Reflecting on chaos of early pandemic, former chancellor said it was ‘acutely stressful’ to see rising interest bill on government bonds

Rishi Sunak was concerned about the UK’s ability to fund itself in March 2020 after the government announced rescue measures costing tens of billions of pounds to prevent mass redundancies, the Covid-19 pandemic inquiry has heard.

The former prime minister, who was chancellor when the first UK lockdown was announced, said he feared foreign investors had become more concerned about Britain’s ability to pay its way than other countries in a similar situation.

Resolution Foundation report comes in week when data is expected to show October unemployment rise

Young people are bearing the brunt of Britain’s jobs downturn, according to a report, before official figures this week that are expected to show the UK unemployment rate rising to 5.1%.

The Resolution Foundation thinktank said a “jobs deficit” was pushing a growing number of graduates and non-graduates into unemployment as employers reduced hiring.

New business rates regime that is poised to hit pubs and hotels is latest example of hasty decision-making

There is a heavy cloud hanging over Labour’s Christmas celebrations.

The most recent figures show the economy is going backwards and worse, the slide is prompting recession talk in the corridors of City banks.

Treasury committee will examine agency’s forecasting record and discover where it ‘needs to do better’

MPs have launched an inquiry into the role and performance of the Office for Budget Responsibility.

The all-party Commons Treasury committee will spend until the end of next month investigating the independent agency’s forecasting performance and impartiality. The panel will consider whether reforms are needed 15 years after the OBR was set up by George Osborne when he was Tory chancellor.