Morning briefing Wednesday 28th October

A former economic advisor to Rishi Sunak warns that the upcoming budget could damage the Labour Party's environmental reputation. Chancellor John Healy is expected to propose measures that would lower energy bills by eliminating green levies. Reports indicate that the Treasury's budget calculations rely on the approval of the Rosebank oil field, despite internal Cabinet disagreements regarding its future. Liberal Democrat peer Tim Leunig criticizes the Treasury's approach, suggesting that the Chancellor is overriding the Energy Secretary's authority.

In Israel, the two leading parties in the parliamentary elections are preparing for a lengthy government formation process after neither secured a majority. The elections, the first since the October 7 attacks, show a tight race between opposition leader Ghadi Eisenkot and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with exit polls indicating a slight edge for Netanyahu's Likud party. Former Middle East negotiator Aaron David Miller notes that the results reflect widespread dissatisfaction among Israelis.

Meanwhile, King Charles begins his Caribbean tour by addressing the historical suffering related to slavery, confirming that Commonwealth leaders will discuss its legacy at an upcoming summit. However, he refrains from issuing a formal apology for Britain's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. In sports, Arsenal's shocking exit from the EFL Cup at the hands of Fleetwood Town, a League Two team, marks one of the competition's biggest upsets, with Fleetwood's manager expressing the emotional significance of the victory for the local community.

The Times Radio news briefing for the morning of Wednesday 28th October. For more on these stories throughout the day tune into Times Radio - on DAB, online, through your smart speaker or on the Times Radio app. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.