15 articles tagged
Four of Britain’s most influential chefs warn that VAT reduction is essential to prevent pubs and restaurants from collapsing under economic pressure. The plea comes as the industry faces its toughest year on record, with rising costs and plummeting profits.
Public sector net borrowing hit £20.5 billion last month, far exceeding forecasts as inflation-driven debt interest payments surged. The shortfall marks the highest April deficit since records began in 1993, intensifying pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to curb spending.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has scrapped plans for a universal energy bill rescue this winter, instead rolling out targeted summer savings aimed at easing immediate financial strain. Free child bus travel in August and a fuel duty freeze headline a package designed to shift focus from winter’s looming affordability crisis.
Wes Streeting has thrown his weight behind a targeted wealth tax as a centrepiece of his Labour leadership campaign, arguing it will fund public services without deterring investment. The proposal comes amid growing calls within the party to address wealth inequality while maintaining economic growth.
Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey has condemned the government’s proposal to cap food prices, calling it unsustainable and a distortion of the economy. The backlash from retailers forced Chancellor Rachel Reeves to abandon the plan just days after it was floated.
The International Monetary Fund has raised its 2024 UK growth forecast to 0.7% but warns the conflict in Iran could derail recovery. Domestic political instability remains a key risk factor.
Labour’s top three figures undermined Keir Starmer just hours after the King’s Speech, deploying a coordinated strategy that left the PM exposed on tax and public sector reform. Sources reveal the exact timeline of events that forced Downing Street into damage control.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a high-stakes confidence vote this evening after a rebellion by 34 Labour MPs over public sector pay. The outcome could reshape his government’s agenda just six months into office.
Parliament has slashed the Sovereign Grant by £19 million next year, marking the first direct reduction in royal funding in over a decade. The move follows a review that found excess reserves, raising questions about transparency and future financial oversight.
Britain’s gross domestic product expanded by 0.6% in the first quarter, confounding analysts who predicted stagnation. The surge lifts annual growth to 1.8%, the fastest pace since 2022, and pushes inflation-adjusted wages up 2.3% year-on-year. Chancellor Rachel Reeves hailed the rebound as proof that tough reforms are paying off, but warned of persistent risks from global instability.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a growing rebellion within his own party after four senior ministers resigned and over 80 Labour MPs demanded his immediate exit or a clear departure timetable. The escalating revolt threatens to destabilize the government just months after Labour's decisive election victory.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scrambling to contain a growing rebellion within Labour ranks as party MPs demand his resignation. The crisis erupts ahead of the 2026 general election with donors threatening funding cuts and polls showing a sharp decline in voter confidence.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has privately warned Labour ministers and MPs that any attempt to oust him would destabilise the government just days after unveiling a sweeping economic reform agenda. Sources confirm the warning came during a closed-door meeting at 10 Downing Street on Tuesday night.
Joe Kent, the nation’s top counterterrorism official, resigned in protest over the Trump administration’s Iran policy, calling Tehran ‘no imminent threat.’ The move exposes fractures within Trump’s camp as UK health authorities declare a meningitis outbreak a national incident, with cases surging in Kent.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has launched a crackdown on British tech firms and scientists fleeing overseas. The move aims to preserve intellectual capital and stimulate economic expansion at home.