Rachel Reeves has been hit with damning new polling suggesting just one per cent of Britons think Labour is handling the economy "very well" ahead of next week's budget.
Polling from YouGov found only 13 per cent think Labour is doing "fairly well", only nine per cent think Ms Reeves, is making the situation better.
More than three quarters of people think the Government is handling the economy either fairly badly (38 per cent) or very badly (39 per cent).
However, according to the poll most Britons do agree with Reeves's argument that inherited a poor economy from the Tories (73 per cent).
In positive reading for Kemi Badenoch and Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride, 20 per cent of the public think the Conservative Party would be best on handling the economy, although 28 per cent said they didn't know.
When asked which party would handle economic problems the best, "None of them" polled at 14 per cent, higher than both Labour and Reform, who were tied on 12 per cent.
The Green Party was behind on seven per cent, with Sir Ed Davey's Liberal Democrats following on six per cent.
No plans to give nursery children almond, oat and soya milk, says minister
There are no plans to give children dairy-free nursery milk, a minister has said.
Cows’ milk is available through the national Nursery Milk Scheme. But childminders, councils and day care providers cannot make a claim for dairy-free alternatives.
"Plant-based drinks are currently not covered by the legislation on the Nursery Milk Scheme, which only allows reimbursement to be made for cows’ milk and infant formula based on cows’ milk," Ashley Dalton said.
Responding to a written question tabled by Neil Duncan-Jordan, the Labour MP for Poole, the health minister added: "The Government does not currently have plans to provide dairy-free alternatives as part of the Nursery Milk Scheme."
Ms Dalton said her department was reviewing a probe into plant-based drinks, published by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition and the Committee on Toxicity earlier this year.
The committees found "typical" almond, oat and soya drinks may contribute to higher intakes of dietary fibre and vitamin D, "which would be beneficial in all age groups."
Conservatives come out on top with public when asked which party would be best on economy
John Swinney says Keir Starmer will 'have to resign' is SNP win majority at Holyrood
John Swinney has said he has “no doubt” the Prime Minister will be unable to remain in office if the SNP wins an overall majority at next year’s Holyrood election.
The Scottish First Minister told how he believes an SNP majority, which has only happened once in the history of the Scottish Parliament, could topple Sir Keir Starmer.
He also told an event in London his relationship with Sir Keir is in a "testing period now" in the run-up to that Holyrood vote in May 2026.
The SNP leader added: "If that was to happen in May of next year, then I have no doubt that the Prime Minister would not survive in office."
Pressed on the difference between a majority for the SNP and a pro-independence majority also involving the Sottish Greens, as there is at present at the Parliament, Mr Swinney said simply: "The difference is that the SNP-only majority was not ignored.
"That’s the big difference, and that’s what sets the precedence."
Keir Starmer refuses to rule out stealth tax and Rachel Reeves branded 'clueless' in fiery pre-Budget clash
Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch went head to head
|PA
Keir Starmer has been told to "wake up" after he refused to rule out a stealth tax in the upcoming Budget.
In a fiery PMQs clash with Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, the Prime Minister was asked whether he will rule out freezing income tax thresholds at the Budget.
She said: "This is the first Budget to unravel before it's even been delivered. The Chancellor's cluelessness, I'm afraid, is damaging the economy now.
"The Prime Minister needs to end this shambles. So can he confirm today that he won't break another promise by freezing income tax thresholds?"
Russian Embassy accuses Labour of being 'Russophobic' over RAF comments
The Russian Embassy in the UK has accused Labour of being "Russophobic" and "whipping up militaristic hysteria" after Defence Secretary John Healey accused a Russian ship of targeting RAF pilots with a laser.
Mr Healey said frigate HMS Somerset and RAF P-8 Poseidon aircraft have been keeping watch on the Yantar, which is designed for gathering intelligence and mapping crucial undersea cables, after it entered wider UK waters this month.
A statement from the Russian Embassy read : "We have taken note of yet another provocative statement by British Defence Secretary John Healy.
