Economists urge the Chancellor to create a comprehensive growth plan as the UK economy stagnates, highlighting concerns that continued sluggishness could impact living standards, and noting that Labour’s plans involve a significant effort to achieve long-term sustainability.

The PM is facing significant dissent within the party over planned changes to pension policies, as backbenchers and Labour critics express strong opposition to the government’s stance on compensation for the Waspi women, with a critical vote anticipated in the new year.

The government has warned that water bills could see an additional increase following a 36% rise approved by Ofwat over five years, unless the Labour Party intervenes to overhaul the regulator, attributing the hikes to infrastructure failures and illegal waste disposal issues.

Labour MPs have expressed their readiness to challenge the Government’s decision not to compensate women affected by changes to the state pension age, amid growing protests accusing Starmer and the party of ‘betraying’ the Waspi women, while the PM has argued that the financial implications make compensation unfeasible.