UK politics: Welsh Tories criticise Of Mice and Men’s removal from GCSE course over racism concerns – as it happened
Steinbeck’s book removed after some pupils felt distressed during discussions about its racial slurs
Is Labour to blame for slowing UK economy? It’s more complex than that
Tories point finger at Rachel Reeves’s budget but economy has been misfiring for best part of a decade
Parcels of land: is the Czech Sphinx gazing at Royal Mail’s property assets?
Daniel Křetínský could be hoping to develop or sell off the company’s portfolio of about 1,800 sites
Sharp fall in UK business activity forecast as economic gloom deepens
CBI survey finds firms planning to reduce hiring amid weakest expectations for growth since November 2022
Rachel Reeves’ push to improve EU ties remains boxed in by red lines
Chancellor’s visit to EU meeting looks for smoother trade to improve growth but youth mobility scheme remains sticking point
Reeves may have to U-turn over no more tax rises, warn economists
Dramatic economic slowdown means chancellor could face lower receipts and higher borrowing costs in 2025
Bank of England holds interest rate at 4.75% but warns of UK stagnation risk
Central bank downgrades growth forecast amid threat from budget fallout, rising inflation and Trump trade tariffs
Inflation fears trump growth concerns among Bank of England’s MPC members
Investors are betting on just one more rates cut this year, which could bring stagnation, undermining government efforts to drive the economy forward
Germany and France are in crisis – is the next global financial crash brewing?
The eurozone’s flaws and a lack of growth in the EU have combined to malign effect. ‘More Europe’ is not the solution, says Guardian columnist Larry Elliott
UK inflation hits eight-month high of 2.6%, fuelling calls to hold interest rates
Annual increase in November driven by rising cost of petrol and groceries and hike in tobacco duty in budget
UK inflation data leaves Starmer miles off goal of growth ‘felt in people’s pockets’
Increase extinguishes expectations of interest rate cut this week and underlines tough challenges policymakers face
Thames Water wins court approval to secure ‘critical’ £3bn cash lifeline
Decision came after protesters called on judges to block a financial bailout they say will cost customers £250 a year
Economists and policy experts warn Reeves against City deregulation
Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz among 50 signatories of statement that points to risks to Labour’s wider aims
At last, a group of MPs intent on reforming our madly unfair council tax
The system relies on valuations from 1991, when Gorbachev was in power, but has become politically untouchable
Union anger over Labour government’s ‘insulting’ 2.8% public sector pay plan
Pay review bodies will make final recommendations on proposed rises for teachers, NHS staff and other workers