Good morning. This morning, the government had some good news. As Richard Partington The UK economy reportedly grew 0.7% from forecasts in the first three months of the year, with no see-through business warnings about the collapse of confidence ahead of Labor's tax increase and Donald Trump's full tariffs.

In a statement that welcomes numbers, Rachel Reevesthe Prime Minister said:

Today’s growth data show the strength and potential of the UK economy.

In the first three months of this year, the UK's economic growth was faster than that of the United States, Canada, France, Italy and Germany.

In the context of global uncertainty, we are making the right choice for the national interests.

Reeves mentions the United States, Canada, France, Italy and Germany for some reason. They are all G7 members, and one of Keir Starmer's "five missions" announced before the election is the highest continued growth in the UK in the G7. While Japan's economy may shrink, the numbers in other G7 countries are not available yet. Only a quarter, but you can see why Reeves is eager to talk about this. She interviewed the broadcaster this morning.

But some of them might want to ask her about an article from The Times Nick WilliamsFrom 2023 to last month, he was a former Treasury official who served as an advisor to economic policy and then program policy. Williams said Reeves will have to raise taxes in the budget. He said:

Although governments build momentum behind growth, the path to public spending is just unreliable.

Don't patch squeaky local governments. Don't solve rampant crimes. Not meeting modern defense requirements. Of course, don't fill the financial hole with a sharp reduction in immigration.

Most importantly, taxes must rise. This can be done in some way and respect the promise of the declaration.

The next opportunity to do so is the fall budget. In fact, it is also the last chance for meaningful change, and the public has time to feel it before the next election.

This is the agenda of the day.

morning: Principal Rachel Reeves is talking to the broadcaster about growth figures heading to Derby County.

9.30 am: Transport Minister Heidi Alexander asked a question in the House of Commons.

9.30 am: NHS England released its monthly performance figures.

9.30 am: The Justice Department released quarterly data on prosecutions and beliefs.

10 am: Kemi Badenoch attended a Q&A with former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the International Union of Democracy Conference in Brussels.

After 10:30 am: Commons head Lucy Powell asked questions about the Commons business next week.

11.20am: Keir Starmer is in Albania and will hold a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama. Later, he will visit the British army and its Albanian opponents to train Ukrainian soldiers.

11.30 am: Downing Street held a hall briefing.

This is the agenda of the day.

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