Economists say making the policy an election pledge could cost £40bn, which is badly needed for health, education and elsewhere Rishi Sunak has been warned against fighting an election on an unfunded plan to abolish employee national insurance amid projections the move could blow a £40bn hole in the public […]

All ‘high level benefit’ targets missed and only three-quarters forecasted to be achieved by 2024/25, according to NAO Government plans to overhaul the country’s ailing railway system are significantly delayed while promised savings have yet to be achieved, according to a highly critical report by the government’s spending watchdog. The […]

Song amended after organisers banned entry for seeming references to 7 October attacks, which broke rules on political neutrality Israel will be allowed to compete at the Eurovision song contest after changing the lyrics to its song, organisers have confirmed. Eden Golan, representing Israel at this year’s competition, originally submitted […]

Office for Budget Responsibility says national insurance and tax cuts will be paid for by average £8bn-a-year borrowing to 2028-29 The chancellor will raise government borrowing to help fund a 2p cut in national insurance contributions from April, according to an assessment of the spring budget by the Treasury’s independent […]

Chancellor overhauls system so new arrivals to UK will pay same taxes as other residents after four years Budget 2024 – live updates Budget 2024: key points at a glance Jeremy Hunt has axed the UK’s tax breaks for non-doms, in a U-turn that mirrors Labour policy and which the […]