Browsing: Rachel Reeves

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to unveil a £15.6bn transport investment package aimed at boosting infrastructure across the North, Midlands and West Country. The cash will fund tram, train and bus improvements, including major projects in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, and the West Midlands.

The UK government is prepared to take legal action against Roman Abramovich over £2.5 billion in frozen proceeds from the sale of Chelsea FC, intended for humanitarian aid in Ukraine.

The UK government is prepared to take Roman Abramovich to court for the proceeds of his £2.5bn Chelsea FC sale, aiming to direct the funds to humanitarian causes related to the Ukraine war.

UK inflation rose to 3.5% in April, up from 2.6% in March, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This figure is higher than most forecasts — economists expected around 3.3%, while the Bank of England predicted 3.4%.

Good morning! Grab a coffee and let’s dive into today’s headlines.

In a significant development, the UK, France, and Canada have jointly warned Israel of “concrete actions” if it continues its military operations in Gaza and restricts humanitarian aid.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has secured a landmark “Brexit reset” deal with the EU, aiming to revitalise UK-EU relations. The agreement includes easing trade barriers, reintroducing the UK into the Erasmus programme, and establishing a new defence partnership. While the deal promises economic benefits, it has faced criticism over concessions like extended EU fishing access to UK waters.

On the trade front, the UK is actively pursuing a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council, comprising six Gulf nations. Recent discussions between UK officials and Gulf leaders indicate progress towards strengthening economic ties in the region.

Internationally, tensions remain high as global leaders respond to the escalating situation in Gaza, with calls for ceasefires and increased humanitarian assistance.

Donald Trump has said Russia and Ukraine will “immediately” start negotiating towards a ceasefire and an end to the war – after a two-hour phone call with Putin.

The UK economy grew by 0.7% in the first quarter of the year, outpacing expectations and marking a stronger start to 2025 than analysts had predicted. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that growth was primarily driven by a resilient services sector, alongside significant gains in industrial production.

Monday’s front pages feature a real variety of stories – mostly domestic. There’s a little bit of coverage of the Vancouver car attack, which was largely overshadowed in print media by the funeral of Pope Francis. Online, the story dominates most international broadcasters. 

Closer to home, there are several political stories on the front pages this morning including the latest polling ahead of England’s local elections later this week.

The government received pay rise recommendations from the independent review body, suggesting increases of nearly 4% for teachers and 3% for NHS workers, exceeding the current 2.8% offer.

Economists say Chancellor Rachel Reeves may have to raise taxes in the October Budget.

The chancellor is back on the front pages this morning ahead of a meeting with her American counterpart. Rachel Reeves is in the United States in hopes of securing a trade deal but has warned she will not rush it.