PMQs: PM defends Rachel Reeves as Tories call for her to go

Lebanon and Israel have engaged in their first direct talks in 40 years amid rising fears of war, with the Lebanese Prime Minister clarifying that these discussions are not peace talks and that normalization is contingent upon a halt to hostilities and the withdrawal of Israeli troops.

During Prime Minister's Questions, Kemi Badenoch criticized Labour's Chancellor Rachel Reeves, questioning her fiscal policies and suggesting that the UK could face bankruptcy without benefit cuts. This exchange highlights the ongoing tensions between the Conservative and Labour parties regarding economic management.

Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, stated in an interview with Sky News that discussions regarding an electoral pact with the Conservative Party are not taking place at any level. This assertion comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Reform UK's internal challenges and public perception.

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.

The OECD has cautioned that Chancellor Rachel Reeves' strategy of higher taxes and spending restraint will hinder consumer expenditure in the UK, despite forecasts indicating that the UK economy will grow faster than France, Germany, and Italy next year. This fiscal consolidation is expected to limit household disposable income and slow consumption.

A recent Sky News poll indicates that over a third of respondents believe Chancellor Rachel Reeves exaggerated economic difficulties leading up to the budget announcement, with only half as many believing the Chancellor was truthful. This sentiment reflects growing skepticism among the public regarding the government's economic messaging.