Few surprises as chancellor uses low-key speech blaming ‘global economic storms’ for stoking energy prices and cost of living crisis

• Budget 2026: key points at a glance

• Briefing: key questions answered by Heather Stewart and Pippa Crerar

• Editorial: Budget’s bold ambitions and welcome first steps

John Healey raised taxes on banks and landlords to fund a £100 winter handout for 20 million families as official forecasts made clear there is no end in sight for the cost of living crisis.

In his first budget, the chancellor blamed “global economic storms” for the grim outlook, as the war in Iran drives up oil and gas prices.

Former comedian, in court on rape and sexual assault charges, says he misused position but ‘consent is more important than sex itself’

Russell Brand has told a court that he was wrong to have used his fame and success to “facilitate” sexual activity with women.

The 51-year-old comedian said he had “misused” his position “very selfishly” and dedicated his life to “reckless philandering and idiocy”.

Anthony Williams is accused of attempting to murder passengers and staff on board a London-bound train last November

A knifeman “caused terror and fear on an unimaginable scale” to passengers when he stabbed 10 people on a London-bound train, a court has heard.

Anthony Williams, 33, is accused of attempting to murder 10 passengers and staff on an LNER train on 1 November last year and stabbing four people in the 24 hours before.

Reform UK leader ‘shocked’ by £10bn pledged to Ukraine and doubles down on cutting tax for crypto investors

• Budget 2026: key points at a glance

Nigel Farage skipped the chancellor’s first budget because he was worried he would get in a “physical altercation” with another MP in a row over seating arrangements.

The Reform UK leader was not present in the House of Commons but gave a press conference afterwards in which he said he was “shocked” by the £10bn going to support Ukraine and doubled down on his party’s policies on cutting tax for crypto investors.

Jury at Winchester crown court sees video evidence by Joanne Young in trial of four men accused of sexual assault

A woman who was allegedly sexually assaulted by men invited by her ex-husband into their family home described how she would wake in the middle of the night restrained and blindfolded and feeling “hazy”.

Joanne Young said that on one occasion she managed to remove her blindfold and was shocked to glimpse a stranger in her bedroom whom her then husband, Philip Young, had allegedly arranged to have sex with her.

Columnist’s relations with some senior editorial figures said to be strained over subjects she raised in her columns

The controversial Daily Telegraph columnist Allison Pearson is understood to be in negotiations about leaving the broadsheet as the newspaper’s new owner makes significant newsroom cuts.

Sources told the Guardian that Pearson – firmly on the right of the Telegraph’s roster – is preparing to announce her exit imminently and is crafting a statement about her future plans.

How the Burnham government’s first attempt to ease cost of living pressure pans out for key stakeholders
Budget 2026: key points at a glance

Every budget has its winners and losers, and John Healey’s first as chancellor was no exception. While some gained from tax breaks and rule tweaks, others will either pay more, or had their hopes of reforms dashed. Here are some of those with reason to cheer, or sigh:

Mohamed Amersi is suing over Panorama episode that made claims of his suspected involvement in corruption

A Conservative and Reform UK donor lost out on a knighthood and a peerage amid claims of his involvement in corruption, the high court has heard at the start of his defamation case against the BBC.

An episode of Panorama in 2021 and a BBC article caused “very serious harm” to Mohamed Amersi, his barrister, Oliver Powell, said on Wednesday.

Fishing town in disbelief the morning after its footballing minnows beat mighty Arsenal on penalties

On a wet and windy night on the north-west coast of England, a League Two side sensationally knocked the Premier League champions out of the Carabao Cup. But this is not just a fairytale story of giant-slaying; Fleetwood Town and Arsenal have an unlikely history that stretches back long before Tuesday night’s game.

Arsenal played at their iconic Highbury stadium until 2006, and Fleetwood’s ground has the same title, being named after Highbury Avenue, the adjoining street.

Prime minister warns cabinet not to express opinions about future relationship with Brussels before review of options

Andy Burnham has warned ministers not to express their opinions about how the government should approach Brexit, as he argued that the Conservatives’ deal with Brussels had been more extreme than that promised in the 2016 referendum.

