Rishi Sunak

The next prime minister, @BurnhamGM, will have only a short time to get to grips with some of the most challenging political and economical currents of our age, writes Rishi Sunak. "Burnham may want to be the devolution PM, but the world will have other ideas. How he handles these geopolitical and technological shifts will determine his — and our — success" | Sunak. https://www.thetimes.com/business/economics/article/rishi-sunak-guide-andy-burnham-dgqq26625

Merry Christmas, everyone. Wishing you all a happy and peaceful day.

A very important job in Richmond this week… helping Father Christmas get through his post bag 🎅📮 Akshata and I joined Gemma Lord and the team at The Station to visit Santa’s grotto and sort through letters from local children so everything is ready in time for tomorrow - with expert help from Gemma’s daughter, Fern. Huge thanks to the staff and volunteers who make this kind of Christmas magic happen for families across our community.

Today, we honoured those who gave everything to protect our way of life. Our freedom is built on their courage and sacrifice. We owe them and all who serve a debt that can never be repaid. We will remember them.

Shocked at the train attack last night - on a line I use regularly. My thoughts are with those in hospital and their families. I want to pay tribute to the brave staff, emergency responders, and the passengers who acted with courage in the face of senseless violence.

A lovely visit to the new Rosedene Stokesley Forest School. It’s a great space where children learn through play and get stuck into the outdoors, even in October. I also signed their “gratitude pumpkin”, which is a fun twist on a thoughtful tradition at this time of year. Thank you to the whole Rosedene team for the warm welcome.

Am back home! 🇸🇬 Had a productive working visit to London. Glad to catch up with former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. We last met in 2023 on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in India, where we launched the Singapore-UK Strategic Partnership. go.gov.sg/mftdyp

🇬🇧🤝🇸🇬 For decades, the UK and Singapore have worked side by side on trade, security and technology. I was proud to help take that partnership forward with @leehsienloong during our time in office. Confident it will go from strength to strength in the decades to come.

Stopped by my local Sainsbury’s and Tesco to thank the volunteers supporting the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. Volunteering in this way may seem small, but it matters enormously. Every poppy sold is a commitment to our veterans and a reminder of the sacrifices they and their families have made. Thank you Mike, Shirley and Judith - and everyone across the country giving their time to support this year’s appeal. Your work embodies the best of our communities and the spirit of service and remembrance.

What’s the biggest mistake you can make in a Budget? That’s the question I’ve tackled in my first Sunday Times column, published today. I’ve written a few Budgets myself (including during a global pandemic) and I’ve seen how the smallest change in the economic forecast can have huge real-world consequences. That’s why the “headroom” a Chancellor leaves matters. In her first Budget, Rachel Reeves left just £10 billion - less than the average forecasting error. That means even a small change in outlook could force tough decisions on spending or taxes. The result? Months of uncertainty that’s hit investment, slowed the housing market, and shaken confidence in the economy, including right here in North Yorkshire. There’s still time to fix it. But it means rebuilding that headroom the right way through spending discipline, not higher taxes. You can read the full piece in today’s The Times and The Sunday Times 👇 https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/economics/article/rishi-sunak-rachel-reeves-10bn-uk-budget-error-7nwzk9q3g?fbclid=IwZnRzaANqvWxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHhEBSejVTJCa2tMXoI1vZoisPdw-By-wVuop1-_LtBk7ZSF4ZylCNuxTTfI8_aem_8az4-4wTIY2b8HpTqrf71Q