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Politics live: Reeves to unveil crackdown on ‘profiteering’ firms exploiting Iran war amid surge in prices

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Politics live: Reeves to unveil crackdown on ‘profiteering’ firms exploiting Iran war amid surge in prices
Starmer loses his cool with Tory MP whilst being grilled on Iran conflict

Rachel Reeves will unveil a crackdown on companies exploiting the crisis in the Middle East in a bid to protect working people from “unfair price rises”.

The chancellor will lay out plans to MPs in the Commons for an “anti-profiteering framework” to catch firms raising prices unfairly during the Iran war.

She is also expected to call for a more diverse mix of energy sources to protect the public against voilatile oil and gas markets.

It comes following an emergency Cobra meeting on Monday, when Ms Reeves met with Sir Keir Starmer to address the economic impact of the Iran war.

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The effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, crucial to the world’s oil supply, has sent prices spiralling – although they fell on Monday after Donald Trump claimed that talks were taknig place with Iran to end the conflict.

Also on Monday, Sir Keir said Britain must be prepared for the Iran war to continue “for some time”.

In a statement following the Cobra meeting, Downing Street said: “The Chancellor set out the steps she will take tomorrow [Tuesday] – in a statement to Parliament – that will help protect working people from unfair price rises.”

Motorists should not drive slower because of Iran oil crisis, minister

Motorists should not drive slower nor buy fuel differently because of the Iran oil crisis, an energy minister has said.

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Michael Shanks was asked by Times Radio if drivers should change their habits as a result of the oil restrictions caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

He told the broadcaster: “They should do everything as absolutely normal because there is no shortage of fuel anywhere in the country at the moment. We monitor this every single day, I look at the numbers personally. There’s no issue at all with that.”

Mr Shanks added: “People should go about their business as normal. That’s what the RAC and the AA have said. It’s really important people do that.

“There’s no shortage of fuel and everything is working as normal.”

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Asked directly if drivers should slow their speed, Mr Shanks replied: “Look genuinely, people shouldn’t change their behaviour or their habits in the slightest.”

The US continues to target Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz
The US continues to target Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz (US Centcom)

Tara Cobham24 March 2026 07:28

Starmer to give Competition and Markets Authority ‘further teeth’ to protect customers

Sir Keir Starmer said on Monday he was looking at giving the Competition and Markets Authority “further teeth” so it can better protect customers.

As part of that, Downing Street said the Government will not hesitate to give the CMA and other regulators “time-limited, targeted powers” if needed. The Treasury, Department for Business and Trade and regulators are working “at pace” on what those powers could be.

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Bryony Gooch24 March 2026 07:10

No 10: Reeves to ‘crack down on companies if they exploit’ Iran war

Chancellor Rachel Reeves, governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey and energy secretary Ed Miliband gave updates on the economy regarding the crisis in the Middle East in a Cobra meeting on Monday.

They stressed that de-escalation and ending the Iran conflict was “the best thing we can do for the economy”, Downing Street said in a readout.

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“The Chancellor set out the steps she will take tomorrow – in a statement to Parliament – that will help protect working people from unfair price rises.

“She spoke about a plan to detect and crack down on companies if they exploit the crisis in the Middle East. This will take the form of a new anti-profiteering framework which will help regulators like the CMA to root out price gouging.”

Bryony Gooch24 March 2026 07:00

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Andy Murray breaks relationship rule after admitting wife Kim ‘doesn’t want to see him’

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Wales Online

Andy Murray retired from tennis in 2024 and has been spending more time on the fairways instead of at home

Andy Murray was spotted on the golf course with wife Kim Sears at the weekend, breaking a rule that he believes she set for their relationship.

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The former tennis great previously said he believes his wife prefers him to be out of the house and on the fairways himself. Sears’ appearance on the course alongside their dog Bonnie therefore goes against the rule he claimed on the Romesh Ranganathan Show.

Discussing how his wife feels about his consistent appearances on the golf course, Murray said: “I don’t think she wants me in the house all day bothering her, to be honest. So, yeah, she’s fine with it, so long as I help drop-off and pick-up [the kids to and from school].

“I don’t think she massively wants to see me during the day. [At least] That’s what I think.”

It seems that the pair were enjoying a child-free date at the weekend as Murray posted a photo to his Instagram story of Kim sitting on the fairways grinning. The ex-tennis star’s partner posed for the camera alongside Bonnie with some casual wear on, including a hooded sweatshirt, jeans and a pair of sunglasses.

Murray put one red love heart emoji above the picture, showcasing his love for his partner and his pet. The pair share four children together – Sophia, ten, Edie, seven, Teddie, five, and Lola, four.

However, the couple look to have sent their kids elsewhere as they enjoyed a quiet weekend together. Murray has been enjoying sharpening his golf game since retiring from tennis and admits he has considered a career switch.

