Global markets warned of ‘biggest energy crisis’ in modern history after oil surge March 9, 2026 Global economies are facing warnings over what could the “biggest energy crisis” in modern history after the price of oil breached the $100 mark for the first time since the energy crisis in 2022. Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil, surged over 25 per cent to highs of $118 per barrel as the week’s [...]
G7 ministers to discuss joint release of emergency oil reserves March 9, 2026 G7 finance ministers are set to discuss a possible joint release of petroleum from reserves coordinated by the International Energy Agency in an emergency meeting on Monday, as they look to tackle surging oil prices amid the conflict in the Gulf. Ministers will hold a call with International Energy Agency’s (IEA) executive director Faith Birol [...]
FTSE 100 Live: US stocks sink on open; Iran warns oil price could hit $200 March 9, 2026 Good morning and welcome back to the City AM liveblog. The chaos in global markets of last following the breakout of conflict in the Middle East is poised to continue as tensions in the Gulf showed no sign of slowing down over the weekend. The price of oil notched its highest gains in a single [...]
Crispin Odey set for high-stakes legal showdown with the FCA March 9, 2026 Millionaire fund manager Crispin Odey is set to face the City watchdogs for a three-week trial as he aims to challenge his £1.8m fine and ban from working in the financial services industry. After a series of historical sexual assault allegations that were made against Odey, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) slapped him with a hefty [...]
UK jobs market ‘facing sustained shocks’ March 9, 2026 The Labour government is facing a rallying cry to ease the cost burden on businesses to avoid derailing a recovery in the jobs market. The latest jobs report from KPMG and the REC, the professional body for recruiters, showed hiring for permanent roles reaching a stabilising point in February with the pace of declines the [...]
Small house building firms in ‘existential crisis’ as sales rates plummet March 9, 2026 Falling sales are pushing small and medium-sized (SME) house builders into an “existential crisis” that could threaten the government’s house building ambitions. SME house builders have seen average sales drop by 41 per cent between 2021 and 2025, according to a report by estate agents Savills for the Land, Planning and Development Federation (LPDF). The [...]
Removing UK’s tariff exemption could hurt small businesses, trade body warns March 8, 2026 Removing the UK’s tariff exemption for low value imports could risk pushing up prices, reduce trade intensity and damage small businesses, a leading trade body has warned. The British Chambers of Commerce’s (BCC) warning comes amid the government considering the move after the US removed its ‘de minimis’ exemption for certain commercial shipments. The EU [...]
Hiring intentions at lowest level in nearly 15 years March 8, 2026 British businesses are the most pessimistic about hiring they have been in nearly 15 years, according to consultancy firm BDO. UK bosses are facing difficult hiring decisions as the cost of employment ramps up, with the BDO’s employment index at its weakest reading since March 2011. The index, which reflects hiring intentions, held at 93.30 [...]
Staff bonus up in air as John Lewis tempers expectations March 8, 2026 Many of John Lewis’ more than 70,000 employees will be hoping for some good news next week, as the retail giant will announce whether it will be reinstating its sorely missed staff bonus after years of freezes. The bonus handed out to staff had long been a central part of John Lewis’ brand, as symbolic [...]
Iran war: Oil prices could reach $150 a barrel March 8, 2026 Oil prices could reach $150 (£112) by the end of the month if the severe disruption to the Strait of Hormuz is not eased, Goldman Sachs has warned. The bank said it will revise its oil price forecast soon unless it sees evidence that transit through the crucial shipping route is beginning to return to [...]