CATEGORIES

UK economy returns to growth in boost for chancellor before budget

The UK economy returned to growth in August after flatlining for two months, in a boost for the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, before the autumn budget.

New French government faces test over budget of cuts and tax rises

The new French government is facing its first significant test in a hostile parliament as it tries to push through a budget of spending cuts and tax increases aimed at saving €60bn (£50bn) and reining in a ballooning fiscal deficit.

'Black hole' Most of £22bn deficit 'to stay with Labour until 2030'

Rachel Reeves has been warned that most of the £22bn \"black hole\" in the public finances that Labour claims was \"covered up\" by the Conservatives will continue to hang over the government by the end of the decade.

Brexit Mandelson predicts EU re-entry talks

Peter Mandelson has suggested the UK could start talks on rejoining the EU in 10 years' time, much earlier than Keir Starmer believes.

Faith schools seek exemption from VAT if fees are low

Private faith schools have held talks with ministers over a proposal to exempt small establishments from VAT if their fees are far below those charged by elite schools such as Eton.

Man in 60s missing after boat capsizes on Thames in Surrey

A man in his 60s is missing and three others have been taken to hospital after a boat capsized on the Thames in Surrey yesterday morning.

Visit by Taiwan ex-president 'delayed to avoid angering China'

The Foreign Office asked for a visit by the former Taiwanese president to be postponed so as not to anger China before a trip by David Lammy, the Guardian has learned.

Labour considers £3bn gambling tax under 'polluter pays' proposals

Ministers are considering a tax raid of up to £3bn on the gambling sector as Rachel Reeves casts around for funds to shore up the public finances.

‘It's mindblowing’: meteorologists face death threats as hurricane conspiracies soar

Meteorologists tracking the advance of Hurricane Milton have been targeted by a deluge of conspiracy theories that they were controlling the weather, and abuse and even death threats, amid what they say is an unprecedented surge in misinformation as two major hurricanes have hit the US.

I'll Always Have Northern Soul, But When I Saw London I Was Hooked - Despite my grandma's dire warnings, just had to leave Oldham behind

Despite my grandma's dire warnings, just had to leave Oldham behind

Gray's new role in doubt after missing first summit with nations

Keir Starmer's inaugural gathering of the council of nations and regions, intended to reset relationships and boost growth, risks being overshadowed by the absence of his new envoy Sue Gray.

Digger stolen from Dorset is found in Poland

A digger stolen from a development site in Dorset has been found five months later and 1,200 miles away in a rural town in south-eastern Poland.

Protection for workers from sexual harassment in new bill

Employers will have to protect their workers from sexual harassment - including from customers and clients - under the government's sweeping employment rights bill.

Man jailed for life for pushing stranger on to tube tracks

A man who pushed a stranger on to the tracks of a London tube line was jailed for life with a minimum term of eight years yesterday.

Capital gains tax could rise as high as 39%

Rachel Reeves is considering raising capital gains tax as high as 39% in the budget, the Guardian can reveal, in the scramble to raise funds for crumbling public services.

Conservatives could split if new leader tries to outflank Reform, centrists warn

Senior Conservatives have warned that the party could split if Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick pursue an overtly populist path as leader, after the party's main centrist group refused to endorse either candidate.

Amazon criticised after Tommy Robinson book tops bestsellers

Amazon has been accused of funnelling \"thousands of pounds into the pockets of Britain's best known far-right extremist\" after Tommy Robinson's latest book topped its bestseller chart.

Another 65 women report claims of abuse by Al Fayed

Another 65 women have come forward with allegations of abuse by Mohamed Al Fayed going as far back as 1977. Since the broadcast of the BBC documentary Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods, in which five women claimed to have been raped by the billionaire, more women have come forward with claims of sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape, the BBC reported.

Labour Don't amend government bills, whips warn MPs

Labour MPs have been warned that they must not put down any amendments on government bills and must resolve disagreements privately with ministers, in a crackdown on discipline in parliament.

Road pricing may be needed to replace fossil fuel tax in EV transition, says expert

Britain must prepare for the widespread use of road pricing to make up a £35bn shortfall in tax revenues from the transition to electric vehicles, the country's top infrastructure adviser has said.

French energy company seeks £4bn to finish Hinkley Point C

The French energy company EDF is reportedly in talks with investors to raise up to £4bn to finish the delayed Hinkley Point C project in Somerset, Britain's first new nuclear reactors in a generation.

Trump did send Covid-19 tests to Putin, says Kremlin

The Kremlin has confirmed that Donald Trump sent Vladimir Putin Covid-19 tests early in the pandemic, as reported this week in a book by a veteran US political journalist.

Paper alternative could spell end for Quality Street's plastic tub

Tucking into a tub of Quality Street is a Christmas tradition for many families, and once they have scoffed the chocolates the container often takes on a new life as a cake tin or Lego storage box.

Train firm criticised over court cases for minor railcard errors

The train operator Northern has been criticised for prosecuting young people, leaving some facing bills of hundreds of pounds, after they have used their railcards to save just a few pounds on morning journeys.

Warning over 'bonkers' plan to import biomass from North Korea

A plan to burn biomass imported from countries including North Korea and Afghanistan has been described as \"bonkers\", with critics saying it undermines the credibility of the UK's climate strategy.

Senior nurse 'encouraged Letby to visit children's hospital'

Lucy Letby was encouraged by a senior nurse to make regular visits to Alder Hey children's hospital despite being investigated on suspicion of murdering babies, an inquiry has heard.

Struggling mental health system 'leaves teachers to pick up pieces'

Teachers are picking up the pieces of the deepening crisis in children and young people's mental health, with many regularly helping pupils in distress on top of their classroom duties.

Charities tell Reeves homelessness could reach record highs

Rough sleeping is heading back to record highs unless Labour fills a looming £1bn black hole in frontline funding when deals agreed by the last government expire, dozens of homelessness charities have warned.

Google faces US government effort to break its monopoly over search

The US government may ask a judge to force the breakup of Google's business as it attempts to challenge the tech corporation's monopoly over the internet search market.

Women say they were told to leave flight for wearing crop tops

Two southern California women say they were removed from a Spirit Airlines flight last week for wearing crop tops.