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The Guardian Politics3 Mar 2026

‘It’s no news just when we wanted some’: Business leaders react to spring statement

Amid global volatility, Rachel Reeves tried to project calm with a low-key forecast. But business owners have their doubts Rachel Reeves gave a deliberately low-key spring forecast on Tuesday, in an attempt to project calm amid volatility abroad and after repeated tax rising budgets. But for some business owners struggling with rising costs, a lack of policy announcements this time around was a disappointment. Continue reading...

Economy
The Guardian Politics3 Mar 2026

Unemployment set to hit 5.3% this year amid ‘worrying’ rise in young jobless

OBR raises forecast from 4.9% and downgrades UK’s growth prospects for 2026 – while also warning of war uncertainty Unemployment in the UK is set to peak this year at a higher rate than previously estimated, with a “worrying” increase in young people being out of work, the government’s official forecaster has said. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) said unemployment will peak at 5.3% this year, up from its previous forecast in November of 4.9%. Continue reading...

EconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics3 Mar 2026

Ben Jennings on Donald Trump, Keir Starmer and the war in Iran – cartoon

Continue reading...

Defence
The Guardian Politics3 Mar 2026

Reeves’s spring statement? The economy is great, don’t worry about the Middle East

With no spending or fiscal commitments to offer, the chancellor kept it short, sweet and just a little tin-eared When your luck is out, your luck is out. Time to accept what the fates have to throw at you. It was always going to be a bit of a stretch for Rachel Reeves to maintain she had a brilliant plan and the economy had never been in better health when the figures show a fall in growth and a rise in unemployment. Unless you happen to think those things aren’t so bad after all. To do so three

Economy
The Guardian Politics3 Mar 2026

Rachel Reeves claims UK economy can beat forecasts again – is she right? Our writers discuss

The chancellor insists Labour has ‘the right economic plan’ for a world that has become ‘yet more uncertain’ Continue reading...

Economy
The Guardian Politics3 Mar 2026

Reeves’s talk of stability may be misplaced amid Iran war turmoil

Attempt to project calm in spring forecast may be short-lived if living costs and unemployment keep climbing Reeves insists Labour has ‘right economic plan’ Business live – latest updates “This government has restored economic stability,” Rachel Reeves told the House of Commons on Tuesday. Yet the chancellor was speaking just moments after MPs had been hearing from the foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, about plans to evacuate British nationals from the escalating conflagration in the Middle E

PoliticsEconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics3 Mar 2026

‘I’m concerned the Iran war might drive up living costs’: Britons respond to Reeves’s spring forecast

The chancellor’s statement offered little new on tax or spending, but readers voiced concerns about rising costs Business live – latest updates Action to tackle student loan debt, clarity about what the Middle East crisis will mean for the UK economy, cheaper borrowing, more scrutiny of supermarket prices … Readers who took part in a Guardian callout before the spring forecast had plenty of things on their wishlists. In the event there were no major tax or spending measures announced, and some

EconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics3 Mar 2026

Spring forecast: Reeves insists Labour has ‘right economic plan’ as 2026 growth downgraded

Chancellor says she is in close touch with Bank of England governor and is meeting energy companies amid soaring oil and gas prices Business live – latest updates Rachel Reeves insisted Labour has “the right economic plan” for a world that has become “yet more uncertain” as she delivered a spring forecast that downgraded growth for this year. The chancellor was addressing MPs against the backdrop of surging energy prices, as investors fret about the impact of the spiralling conflict in the Mid

PoliticsEconomy
The Guardian Politics3 Mar 2026

UK considers sending Royal Navy destroyer to Cyprus

Defence sources say deployment of HMS Duncan to better protect base on Mediterranean island is under discussion UK politics live – latest updates Middle East crisis – live updates John Healey, the defence secretary, is considering sending a Royal Navy destroyer to Cyprus to help defend British bases there after several apparently hostile drones targeted RAF Akrotiri on the island. Defence sources said a deployment of HMS Duncan, currently in Portsmouth, was under discussion as a way to better

PoliticsDefenceHousing
The Guardian Politics3 Mar 2026

Labour to scrap government power over elections watchdog amid fears of abuse

MPs and campaigners had warned law imposed by Tories could be used by future leaders to ‘undermine democracy’ UK politics live – latest updates Ministers are to repeal powers imposed by the Conservatives that allowed them control over the elections watchdog, after warnings they could be abused by a future government with authoritarian ambitions. Steve Reed, who as communities secretary is overseeing a new elections bill, announced the move to MPs, saying he would “repeal in full the power for

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics3 Mar 2026

‘Boobgate’ tells us nothing about Zack Polanski | Zoe Williams

The anti-Green media were overjoyed when they happened upon this story from the party leader’s former career as a hypnotherapist. In fact, they’re the ones who have been bamboozled We need to talk about boob hypnosis. Did you know that hypnosis can help you make healthier dietary choices, and with the right balance of protein, fibre and positive visualisation, you can become considerably more stacked? Just kidding – I don’t think this actually works and I don’t care what cup size you are. I refe

Environment
The Guardian Politics3 Mar 2026

Trump says ‘special relationship is obviously not what is was’ after Starmer’s refusal to back Iran strikes – UK politics live

US president doubles down on criticism of the prime minister, saying ‘he has not been helpful’ Keir Starmer has often been praised previously for his ability to maintain a relationship with the volatile US president but on Monday in the House of Commons, the prime minister expressed doubt about the US action in Tehran and its legality. “We all remember the mistakes of Iraq, and we have learned those lessons. Any UK actions must always have a lawful basis, and a viable thought-through plan,” he

Politics