Chancellor signals first budget will be painful mix of spending cuts, tax rises and higher borrowing

Griffith: Inflation figures show Reeves must change course

The shadow business secretary has called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to "change course quickly", after new ONS figures show inflation increased to 2.6% in November. Andrew Griffith adds all the major economic metrics, such as inflation and growth, "are going in the wrong direction", and fears what four years of a Labour government will do to the UK economy. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Reeves: I understand why Waspi campaigners are disappointed

Rachel Reeves says she can understand why women affected by changes to the state pension age will feel "disappointed", but adds that paying an "expensive compensation bill" was not the best use of taxpayers' money. Campaigners say the government's decision not to compensate women affected by changes to the state pension age, and their communication of these changes, are "bizarre and totally unjustified". But the chancellor says the ombudsman has reported that around 90 percent of women knew the changes were coming. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Reeves: Inflation remains in line with international peers

Rachel Reeves says the UK's latest inflation figures are "broadly in line with our international peers", despite rising to its highest level since March. The chancellor adds, "I recognise the cost of living crisis continues to bite" but that the government is "taking action" to address its challenges. ONS figures show inflation has risen to 2.6% in November, from 2.3% the previous month. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn