22/09/2026
Morning News Briefing
UK borrowing puts pressure on Budget
The Government borrowed more than expected in August, with public sector borrowing reaching £18.3bn. It adds to the pressure ahead of next month’s Budget, with ministers facing questions over spending, tax choices and how much room they really have to move.
Burnham heads to US for Trump meeting
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is heading to New York where talks with Donald Trump are expected to cover Ukraine, the Middle East, AI and defence. The meeting comes at a difficult point internationally, with the UK trying to balance security commitments abroad with pressure over public spending at home.
UK to support Saudi Arabia after Houthi attacks
Britain is set to provide defensive military support to Saudi Arabia following attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The move is expected to be limited, but it comes amid wider concern over energy supplies, shipping routes and instability in the Middle East.
UK and US announce AI defence partnership
The UK is also expected to announce a new AI defence partnership with the US. The agreement will focus on using artificial intelligence to protect critical infrastructure and detect threats, at a time when governments are under growing pressure to show they can manage both the risks and opportunities of the technology.