Politics UK✓

🚨 NEW: Rachel Reeves is rumoured to quit as an MP to "cash in" on her experience as Chancellor It comes after she "secretly met" two City companies in the last fortnight [@MillardClothier]

@MillardClothier Sources with knowledge of the meetings, which came just ahead of this week’s Budget, say Reeves and her top aide discussed the political advice they could offer Story:

🚨 NEW: Andy Burnham and John Healey are set to force the approval of Rosebank despite the Energy Secretary's reluctance Minister: "Both Andy and John have decided Rosebank needs to go ahead. The economic and energy security case is so strong" [@DPJHodges]

To win over Ed Miliband and Miatta Fahnbulleh, some proceeds from the drilling would go into the Energy Wealth Fund to support renewable and low-carbon technologies It comes after allies of Fahnbulleh briefed she was minded to reject Rosebank as most of the oil would be exported Story:

🚨 NEW: Andy Burnham has announced Mayors will have access to a £1.5bn "borrowing facility" from 2028 to increase innovation locally

The move will be announced in the Budget alongside £285m in funding next year to help Mayors and local leaders across England deliver "good growth in every postcode" Burnham says: "I'm calling time on local leaders going cap in hand to Westminster. That is no way to run a country. When I became Prime Minister, I said that if a decision can be made closer to home, it should be. Today we’re putting that into practice, shifting power into the hands of the people who know their communities best"

🚨 NEW: John Healey is reportedly considering imposing a "green tax" on imported fuel like petrol and diesel in the Budget [@Telegraph]

Under current rules, British refineries face millions of pounds in net-zero expenses that their competitors do not, allowing imported fuel to undercut local industry The move would aim to level the playing field Story:

🚨 NEW: Andy Burnham says an "honest discussion" is needed on Britain readopting EU free movement "Freedom of movement had very significant challenges associated with it... but it was a type of immigration that perhaps wasn’t as difficult [as now]"

Burnham: "Revolving door migration where people would come and then go back is different. The balance of migration has changed, hasn’t it, since then? I think we’ve just got to have an honest discussion about those things" Story:

🚨 NEW: Andy Burnham and John Healey order a curry every Sunday night to "chew over politics" in the No 10 flat [@guardian]

The "weekly curry summit" is a chance to separate Healey from Treasury officials and get him to kick around the politics, according to aides Story:

🚨 NEW: The Government’s entrepreneurship adviser has quit ahead of the Budget “We treat [innovation and entrepreneurship] as a bit of a sideshow... that mentality is really dangerous for British business as a whole”

Alex Depledge will formally depart her role next Thursday Story:

Depledge disputes The Times' characterisation of her departure as "quitting" - she says she's just "not staying on" as an adviser She reiterates that she will depart the day after the Budget but has announced it ahead the Budget

🚨 WATCH: Andy Burnham watches The Celebrity Traitors on Gogglebox

🚨 WATCH: Andy Burnham watches Strictly Come Dancing on Gogglebox

🚨 NEW: No 10 has released the readout of Andy Burnham’s call with Donald Trump "The Prime Minister underlined the importance for Ukraine to have full access to Starlink so they can continue to defend themselves against Russia's full-scale invasion. The Prime Minister recognised the work of President Trump to bring Putin to the negotiation table and the leaders agreed to work together, alongside international partners to bring an end to the bloodshed.   "Turning to energy, the leaders welcomed the continued collaboration between UK and US companies, especially on nuclear power.   "The two leaders discussed the Energy Secretary's decision to approve Jackdaw. The leaders agreed on the significant benefits this will bring to the UK, boosting the economy and supporting jobs for British workers.   "Turning to the Falklands Islands, the leaders discussed the Sea Lion project. The Prime Minister raised the economic consequences of Argentina’s coercive measures for the UK and US and reiterated the importance of respecting the Islanders’ right to develop their natural resources.   “The leaders also discussed the situation in the Middle East, with the Prime Minister reaffirming the UK’s support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the face of hostile Houthi attacks.   "The two leaders look forward to seeing each other soon”

🚨 NEW: The Tories say Labour's plan to let HMRC take unpaid tax directly from bank accounts is "outrageous" "Labour want the taxman to be able to empty your bank account over a few hundred pounds and leave you with nothing to pay the rent. It is absurd that Labour are handing the taxman powers like these. Scrapping these safeguards and collaborating with credit agencies so they can decide which accounts to raid is outrageous... they are once again approaching the Budget looking for yet more ways to squeeze the public so they can bankroll more benefits handouts"

🚨 BREAKING: John Healey will announce at the Budget that HMRC will be given powers to seize money directly from the bank accounts of people who fail to pay their tax

The move is aimed to target lower-value tax-evaders who owe a total of £4bn The powers will apply to current and savings accounts HMRC currently has limited powers to take money directly from taxpayers without their consent Story: