Zen Brief

Pressure on public finances and jobs shaped the day: inflation has narrowed the Chancellor's options before the Budget, and Barclays plans 5,000 UK job cuts as it expands AI use. Separately, the government announced new NHS funding for children's care.

1. 1 Treasury Study Shows UK Missed £1 Trillion Oil Wealth FundA Treasury calculation shows North Sea oil revenue, if invested over decades, could have built a trillion-pound sovereign wealth fund.
2. 2 Barclays cuts 5,000 UK jobs in AI expansionBarclays will cut 5,000 UK roles as it expands its use of AI, raising questions about job security across banking.
3. 3 Inflation surge limits Chancellor's Budget tax optionsHigher inflation and borrowing figures have narrowed Chancellor John Healey's room for manoeuvre before next week's Budget.
4. 4 Cooper Pledges £140m to End NHS Corridor CareYvette Cooper announced £140m in urgent care funding, with ending corridor care for children a priority before winter.
5. 5 Nurse's £750k theft exposes care sector safeguarding gapsA nurse was convicted of stealing £750,000 from a 99-year-old client, prompting calls for stronger safeguarding of vulnerable elderly people.