Britain has reversed its decline before, but things may get worse before they get better

The decay has set in across social classes, and more deeply than in the 90s, says Guardian columnist Andy Beckett

Ben Wallace steps back from Liz Truss’s 3% defence spending target

Defence secretary changes stance under new PM after previously threatening to quit if pledge not met

Services from passports to pensions could be affected as 100,000 PCS union members to join nurses in wave of stoppages

Move to lower threshold from £150,000 would be in line with Hunt’s vow that tax rises should hit ‘broadest shoulders’

Bradford-born singer who relied on free school lunches urges PM to extend provision to all families on universal credit

Such a move may force Bank of England to rethink interest rates approach, says its chief economist

Politicians of all stripes have relied on inaccurate or incomplete figures to make crucial decisions, says Georgina Sturge

Guardian understands early drafts of UK government’s autumn statement include at least £35bn reduction in spending

Whether that opportunity is seized or squandered is yet to be seen but the dire predictions didn’t happen

Andrew Mitchell, the international development minister, says former PM calling aid budget a ‘giant cashpoint in the sky’ harmed backing

Prime minister declares inflation ‘number one enemy’ and promises to rebuild trust in government

Editorial: Denying the cost of leaving the EU keeps Britain locked in a cycle of falling living standards and rising anger

Leader under pressure to commit to higher taxes for super-rich as Tory government prepares spending cuts

Interest rate rise to 3% is biggest since 1989 and fears UK economy may go into longer, deeper recession

UN rapporteur’s concern is ‘wake-up call’ for Sunak government considering cuts to benefits