The Latest Breaking News from Ben Zaranko

Fact check: Government plans will see defence spending hit 2.5% of GDP

It is unclear what the Prime Minister is using to claim that the increase would be £13.4 billion per year.

Evening Standard · Feb 28, 2025

Starmer accused of fiddling the figures on defence spend increase

The defence secretary admitted Sir Keir’s figures were misleading as the Tories demand Labour to be ‘straight about the facts’

The Independent UK · Feb 26, 2025

Healey suggests defence spending increase ‘something over £6bn’, not £13.4bn

It comes after the PM told the Commons: ‘Let me spell it out, that means spending £13.4 billion more on defence every year from 2027.’

Evening Standard · Feb 26, 2025

Labour facing moment of truth over tax pledges, economists warn

Experts say 5.5% pay increase for public sector not ‘consistent’ with spending plans that rule out tax rises

The Guardian - UK · Jul 21, 2024

Red Sea crisis could shatter hopes of global economic recovery

World Bank warns of surging energy prices, slower growth and higher inflation as threat rises of disruption to world trade

The Guardian - UK · Jan 13, 2024

Treasury minister rules out tax cuts amid Tory warning over burden on Britons

Andrew Griffith defended the Government as experts said parliament will have presided over the biggest set of tax rises since the 1940s.

The Independent UK · Sep 29, 2023

Rishi Sunak set to preside over biggest tax-raising parliament on record, say experts

By the time of the next general election, taxes will likely have risen to around 37% of national income, according to analysis by the IFS

Evening Standard · Sep 29, 2023

UK households face tax rise of £3,500 a year by next election, finds IFS

Thinktank says Tories have overseen the biggest increase in taxes during a parliament since records began in 1951

The Guardian - UK · Sep 29, 2023

Sunak set to preside over biggest set of tax rises since WWII, experts say

By the time of next general election, taxes will likely have risen to around 37% of national income

The Independent UK · Sep 29, 2023

Sunak set to preside over biggest tax-raising parliament on record, say experts

By the time of the next general election, taxes will likely have risen to around 37% of national income, according to analysis by the IFS.

The Independent UK · Sep 28, 2023