Richard Hughes resigned as OBR chair after an inquiry blamed procedural failings for the watchdog’s early release of Budget analysis. Dubbed its worst failure, the leak drew rebukes from the PM and Chancellor. The OBR will tighten data protocols while a successor is found
Richard Hughes resigned as OBR chair after an inquiry blamed procedural failings for the watchdog’s early release of Budget analysis. Dubbed its worst failure, the leak drew rebukes from the PM and Chancellor. The OBR will tighten data protocols while a successor is found
Richard Hughes has resigned as OBR chief after a leak row tied to last week’s Budget. Conservatives claim the Chancellor is using him as a scapegoat after he flagged a fiscal gap. The Treasury faces scrutiny over the leak and the credibility of its Budget assumptions.
Richard Hughes has resigned as OBR chief after a leak row tied to last week’s Budget. Conservatives claim the Chancellor is using him as a scapegoat after he flagged a fiscal gap. The Treasury faces scrutiny over the leak and the credibility of its Budget assumptions.
The PM says he will pursue closer ties with the EU, arguing the current trade deal has harmed growth. He signalled plans to improve trade and cooperation with Brussels and suggested parts of the agreement could be revised, while defending his Chancellor amid pressure on her.
The PM says he will pursue closer ties with the EU, arguing the current trade deal has harmed growth. He signalled plans to improve trade and cooperation with Brussels and suggested parts of the agreement could be revised, while defending his Chancellor amid pressure on her.
Rachel Reeves is under pressure after OBR chair Richard Hughes was pushed out just before he was due to give Budget evidence to MPs. Critics accuse the Treasury of silencing scrutiny after an internal row; ministers deny interference. MPs want full transparency.
Rachel Reeves is under pressure after OBR chair Richard Hughes was pushed out just before he was due to give Budget evidence to MPs. Critics accuse the Treasury of silencing scrutiny after an internal row; ministers deny interference. MPs want full transparency.
Ministers allege Reeves & the PM overstated a gap in the public finances to pave the way for tax rises, withholding final OBR forecasts & key productivity data from cabinet. Reeves rejects the charge, saying tough choices were needed to tackle borrowing, inflation & 0 growth
Ministers allege Reeves & the PM overstated a gap in the public finances to pave the way for tax rises, withholding final OBR forecasts & key productivity data from cabinet. Reeves rejects the charge, saying tough choices were needed to tackle borrowing, inflation & 0 growth
Kemi Badenoch urges the PM to dismiss Chancellor Rachel Reeves, alleging the public was misled over the Benefits Budget. She says trust has been damaged. A petition for Reeves to go has drawn tens of thousands of signatures, while No 10 is expected to defend
Kemi Badenoch urges the PM to dismiss Chancellor Rachel Reeves, alleging the public was misled over the Benefits Budget. She says trust has been damaged. A petition for Reeves to go has drawn tens of thousands of signatures, while No 10 is expected to defend
Nigel Farage has asked the ethics watchdog to investigate the Chancellor, alleging she misled voters by warning of a £20bn hole before the Budget, despite OBR briefings suggesting headroom. He says the conduct merits a probe, drawing the PM into questions over standards.
Nigel Farage has asked the ethics watchdog to investigate the Chancellor, alleging she misled voters by warning of a £20bn hole before the Budget, despite OBR briefings suggesting headroom. He says the conduct merits a probe, drawing the PM into questions over standards.
Rachel Reeves faces a referral to government ethics officials after Nigel Farage alleged she misled the public about the size of the fiscal gap used to justify tax rises. He says forecasts don’t back her headroom claims; the Treasury says its figures reflect OBR assessments
Rachel Reeves faces a referral to government ethics officials after Nigel Farage alleged she misled the public about the size of the fiscal gap used to justify tax rises. He says forecasts don’t back her headroom claims; the Treasury says its figures reflect OBR assessments
Following a row over the chancellor’s remarks, the PM is moving to shore up the budget, pledging action on the cost of living and stability for public finances. The opposition has reported the chancellor to a financial watchdog over disputed fiscal claims.
Following a row over the chancellor’s remarks, the PM is moving to shore up the budget, pledging action on the cost of living and stability for public finances. The opposition has reported the chancellor to a financial watchdog over disputed fiscal claims.
Reports claim the PM sanctioned messaging about a fiscal “black hole” despite being briefed that the OBR outlook was positive, helping justify tax rises. The disclosure has sparked demands for transparency and possible inquiries into whether the public was misled.
Reports claim the PM sanctioned messaging about a fiscal “black hole” despite being briefed that the OBR outlook was positive, helping justify tax rises. The disclosure has sparked demands for transparency and possible inquiries into whether the public was misled.
