Jeremy Hunt accused of exaggerating Tories’ economic record Chancellor also criticised for ‘dodgy dossier’ on Labour plans as he aims to make low tax a key election issue
How accurate are Jeremy Hunt’s claims about the UK economy? Chancellor seems to cherrypick data as he tries to outline how the Tories have got the country back on its feet
The Guardian view on Labour’s election campaign: Keir Starmer sounded like a prime minister in waiting Editorial: The opposition leader knows that he is being measured for the highest office in the land
Keir Starmer: ‘no quick fix to Tory mess’ if Labour wins election Party leader says six election pledges revealed at launch event will take two terms of government to materialise
What are Labour’s six pledges and how likely is their success? Commitments range from cutting NHS waiting times to delivering economic stability – and are united by a lack of detail
Jeremy Hunt and Mel Stride warn against benefits ‘lifestyle choice’ Ministers ramp up anti-welfare rhetoric a day after data showed increase in UK unemployment
NHS spending rise lags behind Tory funding pledges, IFS finds Thinktank says extra funding eaten up by higher inflation despite greater demand with service in poor state of repair
What does progress look like on a planet at its limit? Putting endless growth above our wellbeing and the environment is no longer viable
‘Hard truths’: how far will Starmer push to show Labour has changed? After Natalie Elphicke’s defection and tension over Gaza stance, some party insiders believe limits are being reached
UK has moved out of recession, official figures show GDP rose by 0.6% in first quarter of 2024 but forecasters expect economy to grow slowly this year
Latest GDP figures offer some better news – but boom-boom Britain it ain’t While the government will seize on any crumbs of comfort it can find, the bigger picture on growth tells a different story
Tax rises will follow UK election unless fiscal rules are ripped up, says thinktank Niesr says current limits on government borrowing fail to stimulate growth and hinder net zero ambitions
The Road to Freedom by Joseph Stiglitz review – against Hayek The former world bank economist argues that neoliberalism paves the way for populism
‘Unfair banking’ and ‘damaging’ financial rules harming UK’s small firms, MPs warn Treasury committee says ‘debanking’ and use of personal guarantees for loans is putting small businesses at risk
The Guardian view on Labour’s big idea: organising the state effectively matters for jobs and growth Editorial: Rachel Reeves missed a chance to recast a policy that cuts government spending while shovelling state cash into private banks