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IFS: budget will be ‘work of fiction’ without clear plan to cover UK’s £35bn spending pressures

Original reporting
The Guardian: read the full reportRelated stories

Healey must find up to £35bn to meet spending plans, says think tank
The impact of the Iran war poses significant risks for the government’s spending plans, the Institute for Fiscal Studies says.
AI may change the price of your Big Mac and groceries — what this means for shoppers
As retailers turn to AI tools to streamline operations, experts warn that collecting more detailed consumer data increases the risk of personalized pricing.

UK van drivers face extra £2.5bn in diesel costs this year, figures show
Calls for planned fuel duty rise to be scrapped as analysis finds average fuel bill could hit £1,965, up from £1,294 Millions of British van drivers face a combined £2.5bn cost to cover the rising price of diesel this year, according to figures, fuelling calls for the government to scrap its planned fuel duty rise. The owners of diesel vans and pickups can expect to collectively spend almost £8.5bn at the pump this year, according to analysis for the Guardian, after diesel prices climbed to record highs due to a global fuel shortage caused by disruption to refineries in the Middle East and Russia. Continue reading...
Oil falls after Trump declares 'energy ceasefire' between Russia and Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a post on social media that "Ukraine supports the ceasefire, and it is important that Russia support it as well."

Why some have no choice but to pay costly oil prices
The rural communities vulnerable to heating oil prices rises as the weather gets colder.

Campaigners claim minister attempting to undermine 'Holiday Hunger Bill'
The education minister has warned it would immediately cost his department £20m a year at a time when it is already struggling to balance its budget.