Rachel Reeves has vowed to “invest, invest, invest” as she prepares to ramp up borrowing to fund a multibillion-pound capital programme at this month’s Budget.

But the UK chancellor also sought to assure jittery markets, telling the Financial Times she would install “guardrails” and was not in “a race to get money out of the door”.

“It’s about making prudent, sensible investments in the long term and we need guardrails around that,” she said.

In an interview, Reeves also indicated higher taxes would help fill a £22bn hole she has identified in the public finances and take pressure off government departments, some of which faced real-terms cuts. “There won’t be a return to austerity,” she said. 

Reeves has signalled she wants to ease borrowing rules in her October 30 Budget, the first by a Labour government since 2010, to fund extra capital investment in areas such as green energy projects and transport schemes.

But Reeves said the Office for Budget Responsibility, the fiscal watchdog, and the National Audit Office, the spending watchdog, would have key roles in scrutinising her plans and assessing their long-term value.

“We will make sure that investment genuinely boosts growth and we will look at the role of institutions to demonstrate that, including, for instance, the NAO as well as the OBR,” she said.

Yields on the 10-year gilt were at 4.12 per cent on Friday, the highest since late July, partly reflecting concerns among investors that Reeves will sharply increase borrowing in the Budget. 

Analysts have also argued that the chancellor should introduce robust reviews of investment to police valuations and net returns, reducing the risk that public money gets frittered away on poorly judged projects.

Reeves’s advisers have been discussing ways of ensuring the OBR fully reflects the growth-enhancing benefits of public investment as it pulls together its fiscal forecasts. “Invest, invest, invest is the theme of this Budget,” she said.

Part of the problem, however, is that the time needed to put projects in place mean the bulk of the growth benefits from new infrastructure projects can take longer than five years to be felt — even though this is the time horizon under which the chancellor is assessed under her fiscal rules.

“I hope that at the Budget the OBR will look at not just the short-term impact of boosting capital investment but also the long-term impact and the catalytic impact of public sector investment crowding in private investment,” she said. 

Reeves was speaking on a train en route from London to Merseyside, where she and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced more than £21bn of support over 25 years to develop the carbon capture and storage industry.

The chancellor confirmed she was looking to revise her fiscal debt rule to “take account of the benefits of investment, not just the costs” but declined to say how much more borrowing this would allow for capital expenditure.

Reeves intends to stick to her rule that states that net debt as a share of GDP should be falling between the fourth and fifth year of the forecast, but crucially she is looking at changes to the way that debt is defined.

Switching to balance sheet measures such as public sector net worth or public sector net financial liabilities would boost budget headroom by upwards of £50bn by the end of the parliament, allowing her to borrow tens of billions more for investment.

Investors are seeking reassurances that only part of this extra borrowing capacity would actually be used if she went down this route.

Reeves inherited plans from the previous Conservative government that would have seen a succession of cuts in public sector net investment.

Reversing those cuts and keeping net investment at this year’s level as a share of GDP would imply £24bn of extra annual spending by 2028-29, the Institute for Fiscal Studies said. Treasury officials admitted it would be “difficult” to achieve that figure.

Reeves will also use her Budget to raise taxes to help boost day-to-day Whitehall budgets, ripping up spending plans by ex-Conservative chancellor Jeremy Hunt that implied real-terms cuts for “unprotected” departments such as justice and local government.

“The idea of this Budget is to wipe the slate clean and make an honest assessment of spending pressures and tax as well,” she said. “The previous government was relying on a fiction. The Budget is an opportunity to bring honesty to the public finances.”

Reeves hinted that the £22bn fiscal “black hole” she claims to have unearthed this year was not a one-off. Many of this year’s costs — such as higher public sector pay — will recur in later years, along with other unexpected costs, and would need permanent funding.

“The truth is, if you add £22bn every year, you’re underwater on the previous government’s fiscal rules,” she said. She has refused so far to set a timetable for balancing the current budget but said that “five years is obviously the maximum”.

Reeves said the need to find tax revenues to cover current costs was “the real binding constraint at this Budget”.

She suggested that the wealthy should accept that they would have to pay their share, arguing that “bringing back stability” to the public finances would create the foundations for growth and future wealth creation.

