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The Guardian·25m ago

UK government borrowing jumps over forecast to £18.3bn in August, in ‘dismal picture’ ahead of the budget – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as the rising cost of servicing the national debt pushed up borrowing last month UK government bond prices are dipping at the start of trading, as City traders digest today’s rise in borrowing. This is pushing up the yield, or interest rate, on UK gilts slightly. “The PM and chancellor will be feeling quite claustrophic today as the walls close in around them. Borrowing costs keep climbing, while borrowing itself is outpacing the teeny rise in tax receipts. Everyone can diagnose the problem, but it’s far from clear that a PM who swept to power promising good things for all is capable of holding a fractious Labour party together to carry out the tough work needed.” “Britain has huge potential to deliver good growth in every postcode, creating jobs, raising living standards and investing in the services people rely on. But we can

BBC Business·25m ago

Borrowing surge puts pressure on chancellor ahead of Budget

Borrowing was higher than expected in August as inflation piles pressure on the government ahead of the Budget.

CNBC·2h ago

Oil rises amid worries of growing Iran-U.S. tensions after Bessent issues Iranian airline shutdown warning

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CNBC·2h ago

All Iranian airlines to be 'shut down' from Wednesday, Bessent tells CNBC

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Alibaba shares jump as new AI chip, data center buildout plans unveiled

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The Guardian·3h ago2 outlets

Britain needs cash and everyone knows we should break the pensions triple lock. Where is the courage? | Gaby Hinsliff

The issue cannot be avoided any longer. Andy Burnham and his chancellor must face the fear of a pensioner backlash, and find a fair solution There is always something oddly unreal about party conference season. In theory, everyone is getting away from Westminster to better reflect on the state of the nation. In practice, the whole circus just briefly relocates to the coast, to live off warm white wine and gossip for three days, before coming back with a streaming cold. But this year, reality seems more elusive than usual. Everyone knows hard choices loom, but everyone is frightened to make them. Every serious party needs billions of pounds to fund their promises, and everyone knows there’s an obvious place to find the money, but nobody wants to be the first to say so. And so a deferential silence shrouds the pension triple lock, whose future will be vigorously debated on the fringes and