The UK’s pharma deal was vital – but the GSK boss is right about US dominance

It would be absurd to claim the UK has suddenly become a life-sciences leader thanks to the new pricing and tariffs pact

Downing Street vows to force employment rights bill through Lords

No more concessions, says minister after legislation was thwarted in upper house despite manifesto climbdown

There is a fund to create jobs in the poorest areas, and Labour has quietly gutted it. This is what betrayal looks like

It’s a scandal laid bare. A stark new report highlights the price paid in Britain’s former industrial heartlands for this silent piece of ministerial vandalism, says Guardian columnist Larry Elliott

No 10 publishes list of 34 new political peerages including 25 Labour, five Liberal Democrats and three Conservatives – as it happened

Downing Street publishes list including ex-Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies and Iceland supermarket chief Richard Walker

Nick Clegg takes role at London-based venture capitalists Hiro Capital

Former deputy prime minister, who left Meta this year, to be joined by Facebook-owner’s chief AI scientist

Reeves criticises budget leaks and says income tax decision taken ‘in partnership’ with PM

Chancellor defends budget but tells MPs there were ‘too many leaks’ and that and much of them were inaccurate

Bank of England expects budget will cut inflation by up to half a percentage point

In a boost for Rachel Reeves, deputy governor says analysis shows chancellor’s policies will lower annual rate next year

Davey claims ‘historic victory’ for Lib Dems after tokenistic vote in favour of customs union with EU – as it happened

The vote will have no practical impact, despite Davey’s ‘historic’ claim

Badenoch announces Tory review of which conditions qualify for benefits

‘Age of diagnosis’ of ‘low-level mental health issues’ such as ADHD making system too costly, Conservative leader says

‘Bring it on!’: growing support in England for four-day week in schools

Why proposals for a shorter working week are winning over teachers and parents – despite the logistical headaches

Extracting hangovers from beer: inside Budweiser owner’s ‘nolo’ brewery in south Wales

AB InBev unveils its ‘de-alcoholisation’ annex at Magor site as demand for once ‘lousy’ low- or no-alcohol beer rises

Local authorities in England and Wales warn finances at ‘breaking point’

More councils expected to fall into bankruptcy in near future as they face nervous wait over government funding

‘Zombie’ electricity projects in Britain face axe to ease quicker grid connections

Backlog delaying ‘shovel-ready’ ventures will be cleared with aim of building virtually zero-carbon power system by 2030

Keir Starmer to make Iceland boss Richard Walker a Labour peer

Appointment marks a rapid political transformation for a former Tory donor and potential candidate for MP

Forcing UK banks to support credit unions would help keep loan sharks at bay

High street banks dodged a windfall tax – now they should invest in growth of local lenders