‘If voters aren’t better off by the next election, we’re screwed’: Labour insiders voice fears over budget
Some say party risks ‘looking twee’ by focusing on small fixes amid growing nervousness that budget lacks ambitionIn the days since Labour’s annual conference, party insiders have been sharing a word cloud produced by the pollsters More in Common, which…
Tell us your financial hopes and concerns ahead of the budget
Ahead of the budget later this month, we’d like to hear from people in the UK about what measures they feel might help – or not help – financiallyWe want to find out more about any financial concerns people in the UK have ahead of the budget on 28…
Chancellor plans major intervention to help poorer UK households with rising energy bills
Exclusive: Officials working on further radical changes that would change how much energy companies could charge customersJohn Healey is planning a major intervention to cut energy bills for poorer households at this month’s budget, after ministers…
‘I didn’t know what to do’: collapse of providers of high-end digs leaves students in shock
Cost of living crisis and drop in international students hits market for purpose-built accommodation“It was dead in the middle of summer, it was a shock,” says Nathalie Sriwiboonrattan. The fourth-year game design student at Abertay University was at…
London’s investment bankers and lawyers make more than £1bn in takeover frenzy
Bumper fees paid in the year’s mergers and acquisitions spark anger over high City pay during cost of living crisisLondon’s investment bankers and lawyers have made more than £1bn from a frenzy of takeover deals this year, sparking anger over high City…
‘I can deliver’: Burnham pledges radical change on eve of Labour conference
Exclusive: UK prime minister says delivering fiscal stability would be ‘crucial’ to be able to fix bigger problemsAndy Burnham has said he can deliver on his promise of radical change for the country despite severe economic headwinds, telling the…
‘Society needs children’: Alan Johnson calls for better-paid UK paternity leave
Exclusive: Former Labour minister says working-class fathers are being shortchanged and budget should correct itParliament was in recess when Tony Blair called Alan Johnson up to his flat above No 11. The former prime minister was relaxed, padding around…
From idealists to struggling sceptics: how Labour’s majority depends on five progressive voter types – in charts
Analysis reveals groups with sharply contrasting priorities – and who has drifted the most from Labour towards Greens and Reform• Tactical voting at next election could push Reform into fourth place, poll findsA new MRP poll suggests Labour would remain…
Unhappy couples staying put due to cost of living crisis, say divorce lawyers
Financial pressures suspected to be behind figures showing failed marriages are lasting longer in England and Wales Couples are putting off divorce because of the cost of living crisis, lawyers have said, after figures showed the average length of a…