Businesses ‘yearning for stability’ says UK bank chief March 13, 2026 Businesses are “yearning” for stability, according to a top banking chief executive, as the turmoil in the Middle East threatens to upend the global economy. Ian Corfield, the boss of London-listed Secure Trust Bank, told City AM: “I think the reality is that even before things kicked off a month ago, obviously nerves were increasing. [...]
Oil crisis to ‘push UK into recession’ after growth flatlines March 13, 2026 Fears that the ongoing crisis in the Middle East will plunge the UK into a recession have been amplified after fresh figures revealed the economy flatlined in January. The price of oil closed above $100 for the first time since 2022 last night as interventions from the global energy body failed to calm markets amid [...]
Miliband and Reeves to meet petrol retailers as fuel costs spike March 13, 2026 Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has said the government “will not tolerate” energy firms profiteering from the rising price of oil amid the war in Iran. Oil prices climbed back above $100 a barrel on Thursday despite the International Energy Agency (IEA) saying on Wednesday that it would release a record 400 million barrels of oil [...]
‘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 [...]
Ed Davey should leave Dubai tax exiles alone March 13, 2026 Ed Davey’s calls for American-style citizenship taxes on British expats in Dubai to pay for their military protection is completely unjustified, argues Charles Amos Last week Ed Davey challenged Keir Starmer to introduce American-style citizenship taxation on Brits who have fled to Dubai, but who now allegedly ask for military protection. His argument is simply [...]
Global trade runs on trust – that’s why insurance is important in a time of war March 13, 2026 The Iran conflict could be devastating, but while risks evolve and routes shift, trade continues to find a way, says Benoit Urbin As expected, the latest military escalation involving the United States, Israel and Iran has reintroduced uncertainty into global markets. Energy markets have already come under upward pressure due to the risk of supply [...]
On the Beach shares tumble as it tears up guidance amid bookings slowdown March 12, 2026 On the Beach has torn up its guidance for the forthcoming year after warning that tensions in the Middle East have sparked a sharp slowdown in bookings. The online travel agent previously forecast pre-tax profit of between £39m and £43m. “Whilst the group has limited exposure to destinations in the Middle East, it has experienced [...]
Keir Starmer’s dithering over Iran is no diplomatic masterstroke March 12, 2026 Those arguing that Starmer has stumbled upon a brilliant strategy when it comes to the war in Iran are wrong. He has damaged Britain’s credibility and left us weaker, says Tom Harwood Has the Prime Minister blundered into a strategic masterstroke? Could it be that Keir Starmer has had his finger on the pulse of [...]
Standard Chartered evacuates Dubai offices amid Iran war March 11, 2026 London-headquartered Standard Chartered has begun to evacuate staff from its offices in Dubai following the latest escalations in the war in the Middle East. The FTSE 100 giant boasts a large presence in the region as part of international expansion efforts across the United Arab Emirates but has now found itself caught in the growing [...]
Fuel duty rise ‘under review’ as Iran war response sparks tensions March 11, 2026 Sir Keir Starmer has said a rise in fuel scheduled for September is “under review” hours after Rachel Reeves hinted an energy support package could be drawn up. Starmer said fuel duty would remain frozen until September and the policy would be kept “under review in light of what’s happening in Iran” when he was [...]