Rachel Reeves oversees borrowing spike as benefits spending offsets tax haul Economics Rachel Reeves oversaw a surge in borrowing in the first month of the financial year as April’s figures hit the highest since 2020 on higher benefit spend. Government borrowing – which marks the difference between total public sector spending and income – topped £24.3bn in April 2026, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). [...]
Reeves unveils ‘Great British Summer Savings’ at cost to energy giants Economics Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveil edthe government’s “Great British Summer Savings” campaign, committing hundreds of millions of pounds to lower costs for families by taxing energy companies more. Under a new price adjustment set by the government, children aged five to 15 will be able to travel free on participating local bus services across England from [...]
‘Economically reckless’ – Streeting calls for wealth tax ‘that works’ in pitch for leadership Politics Wes Streeting has called for a “wealth tax that works” as the former health secretary sets out his stall ahead of an expected Labour leadership contest later this year. Streeting resigned from the cabinet earlier this month and has confirmed that he would stand in a contest to oust Sir Keir Starmer, though he has [...]
More Brits ditch UK than thought as net migration halved May 21, 2026 More British nationals have ditched the UK than previously thought as the Office for National Statistics said net migration halved between 2024 and 2025. The ONS said that 246,000 British nationals left the UK in 2025, with two thirds of people being aged 16 to 34. This was a decline from 2024 when 257,000 British [...]
Wes Streeting urges Labour to help youth ‘as an emergency’ May 20, 2026 Wes Streeting has called on the government to support young people “as an emergency” in a resignation speech that accused Sir Keir Starmer of leading a losing battle against Reform UK. Streeting said he supported Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ economic agenda before the Iran war broke out and upended policy-making, though he suggested the Labour leadership [...]
Taxpayers on the hook over ‘dangerously outdated’ government IT systems May 20, 2026 One in four government computer systems are running on outdated technology, a new report has found, with taxpayers having to pay more for failures across Whitehall. The findings, published by Westminster think tank Re:State and supported by Ark Data Centres, reveal that nearly a quarter of the 319 central government systems assessed as of January [...]
Starmer scrambles to limit fuel shortage hit May 20, 2026 Sir Keir Starmer has spelt out a number of policies to address fuel shortages, signalling the government’s fears that the Iran war could hit motorists and households. During Prime Minister’s Questions, Starmer defended an announcement last year to “phase” new sanctions on Russia, while also trailing a policy to freeze a 5p fuel duty cut [...]
Former Tory MP set to call Sunak in libel spat with Hancock May 20, 2026 The Court of Appeal is set to hear the latest chapter in a libel claim brought by expelled Tory MP Andrew Bridgen against former ex-health minister Matt Hancock MP. The legal battle between the ex-politicians erupted in January 2023, when Hancock posted on social media about Bridgen after the Tories suspended him over a “disgraceful” [...]
Reeves to protect energy and infrastructure projects from court challenges May 20, 2026 Chancellor Rachel Reeves is drawing up reforms to give parliament the power to insulate essential energy and infrastructure projects from court challenges. The government is expected to put forward plans to keep the projects safe from judicial review. “For too long, vital infrastructure delivery has been delayed by judicial reviews of projects,” a Treasury spokesperson [...]
Andy Burnham refuses rule out manifesto-busting tax hikes May 20, 2026 Andy Burnham has refused to commit himself to protecting Labour Party manifesto commitments to not raise taxes. Burnham, who is Labour’s candidate in an upcoming by-election in Makerfield, declined to comment on whether he supported the party’s 2024 election manifesto. The Manchester mayor appears to be on a path towards becoming Prime Minister, sharing clips [...]