Higher taxes on private equity bosses, private school fees and non-doms — albeit scaled back — are expected in the Budget, with speculation of higher rates of capital gains tax. “I’m not being ideological about this but we need to raise money,” Reeves said.

Meanwhile, Reeves admitted that the public was unsettled by the recent controversy over free clothes and other gifts donated to senior Labour figures. The issue has come at a time of tough financial pressure and after her early decision to cut £1.5bn of winter fuel payments to about 10mn pensioners.

In 2023 and this year Reeves accepted a total of £7,500 from an old friend, which was used to buy clothes before the election. She also accepted tickets for an Adele concert.

“I do understand why people think it is a little bit odd,” she said. “I’ve not taken any of these donations since I became chancellor. It’s important when you’re in government that you’re held to higher standards because you’re actually making decisions that affect the public.”

Your obituary of Peter Jay “The editor who became Britain’s man in Washington” (September 28) highlights his continued importance, not least to students of economics who are still reminded of the speech he drafted for his father-in-law prime minister, James Callaghan, to deliver at the 1976 Labour party conference. It included the lines “we used to think that you could spend your way out of a recession . . . I tell you in all candour that that option no longer exists”.

Jonathan Derbyshire’s obituary correctly points out this speech “called time” on the traditional economic policies and instruments of the postwar consensus. But the tribute could have made more of the period when Jay was BBC economics editor. There was no mention, for example, of his documentary and book The Road to Riches. It’s worth rereading. In it Jay comments that after many years of wars (from the nine years’ war to the American war of independence) there had been a massive increase in the UK national debt despite a huge increase in taxation. Sound familiar? The solution, he wrote, was “to make it easier and more attractive for those with money to lend to the government and less burdensome for the government to borrow”.

In modern terms, reform of the government bond (gilts) market could provide a parallel. Three aspects are worthy of attention. The market could be made more easily accessible to retail investors via online share-dealing platforms.

Inflation-linked annuities — surely the most appropriate investment for securing retirement income — could be provided directly by the Debt Management Office. The private sector seems particularly poor at providing such instruments.

And third, government debt to directly finance much-needed capital infrastructure projects could be launched. It is a time for creativity in government debt management rather than just filling black holes.

Paul Temperton
Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, UK

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‘Show appreciation for good service’

‘My regulars took me out and paid for my drinks’

‘It’s nice to have a guide’

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‘It feels like blackmail’

Nige Eaton says a service charge ‘does feel like some sort of blackmail’

‘A good review helps more than loose change’

Halepuna Waikiki

With its crescent beach framed by iconic state monument Diamond Head, Waikiki has captivated visitors for decades and inspired countless dreams of the islands—a slice of tropical paradise whose magic never fades. In fact, the postcard-beautiful city of Honolulu itself remains a timeless destination where the allure of 1960s Hawaii—a place of Mai Tais and Aloha spirit—still lingers if you know where to look and stay. So, should a serene retreat a block from the Waikiki bustle appeal, consider Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani or “The House of Welcoming Waters.” Named after a nearby fresh water source where Hawaiian Royalty once came to bathe and relax, the 284-room boutique hotel underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation by New York City-based interior design firm Champalimaud, officially opening in 2019, but after a brief Pandemic pause reopened in 2021.

‘Falls’ by artist John Okulick

In addition to a showstopping floral centerpiece, which is created new each week by the hotel’s in-house florist, the elegant kanso-style lobby (rooted in traditional Japanese aesthetics, kanso emphasizes minimalism and functional beauty) also reveals pieces from Halepuna Waikiki’s impressive public art program. Look for mixed-media installation Fallsby John Okulick near the Helumoa entrance and abstract oil on canvas Composition by one of Hawaii’s most accomplished artists, Tadashi Sato, beside the front desk. Surf and underwater prints by Hawaii-based photographers, including John Hook and Wayne Levin, also feature across guest rooms and suites.

Location, Location, Location

The hotel is steps from Waikiki Beach

City breaks and beach vacations are two distinct travel experiences, but Halepuna Waikiki blends the best of both worlds beautifully with the stylish sophistication of an urban hotel and idyllic atmosphere of a tropical resort. Central yet tucked away from it all between Helumoa and Kalia Roads on the east side of Waikiki, it’s located directly across the street from sister property, the iconic Halekulani Hotel, where guests enjoy several reciprocal privileges (although more on those in a moment). The setting lends itself perfectly no matter what your focus – whether that’s getting those feet in the sand or exploring boutiques and restaurants along the nearby Waikiki Beach Walk promenade and glossy Royal Hawaiian Center.

