As the conflict in the Middle East<\/a> threatens Gulf refineries and shipping, economists have warned that the chancellor\u2019s plan to tackle inflation will be threatened.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s spring statement will give the latest update from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR<\/a>), but will not contain policy measures.<\/p>\n Ms Reeves will insist that the government has the \u201cright economic plan<\/a> for the country\u201d. <\/p>\n It comes as Donald Trump launches a fresh attack on Keir Starmer, stating that he is \u201cvery sad\u201d to see that the relationship with the UK \u201cis obviously not what it was\u201d.<\/p>\n In an interview with The Sun, the US President warned that Britain was \u201cnot such a recognisable country\u201d anymore. <\/p>\n The prime minister over the weekend said he would not allow US jets to deploy from UK bases to undertake the strikes on Iran. <\/p>\n Starmer has defended the decision, saying it was his \u201cduty to judge what is in Britain\u2019s national interest.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/a>Watch: Ed Davey slams \u2018washed up old footballers and tax exiles\u2019 in Dubai seeking UK protectionEd Davey slams \u2018washed up old footballers and tax exiles\u2019 in Dubai seeking UK protection<\/p>\n Maryam Zakir-Hussain3 March 2026 10:09<\/p>\n <\/a>Irish premier says UN Security Council has been ‘paralysed’ for years<\/p>\n Micheal Martin has said the UN Security Council has been “paralysed” for “many years”.<\/p>\n Reiterating criticism of the UN that he made yesterday, the Irish premier said: “The UN is an urgent need of reform, and the Security Council, as it’s currently constituted, is not fit for purpose because of its composition.”<\/p>\n Speaking to the media ahead of a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, he said there is “no question” US strikes on Iran took place without a UN mandate.<\/p>\n Maryam Zakir-Hussain3 March 2026 10:00<\/p>\n <\/a>Zack Polanski accuses Keir Starmer of jumping into ‘another Middle East illegal war’Zack Polanski accuses Keir Starmer of jumping into ‘another Middle East illegal war’<\/p>\n Harriette Boucher3 March 2026 09:45<\/p>\n <\/a>What will Reeves say in her spring statement? <\/p>\n Rachel Reeves\u2019 spring statement is expected to be a low-key affair lasting only 20 minutes in the commons on Tuesday. <\/p>\n The government has said it will restrict itself to one \u201cfiscal event\u201d each year, meaning the chancellor is not due to unveil any policy measures. <\/p>\n Instead, she will use the speech to say that the economy is \u201cstronger and more secure\u201d and insist the government has the \u201cright economic plan for the country\u201d.<\/p>\n She will point to falling inflation and interest rates cuts as government successes.<\/p>\n Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, the chancellor will say: \u201cThis government has the right economic plan for our country in a world that has become yet more uncertain.<\/p>\n \u201cStability in the public finances, investment in infrastructure and reform to our economy.<\/p>\n \u201cBuilding growth not on the contribution of a few people or a few parts of the country, but in every part of Britain with a state that doesn\u2019t stand back, but steps up.\u201d<\/p>\n Her statement comes amid a growing crisis in the Middle East, which economists warn could see energy and fuel prices rise.<\/p>\n The chancellor is expected to stress the importance of economic stability in an increasingly uncertain world.<\/p>\n Harriette Boucher3 March 2026 09:23<\/p>\n <\/a>Starmer’s limited involvement in Middle East not an attempt to ‘pander to Muslim voters’, says Jones <\/p>\n Darren Jones has denied suggestions that the government\u2019s limited involvement in the Middle East was because the prime minister was \u201cpandering to Muslim voters\u201d. <\/p>\n He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: \u201cWe’re obviously in discussions with the Americans about their operations, but the key point is, we are not militarily involved in the wider conflict in the Middle East, we are involved in a very discreet and narrow way to defend British interests, British citizens and British armed forces.\u201d<\/p>\n The prime minister\u2019s chief secretary said: \u201cThe UK will act in the interests of British citizens, regardless of their faith or where they are in the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the public would rightly say they don’t want to be involved in a wider war in the Middle East, but they would expect us to do whatever we can to defend British citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n Harriette Boucher3 March 2026 09:05<\/p>\n <\/a>Starmer stands by refusal to join Iran strikes after Trump lashes out at UKStarmer stands by refusal to join Iran strikes after Trump lashes out at UK<\/p>\n Harriette Boucher3 March 2026 08:59<\/p>\n <\/a>Jones responds to Trump’s criticism of US-UK relations<\/p>\n Darren Jones has responded to the latest criticism from Donald Trump, insisting that the relationship between the US and UK \u201cis important\u201d and \u201cwill continue to be\u201d. <\/p>\n The US president told The Sun that the relationship with the UK \u201cis obviously not what it was\u201d. <\/p>\n Asked whether the relationship had changed, the chief secretary to the prime minister told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: \u201cThe UK-American relationship is important. It has been for a long time and will continue to be, and we’re working in collaboration right now in the Middle East on defensive action to protect British citizens.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the president’s frustration, from the way he’s articulated it, has been that we were not involved in the initial American and Israeli strikes in Iran, but as the prime minister said to the House of Commons yesterday, we will only engage British armed forces when it’s in British interests with a clear plan and on a legal basis.<\/p>\n \u201cWe’re now doing that for defensive action, but we’re not going to be getting involved in a wider conflict in the Middle East.\u201d <\/p>\n Harriette Boucher3 March 2026 08:50<\/p>\n <\/a>Iran war could cause rise in energy prices and inflation, former chancellor says<\/p>\n A former Tory chancellor has warned that the Iran war could push up energy costs and inflation. <\/p>\n Jeremy Hunt told Sky News that his rule of thumb as chancellor was \u201cif international oil and gas prices go up by 20 per cent, that’s 1 per cent higher inflation and half a percent lower growth. And you cannot ignore that kind of impact on the economy.\u201d<\/p>\n He said the government would have to react to the events in Iran if the unrest continues. <\/p>\n Mr Hunt said that while there was \u201cdefinitely a calmer backdrop\u201d than previous statement by the chancellor, we are in a \u201cvery unpredictable world\u201d and the UK is \u201cmore exposed\u201d than other countries in rising energy prices.<\/p>\n Harriette Boucher3 March 2026 08:44<\/p>\n![\"Irish](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/004743989d8928ead70945505def62c5Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzY4ODMyNjk5-2.82933333.jpg\")
Irish premier Micheal Martin (PA) (PA Media)<\/p>\n![\"Darren](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/36f8e81233c90bf62ede6320ed74b06bY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzcxOTc2MDAy-2.83136597.jpg\")
Darren Jones (PA Wire)<\/p>\n
![\"Ed](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Statement-Middle-East-Prime-Minister-P_26_072-7_70892.jpeg\")
Ed Davey (House of Commons)<\/p>\n![\"Robert](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Reform-UK-press-conference-whjaguqn.jpeg\")
Robert Jenrick (Stefan Rousseau\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n