Three stories worth knowing today, in plain English: what happened, why it matters and what comes next.
New today: The Budget is today, after a week of pre-Budget reporting; we have not reported its contents.
Chancellor John Healey is due to give his first Budget to MPs at about 12.30pm today. He is keeping Rachel Reeves's fiscal rule that day-to-day spending must be covered by taxes by 2029/30.
Why it matters: The Institute for Fiscal Studies says higher inflation and borrowing costs leave him a roughly £35bn gap to fill with tax rises, benefit cuts or smaller spending plans. Fuel bills, pensions and tax are the areas to watch.
What next: The Office for Budget Responsibility publishes its forecast alongside the speech. Treat pre-Budget reports as unconfirmed until the Chancellor has spoken.
Sources: Brit Brief on the IFS pre-Budget analysis · Which? on the Budget date and contents
The British Medical Association says consultants will strike from 06:59 on 25 November to 06:59 on 27 November, with emergency cover only. It would be their first strike since 2023.
Why it matters: Planned operations and clinics that need a consultant would be hit, with 7.37 million treatments already waiting in England. The union wants shorter hours and better pay.
What next: The BMA says it will call the strike off if the Health Secretary commits to formal, funded negotiations before 25 November.
Sources: British Medical Association · NHS Employers
The Courts and Tribunals Bill reached the House of Lords for second reading on 27 October. MPs passed it 301 to 193 after ministers dropped plans for judge-only trials but kept the end of a defendant's right to choose a jury in either-way cases.
Why it matters: The government wants to cut the Crown Court backlog. The Law Society and Bar Council say the change will not fix it and will damage fairness and trust.
What next: The Lords will examine the bill in detail at later stages. Reports say peers may try to amend the jury changes.
Sources: UK Parliament, Lords business · Law Society on the bill