#uk-public-finances

#uk-public-finances

A surge in capital gains tax, employers' National Insurance contributions and a boost in income tax receipts helped buoy the government's finances last month. An uptick in tax receipts, which far outstripped spending, created a 30.4bn surplus in January. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said it was the highest surplus in any month since records began in 1993, without adjusting for inflation, and nearly double last January's 15.4bn figure.

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground.

Rachel Reeves is reportedly plotting a tax raid on landlords in an attempt to plug the up to 40billion blackhole in the nation's finances. The chancellor is considering raising taxes for landlords in her next budget by applying national insurance (NI) to rental income, arguing the move would target unearned income, according to reports. The plans aim to make the Treasury 2 billion, as it attempts to avoid breaking the chancellor's red lines outlined before the general election, which included not increasing VAT, income tax or national insurance.