Ben Chu
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Author of "Exile Economics: What Happens if Globalisation Fails", published May 2025
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Articles by Ben Chu
Four ways Labour could raise money in the budget without hiking income tax
We're likely to hear a lot about the chancellor's "headroom" in this Budget. That is the cash buffer the government has to help meet its own fiscal rules and reduce borrowing. Economists think the buffer might have halved in the last six months from around £24bn to as low as £11bn, in part because of rising interest rates the government has been paying to borrow money from private investors.
Às vésperas de eleição para o Congresso, como está a economia dos EUA sob comando de Trump?
BBC News Brasil Antes das eleições de meio de mandato, Trump se vangloriou do desempenho da economia americana. A BBC analisa a inflação, o emprego e o crescimento econômico do país. Notícia Usada para todas matérias e reportagens que retratem fatos ou descrevam situações. Matéria baseada em fatos observados e verificados pelo repórter com fontes diversas. Notícias não possuem a opinião do repórter. Quando há análise, deve haver as duas definições: notícia e análise.
Comment se porte réellement l'économie américaine sous la présidence de Trump ?
Lire uniquement le texte pour utiliser moins de données Article Information Author, Ben Chu Role, Correspondant politique et analyste Published il y a 16 minutes Temps de lecture: 7 min À l'approche des élections de mi-mandat, le président Donald Trump s'est vanté des performances de l'économie américaine, affirmant avoir augmenté les revenus, réduit l'inflation et créé des emplois.
Às vésperas de eleição para o Congresso, como está a economia dos EUA sob comando de Trump?
O presidente dos Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, tem se vangloriado do desempenho da economia americana às vésperas das eleições legislativas de meio de mandato, alegando ter impulsionado a renda, reduzido a inflação e criado empregos.
Às vésperas de eleição para o Congresso, como está a economia dos EUA sob comando de Trump?
Crédito, EPA Legenda da foto, Trump tem se vangloriado do desempenho da economia americana Article Information Author, Ben Chu Role, Correspondente de política e análise Published 21 outubro 2026, 18:11 -03 Atualizado Há 30 minutos Tempo de leitura: 6 min O presidente dos Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, tem se vangloriado do desempenho da economia americana às vésperas das eleições legislativas de meio de mandato, alegando ter impulsionado a renda, reduzido a inflação e criado empregos.
Na véspera de eleição de meio de mandato, como está a economia dos EUA está sob o governo de Trump?
BBC News Brasil Antes das eleições de meio de mandato, Trump se vangloriou do desempenho da economia americana. A BBC analisa a inflação, o emprego e o crescimento econômico do país. Notícia Usada para todas matérias e reportagens que retratem fatos ou descrevam situações. Matéria baseada em fatos observados e verificados pelo repórter com fontes diversas. Notícias não possuem a opinião do repórter. Quando há análise, deve haver as duas definições: notícia e análise.
Às vésperas de eleição para o Congresso, como está a economia dos EUA sob comando de Trump?
Resumo Embora o PIB dos EUA cresça 2,2% ao ano, impulsionado por investimentos em IA e gastos públicos, o segundo mandato de Trump enfrenta desafios econômicos. A inflação subiu para 3,7%, pressionada por tarifas de importação e pela guerra com o Irã, encarecendo energia e alimentos. A criação de empregos desacelerou e os juros imobiliários subiram devido ao avanço da dívida pública e do déficit.
How much gas could Jackdaw provide? And will it cut your energy bills?
The government has approved drilling at the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea. The decision - which comes after years of debate and legal challenges - will pave the way for gas to be extracted from it and used in Britain's gas network within weeks. BBC Verify has looked at what this means for energy bills, energy security and the environment. Where is Jackdaw and how much gas is there? Jackdaw is a gas field 150 miles (241.4km) east of Aberdeen.
¿Cómo le está yendo a la economía estadounidense bajo la presidencia de Trump? Original
Fuente de la imagen, Getty Images Información del artículo Autor, Ben Chu Título del autor, Corresponsal de política y análisis Fecha de publicación 33 minutos Tiempo de lectura: 6 min El presidente Donald Trump se ha jactado del desempeño de la economía estadounidense de cara a las elecciones legislativas de medio mandato. Afirma que durante su gobierno han aumentado los ingresos, se ha reducido la inflación y se han creado empleos.
How is the US economy really doing under President Trump?
President Donald Trump has been boasting about the performance of the US economy ahead of the midterm congressional elections, claiming he has boosted incomes, reduced inflation and created jobs.
How is the US economy really doing under President Trump?
Someone check on the CEO of Nvidia. What would you like your future job to be: building brains, or building brains to go into the products that your …
Ni vita gani vilivyo na athari kubwa zaidi kwa bei ya dizeli — vya Iran au vya Ukraine?
