Asda chairman Allan Leighton accuses ministers of having “zero credibility” on fuel prices after claims of profiteering. With petrol above £1.50 a litre, he rejects the charge, citing taxes and wholesale costs, and warns regional tensions could tighten supply.
Police have reopened inquiries into the theft of Morgan McSweeney’s phone. The PM’s former chief aide is under scrutiny for failing to clarify whether a tracker was used to locate the device, with officers reviewing CCTV and timelines around the incident.
Market turmoil linked to Iran drove a rare simultaneous slide in global equities and bonds in March. Yields jumped as investors sought liquidity, while traditional hedges faltered, leaving diversified portfolios under pressure. Analysts warn volatility may persist and havens remain scarce until tensions ease.
A golf icon was involved in a minor rollover crash in Florida. Emergency crews attended, and initial reports suggest no serious injuries. The incident comes five years after a similar crash that caused significant injuries. Officials are investigating the cause.
At a public engagement, the King briefly fumbled an unveiling, tugging the cloth loose before regaining composure and finishing the task. The moment drew laughs from onlookers and caused no damage or injury.
The PM says Britain won’t join a US-led military operation in Iran, resisting pressure from Donald Trump and the White House. He prioritises UK interests and de-escalation, as Washington talks up diplomacy while preparing to send more troops.
Polling finds half of voters have tightened their belts amid global tensions, cutting back on eating out, fuel, big purchases and home energy. Over a third report no change. Many back more North Sea oil and gas, while a majority support targeted energy help for the poorest.
Washington said its campaign against Iran could end within weeks, with no negotiations under way. Israel vowed to press on and may widen operations against sites linked to weapons development, heightening regional tensions despite diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis.
A month into a Gulf crisis, closure of the Strait of Hormuz has driven oil to $120 a barrel, adding £307m to UK fuel costs and threatening £150 on annual food bills. The OECD says £15bn has been wiped from UK growth, the US cost is put at $25bn, and over a million people have been displaced in Lebanon.
Washington has given Tehran ten more days to reopen a key shipping strait, pausing planned action while talks continue. UK officials warn of diesel shortages by mid‑April and higher prices if flows don’t resume. A senior US figure also said London is within range of long‑range missiles.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces claims from business figures and opponents that the Treasury is benefiting most from high pump prices via duty, VAT and green levies, after she criticised retailers. Supporters say measures tackle unfair pricing; critics urge tax cuts to ease costs.
NS&I’s chief has been sacked amid claims of a cover‑up linked to a savings scandal. The Treasury knew last year and had already cut his bonus. A review will examine service failings and the scale of affected customers, with compensation and further action possible.
Economists warn the UK faces a triple hit: growth cut to 0.7% in 2026 with recession risk, inflation at 4%—twice the Bank’s target—and an energy crunch from Gulf disruption. The squeeze threatens higher fuel and home energy bills, weaker wage growth, rising unemployment and a £10bn hole in public finances.
Experts warn counterfeit World Cup football kits may contain unsafe chemicals, posing health risks. With official strips costly, some fans could turn to replicas sold online and in markets. Trading standards advise buying from authorised retailers to avoid harm and losing money.
New guidance tells parents to cap under-5s’ screen time at one hour a day to support development. Limits are said to aid sleep, language and attention. Families are urged to favour reading, active play and outdoor time, and to avoid screens at meals and before bed.
OECD cuts the UK’s 2026 growth forecast to 0.7% from 1.2%, the sharpest downgrade in the G20, blaming fallout from a Gulf crisis linked to US policy. It warns of higher inflation and tougher headwinds for Britain.
Trump has extended by 10 days the deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying talks are progressing and suspending planned military action. Washington says Tehran is considering concessions and inspections, while analysts caution shipping and energy markets remain exposed.
Official data show 33,005 hospitality firms have closed since the Budget, with pubs, cafes and hotels hit hardest. Critics blame Labour’s tax rises for lost jobs. Ministers say the programme is needed to repair the public finances and will support long‑term growth.
The OECD warns the UK will see the biggest G20 hit to growth from the energy price shock, with inflation rising fastest after the US. Elevated bills will squeeze firms and households, making the BoE’s rate decisions harder and posing an early setback for the PM’s economic agenda.
Donald Trump mocked Britain’s new aircraft carriers as “toys”, saying the US doesn’t need them. Made amid reports of setbacks to a US mission in the Gulf, the remarks drew UK criticism for belittling allied capability and the importance of joint defence.