UK

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorChancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly considering making a major change to the UK’s fiscal rules at the Budget on 30 October – and experts say the shift could unlock an extra £57 billion for infrastructure spending.Ahead of the general election, Labour pledged to follow two rules. The first was that in the current budget costs are met by revenues such as tax. This has proven much more of a challenge for Ms Reeves than anticipated after she unveiled Treasury analysis in late July which showed a £22 billion shortfall in public spending.The chancellor has acknowledged this herself, saying at a Labour party conference fringe event that the measure would be “incredibly hard” to meet and require “tough decisions” to be made.The second rule is that debt must be falling as a share of the economy by the fifth year of the economic forecast. This measure rules out excessive borrowing to fill Labour’s black hole, as debt would be driven up as a result.However, during her speech at conference, Ms Reeves said: “It is time that the Treasury moved on from just counting the costs of investments to recognising the benefits too”. The comment caused experts to speculate that she may be looking to alter Labour’s fiscal rules at the Budget to deal with what Labour calls its unexpected ‘inheritance’.Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer at Labour’s 2024 Conference (Stefan Rousseau/PA) More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorThe transport secretary has indicated that HS2 will run into central London, saying it “would never have made sense” for that not to happen, following months of speculation over the rail line.The government will make a final announcement around the time of the Budget, Louise Haigh suggested. Asked if it would be affordable to get HS2 to terminate at Euston, she said: “We will be making an announcement on that soon.“But it certainly would never have made sense to leave it between Old Oak Common and Birmingham.” HS2 is likely to reach Euston, transport secretary Louise Haigh has indicated, saying it ‘would never have made sense’ for that not to happen More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorBoris Johnnson has denied mocking the public for obeying lockdown rules “like a religion” in his new memoir, which saw him question why people “so avidly craved” restrictions.Speaking to Sky News, Mr Johnson said he “totally rejects” the claim he was expressing disdain for members of the public who followed the rules during the Covid-19 pandemic.In a chapter of his book about fighting the second wave of the pandemic, the former prime minister pointed out the “sheer complexity” of the tier system, which saw different parts of the UK placed under varying levels of restriction.Mr Johnson said: “The real question is why on earth the public so avidly craved these rules and why they were so willing to have their doings circumscribed in such rabbinical detail.”He added that the rules acted “like a kind of religion, detailed rituals you just obeyed, Leviticus like in the hope of salvation”.Copies of former prime minister Boris Johnson’s latest memoir, titled Unleashed , ahead of its release to the public (James Manning/PA) More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorLabour’s polling lead has fallen to just one point after a rocky start to Sir Keir Starmer’s time in government. The latest polling comes despite the prime minister attempting to draw a line under the disorder by accepting the resignation of his chief of staff Sue Gray.The survey, conducted by More in Common for Politico, put Labour on 29 per cent and the Conservative Party on 28 per cent. Reform UK was on 19 per cent, while the Lib Dems were on 11 per cent. The Green Party was at seven per cent, while the SNP was on two per cent.Ahead of the election, Labour was consistently polling around 20 points ahead of the Tories More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorA new Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) has been launched by the Government, which it says will help speed access to new technologies which can improve daily life.The office has been created to help reduce the burden for businesses looking to bring new products and services to market, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) said.The Government said the new office will support regulators in updating regulation, as well as helping speed up approvals for new tech and help different regulatory bodies work together smoothly.It said the office could help new technologies such as AI for better treatments in the NHS and drones delivering emergency supplies could reach the public faster with the new office in place.RIO will make sure UK companies are at the forefront of the next generation of technologiesPeter Kyle, Science and Technology SecretaryThe RIO will also liaise with the Government on how to remove barriers to innovation and set priorities for regulators and support them as part of wider goals to grow the economy.The search for a chair to lead the new office is now under way, the Government confirmed.Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: “The launch of the Regulatory Innovation Office, a key manifesto commitment, is a big step forward in bringing the UK’s most promising new technologies to the public faster and safely while kickstarting economic growth.“By speeding up approvals, providing regulatory certainty and reducing unnecessary delays, we’re curbing the burden of red tape so businesses and our public services can innovate and grow, which means more jobs, a stronger economy, and a better quality of life for people across the UK.“From breakthroughs that could help doctors diagnose illnesses earlier to satellite navigation for more accurate weather forecasting and getting emergency supplies to where they are needed, quickly and effectively, RIO will make sure UK companies are at the forefront of the next generation of technologies.”The DSIT said the office will initially focus on four fast-growing areas of technology – engineering biology, space, artificial intelligence and digital in healthcare, and connected and autonomous technology. More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorJames Cleverly‘s hopes of becoming Tory leader have received a major boost ahead of another crucial vote by Conservative MPs today as a former rival endorsed his candidacy.Mel Stride, who was eliminated in the last round, has come out in support of the former home and foreign secretary as momentum continues to build for him to succeed Mr Sunak.In a message on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Stride said: “The Conservative Party needs to rebuild trust on economic competence, cutting migration and reforming public services. Strong, clear and measured. James has what it takes. “Momentum for Mr Cleverly appears to have been building since his speech on the last day of the Tory conference energised the audience with his call for Conservatives to start “being normal again”.Tory MPs will whittle the four leadership candidates down to just two this week More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorThe third stage of the new digital border check system being rolled out to deal with the UK leaving the EU and its single market has become the latest part of the project to be delayed.The government has announced that the third stage of Border Target Operating Model (Btom) will now not be implemented until 31 January next year, rather than its planned introduction on 31 October.Btom has been hit by a string of delays in implementation over concerns it will trigger huge backlogs at the border and in turn hit supply chains.Delays have been caused because of fears that perishable goods like fruit, vegetables and meat will rot at the border. The latest delay has also pushed back security checks on all other goods including electronics.Prime Minister Keir Starmer shakes meets with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen at the European Commission headquarters during his visit to Brussels, Belgium, where he will push for a better trading relationship and greater co-operation on defence and security measures. Picture date: Wednesday October 2, 2024. More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorSue Gray has resigned as Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, saying that “intense commentary” around her position had become a “distraction”.The special adviser became a household name in 2022 when she headed a report into the Partygate scandal, criticising Boris Johnson and the Conservative government of the time.Ms Gray was given the influential position of Downing Street chief when Labour came into power in July. However, her resignation means she will have held the role for less than 100 days.Replacing her is Morgan McSweeney, a close ally of Sir Keir who played a key strategic role in both the prime minister’s Labour leadership campaign and subsequent general election victory.Morgan McSweeney leaves Downing Street in August More