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Friday, 18 September 2026
Today’s news, with the data and without the spin
Trending · Economy
39 articles across 10 outlets · news sources analysed by AI, figures counted from the coverage
Sentiment
Across all Trend monitored news outlets · 39 articles
The Bank of England kept interest rates at 3.75 per cent on Thursday, with six members of its rate-setting committee voting to hold and three voting for a rise. The central bank warned that future rate increases may be needed if energy prices continue to climb. It also announced an unexpected overhaul of its bond sale programme, ending long-term gilt sales and instead selling billions of pounds in government bonds back to the Treasury.
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 · Finance
Budget Tax Plans
10 articles across 6 outlets · news sources analysed by AI, figures counted from the coverage
Sentiment
Across all Trend monitored news outlets · 10 articles
Trending · Finance
Budget Tax Plans
Prime minister Andy Burnham has said the first Budget of his premiership, due next month, will be challenging. He pledged the government will not take risks with living standards, as inflation rose to 3.1% in August.
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
Headline
How you can protect your money before the Budget – including a £20,000 rule set to changeThe Independent
Summary
The Independent and Daily Mirror covered Burnham's statements ahead of the Budget, reporting his admission that it would be "challenging" and his pledge to make "difficult decisions" on the economy. Both outlets included details on inflation rising to 3.1% in August, driven by petrol, diesel and airfare costs linked to Middle East conflict.
Sentiment
Across left-leaning outlets · 4 articles
Centre
Summary
BBC News carried Conservative calls for Burnham to rule out tax rises, with shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith warning that rumours of further taxes are causing wealth creators to leave the country. The BBC also ran analysis on the Budget as the economy's biggest challenge for the prime minister.
Sentiment
Across centre outlets · 2 articles
Right
Headline
Andy Burnham urged to rule out tax rises in next month's Budget - after being stung by jibe that he's just 'another tax and spend socialist'Daily Mail
Summary
City AM, Daily Mail and Daily Star reported Burnham's warning that the Budget would be "challenging" and Conservative demands to rule out tax rises. The Daily Mail highlighted Griffith's call for a moratorium on further taxes, describing them as "crushing" the economy.
Sentiment
Across right-leaning outlets · 4 articles
Trending · Government
London Assembly
8 articles across 6 outlets · news sources analysed by AI, figures counted from the coverage
Sentiment
Across all Trend monitored news outlets · 8 articles
Trending · Government
London Assembly
Sadiq Khan responded to Green Party leader Zack Polanski in Urdu at Mayor's Question Time, after Polanski used the language in a campaign video for the Holborn and St Pancras byelection.
Data
Seats by Party
Every seat in the Commons, counted on the first of each month since 1979. The Liberal Democrat band includes the Liberals and the SDP, who fought the 1983 and 1987 elections in alliance and merged in 1988.
See this and every other government figure Trend holds on the Government board.
Left
Headline
Khan addresses Polanski in Urdu at London assembly, mocking Green leader’s byelection video – UK politics liveThe Guardian
Summary
The Guardian and The Independent covered Khan responding to Polanski in Urdu at London Assembly, reporting that the Green leader had released a campaign video in the language for the Holborn and St Pancras byelection.
Sentiment
Across left-leaning outlets · 2 articles
Right
Headline
Sadiq Khan pokes fun at Greens’ Polanski with Urdu answer at London AssemblyBelfast Telegraph
Summary
The Evening Standard, The Spectator, Belfast Telegraph and Daily Mail all reported Khan answering Polanski in Urdu at Mayor's Question Time. The Spectator also detailed claims from Green Party activists who said they were reluctant to campaign for Polanski over his stance on Israel and Zionism.
Sentiment
Across right-leaning outlets · 6 articles
The next most-covered stories, measured the same way. Each one sits on a board where the numbers behind it live.
Trending · Finance
Prime minister Andy Burnham has said the first Budget of his premiership, due next month, will be challenging. He pledged the government will not take risks with living standards, as inflation rose to 3.1% in August.
Sentiment
10 articles · 6 outlets
Trending · Government
Sadiq Khan responded to Green Party leader Zack Polanski in Urdu at Mayor's Question Time, after Polanski used the language in a campaign video for the Holborn and St Pancras byelection.
Sentiment
8 articles · 6 outlets