"This time, the reason was the activities of the Russian oceanographic research vessel Yantar in international waters. The endless accusations and suspicions of the British leadership cause only a smile.
"Our country’s actions do not affect the interests of the United Kingdom and are not aimed at undermining its security. We are not interested in British underwater communications.
"However, London, with its Russophobic course and whipping up militaristic hysteria, contributes to the further degradation of European security, creating the prerequisites for new dangerous situations.
"We call on the British side to refrain from destructive steps that exacerbate the crisis."
WATCH: British businessman slams Labour for 'persecuting' middle-class workers
Green Party issues pre-Budget warning to Rachel Reeves - 'Cut bills, tax billionaires'
The Green Party has called on Rachel Reeves to "cut bills, tax billionaires" as they issued a series of demands to the Chancellor ahead of next week's Budget.
Zack Polanski's party has called on the introduction of a one per cent tax on wealth over £10million and two per cent over £1billion, which they claim would raise £14.8billion per year.
The insurgent left-wing party is calling on aligning rates of Capital Gains Tax, with income tax so income from work is not taxed more than income from wealth, which they said would raise at least £12billion per year.
The Greens are also calling for National Insurance to be introduced on investment income, "to raise at least £6.1billion per year."
Treasury spokesman for the Greens Adrian Ramsay MP said: "The Chancellor has spent the past 16 months claiming that there isn’t enough money to lift children out of poverty, ensure warm homes for pensioners, or provide vital support for people with disabilities.
"But the truth is Starmer and Reeves are choosing to make life harder for ordinary people while refusing to even consider taxing wealth fairly to unlock billions of pounds for the public purse.
"We’re making clear that there are common-sense steps this Government could and should take to raise revenue and deliver the change people are crying out for."
WATCH: Tom Tugendhat puts Labour on blast for pushing off the super-embassy decision in Tower Hamlets
Shabana Mahmood warns policing in the UK is becoming a 'postcode lottery'
Policing in England and Wales is "a postcode lottery" and the 43-force structure is "irrational", the Home Secretary has said.
Shabana Mahmood told a major policing conference in Westminster that critical functions like the air service and vetting have been loaded on to the 43 geographical forces, diverting their attention from neighbourhood policing.
A white paper is due to be published in the coming weeks outlining government plans for police reform, with forces facing a £1.2billion budget shortfall.
Speaking at the National Police Chiefs’ Council and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners summit, Ms Mahmood said: "The structure of our police forces is, if we are honest, irrational."
"We have loaded critical functions like the national police air service and vetting onto local forces, drawing attention away from neighbourhood policing. We have 43 forces tackling criminal gangs who cross borders, and the disparities in performance in forces across the country have grown far too wide, giving truth to the old saw that policing in this country is a postcode lottery."
She said the adoption of new technology is "piecemeal" and that many forces are dependent on the same systems that have been used for decades.
WATCH: Trade unionist admits 'I find myself agreeing with GB News again' amid bitter row with Labour
A trade unionist has admitted he "agrees" with GB News host Andrew Pierce as he pinpointed a key factor in the dispute over Birmingham's bin strike chaos.
Speaking to GB News, the National Lead Officer at Unite Onay Kasab laid bare his disappointment at Labour's role in the ongoing havoc.
Unite has long held strong ties with the Labour Party, but their relationship has grown increasingly fractious in recent months with General Secretary Sharron Graham even threatening to sever ties in September.
Zia Yusuf takes swipe at Andy Burnham after Labour MP backs Manchester mayor for PM leadership challenge
Zia Yusuf has taken a swipe at Andy Burnham after Labour MP Clive Lewis said he was sacrifice his seat to make room for the Manchester mayor to challenge Sir Keir Starmer.
Reform's head of policy wrote to X: "Labour’s majority in this seat [Norwich South], while big, was smaller than the one in Runcorn that Reform overwhelmed.
"Reform has a real shot of winning. Does Andy Burnham have the guts?"
He concluded his post with an emoji of a chicken.
