Chancellor Rachel Reeves this week confirmed government support for dozens of big projects to boost growth, on top of Labour's existing promise to build 1.5 million new homes.

Energy giant Shell is due to install a multi-billion pound gas platform in the North Sea this spring despite being blocked from drilling, Sky News understands.

Nigel Farage has compared Reform UK's rise in the polls, with Donald Trump's recent election victory in the US.

AstraZeneca has cancelled plans for a £450m vaccine manufacturing plant in Liverpool, blaming a cut in funding from government.

In substance and timing, AstraZeneca's decision to cancel a planned expansion of its flu vaccine facility at Speke is a blow to the government's recent zeal for growth.