World News

UK defence firms ‘bleeding cash’ as delayed spending plan leaves industry in ‘paralysis’

Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/AP View image in fullscreen Keir Starmer has said Britain ‘needs to go faster’ on military spending. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/AP UK defence firms...

What is happening to gas and electricity prices?

What is happening to gas and electricity prices? 9 minutes ago Share Save Share Save Getty Images Typical household energy costs will fall on 1...

UK manufacturers hit by sharpest rise in cost inflation since Black Wednesday in 1992

Energy-intensive companies such as foundries have been affected by the rise in costs driven by higher oil prices. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images View image in...

7 min Mar 24, 2026

What levers could Rachel Reeves pull to help with rising prices?

Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Rachel Reeves promised to give an update on fuel pricing within the next month. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty...

Green energy boss backs more North Sea oil and gas production

GB Energy boss Jürgen Maier rejected the claim that more North Sea oil and gas could help bring down energy costs wbut that an increase...

More North Sea drilling will put UK at mercy of fossil fuel markets, ministers say

Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA Media View image in fullscreen A Labour MP wrote in the Sun this week that additional drilling in the North Sea would...

8 min Mar 24, 2026

Bets on US-Iran ceasefire show signs of insider knowledge, say experts

Photograph: Theo Marie-Courtois/AFP/Getty Images Bets on US-Iran ceasefire show signs of insider knowledge, say experts New online accounts on Polymarket platform betting a total of...

5 min Mar 24, 2026

Ministers delay new rules for low-carbon housing in England

Most newly built homes will come equipped with solar panels and heat pumps from March 2028, according to updated regulations for England called the “future...

7 min Mar 24, 2026

UK mortgage interest rates expected to rise despite Trump’s Iran pause

Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images UK mortgage interest rates expected to rise despite Trump’s Iran pause Bank of England likely to make two quarter-point increases amid...

Vet prescription fees to be capped at £21

Vet prescription fees to be capped at £21 13 minutes ago Share Save Nick Edser Business reporter Share Save Getty Images Written prescription fees from...

5 min Mar 24, 2026

Brent crude oil back over $100 a barrel as optimism over Middle East de-escalation fades...

Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy. Yesterday’s equity rally was driven by Donald Trump...

4 min Mar 24, 2026

UK vets face crackdown over fees as pet owners ‘left in the dark’ on bills

Average prices of UK vet services have risen much faster than general inflation. Photograph: Zoonar GmbH/Alamy View image in fullscreen Average prices of UK vet...