Zen Brief

Pressure on public finances, hospitals and the high street leads the day, while the UK reaffirms its support for Ukraine after a deadly strike on Zaporizhzhia.

1. 1 IFS warns Treasury needs £35bn for spending pledgesThe IFS says the Treasury may need a multibillion-pound top-up, put at £35bn, to meet its spending pledges ahead of the Budget.
2. 2 NHS Surgery Waiting Times Rise as Winter Crisis DeepensWaiting lists for planned surgery are rising earlier than usual, prompting fresh warnings about winter capacity in hospital trusts.
3. 3 Starmer condemns deadly Zaporizhzhia strike, pledges UK aidKeir Starmer condemned a Russian glide bomb strike on Zaporizhzhia that killed at least 20 and reaffirmed Britain's military support for Ukraine.
4. 4 Boots sale to Canadian billionaire raises UK high street concernsThe sale of Boots to a Canadian family has prompted scrutiny of its likely effect on jobs, prices and the future of the UK high street.
5. 5 Ministers push non-compete curbs to free up workersPlans to limit non-compete clauses aim to improve worker mobility, though business groups warn of unintended economic consequences.