Economics

Summary: 22 US states filed a lawsuit challenging new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. The lawsuit was filed in the US Court of International Trade on 5 March. States argue the tariffs are illegal and violate the US Constitution. The tariffs impose a temporary 10% duty on imports under Section 122 of the Trade Act. Section 122 allows tariffs up to 15% for 150 days without congressional approval. The administration introduced the tariffs after the Supreme Court blo

Why this matters: Rising mortgage rates could increase borrowing costs for homebuyers and households across the UK. Summary: UK lenders begin raising mortgage rates amid economic uncertainty linked to Middle East conflict. Nationwide Building Society increases some mortgage rates by up to 0.25%. HSBC UK and Coventry Building Society also announce rate increases. Lenders reacting to rising swap rates reflecting expectations for higher future interest rates. Market fears inflat

Why this matters: The policy could improve wages for young workers but may also reduce employment opportunities if businesses cut hiring. UK proposal to equalise pay for 18–20-year-olds may increase employer costs by up to £6,800 per worker. Analysis by Institute for Fiscal Studies highlights potential 40% real-term rise in hiring costs. Policy aims to remove lower minimum wage bands for younger workers. Plan backed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves as part of Labour manifesto comm

4 March 2026 Tags: Business, Economy, Energy, Markets Why this matters:Energy supply disruptions could raise inflation and delay expected UK interest rate cuts. Global shipping instability affects fuel prices and economic growth. UK and European stock markets rose despite Middle East conflict concerns. FTSE 100 edged higher; Asian markets fell for third consecutive day. Brent crude rose 15% since US-Israel strikes on Iran began. Oil traded around $83.50 a barrel after refiner

Summary: MPs warned Sir Keir Starmer’s UK-EU “reset” lacks clear strategic objectives. The Foreign Affairs Committee said the new relationship’s structure remains unclear. Work began in May on agreements including youth mobility and food trade barriers. Chancellor Rachel Reeves called closer EU trade ties key to economic growth. Reeves outlined plans to reduce trade barriers and deepen European alliances. A government spokesman said reforms would cut bureaucracy and support j

Why this matters: The forecasts shape expectations for taxes, spending and interest rates. Global instability could alter the outlook significantly. Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her Spring Statement on the UK economy. She said the government has restored stability in an “uncertain” global environment. The Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts 1.1% growth in 2026. Growth is projected at 1.6% in 2027 and 2028, and 1.5% in 2029 and 2030. Unemployment is expected to pe

Why this matters: Rising energy costs could increase household bills and fuel prices globally. Prolonged disruption risks further economic instability. UK gas prices surged over 46%, reaching their highest level in three years. Brent crude briefly rose above $85 a barrel, up 17% since Friday. US stock markets fell sharply, with the Dow dropping nearly 900 points. European indexes including the FTSE 100, Dax and CAC-40 also declined. QatarEnergy halted gas production after rep

• The supermarket will stop sourcing fresh, chilled, and frozen mackerel by 29 April 2026, and will end tinned mackerel sales once current stock is gone. • Scientists say North East Atlantic mackerel populations have fallen into a “danger zone.” • Marine groups recommend reducing mackerel catches to prevent population collapse. • Waitrose says it is the first UK supermarket to suspend mackerel sales and will only resume when sourcing meets its standards. • ICES states mackere

• Warner Bros said Paramount’s updated bid was “superior,” and Netflix declined to raise its offer, calling the price no longer financially attractive. • A Paramount takeover would give it control of Warner Bros’ films and media networks, reshaping the entertainment industry. • Warner Bros had previously agreed to sell some assets to Netflix in a deal worth about $82bn including debt. • Paramount raised its offer by $1 per share earlier in the week to secure the deal. • Netfl

• Carney began the trip in Mumbai to meet business leaders and will then hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. • Relations had deteriorated after Canada accused India of involvement in the 2023 killing of Canadian Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar—an allegation India denies. • Both Canada and India now appear willing to move forward despite lingering concerns within Canada’s Sikh community. • Canadian officials say the two countries are having “

• Nvidia reported record annual revenue of $215.9 billion. • Revenue for the final quarter of its financial year increased 73% compared with the same period a year earlier. • Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang said computing demand is rising rapidly and companies are increasing investment in AI computing. • Nvidia supplies chips to major AI developers including OpenAI and Meta. • Nvidia is the world’s most valuable publicly traded company, with a market valuation of about $4.8 tr

