Kiran Stacey
@kiranstacey.bsky.social
Policy Editor at the Guardian. Previously with the FT in London, Delhi, Washington.
Rachel Reeves gambles on tax and spend. But has she forgotten the "squeezed middle"?
Listen to me, @pippacrerar.bsky.social and @johnharris1969.bsky.social chew over today's budget here.
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
Listen to me, @pippacrerar.bsky.social and @johnharris1969.bsky.social chew over today's budget here.
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
The budget: Labour’s big tax and spend gamble – podcast
John Harris, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey give their reactions to the chancellor’s autumn budget
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Rachel Reeves gambles on tax and spend. But has she forgotten the "squeezed middle"?
Listen to me, @pippacrerar.bsky.social and @johnharris1969.bsky.social chew over today's budget here.
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
Listen to me, @pippacrerar.bsky.social and @johnharris1969.bsky.social chew over today's budget here.
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
Not to be pernickety here, but didn't the chancellor make a mistake with her very first word of the budget (and several times afterwards)?
November 26, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Not to be pernickety here, but didn't the chancellor make a mistake with her very first word of the budget (and several times afterwards)?
If you're wondering how relations are between the govt and the OBR after this morning's budget leak, a govt source has just sent this out about the EV tax.
November 26, 2025 at 4:43 PM
If you're wondering how relations are between the govt and the OBR after this morning's budget leak, a govt source has just sent this out about the EV tax.
Reposted by Kiran Stacey
Rachel Reeves can count herself (at least a bit) lucky. OBR productivity downgrade would have knocked £16 billion off tax receipts. But she was saved by £32 billion of *extra* receipts from higher inflation and a shift to more tax-rich growth (lower profits, higher wages).
November 26, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Rachel Reeves can count herself (at least a bit) lucky. OBR productivity downgrade would have knocked £16 billion off tax receipts. But she was saved by £32 billion of *extra* receipts from higher inflation and a shift to more tax-rich growth (lower profits, higher wages).
Grist to @jim.londoncentric.media’s theory that this will never happen:
The govt has timed its pension tax rise so it will have almost all its impact in the vital final year of the fiscal forecast.
The govt has timed its pension tax rise so it will have almost all its impact in the vital final year of the fiscal forecast.
Confirmation of two things expected: a mansion tax, doesn't raise huge amounts (£400m) but a big deal to introduce one; and a cap on salary sacrifice at £2k. That raises quite a bit in the key fiscal year (£4.7bn) but much less in the year after - must be some behavioural effects going on.
November 26, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Grist to @jim.londoncentric.media’s theory that this will never happen:
The govt has timed its pension tax rise so it will have almost all its impact in the vital final year of the fiscal forecast.
The govt has timed its pension tax rise so it will have almost all its impact in the vital final year of the fiscal forecast.
Reposted by Kiran Stacey
As expected, and as the IMF recommended, Reeves says the OBR will now only assess the public finances against the fiscal rules once a year, at the Budget - to avoid the kind of mad scramble ahead of the Spring statement that led to the botched welfare reforms.
November 26, 2025 at 12:59 PM
As expected, and as the IMF recommended, Reeves says the OBR will now only assess the public finances against the fiscal rules once a year, at the Budget - to avoid the kind of mad scramble ahead of the Spring statement that led to the botched welfare reforms.
💥 Govt says fuel duty to *go up* from next September.
In the past the OBR has assumed that fuel duty would start to rise after a one-year freeze.
This time, the govt has said explicitly that it will only be frozen for five months, and will start increasing it after that.
In the past the OBR has assumed that fuel duty would start to rise after a one-year freeze.
This time, the govt has said explicitly that it will only be frozen for five months, and will start increasing it after that.
November 26, 2025 at 12:46 PM
💥 Govt says fuel duty to *go up* from next September.
In the past the OBR has assumed that fuel duty would start to rise after a one-year freeze.
This time, the govt has said explicitly that it will only be frozen for five months, and will start increasing it after that.
In the past the OBR has assumed that fuel duty would start to rise after a one-year freeze.
This time, the govt has said explicitly that it will only be frozen for five months, and will start increasing it after that.
Public service journalism for anyone on a salary sacrifice pension scheme...
In 2029?? I don't get it.
So knowing the Guardian's pension scheme, tell everyone to max out those generous additional contributions for the next two years, Kiran!
So knowing the Guardian's pension scheme, tell everyone to max out those generous additional contributions for the next two years, Kiran!
November 26, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Public service journalism for anyone on a salary sacrifice pension scheme...
Here is the smorgasbord in full. Removing tax benefits from salary sacrifice pension schemes raises a whopping £4.7bn.
November 26, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Here is the smorgasbord in full. Removing tax benefits from salary sacrifice pension schemes raises a whopping £4.7bn.
Removing the two-child benefit cap will cost £3bn and the average benefit to families will be £5,450 a year.
