‘Taxed to a standstill’ – UK economy grinds to a halt with no growth in January March 13, 2026 The UK economy saw zero growth in the first month of the year – before global markets were rocked by the outbreak of war in the Middle East. Fresh figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have handed a major blow to Rachel Reeves with the economy flat in January, compared to the 0.2 [...]
The end of the tax year is approaching: Here are the key allowances to use March 12, 2026 The end of the tax year is fast approaching with April 5 just weeks away. Many people will be awaiting the opportunity to renew their ISAs to manage their tax bill, but others will be prioritising making the use of key tax allowances. Many of these allowances cannot be carried forward into the new tax [...]
‘Cover up’: Starmer blames vetting amid process questions on Mandelson March 12, 2026 Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesman has blamed the vetting process inherited from previous governments for Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment despite accusations that the Prime Minister did not follow ministerial procedures and oversaw a “cover up”. Starmer’s spokesman said the government was looking to reform the due diligence process and national security vetting procedure for major appointments. [...]
John Lewis boss: Labour must keep pledge to reform business rates March 12, 2026 Labour must honour its manifesto promise to fundamentally reform the business rates system, John Lewis boss Jason Tarry has said. The retail chairman said the changes at last year’s Budget were positive for retail but offered a “short-term” fix to a system which unfairly disadvantages physical retailers as opposed to online shops. Chancellor Rachel Reeves [...]
Middle East war ‘could plunge UK into a recession’ March 12, 2026 The crisis in the Middle East could plunge the UK into a recession in the worst case scenario where oil prices surge higher over the next two months, analysis has shown. Oxford Economics research has indicated that a continued surge in oil prices would rattle “parts of the global economy”, with the UK set to [...]
FTSE 100 Live: Stocks drop as oil returns to near $100 after tankers attacked March 12, 2026 Good morning and welcome back to the Morning Wire liveblog. The price of oil shot back above triple digits this morning, rising as much as nine per cent in Asian trading following the news two tankers were struck in the Gulf. An Iraqi news agency broke the news that 38 crew members have been rescued [...]
Mandelson files pose huge questions for Starmer March 12, 2026 What was Keir Starmer thinking? That’s not a rhetorical question; I really do want to know (because I cannot imagine) what the Prime Minister was thinking when he signed off the decision to send Peter Mandelson to Washington. It was the first week of February when, during an excruciating performance in the Commons, Starmer admitted [...]
Labour workers rights reforms could backfire for young workers March 12, 2026 Labour’s employment rights reforms could damage opportunities for young workers if the new laws reduce the number of flexible, entry-level roles, the UK’s top retail trade body has warned. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has called on the government to ensure the implementation of its reforms, which were passed into law in December, doesn’t hamper [...]
House of Lords warns ministers’ pension power grab ‘dangerous and unjustified’ March 11, 2026 A member of the House of Lords has described the reserve power in the Pension Schemes Bill as “dangerous and unjustified” as ministers face intense scrutiny over the detail of their overhaul of the pensions system. Speaking in the House of Lords during an urgent question session, Baroness Stedman-Scott, a Conservative member, called out the [...]
Mandelson wanted a near £550,000 payout – and got £75,000 March 11, 2026 Peter Mandelson demanded a £547,201 payout for the remainder of his time as UK ambassador to the US after being sacked, with a settlement of £75,000 being agreed with the Foreign Office, official documents have shown. In the first tranche of documents to be released by the government relating to Mandelson’s time as ambassador, it [...]