UK

Tories criticise 'disjointed' Budget as watchdog warns of 'pretty grim' economic picture

The head of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) tells the BBC that real household disposable income has "gone right down", calling it a "very difficult outcome" for people.

John Healey is sat down and wearing a dark-coloured jacket, white shirt, red tie and a poppy badge. He is bald. Behind him is a red ministerial box and white bookcase containing red books. The walls are also red. In front of Healey is a microphone which has a black cover on, with "BBC Radio 4 Today" written on it.

Treasury will not commit to reducing welfare bill before next election

The Treasury is disputing that the chancellor suggested to the BBC the benefits bill will be cut before the next election.

32 mins ago

Politics

Watch: What are the key points from the Budget and how will they be funded?

The BBC's Joe Pike explains key things outlined by the Chancellor.

19 hrs ago

Healey tells departments to make 1% cuts to fund defence

The reduction in public spending will go towards paying for the Defence Investment Plan.

16 hrs ago

Politics

John Healey wears a navy blue suit and red tie with a poppy pin on his left lapel. He is standing at the dispatch box with MPs seated behind him

Healey unveils £100 for energy bills and bank tax in first Budget

The chancellor targets the cost of living amid global economic turmoil but opposition parties say he has not been bold enough.

16 hrs ago

Politics

John Healy stands in front of Number 11 Downing Street while holding the signature red Budget box.

Chris Mason: Budget felt cautious despite its range of small measures

The chancellor has had to grapple with a mix of public finances and household finances being a mess.

18 hrs ago

Politics

The Budget 2026 cover, photographed in the No 11 office in Downing Street.

Budget 2026: Key points at a glance

Here’s what you need to know from John Healey’s first Budget, as the chancellor sets out the government’s tax and spending plans.

18 hrs ago

Politics

Andy Burnham speaks at the despatch box in Parliament, with MPs watching and listening on behind him.

Burnham insists 'no confusion at all' over his Brexit position

The prime minister said it was his "responsibility" to improve the Brexit deal at a summit in Brussels next month.

A young woman with long reddish-brown hair and wearing a dark blue apron stands behind the counter in a brightly-lit cafe, next to an ornate chocolate cake. There is a large coffee machine on the back wall, with piles of empty take-away cups and several boxes of tea bags.

How much is the minimum wage going up by?

What are the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage, and how much are they worth?

Prime Minister Andy Burnham smiles as he looks to the side of the camera, wearing a suit.

Burnham rules out early general election in next 12 months

The prime minister has denied speculation from some opposition parties that he will go to the country in spring 2027.

A young woman with a blue backpack and suitcase stands in an airport foyer

UK and EU officials to discuss freedom of movement

Officials are expected to begin discussions on a range of options for the future UK-EU relationship before a summit next month.

A young female wearing a denim shirt making coffee in a coffe shop

Minimum wage set to rise but 18-20 year-olds will not get bigger increase

Chancellor John Healey will reveal the new pay rates in the Budget, and has also announced measures to help households with the cost of living.

Features and analysis

Two people looking at vegetables in a supermarket

Dharshini David: Healey buys himself some time, but big questions still unanswered

The chancellor talked of charting a new course for Britain, but the impact of Iran war has limited his options.

Stock photo shows couple loking at a computer and eating in a living room with a toddler in view.

Your pay, energy bills and savings: How the Budget affects you

Changes announced by Chancellor John Healey in his first Budget will affect your finances directly. Here's how.

What do we know about Chancellor John Healey?

The Chancellor is due to deliver his first Budget.

A young man and woman sit together on the sofa looking at paperwork

Tax thresholds remain unchanged - here's what it means for your pay

The point at which you start to pay tax, and the point where you tip into paying a higher rate of tax have been frozen for three more years.

Andy Burnham walks out of Downing Street's black door with a red folder in hand.

Chris Mason: Burnham faces crunch decisions in his next 100 days

From Brexit debates to North Sea oil, there is plenty getting the cabinet, the Labour Party and the country talking.

From our Political Editor Chris Mason

Chris Mason: Budget felt cautious despite its range of small measures

The chancellor has had to grapple with a mix of public finances and household finances being a mess.

Chris Mason inside a BBC television studio

What are the standout points from the Budget?

Political editor Chris Mason analyses Chancellor John Healey's Budget 2026 announcements.

John Healey walks into Downing Street for a cabinet meeting. He is wearing a blue suit, red tie and white shirt and carries a red, and a green, folder under his arm.

Chris Mason: Budget needs to go some way towards delivering PM's promises

Support on the cost of living, and in particular energy bills, as well as announcments on devolution will be central to John Healey's first Budget.

Chris Mason: Burnham faces crunch decisions in his next 100 days

From Brexit debates to North Sea oil, there is plenty getting the cabinet, the Labour Party and the country talking.

A close up shot of a lit ring on a gas hob

Chris Mason: Jackdaw approved but tricky energy trade-offs remain

Jackdaw and Rosebank are case studies in the slow motion awkwardness the UK has over energy.

BBC InDepth

A treated image showing Andy Burnham and John Healey in black and white. A colour photograph of Laura Kuenssberg sits in front of it

Between quick wins and big dreams lies Burnham's biggest test

The prime minister might be dreaming of gold medals in 2040, but he must first navigate the difficult years in between, writes Laura Kuenssberg.

How long can Labour's feel-good factor last?

The party’s spirits have been transformed since Burnham became PM, but what's coming down the tracks, asks Laura Kuenssberg.

A treated image of Kemi Badenoch and Andy Burnham close up

Burnham and Badenoch revive red versus blue politics as Reform land 'gobsmacking' donations

As Reform slip back in the polls, Labour and the Conservatives rediscover a familiar political divide, writes Laura Kuenssberg.

The dangers of politicians being 'too online' - or not online enough

In an era when reputations can be made or broken with a single post, getting the balance right is tricky.

Burnham's 'Manchesterism' got him to No 10 - but will it work for the UK?

Economics editor Faisal Islam examines whether the north-west city can be a template for the entire country.

Watch/Listen

A split screen: On the left, a man with white beard; on the right, a woman with sunglasses on her head.

Voter voices: What issues matter most to Americans?

The BBC spoke to voters across the US about their biggest electoral priorities when casting their ballots.

Ed Davey: 'It's a £76bn stealth tax rise'

Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey says a freeze on income tax thresholds is a '£76bn stealth tax'.

John Healey speaks onto a microphone. He wears a dark suit, red tie and red poppy pin.

Chancellor says government has 'moral duty' to help young people out of work

Chancellor John Healey says any cuts to welfare will be done "in a Labour way".

Rajdeep Sandhu - young woman with long brown hair, wearing a dark jumper and holding a microphone

What does John Healey's budget mean for Scotland?

What the latest tax and spending plans could mean for your bills, pay and pocket.

Netanyahu shares AI image of Arab voters during Israeli election

The image claims to show Arab-Israelis queueing to vote, but BBC Verify analysis shows that it has been generated or manipulated by AI.