer on benefits says cuts adds to 'scumbags' stigma

The mum-of-two has been left disappointed by the Chancellor's Spring Statement on Wednesday.

Politics

3 d. ago Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement: Experts react to controversial changes – 'she'll need more'

The spring statement, worsening economy and Donald Trump's latest trade tariffs on cars has led to renewed speculation about more tax rises to come and a further hit to hard-up households

Politics

3 d. ago Rachel Reeves 'likely' to raise taxes in Autumn, Institute for Fiscal Studies say

It comes after a difficult Spring Statement

Events

3 d. ago Keir Starmer refuses to rule out Autumn tax hike amid think tank warning

It comes after a difficult Spring Statement

Events

3 d. ago Sir Keir Starmer refuses to rule out Autumn tax hike amid think tank warning

It comes after a difficult Spring Statement

Events

3 d. ago Eradicating child poverty ‘more challenging’ after spring statement – Swinney

The First Minister was speaking after figures showed Scotland’s interim child poverty targets were missed.

Politics

3 d. ago Premium Bonds warning issued after NS&I update in Spring Statement

Premium Bonds are a savings product, but instead of getting a guaranteed rate of interest, you're entered into a monthly prize draw

Events

3 d. ago Labour MPs threaten 'the mother of all rebellions' over benefit cuts with 'dozens' ready to revolt as child poverty hits record level

More than 30 backbenchers are said to be ready to vote against plans to make it harder to claim incapacity benefits and personal independence payments (Pip).

Events