Who are the winners and losers from Rachel Reeves' Budget?

Paul Givan has instructed schools in Northern Ireland to continue teaching religious education based on 'holy scriptures' despite a recent court ruling that deemed the Christian-focused curriculum unlawful. This directive follows a legal judgment that challenges the appropriateness of the current religious education framework in the region.

The Labour Party has reversed its commitment to provide day-one protection from unfair dismissal, now planning to implement this right after a six-month period, which contradicts its election manifesto. This decision has sparked criticism regarding the party's adherence to its promises.

The chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), Richard Hughes, expressed his mortification over the early release of budget forecasts, which was attributed to a technical error. An inquiry has been initiated to investigate how the documents were inadvertently made accessible before the official announcement by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a budget that includes a £26 billion tax increase and the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap, aiming to address the UK's cost of living crisis. However, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned that this strategy may be 'fiscal fiction', as it delays the financial impact until just before the next general election in 2029.

A concerning trend has emerged as young care leavers are facing an increase in homelessness, prompting warnings from campaigners about the growing severity of the issue. This situation highlights the vulnerabilities of this demographic as they transition out of care and into independent living.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced the removal of tax breaks on insurance and advance payments for high-end Motability cars as part of the recent UK budget. This decision has sparked concerns among users of the Motability scheme, who feel judged for their vehicle choices amidst rising living costs.

Sally Rooney's books may face withdrawal from sale in the UK due to a court ruling regarding the government's classification of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization. Rooney has expressed her intention to use royalties from her work to support Palestine Action, which has sparked legal challenges against the ban.

Provisional figures indicate that net migration to the UK has sharply declined to 204,000 in the year ending June 2025, reflecting a significant drop in arrivals for work and study. This trend marks a notable shift in the UK's immigration landscape, which has been under scrutiny since Brexit.