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Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Today’s news, with the data and without the spin
Trending · Economy
29 articles across 11 outlets · edited by Trend, figures counted from the coverage
Sentiment
Across all Trend monitored news outlets · 29 articles
Ofgem has raised the energy price cap by 4 per cent from October 1. The average annual bill for a typical household paying by Direct Debit will rise to £1,723, the highest since July 2023. Higher international wholesale gas prices driven by Middle East conflicts and European heatwaves are behind the rise.
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measures how much more expensive everyday life is than a year ago, tracking a basket of hundreds of goods and services from bread to broadband. When CPI rises, your money buys less. The Bank of England targets 2%; when inflation runs above that, the Bank tends to raise interest rates to bring it back down.
Source: Office for National Statistics
Coverage: UK
The next most-covered stories, measured the same way. Each one sits on a board where the numbers behind it live.
Trending · Housing
Council Housing Pledges
10 articles across 7 outlets · news sources analysed by AI, figures counted from the coverage
Sentiment
Across all Trend monitored news outlets · 10 articles
Trending · Housing
Council Housing Pledges
Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a £10 billion plan to build 70,000 new homes across England, with 60% allocated for social rent. The pledge falls short of his earlier commitment to spend the full £39 billion fund on social housing alone.
Data
Social Housing Waiting List
The number of households registered and waiting for a social home in England. Waits can stretch to several years, and far longer in the areas of greatest shortage.
See this and every other housing figure Trend holds on the Housing board.
Left
Headline
Scotland challenged to match Andy Burnham pledge to get every rough sleeper off streets by ChristmasDaily Record
Summary
The Independent and Daily Record focused on Burnham's £10bn housing package and its regional breakdown. The Independent detailed how the funding would be distributed across councils and housing associations, reporting that 60 per cent would go to social rent rather than the full amount Burnham had previously pledged. Housing charity Shelter was cited as warning the target fell short.
Sentiment
Across left-leaning outlets · 7 articles
Right
Summary
The Spectator and Daily Mail highlighted the gap between Burnham's campaign promises and the announced policy. The Spectator described a pattern where Burnham's initial pledges had been modified when detailed plans emerged. City AM reported that housebuilder shares rose following the announcement of the £10bn funding package.
Sentiment
Across right-leaning outlets · 3 articles
Trending · Finance
Autumn Budget Tax Plans
8 articles across 5 outlets · news sources analysed by AI, figures counted from the coverage
Sentiment
Across all Trend monitored news outlets · 8 articles
Trending · Finance
Autumn Budget Tax Plans
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has refused to rule out raising taxes in the autumn Budget, saying he will not be "unrealistic" about public finances.
Data
Tax Receipts
Every pound the government collects in tax: income tax, National Insurance, VAT (the tax on what you buy), corporation tax and the rest. This is the total, and the hard limit of what the state can spend without borrowing.
See this and every other finance figure Trend holds on the Finance board.
Left
Summary
The Independent and HuffPost UK reported that Prime Minister Burnham refused to rule out tax increases in the autumn Budget while insisting manifesto commitments were fully funded. Coverage cited government borrowing rising to £1.8 billion in July and inflation reaching 2.9% as factors creating fiscal pressure.
Sentiment
Across left-leaning outlets · 4 articles
Centre
Summary
The i and BBC News covered Burnham's refusal to rule out tax rises, with both outlets reporting he said he would take a careful approach to public finances. The i quoted Burnham saying he "won't take risks" with jobs or livelihoods, while experts warned he and Chancellor Healey would have limited room to manoeuvre.
Sentiment
Across centre outlets · 2 articles
Right
Summary
City AM ran two articles on the Budget plans. One reported Burnham suggested tax rises could come while warning he "won't be unrealistic" about the public purse. The second detailed which taxes economists think the government is likely to raise for revenue.
Sentiment
Across right-leaning outlets · 2 articles
Trending · Work & Pensions
State Pension Compensation
5 articles across 4 outlets · news sources analysed by AI, figures counted from the coverage
Sentiment
Across all Trend monitored news outlets · 5 articles
Trending · Work & Pensions
State Pension Compensation
The Government is introducing an income tax waiver for pensioners whose only income is the full state pension, though details remain unclear. The state pension age is rising from 66 to 67, with the change due to complete by 2028.
Data
State Pension Rate
The full new State Pension in cash per week, paid to people reaching pension age from April 2016 onwards. 5%, which tends to lift it faster than prices or pay.
See this and every other work & pensions figure Trend holds on the Work & Pensions board.
Left
Summary
Daily Record covered State Pension eligibility requirements and the rising pension age to 67 by 2028, citing Department for Work and Pensions figures on over 13 million pensioners.
Sentiment
Across left-leaning outlets · 1 article
Centre
Summary
BBC News reported on potential backdated State Pension compensation for some pensioners due to missing Home Responsibilities Protection on their National Insurance records.
Sentiment
Across centre outlets · 1 article
Right
Summary
Daily Mail and City AM covered compensation for women affected by State Pension age changes, a proposed income tax waiver for pensioners, and warnings that State Pension costs will drive future tax rises.
Sentiment
Across right-leaning outlets · 3 articles
The next most-covered stories, measured the same way. Each one sits on a board where the numbers behind it live.
Trending · Housing
Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a £10 billion plan to build 70,000 new homes across England, with 60% allocated for social rent. The pledge falls short of his earlier commitment to spend the full £39 billion fund on social housing alone.
Sentiment
10 articles · 7 outlets
Trending · Finance
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has refused to rule out raising taxes in the autumn Budget, saying he will not be "unrealistic" about public finances.
Sentiment
8 articles · 5 outlets
Trending · Work & Pensions
The Government is introducing an income tax waiver for pensioners whose only income is the full state pension, though details remain unclear. The state pension age is rising from 66 to 67, with the change due to complete by 2028.
Sentiment
5 articles · 4 outlets