Intro

The chancellor Rachel Reeves is about to confront the British public with the size of the black hole in the country’s finances. A funding shortfall of about £20bn is likely to lead to tax rises at the Budget later this year. So — how to fix the problem? The FT’s political editor George Parker sits down with colleagues Stephen Bush and Robert Shrimsley to consider the government’s options. Plus, the FT’s infrastructure correspondent Gill Plimmer outlines the scale of the debacle that is the cancellation of the high-speed rail link between Birmingham and Manchester. 

Want more? Free links:

Rachel Reeves to pave way for UK Budget tax rises in ‘spending audit’

Expect a Tory leadership race mired in bitter and personal fights

Thames Water’s credit rating slashed to ‘junk’

Britons may need to be put off taking trains due to HS2 curtailment, watchdog says 

Follow George on X @GeorgeWParker, Stephen @stephenkb. Robert @robertshrimsley, Gill @gillplimmer1

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Presented by George Parker. Produced by Audrey Tinline.

The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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