Industry body says reserves of Nexperia semiconductors are dwindling after Beijing bans exports of key components Carmakers in the EU are “days away” from closing production lines, the industry has warned, as a crisis over computer chip supplies from China escalates. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) issued an urgent warning on Wednesday saying its … Read more
Prime minister fails to answer Tory leader’s questions about manifesto pledge not to raise income tax Keir Starmer has refused to rule out tax rises in next month’s budget, which would breach Labour’s manifesto promises, boosting speculation that Rachel Reeves is considering raising income tax to reduce a shortfall. The prime minister pointedly ignored questions … Read more
Lee Anderson says ‘gaming the system’ is too common and jokes about symptoms of anxiety and depression Reform UK has set out plans for changes to personal independence payments (Pip) that the party says could save up to £9bn a year, with Lee Anderson, one of its MPs, saying he used to “game the system” … Read more
Sales benefited from warm summer, M&S online shutdown after cyber-attack and supply improvements Next has raised hopes that UK consumers are still willing to spend despite pressures on household budgets, as it revealed sales and profit growth “materially above” expectations. The clothing and homeware retailer said it benefited from a sunny summer, the online shutdown … Read more
Lender’s chief executive says redress proposals could affect jobs, supply chains and broader UK economy Santander UK has urged the government to intervene in the £11bn car finance compensation scheme, claiming that the current proposals could end up inflicting “significant” harm to consumers, jobs and the broader economy. The comments mark some of the strongest … Read more
National Audit Office reports nearly two-thirds of independent hospices in deficit in 2023-24 as demand increases Hospices in England are cutting hundreds of beds and staff because of a funding crisis, despite a sharp rise in demand for palliative care, a damning report warns. People needing end of life care faced a postcode lottery because … Read more
Exclusive: Fiscal watchdog predicts productivity downgrade will leave chancellor with £20bn gap to fill in budget Rachel Reeves has said Britain can defy gloomy economic forecasts after the fiscal watchdog infuriated ministers by predicting a productivity downgrade would leave her with a £20bn gap to fill in her forthcoming budget. The chancellor said she was … Read more
A statement from a powerful federal employees’ union calling on Congress to reopen the government didn’t have an immediate effect. Senate Democrats rejected the House-passed, GOP-led stopgap for the 13th time Tuesday, as the pain from the government shutdown is poised to escalate by week’s end. Lawmakers voted 54-45 on the funding patch, which would … Read more
The speaker addressed fellow House Republicans on a sometimes-heated conference call. Speaker Mike Johnson made clear to House Republicans on a private call Tuesday that GOP leaders have no plans to put a standalone bill for expiring food aid benefits up for a vote as the shutdown pressure mounts on Democrats before Nov. 1. “Things … Read more
National Air Traffic Controllers Association leader Nick Daniels called for reopening the government but did not explicitly advocate for a “clean” extension of federal funding. The union representing air traffic controllers is continuing to advocate for an end to the ongoing federal shutdown — but it’s not specifically calling for a “clean” short-term spending bill … Read more