Rachel Reeves told UK economy is ‘stuck in first gear’ September 4, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been warned by top industry bosses that the UK economy remains “stuck in first gear” as the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said growth would be slightly higher than expected this year. The BCC has revised its GDP growth estimate for 2025 up to 1.3 per cent from 1.1 per cent [...]
If Rayner survives she’ll be much diminished September 4, 2025 Politically, this is fish in a barrel stuff. If you’re on the record saying that “every pound of tax that’s not delivered to the Chancellor of the Exchequer means that it damages our public services” [sic] and you’ve taken aim at your political opponents by claiming that “it’s one rule for them and one rule [...]
Starmer ‘proud to sit alongside’ Rayner despite stamp duty row September 3, 2025 Keir Starmer said he was “very proud to sit alongside” Angela Rayner as the deputy prime minister referred to herself to the standards watchdog over unpaid stamp duty on her second home. Minutes before PMQs began, Angela Rayner admitted she failed to pay the right amount of stamp duty tax on her second home. Rayner [...]
How likely are property tax reforms in the Autumn budget? September 3, 2025 Rumours have been swirling in Westminster about a variety of property tax changes Rachel Reeves might introduce in this Autumn’s budget – or further down the line – in an attempt to plug a £40bn gap in the nation’s finances while overhauling a complex system of levies and charges. The Treasury is reportedly looking into [...]
Autumn Budget set for 26 November as Reeves claims economy ‘not working well’ September 3, 2025 The Autumn Budget will be on 26 November, the Treasury has confirmed, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves admitting the UK economy was “not working well enough” for Britons. The confirmation now sets the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR)’s preparations for its fiscal report in motion as it has ten weeks to draw conclusions on the health [...]
Budget 2025: Banks to ‘bear the brunt of higher taxes’ September 2, 2025 UK banks will be the top target as Rachel Reeves looks to drum up cash in the Autumn Budget, a top economist has said. Chatter around a cash grab directed at banks has escalated over the last week after left-wing think tank the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) proposed that the Chancellor raid the quantitative easing [...]
Private healthcare admissions surge as calls for VAT raid grow September 2, 2025 The number of hospital admissions using private healthcare in the first quarter of the year has bounced back to its pre-pandemic peak. The latest Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) data on private healthcare admissions published today revealed that the total number of admissions in the first quarter of 2025 was 241,000. Despite the figure being [...]
Keir Starmer’s approval rating sinks to record low September 2, 2025 Keir Starmer’s approval ratings have hit a record low, a Morning Wire/Freshwater Strategy poll has shown, as pressure mounts on the government ahead of the Budget. Research by Morning Wire and the advisory firm Freshwater Strategy has highlighted the growing discontent among voters over the UK government’s poor performance after a year in office. Starmer’s [...]
A Treasury reshuffle on the eve of a Budget is a bad sign for Reeves September 1, 2025 Handing responsibility for the economy to a man who was director of policy for Ed Miliband is a sign of desperation from Rachel Reeves, says Eliot Wilson Every time I see a new announcement from Rachel Reeves at the Treasury now, it puts me in mind of the poet Stevie Smith: “I was much further [...]
Voters oppose higher taxes and want Rachel Reeves sacked September 1, 2025 The majority of UK voters would be opposed to higher taxes despite pressures on public finances, a new poll has found. Analysis by economists has suggested that Rachel Reeves will have to raise taxes by as much as £50bn in the Autumn Budget, with property owners and pension pots reportedly set to be targeted by [...]