Chic Rooms & Suites

Check into an ocean view room

Featuring plenty of refined elements inspired by its wonder-of-nature setting, guest rooms at Halepuna are elegant affairs defined by clean, minimalist lines and a palette of crisp whites, blue ombre tones, and warm wood accents. Categories range from standard to mountain, ocean, and deluxe ocean and come with full or partial balconies. The hotel’s most requested accommodation is its Grand Ocean Suite (2302) on the top floor, which boasts a connecting lanai and the largest bathroom in the entire building, plus superb Pacific Ocean views from every window. Regardless of which room you check into, though, beds are neatly made up with Mascioni Elba Italian sheets, while luxurious marble bathrooms are equipped with deep soaking tubs, Japanese Toto washlets, and SpaHalekulani bath products. You’ll also find a decent-sized fridge, tea kettle and coffee machine. For a perfect first morning, slip into your Halepuna bathrobe, pop a K-cup in the Keurig, raise the remote-controlled window shades, and watch the waves breaking on Waikiki Beach from your balcony before breakfast.

There’s Destination Dining 

Tuck into French-inspired pastries at Halekulani Bakery…

And with two ‘when in Waikiki’ dining venues under its roof, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to breakfast. If the Keurig doesn’t appeal, make Halekulani Bakery your first port of call for a morning brew. Located next door to the Halepuna lobby (on Kalia Road) and open from 6:30 am Wednesday through Sunday, guests from both hotels line up early for the mouth-watering array of French-style pastries (try the Pabana Croissant, filled with a lightly sweetened lilikoi, mango and banana cream), artisan breads and specialty coffees. Many of the ingredients used here are sourced from across the Hawaiian Islands, and it’s not unusual for items to sell out before mid-morning. Savories and sandwiches are available to-go and are perfect for a picnic lunch later at the beach or grab a slice of the Halekulani Hotel’s famous coconut cake to enjoy later with a cup of tea.

For a more leisurely sit-down affair, linger over breakfast on at least one morning at Halepuna’s fine-dining establishment, UMI by Vikram Garg. Its dining room showcases several multimedia works by artist Taiji Terasaki, with the most striking piece being Gratitude for Oceans, a large-scale artwork on Japanese shoji paper that includes an augmented reality component best viewed through Terasaki’s Instagram filter. Garg’s inventive take on Indian cuisine has made him a firm favorite among Honolulu foodies for years, and while his dinner menu celebrates the ‘bounty from the sea,’ during breakfast, dishes like the ‘Mai Tai’ Pancake, topped with caramelized pineapple and a rum coconut essence is a guest favorite. The masala omelet and umi fried rice are excellent choices on the savory side, but a small plate of locally grown pineapple with Hawaiian salt is a refreshing palate cleanser.

or sit down to breakfast at UMI by Vikram Garg

And an Elegant Pool Deck

Relax beside the 8th floor Vitality Pool

After a long flight or day of sightseeing, Halepuna’s eighth-floor Vitality Pool provides a serene and tranquil space to unwind. At its center, an infinity lap-style swimming pool flanked by luxury cabanas, sun loungers, and a jacuzzi – order cocktails like the Puna Mai Tai and small plates from the poolside bar, or sit back and take in those ocean views. The hotel’s well-equipped fitness studio and open-air lana’i garden (which features a reflexology path designed to stimulate the feet while balancing mind and body) are also located here. Functional fitness and movement classes are held every morning at 8 am (except Wednesdays) and range from an energizing stretch session to cardio and strength training on the beach. 

Plus, Stellar Guest Perks

The hotel’s public art program features commissioned works by local artists, but Halepuna encourages its guests to explore art and culture across town too, and one of several exclusive perks is complimentary entrance to the Bishop Museum and The Honolulu Museum of Art (present your room key upon entry for free admission). And if ridesharing doesn’t suit your style, then try the exclusive Tesla Experience at Halepuna. In partnership with Envoy Hawaii, the program provides an opportunity to rent the latest Tesla Model Y or Model X by the hour, day, or week, giving plenty of flexible options to suit your needs – whether that’s museum-hopping around Honolulu or heading up to Oahu’s North Shore for the day.  

