Faisal Islam: Iran war is having a dramatic effect on the UK economy

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:21:28 GMT
The knock-on effects of the war in the Gulf go beyond a hold on interest rates and are set to reverberate for months.

Stock markets rattled and energy prices soar after strikes on Qatar gas hub

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:17:07 GMT
Oil and gas prices have risen again after fresh strikes hit key infrastructure in the Middle East.

Bank ready to raise interest rates if Iran war price 'shock' persists

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:44:09 GMT
Policymakers vote unanimously to hold rates at 3.75% after the Iran war prompts a reversal in the debate over borrowing costs.

Why are gas prices soaring and how could it affect you?

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:06:54 GMT
Analysts fear the disruption to supply could continue for longer than initially thought.

Pay grows at slowest rate in more than five years

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 13:40:38 GMT
Annual earnings grew at an annual rate of 3.8% in the November to January period, the Office for National Statistics says.

How Finnish supermarkets are central to the country's defence

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:10:45 GMT
The chains all have detailed plans to follow in the event of the nation going to war.

How the Iran war may affect your money and bills

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:29:09 GMT
The conflict in the Middle East could raise the cost of petrol, household energy bills and even food.

Nearly 400 firms fined over failure to pay minimum wage

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:46:39 GMT
The official minimum rates of pay will rise for 2.7 million workers in April 2026.

UK sets target to boost steel making and cut imports

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:04:46 GMT
Up to half of steel used in Britain should be made there, the government says, as it announces its steel strategy.

Labubu film is official with Paddington director at the helm

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:01:18 GMT
The film will combine live action and computer-generated animation and is in "early development".

US holds interest rates as Iran war triggers inflation fears

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 20:20:24 GMT
The US central bank is moving cautiously, despite pressure from the president to cut interest rates.

How high could UK petrol and diesel prices go?

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 17:12:41 GMT
For every $10 rise in oil prices, motorists face paying roughly 7p per litre more in the UK.

Computer says no. Are AI interviews making it harder to get a job?

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 17:03:33 GMT
Bhuvana Chilukuri has sent more than 100 job applications and is convinced very few have been seen by a human.

The Iran war is causing a global energy crisis - can China withstand it?

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 23:31:03 GMT
With oil supply disrupted, Beijing's oil reserves and renewable energy push are being put to the test.

Average age of first time buyer climbs to 34

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:00:10 GMT
A new report looks at how conditions have changed for first time buyers since the 1990s.

Bentley workers 'shocked and angry' at job cuts

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:38:20 GMT
A union says the announcement came as a blow to employees with up to 275 positions at risk.

Ad for AI editing app which said it could 'remove anything' banned

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:09 GMT
The UK regulator said the ad condoned "digitally altering and exposing women's bodies without their consent."

Mayors to gain more spending power under Reeves tax plans

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 18:26:30 GMT
The chancellor sets out the government's plan for economic growth, which also includes closer ties to the EU.

Typical new mortgage costs soar £788 a year in two weeks

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:25:13 GMT
Lenders have hiked rates on new deals and withdrawn products as war creates uncertainty in the markets.

Is it possible to build a plastic-free home?

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:01:31 GMT
Using plastic in construction is cheap and easy, but some are trying to radically cut back its use.

Ukraine's urgent fight on the financial frontline

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:06:14 GMT
The war-torn country is battling to secure crucial funding from the IMF and EU, as well as putting up taxes.

Can plastic-eating fungi help clean up nappy waste?

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:03:14 GMT
Cost and convenience have made disposable nappies dominant - can start-ups compete?

Why has Trump eased sanctions on Russian oil - and will it help Putin?

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 16:07:39 GMT
The US said easing sanctions on Russian oil would provide only a limited financial boost to Putin.

Dharshini David: Economy on shaky ground even before Iran war

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 10:58:28 GMT
The government's hopes that 2026 would be the year when growth picks up are at risk of being scuppered.

A small US grocer is calling out the lower prices at big chains

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:02:54 GMT
It is 'impossible for us to compete', says the boss of a New York grocery store.

Can Ukraine's war-torn wheatfields be cleansed?

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 06:21:01 GMT
Researchers take 8,000 soil samples from battlefields to see if it is safe to grow crops.

The Aldi-style disruptors who could be about to shake up the vets market

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 10:49:39 GMT
As pet owners complain of rising prices, independent practices want to take on the big chains.

GPS jamming: The invisible battle in the Middle East

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:01:38 GMT
GPS jamming has made navigation hazardous in the Gulf, spurring efforts to develop alternatives.

Spain's migrants welcome amnesty: 'It will help us in every way'

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:17:54 GMT
Madrid cites humanitarian and economic reasons to give undocumented workers legal status.

Can snacks help you sleep?

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:05:51 GMT
Chocolates, bars, gummies and drinks promise to help you sleep, but is the science behind them sound?

We have more privacy controls yet less privacy than ever

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:04:26 GMT
Has online privacy become "a luxury not a right" for us all in 2026?

Faisal Islam: Iran war is having a dramatic effect on the UK economy

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:21:28 GMT
The knock-on effects of the war in the Gulf go beyond a hold on interest rates and are set to reverberate for months.

Bank ready to raise interest rates if Iran war price 'shock' persists

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:44:09 GMT
Policymakers vote unanimously to hold rates at 3.75% after the Iran war prompts a reversal in the debate over borrowing costs.

Why are UK prices still rising?

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 12:49:18 GMT
UK Inflation has dropped back from record highs but remains above the Bank of England's 2% target.

The housing charity helping key workers stay local

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 12:45:55 GMT
Homes for Wells provides rented accommodation to 47 families for about 80% of market rate.

Will UK interest rates fall any time soon?

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 12:02:26 GMT
The interest rate set by the Bank of England affects mortgage, loan and savings rates for millions.

The real impact of roadworks on the country - and why they're set to get worse

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 01:26:18 GMT
There is a fine balance between the benefits of improved infrastructure, versus the cost of disruption. Does the country have it right?

Why the railways often seem to be in such chaos over Christmas

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:03:12 GMT
Parts of Britain’s rail network will close for engineering work over the festive period - but is that the right time to do it?

Budget 2025: What's the best and worst that could happen for Labour?

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 15:14:47 GMT
Three days in, after a tax U-turn and partial climbdown on workers' rights, Laura Kuenssberg looks at what impact Budget week might have.

Has Britain's budget watchdog become too all-powerful?

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:00:03 GMT
Ahead of this week's Budget, some have accused the Office for Budget Responsibility of being a "straitjacket on growth"

The curious case of why Poundland is struggling during a cost-of-living crisis

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 08:03:37 GMT
Why - in an age where so many of us are feeling the financial pinch - are some budget shops on UK high streets having such a tough time?

Why the average age of a first-time buyer has risen

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 12:53:38 GMT
The average age of a first-time buyer in England has risen from 29 to 34.

Selling Sheffield Wednesday

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:00:00 GMT
BBC Sport looks at one of England’s most famous football clubs’ fight for survival.

Why both partners need to be across a couple's money

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:51:57 GMT
Martin Lewis explains why both partners in a relationship need to know what financial products they hold.

Why animals will replace historical figures on bank notes

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 18:07:18 GMT
British wildlife will replace historical figures on the next series of Bank of England banknote