Wednesday briefing: Everything you wanted to know about the spending review (but were afraid to ask)

In today’s newsletter: All governments do them. But what exactly are they and how can you tell if they worked or not?

UK politics: Kemi Badenoch criticised by Nigerian vice president for ‘denigrating’ his country – as it happened

Kashim Shettima said Nigerians are proud of Badenoch’s achievements, despite her denigrating the country where she was brought up

Teresa Ribera says changes are needed to make it easier for innovative firms to merge and spur the green transition

Thinktank calls on government to set a long-term vision for radical change

Rachel Reeves to wield ‘iron fist against waste’ by examining departments’ expenditure line by line

Blow to Labour growth hopes as poll finds demand for staff falling at ‘sharp and accelerated pace’, particularly in permanent roles

First speech by UK chancellor to eurozone finance ministers since 2020 will promise ‘business-like’ approach to relations

Wooing of Mohammed bin Salman controversial because of human rights concerns

Latest report follows October’s disappointing tally as Fed likely to cut interest rates for third time in 2024

The president-elect’s two main arguments for his tariff threat – to reduce migration and to combat drugs – are not credible

S&P survey shows sector narrowly avoided contraction in November as firms worried about employment costs

Deputy governor of the Bank of England who helped to rescue the Midland Bank from collapse in the late 1980s

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news

Market share increases after strong demand within country offsets risks from western tariffs on Chinese-made EVs

Conflicts around the globe and domestic policies on immigration and vaccinations are likely to face upheaval