Usomaji maandishi tu kupunguza gharama za data Maelezo kuhusu taarifa Author, Ben Chu Nafasi, Policy and analysis correspondent, BBC Verify Iliyochapishwa Dakika 7 zilizopita Muda wa kusoma: Dakika 5 Rais wa Marekani Donald Trump amelaumu mashambulizi ya Ukraine dhidi ya viwanda vya kusafisha mafuta vya Urusi kwa kupungua kwa mauzo ya dizeli duniani na kupanda kwa bei kote duniani, akisema Rais Volodymyr Zelensky "anataka kuleta matatizo kwa dunia".
Which war is having the biggest impact on diesel prices - Iran or Ukraine?
Both conflicts have led to less diesel being exported - but the data shows more has been lost from the Middle East. US President Donald Trump has blamed Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil refineries for the global reduction in diesel exports and the spike in prices around the world, saying President Volodymyr Zelensky "wants to make problems for the world". "He'd better damn well stop," Trump said, before suggesting Ukraine should "get a new leader who can make a deal".
What's in the Conservatives' inheritance tax plan and who benefits?
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has announced she will overhaul inheritance tax if her party wins the next general election. She told the Conservatives' annual conference that "nobody will ever pay inheritance tax on their family home" and couples will be able to leave an additional £1m tax free.
Inheritance tax: What's in the Conservatives' plan and who benefits?
5 hours ago Student loan forgiveness is potentially taxable again as of January 1, 2026. The federal exemption that was created by the American Rescue Plan Act expired on December 31, and student loan forgiveness under an income-driven repayment plan (IDR) is taxable again. It’s important to note that this …
Would the Conservatives' plan make new houses £50,000 cheaper?
Conservative shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith has said his party, if it was returned to power, would take £50,000 off the cost of building a new home in England and Wales by cutting back on regulations. The £50,000 figure claimed by Griffith reflects estimates by the housebuilding industry of the costs of new regulations and taxes. However, construction and housing experts warn that some of the savings could ultimately lead to higher government spending on schools, roads, and affordable housing.
Why are hundreds of prisoners being released early?
Around 700 prisoners in England and Wales are due to be released under the first tranche of the government's early release scheme. Under the scheme, eligible prisoners will be released after serving a third of their total custodial sentence rather than after 40% or 50% of their term. People sentenced for manslaughter, rape, serious child sex and grooming offences will be excluded.
Could changing the pension triple lock pay for Burnham's big social care plan?
In his Labour conference speech, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he would "adjust" the triple lock on the state pension to help pay for a new "national care service" in England from 2030. While his proposed reform is likely to reduce public spending on pensions, analysts say it would be unlikely to save enough money between 2030 and 2040 to pay for comprehensive social care reform. BBC Verify has looked at the key figures. What is the planned triple lock reform?
Andy Burnham wants to fix social care - what are the options?
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he wants major reform of social care in England to create "a system that works on NHS principles" and where "everyone contributes, everyone is covered". "There is free personal care elsewhere in the UK. I don't think it's right that people in England don't get the same", he told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg. The prime minister has asked Baroness Casey to conduct a review on the "best way of doing it" and she has been asked to report by April 2027.
Comment l'escalade de la crise pétrolière saoudienne pourrait faire grimper les prix partout dans le monde
Lire uniquement le texte pour utiliser moins de données Crédit photo, Bloomberg via Getty Images Article Information Author, Ben Chu Role, Correspondant politique et d'analyse, BBC Verify Published il y a 14 minutes Temps de lecture: 8 min Les prix mondiaux de l'énergie ont de nouveau grimpé en flèche de façon alarmante, principalement ces derniers jours en raison de l'escalade du conflit entre les Houthis du Yémen et l'Arabie saoudite, qui provoque le chaos dans l'industrie pétrolière.
How escalating Saudi oil crisis could drive up prices everywhere
Global energy prices have spiked alarmingly again, driven largely in recent days by the escalating conflict between Yemen's Houthis and Saudi Arabia causing chaos for the oil industry. Petrol and diesel costs have risen rapidly in most countries while the wholesale price of natural gas - used for heating homes and generating electricity - has almost doubled in the UK and Europe since July.
How escalating Saudi oil crisis could drive up prices everywhere
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Does Reform's plan to cut £50bn in welfare spending add up?
Reform UK has set out plans it says will save more than £50bn a year from the welfare bill by 2030 if it gets into government. The party believes it can deliver much of this by stopping foreign nationals from getting most benefits and also reforming disability payments while protecting the most "severely disabled". BBC Verify has been breaking down what Reform says it wants to do - and how realistic it is.
What's behind having to release some prisoners early?
The government has changed its plan to release thousands of offenders in England and Wales well before the end of their sentences in an attempt to make space in prisons. People sentenced for rape, serious child sex and grooming offences will now not be eligible for early release from October. But some prisoners who are not excluded could be freed after serving a third of their total custodial sentence rather than after 40% or 50% of their term.
