Relief for some of Britain’s poorest lands at right moment to cushion Iran aftershocks

Timely end of two-child limit plus a healthy uptick in universal credit signals ‘life-changing’ boost to Britons most exposed to Trumpflation

Bleak economic data shows UK plc in trouble well before Middle East crisis

Zero GDP growth in January will not help Rachel Reeves claim she has put UK in position to weather oil price storm

UK economy unexpectedly flatlined in January, official figures show

January’s GDP figure comes as higher energy prices look likely to drive up inflation, dashing hopes of interest rate cut

The Guardian view on Adam Smith: he deserves rescuing from the free-market myth

Editorial: On the 250th anniversary of The Wealth of Nations, the Scottish philospher is still invoked by the right. Yet he worried about inequality, monopoly and the power of wealth

Wednesday briefing: From missing billions to nonexistent datacentres, inside Britain’s AI drive

In today’s newsletter: Enormous investments in artificial intelligence promised to transform Labour’s growth problems. The reality is much murkier

Middle East crisis could push UK inflation back up to 3%, says OBR

Government’s economic watchdog believes pressure on energy prices could push rate close to 3% by end of 2026

Lammy defends jury reforms against claims they will worsen racial bias in legal system – as it happened

Justice secretary says changes designed to reduce courts backlog will benefit remand rates

Why an Iran war inflation shock could wreck global economic recovery

Central bankers and economists warn prolonged conflict could raise retail prices and rip up growth forecasts

‘It’s no news just when we wanted some’: bosses react to spring statement

Amid global volatility, Rachel Reeves tried to project calm with a low-key forecast. But business owners have their doubts

Unemployment set to hit 5.3% this year amid ‘worrying’ rise in young jobless

OBR raises forecast from 4.9% and downgrades UK’s growth prospects for 2026 – while also warning of war uncertainty

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

Most senior council officers in England say building work hit by delays

Funding uncertainty is main concern, despite Labour’s pledge to revitalise construction, survey shows

OBR a backseat driver with out-of-date maps, thinktanks tell Rachel Reeves

Chancellor urged to reform Office for Budget Responsibility to open way to more public investment

Boring or bust: Reeves aims to project calm competence in spring forecast

After 18 months of policy U-turns and political turmoil we are told not to expect any last-minute policy rabbits

Reeves must back defence investment plan or be sacked, says Unite union boss

Sharon Graham tells chancellor she should ‘back British industry’ by increasing military spending