Labour MP willing to sacrifice seat for candidate to oust PM as threshold hit to topple Keir Starmer
Labour MP Clive Lewis said he would be willing to sacrifice his seat to make room for Andy Burnham so he could challenge Sir Keir Starmer for leadership.
The Norwich South MP, who has made several comments criticising the Prime Minister's leadership, was asked if he would make way for the Greater Manchester Mayor to become an MP.
"It's a question I've asked myself, and I'd have to obviously consult with my wife as well, and family," he told the BBC.
"But, do you know what, if I'm going to sit here and say 'country before party, party before personal ambition', then yes, I have to say yes don't I."
Reform MP Lee Anderson tells PM to 'be a man' in fiery PMQ's exchange
Lee Anderson told Sir Keir Starmer to 'be a man'
|UK PARLIAMENT
Lee Anderson told Sir Keir Starmer to "be a man" when quizzing him on local elections.
The Reform MP made two attempts to ask his question after being interrupted by uproar in the Commons.
He said "whilst the Labour front bench continue to pedal their own form of dog-whistle politics.." to which the words "the expert!' could be heard in the chamber.
Mr Anderson continued: "Reform UK are cracking on with the day job. Our Reform-led councils have already identified savings of over £330million in the first six months.
"The PM might shake his head propped up by these gullible backbenchers but here is the challenge - will he guarantee, will he ensure that all the cancelled elections form this year and the proposed local elections for next year will go ahead in May, 2026.
"Go on - be a man."
Sir Keir responded: "I didn't realise he was quite so good at stand up comedy.
"Last week his leader said he didn't have time to condemn the racist comments of his fellow MP for Runcorn...I wonder if he can ask his leader next door to him whether he has got time for his explanation for the stories in today's papers."
Sir Keir Starmer 'utterly appalled' by mountain of rubbish dumped in Oxfordshire
Sir Ed Davey questioned the PM over a mountain of illegal rubbish dumped in Oxfordshire
|UK PARLIAMENT
Sir Ed Davey questioned Sir Keir Starmer about the mountain of illegal waste dumped in Oxfordshire near the River Cherwell.
The Lib Dem leader asked if the PM will be instructing the Environment Agency to clean it up "now".
Sir Keir said: "These are utterly appalling scenes, utterly appalling. A criminal investigation, as he knows, is underway and specialist officers are tracking down those responsible.
"The Environmental Agency, in answer to this question, will use all available powers to make sure that the perpetrators cover the cost of the clean up, which must now follow."
Government are 'making it up as they go along' - Kemi Badenoch
Kemi Badenoch accused the Government of "making it up as they go along" as she again questioned Sir Keir Starmer over the upcoming Budget.
She said: "Two weeks ago, the Chancellor called a ridiculous press conference to blame everyone else for her having to raise income tax. Then last week, she U-turned on her own U-turn.
"They are making it up as they go along. Doesn't the country deserve better than Government by guesswork?"
The PM responded: "Either we renew our country with Labour or we go back to austerity 2.0 with the Tories.
"They left waiting lists at record highs - almost a million more children in poverty and they wrecked our public services.
"She comes here to talk down the country - we are turning the page."
Sir Keir Starmer wants 'round of applause' over inflation - Kemi Badenoch
Kemi Badenoch said the Prime Minister wants "a round of applause" over inflation figures.
The Tory leader said: "He wants a round of applause because it has come down a little bit - I will remind him that food inflation is up 4.9 per cent.
"That is making life miserable for all of those people out there."
PM refuses to confirm if Labour will 'break another promise' in upcoming Budget
Kemi Badenoch quizzed the PM over the upcoming Budget
|UK PARLIAMENT
Sir Keir Starmer refused to say if Labour will "break another promise" in the upcoming Budget.
Quizzing the PM on next week's Budget, Kemi Badenoch said: "The Chancellor's cluelessness I'm afraid is damaging the economy now.
"The Prime Minister needs to end this shambles. So can he confirm today that he won't break another promise by freezing income tax thresholds."
In response, Sir Keir said: "What we won't do is inflict austerity on the country as they [Conservatives] did.
