The prime minister is expected to announce plans on devolving decision-making powers away from both Westminster and Holyrood towards regions and towns

John Healey is poised to tax Britain’s banks in his 28 October budget, to help offset the damage inflicted on the public finances by war in the Middle East, the Guardian understands.

The chancellor is in Bangkok, where the International Monetary Fund has praised the UK’s progress towards balancing the books, urging him to “stay the course”.

During my first week in office, I told the first minister that I wanted to work with him to spread opportunities to communities across Scotland’s regions and cities.

Through No10 North, we are rewiring the state and I want to make sure regions in Scotland are fully part of this.