The announcement was made on 21 February 2026 via Truth Social. This replaces an earlier proposal of a 10% tariff. The 10% tariffs had been scheduled to take effect on 24 February 2026. It is unclear whether the 15% rate will begin on the same date. ⚖ Supreme Court Ruling On 20 February 2026, the Supreme Court of the United States  ruled 6–3 that: Trump exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping global tariffs last year. He improperly used the International Emergency Econo

It is the highest monthly surplus since records began in 1993 (not inflation-adjusted). January 2025 surplus was £15.4bn. Economists had forecast a £23.8bn surplus. Total tax receipts in January were £133.3bn (13.8% higher year-on-year). Capital gains tax revenue reached nearly £17bn (up 69% year-on-year). Employers’ National Insurance contributions rose by £2.9bn. Income tax receipts increased by £3.6bn. Income tax threshold freezes contributed to higher income tax receipts.

📌 Main Proposal Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch  pledged to reduce interest rates on certain student loans. Proposal applies to Plan 2 loans  issued between 2012 and 2023. Badenoch described Plan 2 loans as increasingly feeling like a “scam”. Around 5.8 million people  took out Plan 2 loans during that period. 💰 Current Plan 2 Loan Terms Introduced in 2012 under the Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition government. Tuition fees increased to up to £9,000 per year  

Us GDP grew at an annualised rate of 1.4 in Q4 2025 Growth in Q3 2025 was 4.4%. Full-year economic growth in 2025 was 2.2%. Consumer spending rose 2.4% in Q4 (down from 3.5% in Q3). Government spending fell by more than 16% in Q4. The federal government shutdown reduced GDP by an estimated 1 percentage point. President Donald Trump claimed the shutdown cost “at least two points” of GDP. Early 2025 saw a mild contraction due partly to a surge in imports ahead of tariffs. Impor

Talks have taken place between HMRC and financial services firms regarding draft ISA legislation. Discussions indicate potential changes to proposed interest charges and the definition of “cash-like” assets. Industry representatives report increased optimism following negotiations with HMRC. Final decisions are pending further technical consultation and legislative revisions. The Chancellor’s Budget introduced a £12,000 annual cap on cash ISA contributions for savers under 65

The FTSE 100  rose 1.1% to 10,670 during morning trading on 18 February 2026. The index surpassed 10,650 for the first time in its history. UK consumer price inflation measured 3.0% annually in January 2026. December 2025 inflation was 3.4%. The Office for National Statistics attributed lower inflation to reduced bread and petrol prices. The Bank of England is expected by many economists to cut interest rates in March 2026. Economists anticipate rates could fall to 3.5% in Ma

Enfield recorded the highest benefits spending per working-age person in 2024/25 (£3,868). Enfield was the smallest borough where total benefits spending exceeded £1 billion. Other high-ranking areas by per-head spending: Blackpool (£3,678) Hackney (£3,669) Blaenau Gwent (£3,462) Haringey (£3,419) Birmingham had the highest total benefits bill but ranked 14th per head. The analysis was conducted by Neil O'Brien. The study examined: Universal Credit Disability Living Allowance

UK unemployment rate rose to 5.2%  in the three months to December, up from 5.1%  in November — the highest level in the post-Covid period. Number of UK payrolled employees fell by 121,000 (0.4%)  over the past year. Provisional January data shows a further 11,000  fall in payrolled employees. Payroll employment is 134,000 lower  than a year earlier. Regular pay growth slowed to 4.2%  in the three months to December. Real pay growth (after CPI inflation) was 0.8% . Private se

London markets were mixed on Monday ask Keirs anouncements bolstered it but US markets were closed for a bank holiday. Canadian markets were closed for Family Day. FTSE 100: Rose 27.34 points. Up 0.3%. Closed at 10,473.69. FTSE 250: Fell 51.80 points. Down 0.2%. Closed at 23,375.47. AIM All-Share: Fell 0.44 points. Down 0.1%. Closed at 811.41. CAC 40 rose 0.2%. DAX 40 fell 0.5%. NatWest: Top FTSE 100 performer. Up 4.8%. Launched £750m share buyback. Programme to complete by J