In another series of announcements connected to his plan to seek closer links with the EU, Burnham told ministers at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday that the current deal was a bad one, before writing to frontbenchers setting out his hopes to address this.

Prime minister warns cabinet not to express opinions about future relationship with Brussels before review of options

Andy Burnham has warned ministers not to express their opinions about how the government should approach Brexit, as he argued that the Conservatives’ deal with Brussels had been more extreme than that promised in the 2016 referendum.

In another series of announcements connected to his plan to seek closer links with the EU, Burnham told ministers at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday that the current deal was a bad one, before writing to frontbenchers setting out his hopes to address this.

Payments to 20m homes part of package to cut energy bills and ease cost of living crisis, paid for by bank windfall tax

• ‘A pretty grim picture’: outlook for UK living standards slashed despite Healey’s budget

• Budget 2026: key points at a glance

John Healey promised to steer Britain through “global economic storms” as he announced an energy giveaway of £100 to 80% of households in England, funded by a smaller than expected windfall tax on banks.

In his first budget, the chancellor said 20 million households in council tax bands A to D would receive a £100 payment – a measure he said would cost £2.6bn.

Individual known in court as PPT is seeking a permanent injunction, with lawyers citing his risk of suicide

Two news organisations have a duty to the public and their sources to publish allegations of exploitative sexual behaviour by a well-known figure despite claims he is “highly likely” to attempt suicide, the high court has heard.

The anonymous individual, known in court simply as PPT, is seeking an injunction against the Guardian and ITN to stop them publishing the allegations, which he denies.

Individual known in court as PPT is seeking a permanent injunction, with lawyers citing his risk of suicide

Two news organisations have a duty to the public and their sources to publish allegations of exploitative sexual behaviour by a well-known figure despite claims he is “highly likely” to attempt suicide, the high court has heard.

The anonymous individual, known in court simply as PPT, is seeking an injunction against the Guardian and ITN to stop them publishing the allegations, which he denies.

Former comedian, in court on rape and sexual assault charges, says he misused position but ‘consent is more important than sex itself’

Russell Brand has told a court that he was wrong to have used his fame and success to “facilitate” sexual activity with women.

The 51-year-old comedian said he had “misused” his position “very selfishly” and dedicated his life to “reckless philandering and idiocy”.

The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world

OBR cautions about Middle East war dragging down growth and triggering a fresh cost of living crisis

• Healey offers £100 payment to households to help navigate ‘global economic storms’

• Budget 2026: key points at a glance

• Budget 2026 live – latest updates

British households face a “pretty grim picture” for living standards as the war in the Middle East drags down growth and triggers a fresh cost of living crisis, the government’s independent forecaster has said.

In a report as John Healey announced his first budget, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) issued a sharp downgrade for growth in 2027, household disposable incomes and the public finances despite the measures taken by the chancellor.

Judge says he will consider all options when sentencing far-right activist who trial heard deployed ‘bullyboy, intimidatory tactics’

Tommy Robinson faces up to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of harassing two journalists to the point it caused them fear of violence.

Journalists from the Daily Mail and their family members fled their homes after “bullyboy, intimidatory tactics” were deployed by the far-right activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, his trial was told.

Judge says he will consider all options to sentence far-right activist who trial heard deployed ‘bullyboy, intimidatory tactics’

Tommy Robinson faces up to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of harassing two journalists to the point it caused them fear of violence.

Journalists from the Daily Mail and their family members fled their homes after “bullyboy, intimidatory tactics” were deployed by the far-right activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, his trial was told.

EHRC says transparency needed to prevent pay discrimination, particularly against women

Workers should have a legal right to know their colleagues’ pay to help prevent pay discrimination, particularly against women, the UK’s human rights watchdog has said.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) made the recommendation in response to government proposals to overhaul equal pay laws, saying workers deserved a right to transparency if they suspected other staff were being paid more for similar work.