UK’s small brewers call for chancellor to think again on business rates

The UK economy has faced significant challenges, including austerity measures, Brexit, the pandemic, and rising energy costs, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among citizens regarding income, home ownership, and public services. Recent polling indicates a decline in trust towards Labour's economic leadership, particularly under Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who has been criticized for her handling of the economy.

UK investors withdrew £3 billion from equity funds in November, driven by uncertainty ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves's budget announcement. This trend of daily outflows reversed after the budget revealed measures that were less severe than anticipated, prompting renewed interest in stocks.

An investigation into pre-Budget leaks has been initiated, as Chancellor Rachel Reeves expressed her full support for a review of security processes leading up to the Budget announcement. This comes after significant market reactions to early disclosures of key budget measures.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has faced a rebellion from rural Labour MPs regarding inheritance tax on farmers, marking another setback in her budget strategy. This dissent comes as she attempts to implement a £26 billion tax increase aimed at addressing the UK's cost of living crisis.

Richard Hughes has resigned as the chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) amid growing concerns over budget leaks, particularly the premature release of Rachel Reeves's budget details. This resignation may alleviate some pressure on Reeves as she prepares for her upcoming budget presentation.

UK house prices increased by 0.3% in November, reaching an average of £272,998, according to Nationwide, despite concerns surrounding the recently announced mansion tax by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. This rise defied the expectations of economists who had predicted a smaller increase of 0.1%.