UK inflation held at 3% before global energy price hit from Iran war

February annual rate in line with expectations, but Food and Drink Federation fears it is ‘calm before storm’

UK politics: Reform UK suspends mayoral candidate after he described Jewish security group as ‘cosplayers’ – as it happened

Labour and Liberal Democrats welcome suspension of Chris Parry, the party’s Hampshire mayoral candidate, after derogatory remarks about Jewish group

Reeves slips into yoga voice to try to soothe fears over costs of Trump’s war

The chancellor was meant to set out her contingency plans but it was an announcement without any announcements in it

Rachel Reeves rules out universal support on energy bills

Chancellor says package offered by Liz Truss’s government was unaffordable and any future help will be targeted

Starmer says ‘every lever’ will be explored to ease rising costs of living from Iran conflict

PM will chair Cobra meeting with key ministers and Bank of England on Monday, as experts warn of economic shock

‘You can feel it’: South Yorkshire revival gathers pace as new industries move in

From steel to screen, podcasts to defence, Sheffield’s economy is diversifying amid a wave of new investment

Trump’s economic shocks are derailing Britain’s building plans

With major developments collapsing, pressure is growing on councils to concede on affordable housing and public amenities

Anger grows among UK ministers amid fears Iran war could jeopardise Britain’s fragile finances

Some in cabinet in despair over possible impact of war begun by Donald Trump, who branded Nato allies ‘cowards’

Labour dismisses Reform UK MSP candidates as ‘hopeless Tory rejects and oddballs’ as one is suspended – as it happened

Stuart Niven suspended after revelations he was struck off as company director, while other candidates have been accused of extremist statements including describing Humza Yousaf as ‘not British’

Starmer’s ministers look at new economic blueprint to quell voter anger

Devolution of tax powers to mayors, scrapping of national insurance and property tax overhaul on report’s menu

The Guardian view on Labour, liberals and the Greens: they agree on the problem, but not the solution

Editorial: From Brexit to fiscal rules to living costs, diagnoses multiply. Steel policy points to a missing link – the need for a strategy to rebuild

Iran could be the US’s Boer war: a hollow victory that marks the beginning of the end of empire

US leaders anticipated a walkover. Now they’re embroiled in a conflict that could hasten the end of US economic dominance, says Guardian columnist Larry Elliott

UK to cut climate aid to developing countries by 14% to £2bn a year in ‘refocus’

Move will put national security and lives overseas at risk, critics say, as overall UK aid budget is slashed to 0.3% of gross national income

The Guardian view on Rachel Reeves and the EU: the right ambition is held back by outdated red lines

Editorial: The chancellor makes a compelling case for alignment with the EU, but her strategic analysis isn’t matched with political urgency in Downing Street

Starmer says Tory shadow minister should be sacked for criticism of Muslims praying in Trafalgar Square – as it happened

Nick Timothy said an event attended by the mayor of London that included prayers was an ‘act of domination’