Gold price hits fresh record high, as bitcoin also rallies – as it happened

Analysts say gold is benefited from safe-haven demand amid persistent geopolitical tensions, expectations of monetary policy easing, and mounting uncertainty surrounding the US presidential election.

‘The rich need to pay more’: Britons’ hopes and fears for the budget

While some want Rachel Reeves to raise taxes for the wealthy, others fear the long-term sick could be penalised

To defeat Trump, Harris must talk more about the economy

US vice-president’s campaign has stalled because Americans continue to struggle with their bills despite economic growth

Number of UK mortgage approvals at highest level since 2022 mini-budget

Bank of England figures show fourth monthly increase in a row as September approvals rise by 700 to 65,600

Jeremy Hunt calls on government not to release OBR review into his spending plans

Former chancellor accuses Rachel Reeves of politicising Office for Budget Responsibility by release on budget day

Petrol and food prices will fall thanks to oil glut, says World Bank

Downward trend in oil price from higher production, falling demand in China and clean energy to continue

Will bond vigilantes punish Rachel Reeves with a Truss-style market meltdown?

10-year gilt yields have risen in the past month but are within the range of other pre-budget periods

Lower shop prices boost prospect of Bank of England rate cut

British Retail Consortium says prices falling at fastest rate in three years and are 0.8% lower than a year ago

Starmer lost in the semantic weeds as he makes case for plugging the ‘black hole’

Two days before the budget, the British prime minister promises better days lie ahead – but first, some pain

Volkswagen to shut at least three German factories, union warns; Oil price falls 5% after Israel’s attack on Iran – as it happened

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news

From tax cuts to breaking the economy: five UK budgets that made a difference

As Rachel Reeves prepares to unveil her measures, we look at how five of her predecessors broke the mould

Reeves’s radical change to fiscal rules could go further – New Zealand shows how

Nation follows net worth rules which count liabilities such as debt but also assets, including land, roads, hospitals and schools

Carbon emissions of richest 1% increase hunger, poverty and deaths, says Oxfam

Consumption of the world’s wealthiest people also making it increasingly difficult to limit global heating to 1.5C

OBR to publish breakdown of claimed £22bn ‘black hole’ on budget day

Former chancellor Jeremy Hunt says decision to publish findings of review on Wednesday is ‘significant concern’

Labour should ‘invest big’ in arts and culture projects, says top economist

Andy Haldane says funding ‘social infrastructure’ and cultural institutions is crucial for communities