Why are hundreds of prisoners being released early?
More people going to prison, and for longer, is why governments including the current one have had to release prisoners early. Around 650 more prisoners in England and Wales are due to be released under the second tranche of the government's early release scheme. Under the scheme, eligible prisoners are released after serving a third of their total custodial sentence rather than after 40% or 50% of the term.
Four options for tackling social care
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he would not want to leave office without bringing in "substantial change" to the social care system in England which provides support for older people and working-age adults with disabilities. The social care system - which is mostly provided by companies rather than directly by the state - is widely perceived as underfunded and unfair. It is estimated by Age UK there are two million older people in England now living with some unmet need for social care.
Andy Burnham wants to fix social care - what are the options?
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he wants major reform of social care in England to create "a system that works on NHS principles" and where "everyone contributes, everyone is covered". "There is free personal care elsewhere in the UK. I don't think it's right that people in England don't get the same", he told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg. The prime minister has asked Baroness Casey to conduct a review on the "best way of doing it" and she has been asked to report by April 2027.
Andy Burnham's first week pledges – how much do they add up to?
Andy Burnham is ending his first week as prime minister by working out of Manchester in the new No 10 North for the first time. He spent this week making a series of spending announcements mostly aimed at tackling the cost of living, including capping bus fares. BBC Verify has looked at Burnham's first week of spending commitments, how much they cost and how the government says they will be paid for, which comes to about £1.5bn.
Three reasons why UK electricity prices are so high
While the UK government has announced it will cut VAT on domestic electricity this October from 5% to zero in an attempt to help with the cost of living, British households are still paying more for power than many other European nations. Comparing UK prices with the EU shows that medium-use households here paid the fourth-highest electricity prices in the second half of last year including taxes and levies, although the government has taken steps to reduce bills since then.
Five big challenges facing Andy Burnham - and how he might tackle them
When Andy Burnham enters No 10 Downing Street, he will inherit some formidable and complex problems that successive prime ministers and governments have attempted to address - mostly without success. BBC Verify has looked at five big policy challenges Burnham will face and the approaches he might take to address them.
Can Andy Burnham solve the UK's housing crisis?
Millions of people are facing unaffordable rents, long waits for social housing, or are priced out of the market when they are ready to buy. The average house price in England was £300,000 last year - almost eight times average earnings. The Labour government has pledged to build 1.5 million new homes in England over the course of this Parliament - but it is already falling behind on this target.
How a rise in ADHD benefits claims is adding to Andy Burnham's welfare challenge
Andy Burnham, who is expected to become prime minister in a matter of weeks, has said he wants to get the UK's benefits bill down by encouraging more people into work. The total bill for working age sickness and disability benefits has been increasing rapidly since 2020. It currently stands at £58bn and has been projected to rise to £78bn by 2030, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).
Has Starmer left a £5bn defence funding hole for Burnham?
The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) increases military spending by £15bn over the next four years and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has described this as "a historic shift", although critics say that this new money is still insufficient to keep the country safe. Attention has turned now to how the extra spending in the DIP will be funded, with the Treasury revealing that the savings identified from other departments do not cover the full planned rise for defence.
Will Starmer's plan for defence help UK hit Nato's spending target?
Ben Chu - Policy and analysis correspondent; Anthony Reuben; Tom Edgington - BBC Verify Tue, 30 June 2026 at 8:21 pm UTC 5 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The government has published the much-delayed Defence Investment Plan (DIP) and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the additional spending represents a "huge historic shift for our nation".
How much more is being spent on defence and will the UK hit Nato's targets?
The government has published the much-delayed Defence Investment Plan (DIP) and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the additional spending represents a "huge historic shift for our nation". BBC Verify has been looking at how much extra the government is committing to spend on defence in the coming years - and whether it puts the UK on track to hit its promised commitments. How much does the UK currently spend on defence?
Will Andy Burnham's devolution plan raise economic growth?
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Will Andy Burnham's devolution plan raise economic growth?
Andy Burnham promised the "biggest rebalancing of power our country has seen" as part of his plans for the UK if he becomes the next prime minister. In his first major policy speech, Burnham said on Monday he would seek to take power away from Whitehall and devolve it to all parts of the UK. This would include Greater Manchester and other city regions in England.
Sir Keir Starmer's premiership in six charts
Ben Chu - Policy & Analysis Correspondent, BBC Verify Mon, June 22, 2026 at 1:28 PM UTC 4 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. After losing the confidence of his MPs and key members of his Cabinet, Sir Keir Starmer appeared outside Downing Street on Monday to announce his resignation as prime minister. BBC Verify looks at the record of his time in government in key areas from immigration to energy bills since he took office in July 2024.
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