Beta

Trend

Wednesday, 21 October 2026

The Daily Trend

Today’s news, with the data and without the spin

Budget 2026

Trending · Finance

Budget 2026

Evening Standard

20 articles across 6 outlets · news sources analysed by AI, figures counted from the coverage

Sentiment

Across all Trend monitored news outlets · 20 articles

What happened

Inflation rose to 3.5% in September, up from 3.1% in August, days before Chancellor John Healey's Budget on 28 October. Unemployment fell to 4.7% in the three months to August. Several Labour figures called for a rise in capital gains tax, but Healey rejected the idea, citing Treasury revenue concerns. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the government of delaying tough spending decisions.

Where Your £100 Comes From

For every £100 the government collects in tax, this shows where it comes from. Most people assume income tax does the heavy lifting, and they are right. Income tax and National Insurance together account for nearly half of everything the government raises. The rest comes from what you spend, what businesses earn and what you own.

per £100£100
  • Income Tax£30
  • National Insurance£18
  • VAT£17
  • Corporation Tax£8
  • Council Tax£5
  • Business Rates£3
  • Fuel Duty£2
  • Other taxes£17

Source: Office for National Statistics / HMRC

Coverage: UK

See the full data

How each side sees it

  • Left

    Summary

    The Independent and Daily Mirror covered Healey's rejection of calls to raise capital gains tax, and reported Conservative leader Badenoch's criticism that Labour was deferring tough spending decisions. The outlets also detailed potential tax rises under consideration ahead of the Budget, including on property, bank profits, and inheritance tax.

    Sentiment

    Across left-leaning outlets · 7 articles

  • Centre

    Summary

    BBC News reported that Healey had rejected calls from Labour figures to raise capital gains tax, and cited concerns that such a move could drive wealthy people out of Britain.

    Sentiment

    Across centre outlets · 1 article

  • Right

    Summary

    The Evening Standard reported Healey's rejection of capital gains tax rises and covered Badenoch's criticism of Labour's approach to public finances. The outlet also led with inflation data showing CPI at 3.5% in September, and detailed how Healey was targeting the City in his Budget plans.

    Sentiment

    Across right-leaning outlets · 12 articles

Other News

The next most-covered stories, measured the same way. Each one sits on a board where the numbers behind it live.

  • RAF Deployment to Saudi Arabia

    Trending · Defence

    RAF Deployment to Saudi Arabia

    12 articles across 8 outlets · news sources analysed by AI, figures counted from the coverage

    Sentiment

    Across all Trend monitored news outlets · 12 articles

  • RAF Deployment to Saudi Arabia

    Trending · Defence

    RAF Deployment to Saudi Arabia

    The UK will deploy RAF Typhoon jets to Saudi Arabia to fly defensive missions against Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi cities and infrastructure, the government has confirmed.

  • Data

    Equipment Holdings

    How many platforms the armed forces hold: fixed-wing aircraft, Royal Navy and support vessels, and submarines. The fleet is small across all three categories.

    5049.4%2025
    20202025

    See this and every other defence figure Trend holds on the Defence board.

  • Left

    Summary

    The Guardian, The Independent, and Daily Mirror covered the RAF deployment to Saudi Arabia. They reported that Typhoon fighters would fly defensive missions over Saudi cities and critical infrastructure to counter Houthi missile and drone attacks, described as an extension of Western intervention in the escalating conflict.

    Sentiment

    Across left-leaning outlets · 4 articles

  • Centre

    Summary

    BBC News reported that the UK would deploy RAF Typhoon jets to defend Saudi Arabia against Iran-backed Houthi attacks. The article noted the government said the aircraft would operate defensively and not conduct offensive strikes.

    Sentiment

    Across centre outlets · 1 article

  • Right

    Summary

    The Evening Standard and Daily Mail covered the RAF deployment, reporting that Typhoon fighters would defend Saudi Arabia from Houthi aerial attacks. The Evening Standard quoted Defence Secretary Wes Streeting condemning the attacks as "absolutely despicable".

    Sentiment

    Across right-leaning outlets · 7 articles

The data behind

RAF Deployment to Saudi Arabia

Aircraft Equipment Holdings

The number of fixed-wing aircraft held by the UK armed forces, spanning fast jets, transport, surveillance and training types. What counts as a held aircraft has shifted over the years, so read this as a broad level. More aircraft mean more reach, lift and air cover available at once; fewer mean the same tasks compete for scarcer airframes.

5005506006507007502018202020222024
ConservativeLabourCoalition

Source: Ministry of Defence · National Audit Office

Coverage: UK

  • Jackdaw Gas Field

    Trending · Energy

    Jackdaw Gas Field

    6 articles across 5 outlets · news sources analysed by AI, figures counted from the coverage

    Sentiment

    Across all Trend monitored news outlets · 6 articles

  • Jackdaw Gas Field

    Trending · Energy

    Jackdaw Gas Field

    The UK government has approved drilling in the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea. Ministers say gas will supply homes and businesses from the end of this month, though they acknowledge it will not lower energy bills this winter.

  • Data

    Import Dependency

    The share of the energy the UK uses that is bought from abroad rather than produced at home, most of it oil and gas. This counts all energy, not just electricity.

    43.3%0.4%2025
    20202025

    See this and every other energy figure Trend holds on the Energy board.

  • Left

    Summary

    The Independent and HuffPost UK led with the government's approval of Jackdaw drilling. They reported climate activists' criticism and quoted a Green MP accusing the government of abandoning climate commitments. The Daily Record carried the Prime Minister's statement that the project would boost energy security and bring down bills.

    Sentiment

    Across left-leaning outlets · 4 articles

  • Centre

    Summary

    BBC News covered the Jackdaw approval and described it as a case study in the UK's energy trade-offs.

    Sentiment

    Across centre outlets · 1 article

  • Right

    Summary

    The Daily Mail reported the drilling approval and included criticism from Labour left-wingers and Greens. The outlet also quoted Conservative claims that ministers had delayed the project for two years.

    Sentiment

    Across right-leaning outlets · 1 article

The data behind

Jackdaw Gas Field

Import Dependency

The share of the energy the UK uses that is bought from abroad rather than produced at home, most of it oil and gas. This counts all energy, not just electricity. When it rises the country is more exposed to global prices and supply shocks; when it falls it produces more of its own.

-40%-20%0%20%40%60%200020052010201520202025
ConservativeLabourCoalition

Source: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero · Energy Trends ET 1.3

Coverage: UK