"IMF Urges UK Government to Avoid Tax Cuts Ahead of Budget"

The IMF has advised the UK against further tax cuts, warning that preserving public services and investment requires higher spending than the government's current plans reflect. The IMF downgraded its UK growth forecast for next year and expects sluggish growth in the near term. The UK government disagrees with the IMF's advice, citing targeted business investment tax cuts as a boost to growth. Globally, the IMF predicts a "soft landing" for the world economy with lower inflation and more resilient growth, but warns of challenges including tensions in the Middle East and the troubled property sector in China.