November 26, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Removing the two-child benefit cap will cost £3bn and the average benefit to families will be £5,450 a year.
Government's employment support scheme will not make any difference to growth, says the OBR.
November 26, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Government's employment support scheme will not make any difference to growth, says the OBR.
Absolutely extraordinary - this seems to be the OBR's entire economic outlook, posted half an hour before the chancelor stands up:
obr.uk/docs/dlm_upl...
obr.uk/docs/dlm_upl...
obr.uk
November 26, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Absolutely extraordinary - this seems to be the OBR's entire economic outlook, posted half an hour before the chancelor stands up:
obr.uk/docs/dlm_upl...
obr.uk/docs/dlm_upl...
Great story by @pickardje.bsky.social and @rachelmillard.bsky.social
Rachel Reeves drops a plan to remove VAT from energy bills, decides only to remove levies. Makes it much cheaper for the govt, but limits how much will be knocked off bills.
www.ft.com/content/82f0...
Rachel Reeves drops a plan to remove VAT from energy bills, decides only to remove levies. Makes it much cheaper for the govt, but limits how much will be knocked off bills.
www.ft.com/content/82f0...
Rachel Reeves decides against cutting VAT on energy bills in Budget
Chancellor expected to continue with support package for households, including easing of electricity costs
www.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Great story by @pickardje.bsky.social and @rachelmillard.bsky.social
Rachel Reeves drops a plan to remove VAT from energy bills, decides only to remove levies. Makes it much cheaper for the govt, but limits how much will be knocked off bills.
www.ft.com/content/82f0...
Rachel Reeves drops a plan to remove VAT from energy bills, decides only to remove levies. Makes it much cheaper for the govt, but limits how much will be knocked off bills.
www.ft.com/content/82f0...
Very nice that our podcast has been nominated for two of these awards.
Well done to the brilliant team including @pippacrerar.bsky.social @johnharris1969.bsky.social @zoehitch.bsky.social @frankietobi.bsky.social and Maz Ebtehaj.
x.com/iNHouseComms...
Well done to the brilliant team including @pippacrerar.bsky.social @johnharris1969.bsky.social @zoehitch.bsky.social @frankietobi.bsky.social and Maz Ebtehaj.
x.com/iNHouseComms...
iNHouse on X: "It's time to reveal the shortlist for the Political Podcast Awards 2026 🎉 Sponsored by YouTube #PoliticalPodcastAwards https://t.co/YVG9tQBaaW" / X
It's time to reveal the shortlist for the Political Podcast Awards 2026 🎉 Sponsored by YouTube #PoliticalPodcastAwards https://t.co/YVG9tQBaaW
x.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Very nice that our podcast has been nominated for two of these awards.
Well done to the brilliant team including @pippacrerar.bsky.social @johnharris1969.bsky.social @zoehitch.bsky.social @frankietobi.bsky.social and Maz Ebtehaj.
x.com/iNHouseComms...
Well done to the brilliant team including @pippacrerar.bsky.social @johnharris1969.bsky.social @zoehitch.bsky.social @frankietobi.bsky.social and Maz Ebtehaj.
x.com/iNHouseComms...
The only thing that can defeat parliament’s new extra high security fence.
November 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The only thing that can defeat parliament’s new extra high security fence.
To all the people who love to explain that this is not in fact a make or break budget, you're wrong.
Hopefully this week's episode will show why.
Hopefully this week's episode will show why.
🚨Our latest podcast - we discuss Rachel Reeves’s high stakes budget moment...
Plus @kiranstacey.bsky.social behind the scenes of his G20 trip to South Africa with Keir Starmer
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
Plus @kiranstacey.bsky.social behind the scenes of his G20 trip to South Africa with Keir Starmer
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
A make-or-break week for the UK government – podcast
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the context of Rachel Reeves’s big budget moment. Plus, Kiran talks about his trip to Johannesburg with Keir Starmer and how talks over the Ukraine peace plan unf...
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:07 PM
To all the people who love to explain that this is not in fact a make or break budget, you're wrong.
Hopefully this week's episode will show why.
Hopefully this week's episode will show why.
Reposted by Kiran Stacey
Yes, it's the latest Politics Weekly UK, a rich & questioning chatfest with me, @kiranstacey.bsky.social, @gabyhinsliff.bsky.social & @rafaelbehr.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/p...
How dangerous are Labour’s asylum plans?
Podcast Episode · Politics Weekly UK · 19/11/2025 · 31m
podcasts.apple.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Yes, it's the latest Politics Weekly UK, a rich & questioning chatfest with me, @kiranstacey.bsky.social, @gabyhinsliff.bsky.social & @rafaelbehr.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/p...
BREAKING: UK defence secretary says a Russian spy ship called Yantar has entered British waters off the Scottish coast and is mapping undersea cables.
"If the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready."
"If the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready."
