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180 headlines found — Page 9 of 15

The Guardian Politics26 Mar 2026

NS&I preparing to repay hundreds of millions of pounds over missing savings

Government-backed bank in talks about recompensing about 37,000 people whose money was misplaced UK politics live – latest updates Business live – latest updates National Savings & Investments is preparing to repay hundreds of millions of pounds to its customers over missing savings, in what is expected to be the single biggest payout in the bank’s 160-year history. The government-backed savings institution is in discussions with the Treasury to recompense about 37,000 people whose money has

PoliticsEconomy
The Guardian Politics25 Mar 2026

Fifteen new councils to be created in south and east of England

New unitary councils will replace 43 counties and districts under latest round of local government overhaul Fifteen new councils will be created in the south and east of England under the latest round of a major local government overhaul, aimed at boosting economic growth and accelerating mass housebuilding plans. The new unitary councils will replace 43 counties and districts across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Hampshire, with hundreds of councillors’ roles axed. A decision on future arrangement

PoliticsEconomyHousing
The Guardian Politics25 Mar 2026

‘Doge of the left’ could save UK taxpayers up to £30bn, says new green thinktank

Report by Verdant says rooting out waste, fraud and tax avoidance would save money that could help improve public services A “Doge of the left,” could save up to £30bn a year for taxpayers by rooting out waste, fraud and tax avoidance, according to the first report from a new green thinktank. Launched amid growing interest in the future manifesto of Zack Polanksi’s Green party, the Verdant thinktank will be co-chaired by James Meadway, a former adviser to Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell,

EconomyEnvironment
The Guardian Politics25 Mar 2026

UK inflation held at 3% before global energy price hit from Iran war

February annual rate in line with analysts’ expectations but outlook has shifted because of effects of conflict The UK inflation rate was unchanged at 3% in February, before Donald Trump’s Iran war drove up global energy costs, threatening a renewed price jump. Official figures showed the consumer prices index (CPI) remained at 3%, in line with economists’ expectations but still well above the government’s 2% target. Continue reading...

EconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics24 Mar 2026

UK offers to host international security summit on reopening strait of Hormuz

Defence chiefs have been discussing how to unblock the conduit for about a fifth of the world’s oil supplies The UK has offered to host an international security summit to draw up a “viable, collective plan” to reopen the strait of Hormuz as economic fallout from the Iran conflict continues. Defence chiefs have been discussing how they might unblock the vital shipping lane, through which about 20% of global oil supplies usually pass, amid the Middle East crisis unleashed by the US and Israel. C

EconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics24 Mar 2026

Reeves slips into yoga voice to try to soothe fears over costs of Trump’s war | John Crace

The chancellor was meant to set out her contingency plans but it was an announcement without any announcements in it You have to feel a bit sorry for the chancellor. Roughly four weeks ago, Rachel Reeves had come to the Commons to deliver her spring statement. A moderately upbeat picture of the nation’s finances that didn’t necessarily coincide with people’s lived experience. Still, it more or less did the trick. Bought her another six months until the autumn budget. Or so she thought. Now, than

PoliticsEconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics24 Mar 2026

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

What the chancellor could do to counter the economic impacts of Iran war, from stopping price gouging to cancelling fuel duty rises Reeves rules out universal support on energy bills Business live – latest updates Rachel Reeves updated MPs on Tuesday about the steps the government was taking to cushion the impact of the Iran war on consumers and the UK economy. The chancellor stopped short of announcing specific immediate support but said she was contingency planning for the tough months ahea

PoliticsEconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics24 Mar 2026

No fuel shortage in Britain, says minister, as Reeves prepares to set out economic response to Iran war – UK politics live

Energy minister Michael Shanks reassures drivers ahead of chancellor’s statement to MPs Good morning. At lunchtime Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, will give a statement to MPs that will cover what the government is doing, and (more tentatively) might do, in response to the soaring global energy prices caused by the Iran war. After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, also creating a global energy shortage, the Conservative government ended up spending £40bn supporting families and firms with energy bi

PoliticsEconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics23 Mar 2026

Starmer signals support for household bills next winter amid energy price shock

PM indicates he would prefer to focus taxpayer-funded help on poorest households, rather than universal bailout Ministers are looking at providing support for household bills next winter, Keir Starmer said, as he suggested the energy price shock unleashed by the Iran conflict could continue for months to come. The prime minister indicated he would prefer to focus any taxpayer-funded help on the poorest households, rather than an expensive universal bailout, ahead of an emergency meeting on the e

Economy
The Guardian Politics23 Mar 2026

Ministers tell HS2 to consider slower train speeds to cut costs

Company will assess whether drop to 186mph from 224mph will save money and help bring forward launch Ministers have told High Speed Two to consider running its trains at lower speeds, in an attempt to rein in the spiralling budget and begin operations as soon as possible. HS2 Ltd will assess whether limiting the speed to 186mph (300km/h) instead of 224mph could save money – potentially billions of pounds – and bring the railway into being earlier in the 2030s. Continue reading...

EconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics23 Mar 2026

A war and maybe an unprecedented depression: it’s Trump’s mania, but now all of us will pay the price | Polly Toynbee

It had been possible to observe this presidency in abstract terms, but no more. The consequences of the Iran attack will affect our lives and our politics Nothing has changed. Yet. But we stand on the edge of inevitable economic cataclysm, such as not seen in our lifetimes. It’s an odd, hold-your-breath moment, waiting for what the International Energy Agency (IEA) says is now certain to happen: an energy crisis so critical it will be the equivalent of the two oil crises in 1973 and 1979 and Rus

PoliticsEconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics23 Mar 2026

Trump rows back on strait of Hormuz threat – what next? | podcast

The US president has extended by five days his deadline to ‘hit and obliterate’ Iran’s power stations and energy infrastructure if Tehran does not allow shipping to move freely. Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss what is behind this change of tone and the impact the uncertainty will have on the cost of living in the UK. Plus, with just over six weeks until the local elections, they talk through what to watch as the results come in Continue reading...

PoliticsEconomy