Independent review to probe ‘crisis of opportunity’ in youth inactivity November 9, 2025 An independent review into the rising numbers of young people not in work or study has been announced by Pat McFadden as he warned of a “crisis of opportunity” posed by youth inactivity. The investigation, to be led by former Labour health secretary Alan Milburn, will shape reforms to health and welfare, with a particular [...]
Nandy insists Government takes promises ‘very seriously’ despite income tax U-turn November 9, 2025 Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has insisted the Government takes its promises “very, very seriously” despite a probable major manifesto U-turn on income tax. The Labour Government told the UK’s fiscal watchdog that it would break its manifesto commitment and raise income tax in the upcoming budget late last week. Ahead of the 2024 election, Labour [...]
Pensions, motorists and workers: The tax targets Rachel Reeves is eyeing up November 7, 2025 If there is one thing that is clear three weeks out from the Autumn Budget, it is that Chancellor Rachel Reeves will hike taxes. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), which scores the economic impacts of the government’s policies and publishes forecasts on public finances, has been questioned for being over optimistic on measures such [...]
Tax row erupts as Reeves tells watchdog she will break manifesto November 7, 2025 The Labour government is split in a fresh tax row after Rachel Reeves reportedly told the fiscal watchdog she will raise income tax in her forthcoming Autumn Budget – a move that will break a key manifesto pledge. The Chancellor is said to have informed the Office for Budget Responsibility that an increase to income [...]
Bullsh*t spin: Labour and Nandy slammed over Kogan football appointment November 7, 2025 Labour has been accused of deploying “bullshit spin” in response to a report criticising the government’s appointment of David Kogan as chair of the Independent Football Regulator. A report by Sir William Shawcross declared that Department of Sport, Media and Culture secretary of state Lisa Nandy had breached the Government Code in appointing the media [...]
Reeves has learned nothing from her last Budget November 7, 2025 Amidst market uncertainty caused by her delayed and vague budget “context” speech, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is now expected to introduce a raft of significant tax increases on income, property, and businesses to address a national debt she helped exacerbate, says Jamila Robertson This week, Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered a speech to set the context for [...]
OBR should focus more on policy growth ‘upsides’ – says Tony Blair think tank November 6, 2025 The Government must force the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to take more account of policy “upsides” when assessing an impact on growth, Tony Blair’s think tank has said. The Treasury watchdog should be required to be bolder in predicting growth to reward more ambitious economic policies, a report by the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) [...]
Business chiefs tell Reeves to make ‘unpopular’ tax decision November 6, 2025 Business chiefs have urged Rachel Reeves to take a bolder approach at the Budget and consider “unpopular” decisions to break Labour Party manifesto commitments. Members across the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), one of the UK’s largest industry groups, have urged the Chancellor to focus on boosting investment and productivity for the long-haul. Business leaders [...]
Reeves may reassure the markets, but her political future is at risk November 6, 2025 Reeves’ speech was intended to steady nerves but instead will ignite the internal struggle that defines Labour’s next phase in power, says Helen Thomas With just over three weeks to go until the Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has decided she can’t wait any longer. The pitch has to be rolled, the ground prepared, and the [...]
North Sea oil and gas production decline labelled an ’emergency’ November 5, 2025 Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has declared an oil and gas “emergency” in the North East of Scotland as she pushes the Labour government to overturn its ban on new oil and gas licenses. Badenoch has pledged to “get Britain drilling again” in a new campaign in partnership with the Scottish Conservatives. The announcement marks the [...]