Catch a Hula show at House Without A Key…

One of the toniest guest perks at Halepuna Waikiki has to be access to top-tier amenities across the street at sister property Halekulani, including its recently refreshed and stunning SpaHalekulani. Originally opened in 1907 as a rustic bungalow-style hotel, whose name means “House Befitting Heaven,” it was one of the first in Waikiki and quickly became a favorite among well-heeled travelers and famous names of the day, including Clark Gable and Doris Duke. Fronting Gray’s Beach and framed by dreamy views of Diamond Head, today it’s home to some of Honolulu’s most coveted dining and entertainment experiences, like open-air restaurant House Without A Key.

Named for author Earl Derr Biggers’ 1925 murder mystery “House Without a Key,” live Hawaiian music and hula dancing by former Miss Hawaii and Miss Hawaii-USA winners are performed every evening under the beloved 135-year-old Kiawe tree. Best enjoyed with pupus and sunset cocktails, like the signature mai tai, although the new list by the hotel’s talented mixology director Tuda Sarian has plenty of tempting creations, including a Coconut Cake Martini inspired Halekulani’s famous confection. For an after-dinner nightcap and live jazz, head inside the hotel to Lewers Lounge around 8 p.m., an ideal time to snag a table at this hidden gem cocktail lounge that transports you to 1920s Manhattan. Inspired by some of jazz’s most iconic entertainers, the list features sophisticated, spirit-forward creations such as Smoke Rings – a nod to “King of Soul” Sam Cooke, composed with Whistle Pig Piggyback 6-Year Rye, Amaro Angeleno, and grapefruit bitters with a cherry wood smoke garnish – that makes a perfect late-night sipper.

Room rates at the Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani range from $350 per night and suites start at $1,100 with no resort fees; halepuna.com.

and stop by Lewers Lounge for live jazz and cocktails © Justin Alford

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The US military conducted multiple strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen on Friday, resuming offensive action there as fears grow of a wider war in the Middle East.

US Central Command said it carried out strikes on 15 Houthi targets at a number of locations around the country.

“These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US, coalition and merchant vessels,” Centcom said in a statement.

The strikes against the Houthis, who have controlled Yemen’s populous north since seizing the capital Sana’a and ousting the government in 2015, came as Iran and the wider region braced for Israel’s response to this week’s Iranian missile barrage against the country.

The Iranian-backed Houthis have been attacking merchant shipping and US naval vessels in the Red Sea and firing drones and missiles at Israel since Hamas’s October 7 attack, saying they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians. Their assaults have severely disrupted shipping through one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.

The group has issued new threats against Israeli targets after last week claiming responsibility for a failed attack on American warships in the Red Sea. Earlier this week the Houthis claimed to have shot down an American-made MQ-9 Reaper drone, which is primarily used for surveillance.

Regional tensions have intensified since Iran fired about 180 missiles at Israel on Tuesday. It said it was in retaliation for the Israeli assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Lebanese militant movement Hizbollah last week and the killing of Hamas’s political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July. 

US President Joe Biden has urged Israel to keep its response to the missile strikes “proportional”, and to avoid targeting Iranian nuclear sites or oil infrastructure.

But Biden on Friday made clear that the US also supports Israel’s military response to threats from the region.

“The Israelis have every right to respond to the vicious attacks on them, not just on the Iranians but on everyone from Hizbollah to the Houthis,” he said.

“The main thing we can do is try to rally the rest of the world . . . to try to tamp this down. When you have proxies as irrational as Hizbollah and the Houthis, it’s a hard thing to determine,” Biden added.

Israel has dramatically escalated its offensive against Hizbollah in the past two weeks and carried out one of its heaviest bombardments of Beirut overnight, with multiple air strikes that aimed to kill surviving leaders of Iran’s most important proxy.

Residents across the Lebanese capital heard several large blasts, and flames and large plumes of smoke were seen rising from the southern suburb of Dahiyeh in the early hours of Friday. The attacks were targeting Hashem Safieddine, the heir apparent to Nasrallah, according to a person familiar with the situation. It was not immediately clear whether they were successful.

Hours later, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei defended this week’s missile assault on Israel, as he delivered a sermon at Friday prayers in Tehran for the first time in almost five years.

