Consumer confidence collapses as Iran war provokes inflation fears March 26, 2026 Brits’ confidence in the state of the economy has plummeted since the outbreak of war in Iran, as shoppers tighten their purse strings amid fears of sharp price rises. Consumer sentiment over the UK’s economy has fallen to its lowest level on record, down from -30 per cent to -53 per cent, according to trade [...]
Iran war throws gold’s shine under the spotlight March 25, 2026 The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has thrown gold’s safe haven status into question after the asset suffered a sharp selloff. The price of gold has tumbled by more than 15 per cent since the start of the Iran war, despite holding pre-war levels for the first initial 10 days of the conflict as [...]
Caxton extends losses as Iran war slams markets March 25, 2026 London based hedge fund Caxton Associates has extended its losses as the Middle Eastern conflict continues to impact global markets. The fund’s losses rose by more than $1.3bn (£971.1m), with its $9bn macro fund, which is run by chief executive Andrew Law, is down 15 per cent this month to 20 March, according to two [...]
Donald Trump is deluded, but so are we March 25, 2026 On the public finances, energy and national security, comforting rhetoric has concealed policy drift that has undermined the status quo it purported to uphold, says Alys Denby Donald Trump’s claims of an imminent end to the war in Iran may bear only a tenuous connection to reality – like his on/off tariff threats – but [...]
The Debate: Is employee tracking justified in the modern workplace? March 25, 2026 JP Morgan last week announced it had started using tech to track its junior employees; amid the rise of work from home, is it fair enough?
Peter Kyle hints at push for EU customs union return March 25, 2026 Business and trade secretary Peter Kyle suggested joining the EU’s customs union could improve the UK’s economic prospects, with new data suggesting that trade flows in London boomed last year. After being asked twice whether war in the Middle East provided a stronger case for the UK to join the customs union, Kyle refused to [...]
‘Mortgage mayhem’: Banks’ rates soar past 5.5 per cent amid Iran war volatility March 25, 2026 The UK mortgage market has been flipped upside down with Brits facing higher prices to borrow in the short-term as the Iran war rattles the economy. The average five-year fixed deal for a homeowner has spiked to 5.54 per cent this morning, up from 4.95 per cent at the start of March, according to financial [...]
James Reed: V-levels are Labour’s best idea yet March 25, 2026 Middle-class prejudice towards vocational paths has held the UK back. I welcome Labour's V-level push, writes James Reed.
Food industry warns of inflation ‘calm before the storm’ March 25, 2026 Food and retail bosses have warned the fall in food inflation is the “calm before the storm,” as business brace for the Iran war to push up energy costs. Trade body Food and Drink Federation (FDF) said Wednesday’s drop in food inflation – from 3.6 to 3.3 per cent year on year – could be [...]
Price growth set to almost double yet interest rate hike uncertain March 25, 2026 Price growth could jump to as high as five per cent within months, economists have said, leaving the outlook for interest rates more uncertain. Top City economists said they expected inflation to rise to nearly double the rate seen just before war in the Middle East broke out, leaving the Bank of England with a [...]