Rachel Reeves faces growing calls to ditch fuel tax hike after Iran war

Mark SavageMusic correspondent Getty Images Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving was one of 2025’s best-selling albums To almost no-one’s surprise, Taylor Swift dominated the UK music charts in 2025. The star’s 12th album, The Life of a Showgirl, was the year’s biggest seller, shifting an impressive 642,000 copies since its release in October. Women…

The 16 host cities across the US, Canada and Mexico have been welcoming an influx of fans and tourists boosting hospitality, hotels and local businesses. But while the Scots drank Boston dry and have won the heart of the city and its people, experts say the long-term economic benefits are minimal. Fifa estimated some $41bn…

The increase for those on variable deals comes as the higher wholesale costs, faced by suppliers, feeds through to bills. The conflict in Iran scuppered Bank of England UK inflation targets of 2% over the next five years. Regulator Ofgem said the war means a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity will…

The government had hit business too hard when it raised employers’ National Insurance contributions in autumn 2024, followed by bigger than expected rises to minimum wage rates, and new employment rights, which had deterred businesses from hiring, investing and growing, he said.