Five ways the Iran war could affect you – in charts

As the US and Israel continue strikes on Iran, and with retaliatory strikes hitting nearby Middle East states, key shipping routes are being disrupted. Oil and gas production in the region is also being affected. The BBC’s Nick Marsh examines how the war could cause a rise in living costs around the world.

The chancellor has given the clearest indication yet that she wants to give herself more financial breathing space in November’s Budget. Speaking at a gathering of business leaders in Saudi Arabia, Rachel Reeves said she wanted to ensure the UK had “sufficient headroom” to provide resilience against future shocks. The implication is that the £9.9bn…

Matt Gravellingin Barking and Dagenham BBC Volunteers gathered in Barking to spread some Christmas cheer More than 100 volunteers have gathered in an east London community hall to wrap thousands of Christmas presents for children across the capital, with organisers saying for some, it would be the only gift they would get this year. The…

Kevin PeacheyCost of living correspondent Getty Images Policymakers at the Bank of England are widely expected to hold interest rates at 4% following their final meeting before the chancellor’s Budget. Some Bank watchers have suggested that the latest inflation data could strengthen the case for a cut, but most commentators think such a move is…