Five pieces of economic news that could affect UK election result

From unemployment to inflation, the key data the Tories and Labour must explain to voters

UK company growth slows in blow to Sunak; NatWest share sale threatened by general election – as it happened

Growth across British services firms has cooled noticeably this month in an early blow for PM Rishi Sunak’s election campaign.

Companies in the oil, hotel, meat and other sectors are price-gouging the US public. They’re not hiding it, either

While price growth has fallen sharply, with April’s 3.4% lower than March’s 3.5%, it is still higher than Fed’s medium-term goal of 2%

Economies decide elections but with growth tentative, inflation sticky, and tax cuts unlikely, why would the PM wait

Anglo agrees to enter talks with larger rival, though BHP calls its £38.6n offer ‘final’

From olive oil to cocoa and carpets to holiday centres, how the cost of everyday things varies

ONS says budget deficit £1.5bn higher than previous year due to increased spending on benefits and weaker tax revenues

Exclusive Harris poll for the Guardian shows the majority of Americans think the country’s in recession – but it isn’t. Test your own knowledge here

Exclusive Harris poll for the Guardian shows 55% believe economy is shrinking, in troubling sign for president’s re-election bid

Service sector inflation, monitored closely by Bank of England, barely budged in April

Drop in April is smaller than forecast but level is still lowest in almost three years

With prices forecast to increase at their slowest pace since 2021, we look at the biggest risers in goods and services

Body says £30bn fiscal gap cannot be filled by higher growth or extra borrowing. So how will No 11 ease pressure on public finances?

The IMF has delivered its verdict on the UK economy, and signalling its opposition to pre-election tax cuts from Jeremy Hunt