Chuka Umunna advises Czech tycoon accused of Royal Mail plot

Ex-Labour MP and former critic of privatisation risks claims of hypocrisy over advisory role with Daniel Křetínský

The Guardian view on charities and the cost of living crisis: overwhelming needs

Editorial: As more and more people struggle with food and heating bills, the danger is that the services supporting them will collapse

UK rail system described as ‘broken’ as 2022 data reveals extent of disruption

Delays and cancellations linked to 20 years of privatisation, rising costs and labour shortages worsened by pandemic, say experts

The pendulum swung against globalisation in 2022 – and that’s no bad thing

Climate crisis, Ukraine invasion and China-US tensions are challenging assumption free markets are best

UK government looks to lure early retirees back to work, reports say

People who quit during pandemic may be offered ‘midlife MOT’ as way to address labour shortage

Sunak faces pressure to help older people return to work after ill health

Experts say cuts to public services and NHS waiting times could be contributing to UK worker shortage

Freeze on alcohol duty to be extended to help UK hospitality industry

No increases until August 2023 despite Jeremy Hunt’s first full budget being scheduled for 15 March

Elon Musk’s Twitter poll says he should step down as chief executive – as it happened

Elon Musk says he will honour the results of a Twitter poll asking whether the should resign as head of the social media platform

The Guardian view on City reforms: banks need more regulation, not less

Editorial: Britain’s departure from the EU should have led to a rethink of the country’s stagnant economic model. Instead ministers want to entrench it

Sunak and Hunt face a rerun of the 70s’ winter of discontent. It didn’t end well then

Ted Heath and Jim Callaghan paid a big price for taking on the trade unions, and once again voters are blaming the politicians

Bank of England raises interest rates to 3.5% in ninth increase in a year

Majority of MPC rate-setters back hike of 0.5 percentage points despite fears UK is entering a long recession

Scotland to spend extra £1bn on health by raising taxes on higher earners

Scottish government promises to tackle health and social care crisis to protect weakest and poorest

Interest rates: UK borrowers are facing a serious reality check

Latest Bank of England rise offers little hope to generation of homebuyers weaned on ultra-cheap mortgages

Kwarteng had ‘all the advice’ but disregarded warnings on mini-budget, MPs told

Treasury officials tell select committee they set out impacts of £45bn plan for former chancellor

A Labour win is now looking likely at the next general election, but at what cost?

If the party loses its integrity and will to change the country along the way, it will snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik