Chalmers rejects opposition claims Labor is fuelling inflation, and says he is ‘impatient for reform’
Australian treasurer ‘open’ to tax reform and says the government wants to tackle intergenerational inequity
Friday briefing: How Britain’s high streets became a barometer of national decline
In today’s newsletter: As boarded‑up units spread from coastal towns to former industrial centres, a new Guardian investigation reveals how our high streets have become a litmus test for public frustration and political choices
What agreements have been made during Starmer’s trip to China?
Several deals have been struck so far but there does not appear to be a big bundle of investments worth billions
Farage attack on high street Turkish barber shops is dog-whistle racism, minister says
Miatta Fahnbulleh accuses Reform leader of ‘politics of grievance’ while having no plan to fix UK high streets
Universal basic income could be used to soften hit from AI job losses in UK, minister says
Lord Stockwood says people in government ‘definitely’ talking about idea as technology disrupts industries
‘You’d be ashamed to bring someone here’: The struggling billionaire-owned high street that shows Reform’s road to No 10
Newton Aycliffe was meant to be a model town for a fairer postwar Britain. But unaffordable rents on a high street amounting to 0.12% of its property tycoon owner’s holdings have made it a symbol of decline – and a warning for Labour
U-turn on pubs has not solved the government’s mess on business rates
The package being offered is not insignificant but the hospitality sector is still in trouble
National insurance hike and energy bills behind food price rise, say UK retailers
Latest BRC figures show year-on-year rate of increase was 3.9% in January, up from 3.3% the month before
AI must augment rather than replace us or human workers are doomed
Tech could lose its social acceptance unless it makes people’s lives better – and trade unions want an urgent conversation
Strong UK pay growth could limit interest rate cuts, Bank policymaker warns
Megan Greene says apparent end to the decline in wage growth could hinder fight against inflation
‘I’m picking winners’: UK business secretary takes activist approach to economic growth
AI evangelist Peter Kyle wants to scale up businesses, attract overseas investors and look out for UK’s poorer regions
UK government borrowing falls to £11.6bn in December
Official figures better than expected after record-breaking receipts for the month of December
Why is the UK investing in £6.45bn Kraken when it doesn’t need public money?
Given the software company’s size and funding options, British Business Bank’s investment looks like mission creep
Middle powers assemble? Trump disorder prompts talk of new liberal alliances
As Mark Carney, Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen decide ‘to live in truth’, what will it take for Starmer to call out Trump?
‘The powerful have their power. We have the capacity to stop pretending’: the Canadian PM’s call to action at Davos
In a rousing speech, Mark Carney made the case for unity in the face of Donald Trump’s new world order. We reproduce it here