"Have they learned anything? She apparently has this 'golden economic rule'," he added.
"This £47billion of cuts with no detail...they haven't listened and they haven't learned."
Sir Keir Starmer corrects Kemi Badenoch over mistake during PMQ's question
Sir Keir Starmer corrected Kemi Badenoch after she mistakenly referred to the upcoming Budget as though it had already happened.
Ms Badenoch said: "Can the PM tell us why his Government is the first in history to float increasing income tax rates only to then U-turn on it all after the actual Budget?"
The PM corrected the Conservative leader, saying: "I will inform her the Budget is actually next week - only got one week to go.
"But I can tell her it will be a Labour Budget with Labour values. That means we will concentrate on cutting NHS waiting lists, cutting debt and cutting the cost of living."
Laughter in the Commons as Keir Starmer discusses asylum system overhaul
Sir Keir Starmer was met with laughter in the Commons as he discussed Labour's planned overhaul of the asylum system
|UK PARLIAMENT
Sir Keir Starmer was met with laughter in the House of Commons as he opened Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) and discussed Labour's planned overhaul of the asylum system.
He said: "On Monday we introduced the largest overhaul of the asylum policy in modern times restoring control, fairness and creating safe and legal routes.
"And today I'm pleased to announce that inflation is coming down. There is more to do but it is a positive step."
Shabana Mahmood shuts down suggestions she will join Reform UK: 'Over my dead body'
Reform UK posted an edited photo of the Home Secretary dressed in Reform UK merchandise
|X
Shabana Mahmood has shut down suggestions she will join Reform UK.
Reform posted an edited photo of the Home Secretary to its official X account which showed her dressed in party merchandise, with posters of Nigel Farage plastered on the wall.
Responding to the post, Ms Mahmood wrote: "Over my dead body."
The Birmingham MP has this week been accused of echoing the rhetoric of Reform over plans to overhaul the asylum system.
Britain 'wants a deal' on access to EU defence fund but not 'at any price', says defence secretary
John Healey said Britain 'wants a deal' on access to the EU defence fund
|PA
The Defence Secretary said his message to the EU was that the UK wants a deal on access to the bloc’s flagship defence fund but is not "willing at any price" amid reports of an impasse.
Negotiations are being held on how much the UK should pay to participate in the European Union’s new €150billion security action for Europe (Safe) rearmament fund.
John Healey said: "My message to the EU is what it’s always been, we want a deal.
"Back in May, the President Von der Leyen talked about a deal within weeks on Safe and we’ve been negotiating at each stage, ready for a deal.
"But also clear that we’re ready to pay a contribution to the costs of running the scheme that’s fair.
"Ready to pay if there is good value for money for our taxpayers and our industry.
"And we’ve waited weeks within the negotiations for the chance to see the European proposals in some important areas.
"And for us, we’re ready to be part of the scheme, but we’re not ready to be willing at any price."
Nigel Farage is 'soft on Putin' and is 'not to be trusted on national security' - John Healey
John Healey has said Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is "not to be trusted on national security".
During his speech in Downing Street this morning, the defence secretary said: "Nigel Farage - he is soft on Putin, weak on Nato and not to be trusted on national security.
"It is Labour that is the party of defence. It was Labour that chose Nato, it was Labour that established our UK nuclear deterrent and today, it is Labour that is choosing to make our country safer still while bringing that defence dividend to every part of Britain.
"Only Labour can do this, because we know at the heart of defence, military and industrial have always been the working class."
Defence secretary calls for 'new era of hard power' amid 'growing threats'
John Healey has called for a new era of "hard power" amid growing threats.
Following his announcement that a Russian spy ship is on the edge of UK waters, he said: "This is also a stark reminder that we are in a new era of threat.
"Our world is changing. It is less predictable, it is more dangerous.
"This is a new era of threat, it demands a new era for defence," he added.
"A new era of hard power, strong allies, and of sure diplomacy. As the threat grows, Britain must step up - and we are."
