David Hughes
UK
Universal theme park set to open an hour from London in 2031
Some 8.5 million visitors are expected to visit the resort, on the site of a former brickworks near Bedford, in its first year
By David Hughes
9 Apr 2025
Politics
Government ‘preparing for all eventualities’ as winter looms
Ministers discussed plans to cope with flooding and pressure on the NHS during Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.
By David Hughes
5 Nov 2024
Business News
Reeves admits NI hike could hit pay rises while markets react to borrowing spree
Chancellor Rachel Reeves insisted she had no alternative but to raise taxes in her first Budget.
By David Hughes
31 Oct 2024
Money
Reeves uses first Budget to hike taxes, increase borrowing and boost spending
Chancellor Rachel Reeves used Labour’s first budget since 2010 to put extra money into public services but sent taxes to a post-war high.
By David Hughes
30 Oct 2024
Money
Taxes, borrowing and spending up in Rachel Reeves’ first Budget
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she was ‘fixing the foundations of our economy’ but taxes will rise to their highest levels since the Second World War.
By David Hughes
30 Oct 2024
Money
Reeves hikes taxes by £40bn to address ‘black hole’ in public finances
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will also increase investment as she promised to ‘fix the foundations’ of the economy.
By David Hughes
30 Oct 2024
Politics
Reeves’ Budget shows there should be ‘no ceiling’ on girls’ ambitions
Rachel Reeves is the first female chancellor of the exchequer.
By David Hughes
30 Oct 2024
Money
Reeves sets out promise to ‘invest, invest, invest’ in first Budget
Rachel Reeves is the first female Chancellor and her Budget is Labour’s first since 2010.
By David Hughes
30 Oct 2024
Money
Reeves will use tax rises and increased borrowing to ‘invest, invest, invest’
Rachel Reeves is the UK’s first female chancellor and she will deliver a Labour budget for the first time since Alistair Darling in March 2010.
By David Hughes
30 Oct 2024
Business News
Hunt accused of trying to ‘blame the referee’ over OBR ‘black hole’ review
Tory former chancellor Jeremy Hunt has written to the UK’s top civil servant about an Office for Budget Responsibility review of his spending plans.
By David Hughes
29 Oct 2024
Politics
Reeves: Budget will end ‘neglect’ of NHS but turnaround will take time
The Chancellor is expected to pump billions of pounds into the health service.
By David Hughes
29 Oct 2024
Politics
Budget will end NHS ‘neglect’ but improvement will take time, ministers warn
Rachel Reeves said the Budget alone may not be enough to turn the NHS around while Health Secretary Wes Streeting said ‘real change takes time’.
By David Hughes
28 Oct 2024
Politics
Starmer: MP Mike Amesbury altercation footage ‘shocking’
The Prime Minister insisted Labour had acted swiftly to suspend the Runcorn and Helsby MP after footage emerged of him in a late-night altercation.
By David Hughes
28 Oct 2024
Business News
Reeves confirms change to debt rule and warns of higher taxes as Budget looms
Chancellor Rachel Reeves insisted her first Budget would pave the way for improved public services and ‘rebuild our economy’.
By David Hughes
24 Oct 2024
Business News
Key questions over ‘persnuffle’ kerfuffle as Reeves confirms debt rule change
Rachel Reeves could change the measure used for her debt target, potentially giving her billions more to spend at the Budget.
By David Hughes
24 Oct 2024
Business News
Government borrowing costs rise ahead of Reeves’ first Budget
Speculation that Rachel Reeves will change the way debt is assessed triggered a market reaction.
By David Hughes
24 Oct 2024
Business News
Reeves promises ‘reset for our economy’ as she prepares for first Budget
The Chancellor said she will make the UK ‘a rock of economic stability’.
By David Hughes
24 Oct 2024
Politics
North Korean troops in Russia would be sign of Putin’s ‘desperation’, says UK
The UK and Germany expressed concern that the involvement of North Korea could trigger wider global tensions.
By David Hughes
23 Oct 2024
Environment
Demand for drinking water could outstrip supply by mid-2030s, Government warns
Environment Secretary Steve Reed stressed the need for more reservoirs and better water infrastructure.
By David Hughes
23 Oct 2024
Politics
New defence agreement will bolster European security, say UK and Germany
The allies signed the deal amid concerns about Russia and the prospect of weakened US commitments to European security.
By David Hughes
23 Oct 2024
Politics
UK and Germany sign ‘landmark’ defence agreement
The deal will see German planes operating from a Scottish airbase and increase co-operation on developing new equipment.
By David Hughes
23 Oct 2024