Chancellor on course to tighten Whitehall budgets further due to worsening economic outlook
Tuesday, 7 January 2025 Rachel Reeves is on course to tighten Whitehall public service budgets further than expected in the spending review because of the worsening economic outlook, Sky News can reveal.
Rachel Reeves confirmed the UK is currently in “intense negotiations” with the US over tariffs “across the board”. The Chancellor said she “does not want to see tariffs go up”, highlighting her support for “free and open trade”. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Rachel Reeves has visited Wellington Barracks in central London after announcing in her Spring Statement that defence spending will increase by 2.5% in GDP. The chancellor and the defence secretary John Healey were shown the first AI-powered strike drone, as they learnt about the work of people on the strategic command's innovation unit. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The chancellor says house building commitments in her Spring Statement will benefit young people and that she is "not in favour of national service". Speaking to ITV News, Rachel Reeves adds watching a Sabrina Carpenter concert in a box was "the right thing to do" given her security needs. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Rachel Reeves has outlined her plans to "strengthen our nation's defences", by increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP and to build 1.5 million new homes. The chancellor acknowledges that the OBR has downgraded the UK's growth forecast for 2025 from 2% to 1%, but adds, "it has upgraded growth for next year and every year after that". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
British authors have told Sky News they felt "absolutely sick" to see their book titles appear in a "shadow library" allegedly used by tech giant Meta to help.. Sky News
The government has been accused of "spin and tinkering" over an announcement about an increase in defence spending which falls far short of what is needed, Sky.. Sky News
The chairman of P&O Ferries' parent company DP World has told Sky News he went ahead with a £1bn investment in the UK despite feeling "discredited" by criticism.. Sky News
The mother of a young girl operated on 17 times by a now-suspended surgeon has told Sky News she's "angry and so upset" and fears her daughter may never walk.. Sky News