“What [Iran’s] military forces did was the least punishment for the occupying Zionist regime for its shocking crimes,” he told worshippers, amid chants of “death to Israel”.

Nearly 2,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since last October, the majority in the past two weeks, Lebanon’s health minister said. More than 1.2mn people have been displaced, triggering one of the worst crises for the country in decades.

The Israel Defense Forces said on Friday that they had killed 250 Hizbollah fighters, including four battalion commanders, since the start of the ground offensive in Lebanon earlier this week.

HMRC has issued a one-day warning to Vinted and eBay sellers to check if they need to register to make a Self Assessment tax return.

Those who need to register for the 2023-2024 tax year have just over 24 hours to do so, or they could risk being fined by HMRC.

1

This is because anyone selling items online might be liable to pay tax, if they earned £1,000 or more between 6 April 2023 and 5 April 2024.

The warning to register comes ahead of a major deadline in the tax year tomorrow (Saturday October 5).

This is when you need to have registered to file a Self Assessment tax return if you haven’t done so before.

This is not the date you need to file your Self Assessment, just the date you need to register your intention to file.

If you’re unsure whether you need to register you can complete a simple assessment on the gov.uk website.

It’s particularly important to register this year as since the beginning of 2024 firms like Vinted have to pass on customer data to HMRC if a user sells 30 or more items, or earns over £1,700, in a year.

While the reporting rules have changed, this is not a new tax.

Those who earn more than £1,000 outside their regular employment were already required to file a Self Assessment tax form with HMRC.

The new rules will give the taxman greater visibility over what people have earned, increasing the chance of enforcement.

The rules were introduced as part of a wider tax crackdown to help ensure that those who boost their income via side hustles pay up what they owe.

After the rules came in Vinted said it would message users who needed to register, so if you’ve not received a message you don’t need to register.

Receiving a message from Vinted or making more than £1,000 from sales does not necessarily mean that you will owe tax.

If the money a member makes on online marketplaces over a year is less than the amount they paid for the items they are selling, then there should be no tax to pay.

But those “trading” for profit might need to pay tax.

The taxman will use the information gathered to verify against its own records to make sure sellers and renters are correctly reporting their income on their tax returns.

The deadline to submit the return for the 2023/24 tax year – and pay any tax you owe – is January 31, 2025 online.

But there’s an earlier deadline of October 31 this year if you file via post.

It is worth bearing in mind that HMRC will fine you £100 for failing to file your return by the deadline.

Then, a £10 daily fine applies every day you don’t submit your tax return.

Do I have to pay tax on my second-hand sales?

If you have made 30 sales or £1,700 this year you will be contacted by Vinted and asked to submit the seller report form on the app.

This year, the company said it will only approach new sellers who registered in 2024.

If you do not hear from Vinted then you don’t need to do anything, though you may need to file a tax return for other reasons.

Users who meet the criteria will be asked to add their National Insurance Number to a pre-filled form and check the details are correct before submitting it.

This will be done on the Vinted app.

You don’t need to calculate or count anything yourself.

A Vinted spokesperson said: “Reporting members’ details to the authorities does not necessarily lead to taxation.

“Taxation is a separate matter that doesn’t depend on HMRC reporting.”

They added: “HMRC requires Vinted to collect information from members who meet the criteria mentioned above, regardless of whether or not their earnings are taxable.”

Vinted said that it will be getting in contact with users who need to fill out these forms towards the end of the year.

What that means in practice is that money you make may be reported to the taxman if it’s over the amounts above.

Whether or not you have to pay tax will depend on your wider circumstances.

The majority of people pay income tax automatically through employment via what’s known as PAYE.

When do I need to file a tax return?

Self Assessment is a system HMRC uses to collect income tax.

Tax is usually deducted automatically from wages, pensions and savings, but people and businesses with other incomes must report it in a tax return.

It is not just online sellers who are required to fill out a tax return.

The rule applies to the following:

• Your income from self-employment was more than £1,000
• Earned more than £2,500 from renting out property
• You or your partner received high-income child benefits and either of you had an annual income of more than £60,000
• Received more than £2,500 in other untaxed income, for example from tips or commission
• Are limited company directors
• Are shareholders
• Are employees claiming expenses over £2,500
• Have an annual income over £100,000

Check out our step-by-step guide on filling out a tax return here.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

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