OBR expected to sound alarm on Healey’s spending pressures Economics Britain’s fiscal watchdog is likely to sound the alarm on the spending pressures facing the government when it lays out its analysis of the Budget next week, economists have predicted, in what would be a significant move signalling the scale of the challenges facing the Chancellor. Analysts have said the Office for Budget Responsibility could [...]
OBR expected to flag warning over Healey’s spending pressures Economics Britain’s fiscal watchdog is likely to sound the alarm on the spending pressures facing the government when it lays out its analysis of the Budget next week, economists have predicted, in what would be a significant move signalling the scale of the challenges facing the Chancellor. John Healey is facing a crunch Spending Review next [...]
Raising bank taxes will reduce jobs, former Chancellor Hunt warns Healey Banking Former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has issued John Healey a major warning over any increase to the level of taxes paid by UK banks ahead of the forthcoming Budget. The top Tory MP, who has sat on the back benches since Labour came to power in 2024, said Healey must ignore the “siren voices” calling for [...]
Frozen tax thresholds to hold back Brits for ten miserable years September 23, 2026 In March 2021 Chancellor Rishi Sunak described it as “a tax policy that is progressive and fair.” In November 2022, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt extended the policy, describing it as necessary and fair. In October 2024, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced an end to the policy, saying extending it beyond 2028 “would hurt working people.” Alas, a [...]
Number of parents at edge of £100k tax trap to ‘grow dramatically’ September 10, 2026 The number of parents grouping just under the £100,000 ‘tax trap’ salary in order to maintain access to free childcare will “grow dramatically”, tax researchers have warned, while some households continue to claim the benefit despite earning above the income threshold. The Centre for the Analysis of Taxation (Centax) has estimated that there could be [...]
Jeremy Hunt is right to ask Can We Be Rich Again? June 9, 2026 With the CBI’s latest economic forecasts warning of a dramatic spike in unemployment and a prolonged period of anaemic GDP growth, it’s a good time to reflect on the question posed by former chancellor Jeremy Hunt in his latest book, Can We Be Rich Again? The book is the latest in a series of works [...]
Jeremy Hunt: Pension triple lock is an ‘anchor drag’ on economic growth June 8, 2026 Former chancellor Jeremy Hunt has warned that the triple lock on the state pension is acting as “an anchor drag on economic growth.” In an interview with City AM, Hunt said that above-inflation rises to the state pension are being funded “by more debt” on future generations and called for every major party to pledge [...]
From Jaffa Cakes to National Insurance: How to fix Britain’s mad tax system – according to the experts April 14, 2026 In its latest report, the OECD scolded the UK for its illogical and growth-impeding tax system. Ali Lyon speaks to five tax experts to work out how to fix it. Potato crisps and their corn chip cousins are – as indulgent savoury snacks go – undeniably similar. They taste alike and are a similar size. [...]
Jeremy Hunt issues Budget warning to Rachel Reeves November 26, 2025 Former Chancellor Sir Jeremy Hunt has issued a warning to Rachel Reeves hours before the Budget and revealed what he is most worried his successor will announce later today. The Conservative MP, who held the role under Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak from 2022 to 2024, also outlined his predictions for this year’s Budget including [...]
Here’s what to expect on Budget day November 24, 2025 An unusually late and extraordinarily widely briefed Budget has attracted more nerves and anticipation than any in recent memory. So when Rachel Reeves takes to the dispatch box just after midday on Wednesday, she is set to do so with the knowledge that her fate – and the Prime Minister’s – rest on placating at [...]