Zen Brief

The Budget next month shapes much of the day: the IMF has backed the government's borrowing plans, while the IFS says spending pledges may need extra funding. Elsewhere, NHS pressure is building and Starmer condemned a deadly strike on Zaporizhzhia.

1. 1 Deleted Records on PM-City Dinners Spark Transparency RowNewly detailed deleted hospitality records involving the prime minister and Man City's chairman add to calls for clearer disclosure rules.
2. 2 IMF backs UK fiscal plan before autumn BudgetThe IMF praised the UK's plans to cut borrowing three times in 24 hours, giving Starmer rare international backing before next month's Budget.
3. 3 IFS warns Treasury needs £35bn for spending pledgesThe IFS says the government may need a £35bn top-up to meet its spending commitments ahead of the Budget.
4. 4 NHS Surgery Waiting Times Rise as Winter Crisis DeepensNHS waiting lists for planned surgery are rising earlier than usual, prompting warnings about winter capacity in hospital trusts.
5. 5 Starmer condemns deadly Zaporizhzhia strike, pledges UK aidStarmer condemned a Russian glide bomb strike on Zaporizhzhia that killed at least 20 and reaffirmed UK military support for Ukraine.