He said: “I’m considering becoming a golf caddie, hopefully for a professional golfer at some stage. I love golf and if you love that sport, it would be a great job.

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“If you are working with a top golfer and being there when they have a great moment on the course, and feeling like you can help a little bit with decisions and things like that, I think it would be a brilliant job.”

In fact, Murray also seems to want to test himself on the greens as well. He added: “I want to try and play in the regional qualifying [of The Open] at some stage.

“A couple of my friends have done it, and it would just be a fun thing to do if you got to the level where you’re able to do that, I would do it, but I certainly don’t think I would have any chance of qualifying for The Open.

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“I’m fully aware of how good the players that play in those events are and how good the pros are in comparison to amateurs. Even guys that play off +2, 3 [handicap] are miles off what these guys are.”

It seems that wife Kim would support her husband in pursuing a golf career, especially if his words are anything to go by in terms of getting peace and quiet at home.

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The free text that could save you hundreds on your bills

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The free text that could save you hundreds on your bills

Experts at TotallyMoney are urging everyone with a mobile phone to text ‘INFO’ to 85075 ahead of potential price rises in April.

The text is free and it allows you to find out if you are out of contract and free to leave.

James McCaffrey, from TotallyMoney, explained: “With April just around the corner, there’s a lot of talk about mobile contract price hikes – and with mentions of inflation-linked rises, percentage increases, and new Ofcom rules, it all sounds more complicated than it should be. 

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Why Martin Lewis wants everyone to know this phone number


“The simple way to find out if you can switch providers and start saving money is to text ‘INFO’ to 85075. Shortly after, you’ll receive a message from your provider to let you know if you’re still in contract, or if you’re free to leave. 

“Switching is easier than you might think, with the process usually completed within one working day. Shop around by going direct to providers and using comparison sites, and once you’ve found a better offer, sign up and your new provider will take care of things – including transferring your number. 

“Before you commit, check the network coverage in your area and where you work, and don’t forget to check roaming charges if you travel abroad. And remember, if you switch and you’re not happy, you’ll have at least two weeks to cancel without paying a penalty.” 

Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has also previously encouraged viewers to text ‘INFO’ to 85075.

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Mr Lewis also advised everyone to switch to cheap Sim-only deals, which can be found on price comparison websites, while finding a low-price network that uses the same signal as your current network.

02, EE, Vodafone and Three are the main signal providers, with cheaper mobile providers, such as Tesco and GiffGaff, using their signal.

If you text ‘PAC’ to 65075 you can get your PAC code and give that to your new network, requesting that your mobile number be moved across to your new company.

The Money Saving Expert added: “You send the text and you may well get a message back that says ‘we are very sorry to hear that you want to leave so here is your PAC code but, by the way, we can offer this deal if you are willing to stay’. I have heard it could be way less than half price.”

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Mum in row with Housing Association after garden turns into ‘hazardous swamp’

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Jade McLellann first reported problems last year – but says her landlord Larkfield Housing Association has allowed the problem to get worse.

A mum-of-two is battling her housing association after drainage issues turned her dream garden into a “hazardous swamp”.

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Jade McLellann first reported problems last year – but says her landlord Larkfield Housing Association has allowed the problem to get worse. She says her children, one and four, are unable to play outside – and the flooding has even destroyed some of their toys.

Jade says the garden looks like a ‘swamp’ and the home is also plastered with mud inside. She says she eventually gave up battling the brown sludge after spending countless hours cleaning because she says she’s ‘just wasting’ her time.

Jade, of Greenock, said: “Before I moved here I was in a flat, so I thought, ‘this is great, my wee boys are going to have a place to play.

“My oldest was just turning a year, and it was a great garden. But now all his toys are in the bin because they all got ruined.

“It’s heart-breaking watching the place where my kids should be able to play turn into a swamp because basic repairs haven’t been done.”

Her sons are confined to the house while at home because of the potential health risk Jade feels the garden poses. She said: “My youngest wee boy was in and out of hospital at birth. I’ve always got the fear ‘what if he puts something in his mouth? I don’t know what’s in that’.

“He’s restricted to the living room, and that’s not fair – in his own home. My kids should have access to my full house, but they don’t, because it’s not safe.”

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She said access is also an issue because when it rains flood water can form at the back steps. Jade said: “Obviously my youngest would be in my arms, but I can’t take my four-year-old through that to get out. It wouldn’t be safe at all.

“I’ve had to constantly paint, and all my flooring needs replaced. Everything’s minging.”

The problem dates back to last May but Jade says that at the time it ‘wasn’t anything crazy’. Nonetheless, she reported it to Larkfield Housing Association, but says she wasn’t seen until October.

Eventually the garden was assessed, and an attempt was made to drain the pipes underneath it using a jet wash – but that flooded the garden so badly that water got into the house.

