The Know Daily - Wedesday 23 July 2025

_{Read in 4m 35s ∙ Listening to Maggie Rogers ∙}

A women’s shelter in Uganda has used 18,000 recycled plastic bottles to build safe, durable, eco-friendly homes. Run by Pendeza Shelters, the project not only tackles plastic pollution but also employs marginalised women – combining environmental clean-up with social empowerment. We love to see it 👏🏻

💸 The OBR: an explainer

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) plays a key role in shaping the UK’s public finances. Let’s explore what it is, what it does and why its independent forecasts matter.

What is the OBR?
It’s the UK’s official independent watchdog for public finances. Set up in 2010, it provides forecasts for the economy and public spending, and assesses whether the government is likely to meet its own financial targets. While government departments make the decisions, the OBR provides the independent numbers that inform them – like how much debt the UK has, or how fast the economy is growing.

What does it do?
The OBR publishes regular reports each year, which forecast tax receipts, public spending and borrowing over five years. It also produces long-term assessments of fiscal risks, such as pressures from healthcare, pensions or climate. When the Chancellor presents a Budget or Autumn Statement, the OBR’s analysis forms the foundation, reviewing the impact of new policies on public finances.

Why does it matter?
Before the OBR existed, governments were often criticised for making overly optimistic or biased financial forecasts. The OBR was created to provide an independent check on these numbers. Its job is to help everyone – markets, voters and Parliament – understand if government policies are realistically affordable and financially sustainable.

Has it always been right?
The OBR, like any economic forecaster, has had to revise its predictions – especially during uncertain times like Brexit or COVID-19. But that’s part of the point: its job is to publish the best estimates at the time, and be transparent when things change. It also highlights risks to the economy that politicians might prefer to downplay.

Is it neutral?
The OBR doesn’t make policy or say what should happen, just what’s likely to happen based on the facts. That said, its work can put pressure on governments. If the OBR says debt is going up sharply or rules are being broken, it can shape headlines, market reactions and political debate.

The takeaway.
The OBR is a central part of how the UK runs its public finances. It doesn’t set tax or spending policy, but it plays a crucial role in making sure those decisions are grounded in evidence. In a world of political spin, the OBR’s job is to offer something else: a clear, independent view of the nation’s books.

👩‍💻 AI journalism: Google Discover has launched AI-generated news summaries in the US, with a UK rollout expected. 

• The bigger story: This means that a morning scroll could soon come with machine-crafted TL;DRs of trending stories. Whilst this may seem useful to scan the news faster, there are concerns around journalists not getting credit for their work. Plus there’s the wider impact on outlets being able to continue funding high-quality, fact-checked and unbiased journalism. 

⚡️ Green energy growth: United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres says the world is entering a “clean energy age” as renewables now outpace fossil fuels for electricity generation.

🛴 Scooting off: The UK government has extended public e-scooter rental trials until 2028, as operators await a long-term legal framework.

🌎 Speedy spinning: Scientists have found that Earth has been turning faster this summer, making the days slightly shorter.

🤖 Recharging robot: A Chinese company has unveiled the world’s first humanoid robot that runs entirely on its own and swaps batteries by itself.

👩‍💻 Internet identification: The new Online Safety Act comes into action this week where certain websites will start asking UK users to verify their age.

🎒 Eat, pray, love: Solo travel is on the rise but do you know which countries are the best for women to explore on their own? Find out which tops the list here.

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Trivia answer: B) Charli XCX married her boyfriend and 1975 band member, George Daniel, in east London.

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