November 19, 2025 at 10:05 AM
BREAKING: UK defence secretary says a Russian spy ship called Yantar has entered British waters off the Scottish coast and is mapping undersea cables.
"If the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready."
"If the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready."
Reposted by Kiran Stacey
@kiranstacey.bsky.social makes the interesting point that this is mainly about making the UK less appealing than France. Made me think - what if the far right in France gets in? Is the UK going to strive to be nastier to migrants than the National Rally?
🚨This week's pod with @pippacrerar.bsky.social:
- Where are the pitfalls for Shabana Mahmood's asylum reforms
- Decoding Treasury spin on the budget
- Who might challenge Starmer's leadership, and when?
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
- Where are the pitfalls for Shabana Mahmood's asylum reforms
- Decoding Treasury spin on the budget
- Who might challenge Starmer's leadership, and when?
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
Labour’s risky asylum pitch – podcast
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at radical plans from the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, to tackle the ‘out of control’ asylum system. Plus, has the briefing row only made Keir Starmer’s rivals m...
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:09 PM
@kiranstacey.bsky.social makes the interesting point that this is mainly about making the UK less appealing than France. Made me think - what if the far right in France gets in? Is the UK going to strive to be nastier to migrants than the National Rally?
🚨This week's pod with @pippacrerar.bsky.social:
- Where are the pitfalls for Shabana Mahmood's asylum reforms
- Decoding Treasury spin on the budget
- Who might challenge Starmer's leadership, and when?
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
- Where are the pitfalls for Shabana Mahmood's asylum reforms
- Decoding Treasury spin on the budget
- Who might challenge Starmer's leadership, and when?
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
Labour’s risky asylum pitch – podcast
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at radical plans from the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, to tackle the ‘out of control’ asylum system. Plus, has the briefing row only made Keir Starmer’s rivals m...
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:25 PM
🚨This week's pod with @pippacrerar.bsky.social:
- Where are the pitfalls for Shabana Mahmood's asylum reforms
- Decoding Treasury spin on the budget
- Who might challenge Starmer's leadership, and when?
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
- Where are the pitfalls for Shabana Mahmood's asylum reforms
- Decoding Treasury spin on the budget
- Who might challenge Starmer's leadership, and when?
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
Reposted by Kiran Stacey
🚨 Labour’s risky asylum pitch...
In our latest podcast @kiranstacey.bsky.social & I look at home secretary Shabana Mahmood's plans to tackle the ‘out of control’ asylum system - and how they're likely to go down with MPs and the public...
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
In our latest podcast @kiranstacey.bsky.social & I look at home secretary Shabana Mahmood's plans to tackle the ‘out of control’ asylum system - and how they're likely to go down with MPs and the public...
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
Labour’s risky asylum pitch – podcast
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at radical plans from the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, to tackle the ‘out of control’ asylum system. Plus, has the briefing row only made Keir Starmer’s rivals m...
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:57 PM
🚨 Labour’s risky asylum pitch...
In our latest podcast @kiranstacey.bsky.social & I look at home secretary Shabana Mahmood's plans to tackle the ‘out of control’ asylum system - and how they're likely to go down with MPs and the public...
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
In our latest podcast @kiranstacey.bsky.social & I look at home secretary Shabana Mahmood's plans to tackle the ‘out of control’ asylum system - and how they're likely to go down with MPs and the public...
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
Some things to bear in mind about these late changes to the budget:
1) Govt sources say the forecasts changed. But the only new thing they learned this week was the OBR's assessment of their own plans.
Maybe the OBR said their tax rises would raise more than expected?
1) Govt sources say the forecasts changed. But the only new thing they learned this week was the OBR's assessment of their own plans.
Maybe the OBR said their tax rises would raise more than expected?
November 14, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Some things to bear in mind about these late changes to the budget:
1) Govt sources say the forecasts changed. But the only new thing they learned this week was the OBR's assessment of their own plans.
Maybe the OBR said their tax rises would raise more than expected?
1) Govt sources say the forecasts changed. But the only new thing they learned this week was the OBR's assessment of their own plans.
Maybe the OBR said their tax rises would raise more than expected?
Something about this morning's stories reminded me of Gordon Brown's No 10. And then I remembered this passage from Damian McBride:
November 12, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Something about this morning's stories reminded me of Gordon Brown's No 10. And then I remembered this passage from Damian McBride:
Reposted by Kiran Stacey
🚨Our latest podcast. Join me and @kiranstacey.bsky.social as we chew over BBC resignations, how No 10 is handling the budget and growing unease within Labour ranks about Keir Starmer’s leadership...
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
Can the BBC survive this crisis? | podcast
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the shock departures at the BBC, plus jitters inside No 10 about the budget and potential moves against Keir Starmer
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:18 PM
🚨Our latest podcast. Join me and @kiranstacey.bsky.social as we chew over BBC resignations, how No 10 is handling the budget and growing unease within Labour ranks about Keir Starmer’s leadership...
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...