Regulation

John Healey pays homage to predecessor Rachel Reeves

Budget 2026: key points at a glance

John Healey starts by saying that his budget is “delivered at a time when global uncertainties and pressures are swirling worldwide and hitting people here at home”.

Budget 2026 live: Healey delivers first budget of Burnham’s government

Martin Lewis said that, when he met John Healey this morning, the chancellor said that, having removed standing charges from gas bills, he would also like to get rid of them from electricity bills. Lewis said:

‘Elonville’: US residents say Musk’s xAI offered to buy homes if they don’t sue over datacenter noise

Several Mississippi homes have been purchased near datacenters and one resident said realtor outlined target to buy more than 400

What do you want from the Budget?

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Fed set to hold interest rates steady in last decision before midterms

US central bank last month raised rates for first time since 2023, in move that infuriated Donald Trump

Former Conservative chancellor unsure Budget will 'fix big problems'

Any chancellor’s first budget is a big moment. But Rachel Reeves’s October 2024 event – the first from a Labour-run Treasury in almost 25 years – was particularly so, as she announced a big expansion in day-to-day spend…

'Government to decide who to help and who picks up the tab'

Helen Miller, director at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, speaks to the Today programme about challenges in the budget.

Octopus Energy boss on standing charges

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What is in the iconic red box?

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Stormont ministers set to find out Budget allocation

Stormont ministers will find out later how much extra money they will have to spend as a result of the Westminster Budget.

What do people in the South want from the Budget?

For small businesses hit by soaring fuel prices, and first-time buyers struggling to get on the housing ladder, there is a lot riding on it.

RBNZ unexpectedly holds rates at 2.75% in split vote, signals further hikes likely

Oil sits at the centre of the call: the RBNZ expects fuel to lift inflation to 4.4% in the December quarter, but the majority chose to look through the direct effects for now, betting that weak demand will limit pass-th…

Plan for multibillion-pound Sizewell nuclear plant a ‘terrible deal’ for UK taxpayers, MPs say

The public accounts committee has said the risk to billpayers is ‘extraordinary’

Budget 2026: six charts that reveal the economic realities facing the chancellor

From tackling the youth jobs crisis to repairing Brexit’s economic damage, John Healey has his work cut out for him

Homes across UK to get low- or no-interest loans to fund solar panels and heat pumps

Government-backed Warm Home Loans scheme to help households cut energy bills by hundreds of pounds

Bottled water and tinned food sales surge after UK government issues emergency stockpile advice

Retailers also report jump in purchases of wind-up radios and torches to deal with extreme weather and cyber-attacks

‘Meaningless as a laptop screensaver’: reviewers slate Musk’s AI-made Odyssey film

Elon Musk has released an AI-generated rival to Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey after pledging to make a version “true to the art of Homer”.

Iran’s Supreme Leader reiterates conditions for peace talks with U.S.

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed Iran with US envoy Steve Witkoff on Wednesday and offered Moscow’s help, shortly after Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Tehran as Russia seeks a role in efforts to end th…

Bullseye Financial Ltd enters administration

On 23 October 2026, Bullseye Financial Ltd (Bullseye Financial) entered administration. Robert Young of Azets Holdings Limited and Matthew Haw of RSM UK Restructuring Advisory LLP were appointed as joint administrators.

‘No one saves the planet if it hits their pocket’: UK heat pump installers fear planned subsidy cuts

Boiler upgrade scheme, which provides grants of up to £9,000 for sustainable alternatives, expected to be slashed in budget

Kylian Mbappé apologises after being dropped by Chinese brands for Mao Zedong comment

Kylian Mbappé has apologised after the Real Madrid forward was dropped by major Chinese brands for apparently joking about Mao Zedong in a video that has gone viral. There were also signs of broader repercussions, with …

UK officials discussing options including free movement with EU ahead of summit

Business secretary says focus for November summit will be trade and youth mobility, but talks will also include ‘future options for relationship’

Number of UK businesses in financial distress ‘at two-decade high’

Administrator BTG says 738,144 firms struggling as calls grow for more support for private sector in budget