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The Guardian Politics9 Mar 2026

UK interest rate cuts unlikely this year amid Iran war – and a rise could be ahead

Markets predict Bank of England will hold rates in 2026 as bond yields soar on forecasts of prolonged conflict Iran war drives oil prices above $100 a barrel Business live – latest updates UK interest rates are not expected to be cut this year and could even rise next summer, according to financial markets, in a dramatic reversal of forecasts before the US-Israel war on Iran. Markets data on Monday showed that investors predict the Bank of England will most likely keep its base rate on hold a

Defence
The Guardian Politics9 Mar 2026

No immediate threat to UK gas supplies, says minister after ‘two days left’ reports

Steve Reed says situation in Middle East ‘clearly very concerning’ but there is no ‘cause for undue alarm yet’ Middle East crisis – live updates There is no immediate threat to energy supplies in the UK despite rocketing oil prices, a senior minister has said, as Keir Starmer tried to reassure people about the impact of the crisis in the Middle East. The impact of US-Israeli strikes in Iran, and retaliatory attacks from Tehran elsewhere in the region, was “clearly very concerning”, Steve Reed,

The Guardian Politics9 Mar 2026

Starmer seeks to reassure public over cost of living as oil surges above $100 a barrel - UK politics live

The prime minister is facing pressure from unions and some backbenchers to prepare a support package as oil and gas prices threaten to push up inflation Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of UK politics as governments around the world brace for major disruption to energy supplies as a result of the escalating US-Israeli war with Iran. Keir Starmer is expected to promise to protect the British public from the economic impact of the war after oil prices surged past $100 a barrel for the

PoliticsEconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics9 Mar 2026

Labour in ‘deep trouble’ with Black voters, Operation Black Vote chair warns

David Weaver says proposed jury reforms and slow progress on equality risk eroding support in marginal seats Labour is in “deep trouble” with Black voters, a former government adviser has warned, saying the party is at risk of being seen as “accepting the normalisation of racism”. David Weaver, who is the chair of Operation Black Vote (OBV), said the government’s plans to restrict juries would “heighten, normalise and embed” racial disproportionality in the justice system and that Black voters w

DefenceReform
The Guardian Politics9 Mar 2026

Labour to set up new extremism whistleblowing service for university staff

Minister announces action plan to boost social cohesion that will also give regulator powers to shut down charities The UK government will expand powers to tackle extremism by setting up a new whistleblowing route for university staff and giving the Charity Commission powers to shut down charities, as part of a new action plan to strengthen social cohesion. The plan, announced by the housing, communities and local government secretary, Steve Reed, will invest a further £5m in the Common Ground R

EducationHousing
The Guardian Politics8 Mar 2026

Alba party to wind up and not contest Scottish election

Pro-independence party formed by Alex Salmond in 2021 had suffered membership fall and financial crisis The Alba party has announced that it will wind up and not field any candidates for the 2026 Scottish parliament election. The pro-independence party was formed in 2021 by the late Alex Salmond as a “new political force” but has been suffering from a sharp fall in membership and a financial crisis. Continue reading...

Politics
The Guardian Politics8 Mar 2026

The Guardian view on secrecy in parliament: hiding the names of MPs’ staff would undermine democracy | Editorial

Security concerns must be treated seriously. But with trust in politics fraying, transparency has never been more necessary The recommendation that the names of MPs’ staff should be removed from a decades-old register, made by the House of Commons standards committee, is a retrograde step away from transparency. It is also appallingly timed. Public confidence in institutions including the government is fragile. A Labour MP resigned the whip just this week, after her husband was arrested on suspi

Politics
The Guardian Politics8 Mar 2026

War in the Middle East: Britain’s involvement so far, from sea to sky

Starmer has allowed the US to use British bases for ‘defensive operations’ in Iran. What other actions has he taken? To Donald Trump, the UK’s involvement in the US assault on Iran – letting American bombers use RAF bases for “defensive operations” – amounts to joining the war after “we’ve already won”. Even so, the first US B-1 Lancer planes began to land at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire at the weekend before joining the bombing campaign. Boeing C17 Globemaster transport planes have also land

Defence
The Guardian Politics8 Mar 2026

Private jet used for Nigel Farage Chagos stunt linked to Reform mega-donor

Exclusive: Plane that flew Reform leader to Maldives appears to be linked to billionaire Christopher Harborne Nigel Farage’s attempt to reach the Chagos Islands military base was made on a private jet that appears to be linked to Reform UK’s mega-donor Christopher Harborne, it has emerged. Harborne, who has donated £12m to Reform UK, has links to two charter planes that flew Farage to the Maldives and, separately, a group of Chagossian campaigners to Sri Lanka, before they attempted to reach th

DefenceReform
The Guardian Politics8 Mar 2026

Starmer speaks with Trump after president criticises lack of UK support for Iran strikes

Leaders discuss military cooperation day after Trump hit out at PM over lack of immediate backing for attacks Middle East crisis – live updates Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to Donald Trump and discussed their military co-operation through the US use of RAF bases “in support of the collective self-defence of partners” in the Middle East, Downing Street has said. The call comes after Trump intensified his criticism of Starmer over the lack of immediate UK support for the US-Israeli strikes on Ira

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics8 Mar 2026

Opportunities, perils and pitfalls: how UK parties have responded to war in Iran

Starmer’s ‘purely defensive’ stance has won support among voters, but what challenges lie ahead for each party when it comes to their base’s view of war? Facing one of the most challenging moments of his premiership, Keir Starmer may at least draw comfort from polling showing that the British public broadly support his position on the conflict in Iran. Nearly half (46%) believe the UK military position should be purely defensive, tasked with shooting down drones and defending civilian areas and

Defence
The Guardian Politics8 Mar 2026

Two more US aircraft arrive at RAF Fairford

Aircraft touch down in Gloucestershire after Trump given use of British bases for defensive operations in Iran Middle East crisis – live updates Two more US air force planes have landed at RAF Fairford, after the UK allowed Washington to use its bases to take part in defensive operations in Iran. Footage broadcast on Sunday showed two Boeing C-17 Globemaster transportation planes landing at the airbase in Gloucestershire, days after B-1 Lancer bombers arrived. Continue reading...

Defence