How much is the national debt and should you care?

“In my opinion, what markets are reacting to is just sort of the haphazard nature of policy in this administration – the escalation, de-escalation,” said Robin Brooks, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and former FX strategist at Goldman Sachs, pointing to similarities between the backlash over tariffs and Greenland.

Unite called on the government to push ahead with publication of its Defence Investment Plan, to clarify the future of other contracts including the replacing of old fighter jets with new Typhoons, fitted with Rolls Royce engines, and a further commitment to military satellites built in Portsmouth and Stevenage.

But, Roy added, the Treasury and the Department of Work and Pensions are coming back to perceived unaffordability of Westminster’s welfare budget, so we can expect new approaches to cuts and reduced entitlement. If that goes ahead, Holyrood will find itself facing further cuts in block grant.

“It’s unwelcome news for borrowers, as the prospect of falling mortgage rates has quickly given way to rate rises,” he said, adding: “How far they could go is now heavily dependent on how global markets and inflation expectations evolve as conflict in the Middle East unfolds.”

People struggling with high heating bills and other cost-of-living pressures are being encouraged to use a series of “Warm Welcome” spaces this winter. More than 20 places across North Tyneside, including community hubs, libraries and churches, are taking part in the scheme, which also sees free food and drink offered alongside a range of activities….