Working households with three children would need £71,000 in pay to match the income available on benefits, a report claims. It says out-of-work families are £18,000 better off than neighbours on the living wage after the Budget scrapped the two-child cap; she must go
Working households with three children would need £71,000 in pay to match the income available on benefits, a report claims. It says out-of-work families are £18,000 better off than neighbours on the living wage after the Budget scrapped the two-child cap; she must go
Rachel Reeves faces calls to quit after a poll found voters believe she misled the public over the nation’s finances. The OBR says the Treasury was told weeks ago of a £42bn surplus, despite claims of a £30bn gap. No 10 indicates the PM knew the true position.
Rachel Reeves faces calls to quit after a poll found voters believe she misled the public over the nation’s finances. The OBR says the Treasury was told weeks ago of a £42bn surplus, despite claims of a £30bn gap. No 10 indicates the PM knew the true position.
Critics warn the Budget imposes a “stealth tax” on hospitality, with rates bills rising as reliefs end and thresholds stay frozen. Pubs and restaurants face higher costs. Ministers say reforms fund services and modernise the system, while opponents claim the public were misled.
Critics warn the Budget imposes a “stealth tax” on hospitality, with rates bills rising as reliefs end and thresholds stay frozen. Pubs and restaurants face higher costs. Ministers say reforms fund services and modernise the system, while opponents claim the public were misled.
Rachel Reeves faces intense pressure after being accused of misleading the public about a £30bn fiscal hole used to justify tax rises. The OBR is said to have told her no such gap existed. Critics demand her resignation; allies insist the Budget case remains sound.
Rachel Reeves faces intense pressure after being accused of misleading the public about a £30bn fiscal hole used to justify tax rises. The OBR is said to have told her no such gap existed. Critics demand her resignation; allies insist the Budget case remains sound.
Gov’t doxs indicate 2.2m pensioners will lose winter fuel payments after the Budget, around 200,000 more than first stated. Eligibility is being tightened by income, cutting payments of up to £300 for many. Ministers say the change targets help; opponents call it unfair
Gov’t doxs indicate 2.2m pensioners will lose winter fuel payments after the Budget, around 200,000 more than first stated. Eligibility is being tightened by income, cutting payments of up to £300 for many. Ministers say the change targets help; opponents call it unfair
The Chancellor faces calls 2resign after the fiscal watchdog reportedly told ministers months ago there was 0 gap in the public finances. Critics say she misled voters to justify tax rises in the Budget. Allies argue the measures fund priorities and stability; she rejects claims
The Chancellor faces calls 2resign after the fiscal watchdog reportedly told ministers months ago there was 0 gap in the public finances. Critics say she misled voters to justify tax rises in the Budget. Allies argue the measures fund priorities and stability; she rejects claims
1 JAN 2025 TO 25 NOV 2025
39,292
A 17%
ON SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR
Source: Home Office
1 JAN 2025 TO 25 NOV 2025
39,292
A 17%
ON SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR
Source: Home Office
"basic rights from day one to parental leave, sick pay, and protection from unfair dismissal." Wondering how the red wall feels now.
"basic rights from day one to parental leave, sick pay, and protection from unfair dismissal." Wondering how the red wall feels now.
Ministers have abandoned the pledge to give workers a day-one right to claim unfair dismissal, keeping a qualifying period. Aimed at appeasing business, the move has triggered a backlash from Labour MPs and unions, leaving the PM accused of watering down promised protections.
Ministers have abandoned the pledge to give workers a day-one right to claim unfair dismissal, keeping a qualifying period. Aimed at appeasing business, the move has triggered a backlash from Labour MPs and unions, leaving the PM accused of watering down promised protections.
ONS figures indicate a sharp rise in young Britons emigrating, with leavers now accounting for nearly half of net migration. Analysts warn of a potential brain drain hitting growth & the public finances, increasing pressure on Reeves’s Budget & the government’s economic strategy
ONS figures indicate a sharp rise in young Britons emigrating, with leavers now accounting for nearly half of net migration. Analysts warn of a potential brain drain hitting growth & the public finances, increasing pressure on Reeves’s Budget & the government’s economic strategy
Terminally ill campaigners urge peers to stop delaying the Assisted Dying Bill, saying proposed Lords amendments risk derailing reform and denying patients control at the end of life. They call for a clear timetable and constructive scrutiny to safeguard choice.
Terminally ill campaigners urge peers to stop delaying the Assisted Dying Bill, saying proposed Lords amendments risk derailing reform and denying patients control at the end of life. They call for a clear timetable and constructive scrutiny to safeguard choice.
Starmer has shelved Angela Rayner’s flagship employment rights package, breaking a manifesto pledge and prompting anger among Labour backbenchers. No 10 says small firms need flexibility; unions and MPs argue promised worker protections are being abandoned.
Starmer has shelved Angela Rayner’s flagship employment rights package, breaking a manifesto pledge and prompting anger among Labour backbenchers. No 10 says small firms need flexibility; unions and MPs argue promised worker protections are being abandoned.