John Healey issues stern warning to Vladimir Putin as Russian spy ship 'on edge of UK waters'
Defence secretary John Healey confirmed a Russian spy ship is on 'the edge of UK waters'
|POOL
Opening his speech in Downing Street, defence secretary John Healey said: "As I speak the Russian spy ship, the Yantar, is on the edge of UK waters north of Scotland, having entered the UK's wider waters over the last few weeks.
"This is a vessel designed for gathering intelligence and mapping our undersea cables.
"We deployed a Royal Navy frigate and RAF planes to monitor and track this vessel's every move, during which the Yantar directed lasers at our pilots.
"That Russian action is deeply dangerous, and this is the second time this year that this ship, the Yantar has deployed to UK waters.
"So my message to Russia and to Putin is this: we see you, we know what you're doing, and if the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready."
WATCH: Defence minister Luke Pollard refuses to say if China 'super embassy' plans should be rejected
Tory councillor defects to Reform UK and becomes party's chief advisor on global affairs
Conservative councillor, Dr Alan Mendoza, has defected to Reform UK.
Dr Mendoza, who serves the Abbey Road ward on Westminster City Council, will join Councillor Laila Cunningham to become Reform UK’s second representative on the local authority.
The councillor, who is also co-founder of leading foreign policy and national security at think tank, The Henry Jackson Society, will take on the role of Reform's chief advisor on global affairs.
Dr Mendoza said: "Britain today is in abject crisis. At home and abroad, our leaders seem determined to chart a course of national and international decline.
"But the British people deserve better than this. And in Reform UK we finally have a party who will put our interests first, and ensure that our tomorrow is better than our today.
“This is the party that I’m proud to join. This is the party that will bring change that the entire nation can be proud of, and which will restore us to the first rank of global powers where we belong.”
WATCH: Mel Stride says 2024 emigration stats 'indicative of UK's economy' as figures show more than 250,000 Britons left in year Labour came to power
Tories blame Labour's last Budget for fuelling inflation
The Conservatives have placed blame on Rachel Reeves’ last Budget for fuelling inflation after figures showed the rate of Consumer Prices Index inflation fell to 3.6 per cent in October.
Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: "Inflation has been above target every single month since Labour’s last Budget, leaving working people worse off.
"Labour’s last Budget hiked borrowing and taxes, stoking the inflation now hitting families.
"If Labour had any backbone, they would adopt our £47billion savings plan and our golden economic rule next week to ease inflationary pressures.
"Only the Conservatives have the leader with a backbone, the plan and the team to stabilise the public finances – reducing inflation and delivering a stronger economy."
WATCH: Rachel Reeves says Budget leaks 'not acceptable'
Rachel Reeves should not use fallen inflation to justify 'stealth tax' - Lib Dems
Rachel Reeves should not use lower inflation as a justification for "stealth tax" at the Budget, the Liberal Democrats have said.
The party’s Treasury spokeswoman Daisy Cooper said: "As the cost-of-living crisis rages on, the Chancellor mustn’t look this small gift horse in the mouth.
"Hitting people with a stealth tax at next week’s Budget would prolong the pain of higher taxes for much longer and unfairly pull poorer pensioners and low-income workers into paying tax for the first time.
"We Liberal Democrats are calling for emergency measures to slash people’s energy bills, save our high streets with a VAT cut for hospitality and boost growth in every corner of the UK – funded fairly by taxing the banks.
"The Chancellor must put households and high streets first, and put an end to the most vulnerable from having to choose between heating and eating."
Inflation falls for first time in months handing Rachel Reeves a small boost ahead of Budget
Inflation has dropped to 3.6 per cent, the latest figures show
| GETTY/ONSInflation has dropped to 3.6 per cent, offering households a small break from the cost of living crisis as price rises continue to cool.
The latest consumer prices index (CPI) figures were released this morning, down from 3.8 per cent in September.
The slight fall will come as rare good news for Chancellor Rachel Reeves just one week before she delivers her Budget on November 26.
Economists had widely predicted today’s result after months of signals that inflation had "peaked", and most expect the rate to keep easing gradually into next year.