U.K. Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt delivered his Autumn Statement budget announcements on Wednesday, announcing a cut to employee National Insurance from 12% to 10% for 27 million workers. Among the other announcements were changes to benefits programs, a freeze on alcohol duty, additional business tax breaks, investment in AI and manufacturing, and a rise in the minimum wage. The independent Office for Budget Responsibility sharply downgraded its growth forecasts on Wednesday and upped its inflation projections, highlighting the struggles facing the country as household finances remain stretched by a prolonged period ... (full story)