The Latest Breaking News from Rachel Reeves

With the economy stagnating, this is the very worst time to depress demand in order to be seen to ‘balance the books’

The UK Government is unlikely to see a boost in employment rates on the back of making cuts to disability benefits, an economic expert has said.

PM told to be as robust as Canada with the US president as the UK stages last-ditch talks to strike trade deal

Here was a successful economic strategy in the making, marred by its abdication of responsibility to some of society’s weakest

Lib Dem MP Steve Darling, who is registered blind, said the delay was ‘nothing short of a disgrace’

Dame Meg Hillier also said there had been ‘unrest’ among the Labour rank and file following welfare cuts announced by ministers in recent weeks.

The chancellor has been slated by politicians, the public and campaigners for pushing ahead with brutal welfare cuts – but there were other options

Fears of a £44bn compensation bill over dealer commissions has prompted a high-profile appeal, which will be heard this week

Female MPs say they are unnerved by how women seem to be taking brunt of anger over government decisions

THE INDEPENDENT VIEW: Editorial: The loss of No 10’s director of communications after just nine months should come as a warning to the entire government. It needs to better explain to the public why it is making unpopular decisions and demanding sacrifices – or sink further in the polls

Some of firms providing meals and tickets also among those to secure most meetings in key departments