Rachel Reeves claims UK economy can beat forecasts again – is she right? Our writers discuss The chancellor insists Labour has ‘the right economic plan’ for a world that has become ‘yet more uncertain’
Reeves’s talk of stability may be misplaced amid Iran war turmoil Attempt to project calm in spring forecast may be short-lived if living costs and unemployment keep climbing
MS Now gains viewers after name change, but owner revenue declines Versant, an NBCUniversal cable spinoff, says MS NOW is growing as its stock falls about 27% in 2026
‘I’m concerned the Iran war might drive up living costs’: Britons respond to Reeves’s spring forecast The chancellor’s statement offered little new on tax or spending, but readers voiced concerns about rising costs
Airlines in Middle East rule out services resuming before Thursday Some repatriation flights depart as governments around the world work to extract their citizens from the region
Global economy must stop pandering to ‘frivolous desires of ultra-rich’, says UN expert Olivier De Schutter says new economic agenda needed to tackle crises of rising inequality and ecological collapse
Spring forecast: Reeves insists Labour has ‘right economic plan’ as 2026 growth downgraded Unemployment predicted to continue rising to 5.3% as chancellor says she is meeting energy firms amid soaring oil and gas prices
Stock markets slump amid Iran war as gas prices jump 30% to three-year high FTSE 100 on track for its worst day in 11 months, while Japan’s Nikkei and South Korea’s Kospi also fall
Surprise jump in UK grocery inflation makes interest rate cut less probable ECB says Middle East war could cause higher inflationary pressure and warns of potential ‘sharp drop in output’
OpenAI amends Pentagon deal as Sam Altman admits it looks ‘sloppy’ ChatGPT owner’s CEO says it will bar its technology being used for mass surveillance or by intelligence services
‘Peak Greggs’? Bakery chain’s profits slump and sales slow Retailer known for its sausage rolls and steak bakes says it has been resilient in a challenging market
Rachel Reeves’s plans could be hit by Middle East conflict, say economists Warning comes as OBR projections in the spring forecast are expected to show public finances moving in the right direction
US markets see-saw as investors keep close eye on Iran war Major US indexes recover after falls earlier in the day amid concerns of rising gas prices
A gas shock – not an oil shock – from the Iran war looks more threatening Europe and Asia will take an economic hit if the supply of Qatari LNG is halted by the closure of the strait of Hormuz
Thousands of flights cancelled as world faces worst travel chaos since Covid crisis Hundreds of thousands of passengers remain stranded, with key air hubs in Middle East closed amid fallout from US-Israeli strikes on Iran