interest payments some of which are linked to inflation. let s get this in perspective though the uk s national debt is at record levels. it owes £2.69 trillion. that is almost the size of the uk economy the so called debt to gdp ratio is around 97.7%. that is a useful guide to how affordable the debt is for a country. the chancellor has pledged to get that ratio down. the uk s far better off than some of its neighbours though italy s debt to gdp is around 140%. but if we look at germany s that s is only around 65%. but if we look at germany s that s only around 65%. staying in the uk where aside from talk of potential tax cuts there are stark warnings that 2 million people could have their gas and electricity cut off this winter because they can t afford to top up their prepayment meter. that comes from the charity the citizens advice bureau as cost of living pressure continue to bite for many. joining me now is the report author alex belsham harris en
of which are linked to inflation. let s put this into perspective because the uk s national debt is at record levels. it owes £2.69 trillion. that is almost the size of the uk economy the so called debt to gdp ratio is around 97.7%. that is a useful guide to how affordable the debt is for a country. the chancellor has pledged to get that ratio down. the uk s far better off than some of its neighbours though italy s debt to gdp is around 140%. but if we look at germany s that s only around 65%. let s get more on this from our chief economics correspondent, dharshini david. she s in the bbc business newsroom here in london. hi. first off, what is behind that figure? hi. first off, what is behind that fiuure? , ., ., ., ., ., hi. first off, what is behind that fiuure? , ., ., ., ., y figure? just one month out of a 12 month financial figure? just one month out of a 12 month financial year figure? just one month out of a 12 month financial year but - figure? just one
funerals are being held for the 2a soldiers killed in israel s deadliest day since the war began in gaza. there has been intense fighting around khan younis, israel says it has surrounded the southern gaza city. could i hostage deal close, though? reports that israel has proposed a two month pause to negotiate prisoner exchanges with himars. the us and uk carry out joint strikes against houthi targets in yemen for the second time in two weeks. hamas. and oppenheimer leads the oscar nominations with 13 but barbie s margot robbie and director greta gerwig miss out. time for a look at the business news now with lu kwesa burak. it afternoon, lukwesa. could afternoon. good afternoon. we start here in the uk with the government s finances because the amount it had to borrow last month was far less than expected. that has raised hopes the chancellor, jeremy hunt, may have extra room to cut taxes when he announces his spring budget in march. a lot of it is down to lo
want to break it down, it will determine the state of our economy in weeks and months and years ahead. first we need to look at the constitution. let s take a look. who is responsible for spending and borrowing? raising taxes, is it the president? obviously not, article i section 8: the first part of that. it is not a suggestion. it is not ambiguous this say choir power that legislature has, when you look at history, back to britain and the parliament with the king. this was something that the framers of your constitution looked at, they wanted this power not to be with the king or this presidency they created or executive branch. they are supposed to execute the laws passed by congress, they gave this power to congress, to the people who are directly electioned in congress. senator of the time chosen by state legislators and house chosen by the people, you, we the people have some say so over the finances of our country. do you feel that way today? this is explicit. we don
want to break it down, it will determine the state of our economy in weeks and months and years ahead. first we need to look at the constitution. let s take a look. who is responsible for spending and borrowing? raising taxes, is it the president? obviously not, article i section 8: the first part of that. it is not a suggestion. it is not a ambiguous this say choir power that legislature has, when you look at history, back to britain and the parliament with the king. this was something that the framers of your constitution looked at, they wanted this power not to be with the king or this presidency they created or executive branch. they are supposed to execute the laws passed by congress, they gave this power to congress, to the people who are directly electioned in congress. senator of the time chosen by state legislators and house chosen by the people, you, we the people have some say so over the finances of our country. do you feel that way today? this is explicit. we d