Zen Brief

The coming Budget shaped much of the day: bankers warned about tax rises while the IMF backed the government's plan to cut borrowing. Elsewhere, NHS waiting lists are rising early, questions remain over deleted hospitality records, and Starmer condemned a deadly strike in Ukraine.

1. 1 Banks lobby against autumn Budget tax increaseSenior bankers warn that expected tax rises in the autumn Budget could curb lending and investment across the UK economy.
2. 2 Deleted Records on PM-City Dinners Spark Transparency RowNew details on deleted hospitality records involving the PM and Man City's chairman add to calls for clearer disclosure rules.
3. 3 IMF backs UK fiscal plan before autumn BudgetIMF officials praised Britain's plans to cut borrowing, giving the government rare international backing ahead of next month's Budget.
4. 4 NHS Surgery Waiting Times Rise as Winter Crisis DeepensWaiting lists for planned NHS 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.