Policy news & analysis
Event-driven, plain-English analysis: Budgets, uprating announcements and new party proposals — always with the numbers, never the spin. New explainers land here first; subscribe below to get them fortnightly.
Electricity VAT cut to zero: what Burnham's first tax cut is actually worth
Zero-rated electricity from 1 October, paid for by cancelling Digital ID. The headline is £45 — but that's an annual rate for a six-month cut, so the cash is nearer £23.
Pay-per-mile is really happening: eVED confirmed at 3p a mile from April 2028
The final design of Electric Vehicle Excise Duty is confirmed — 3p a mile for EVs, 1.5p for plug-in hybrids, odometer readings not tracking, CPI-uprated from 2029/30.
Andy Burnham's property tax proposals, explained
The Fairer Share 0.48% plan he's backed, what happens to council tax and stamp duty, and who pays more — with a calculator for your own home.
John Healey is Chancellor: the surprise pick and what it means for your taxes
Barely mentioned in the speculation, Healey got the Treasury on Burnham's first evening. Why the choice surprised everyone, and what it signals for the autumn Budget.
Andy Burnham is Prime Minister: what changes for your money?
In office since 20 July. The electricity VAT cut and the £2 bus fare cap are announced — plus his record on property tax, housing, social care and welfare.
The £100,000 question: the new political donation rules, and who they hit
New arrivals capped for a year, company donations tested against profits, candidates made to prove their funding — and why Reform UK says the rules are aimed at them.
Autumn Budget 2026: what to expect and what it could mean for your money
Frozen thresholds, speculation about further rises, and the fiscal arithmetic — what we know so far, updated as announcements land.
The crossover salaries: at what income does each party's tax plan help or hurt you?
Our data analysis of every party's income-tax and NI proposals across salaries from £15,000 to £150,000 — with the exact break-even points.
When is the next UK general election?
By August 2029 at the latest — the rules, the realistic window, and what's at stake.
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