Jade added: “They said that the garden needed to be ripped out and replaced because the pipes underneath were broken. I didn’t hear anything from October until January, and someone came out pm January 15. I was under the impression at that point they were coming to replace the garden, because that’s what I was told in October.

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“As soon as he stood on the garden, he said that the ground has collapsed and there’s no way to fix it. I’ve then been fighting since January until now to get them to sign off on the works.”

Another jet wash was attempted – but again it made things worse, with Jade describing it as ‘a very silly choice’.

She said: “When I wasn’t in, they let themselves in and did it anyway, which then caused my kitchen to be flooded, as well as creating a big puddle on the path. The path was completely gone because of how much water there was left.

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“I was told that they would attempt to drain the water when they did the works. I was told that they plan to do it four more times before the repairs are done. And I’m thinking ‘absolutely not, because you’re making it more of a hazard’.”

A spokesperson for Larkfield Housing Association said: “We are sorry a quick resolution for this surface water drainage system issue has not been possible.

“This is a complex repair involving a number of contractors and agencies – including the local authority, who are carrying out their own investigations alongside ours.

“We have been working closely with our tenant to ensure they receive all available support while this repair work is ongoing, and have been taking necessary measures to ensure safe access to their home, such as jet washing steps and pathways to keep them clear.

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“Civil works are arranged to take place in early April to repair the damaged pipework, and we will continue to provide all support while we work with our partners to get this resolved as soon as possible.”

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More sightings of the Northern Lights with stunning bright colours

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The northern lights shining bright in the night sky with bright green colours in the lower part of the sky and purples higher up

When charged particles from the Sun are guided by Earth’s magnetic field towards the poles, they collide with gases high in the atmosphere.

Each colour tells its own story, and on a clear night, the sky above becomes a window into the science of our atmosphere.

As they do, they release energy as light. The colour that appears depends on two things: which gas is hit and how high up the collision happens.

From the familiar greens of oxygen collisions to the exceptionally rare blues of nitrogen far below, every aurora is a unique display shaped by the Sun, Earth’s magnetic field and the gases that surround our planet.

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London travel news LIVE: Mildmay line part suspended and Piccadilly line hit by severe delays

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London travel news LIVE: King’s Cross St Pancras rail disruption after earlier Bedford–Luton incident

There is currently no service on the Mildmay line between Willesden Junction and Clapham Junction due to a faulty train at Shepherd’s Bush. The rest of the line is running normally, and tickets are being accepted on London Underground and bus services via reasonable alternative routes.

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York mum’s Sian Longhorne’s success with Mi Little Bakes

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York mum's Sian Longhorne's success with Mi Little Bakes

Mi Little Bakes was founded by Sian Longhorne, a former Human Resources manager who worked more than 20 years with the NHS.

The mum made the switch when she was off sick from her role, during which her young daughter was diagnosed with autism.

This led Sian to cut her NHS hours to one day a week to focus on her caring commitments.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Little Blondie Bakehouse in Walmgate voted Press Best Bakery

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However, the mum launched Mi Little Bakes, named after her children Mila and Isaac, after she found baking was a way to unwind during a time of challenge.

The business specialises in brownies, cookies, biscuits, cupcakes and bespoke celebration cakes, with a focus on seasonal flavours and supporting local independent suppliers wherever possible.

Sian hard at work in her fulfilling career

Mi Little Bakes reports strong support from the local community, including Sian’s first ever market stall selling out in less than two hours.

This confirmed a market need, leading her to expand with seasonal treat boxes, mixed bake boxes and bespoke celebration cakes, all marketed through social media and ordered directly via direct message.

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Community involvement remains an important part of the business. Mi Little Bakes has worked closely with the local school attended by Sian’s children, gifting treats for parents during Christmas performances.

Sian has also donated a proportion of sales to the National Autistic Society and she previously supported Macmillan, with stall fees from her first market donated to the charity.

Sian said: “I never imagined Mi Little Bakes would be as successful as it has been in its first nine months. I’m incredibly grateful to my customers and everyone who has supported me, and proud of myself for taking the leap. This business allows me to be present for my children while still having something that challenges and fulfils me.”

Running Mi Little Bakes involves early mornings, late nights and plenty of organisation, with baking fitted around school routines and family life.

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From testing new flavour combinations to designing cake toppers while bakes are in the oven, Sian balances creativity with the practical realities of running a small food business from home.

Looking ahead, Sian says she plans to continue growing Mi Little Bakes at a sustainable pace, focusing on refining her core skills, understanding her customers and offering seasonal products throughout the year.

For more information, follow Mi Little Bakes on Instagram at @milittlebakes or on Facebook.

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Thieves target York’s McArthurGlen Designer Outlet

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Thieves target York's McArthurGlen Designer Outlet

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Politics latest: Reeves to unveil crackdown on ‘profiteering’ firms exploiting Iran war amid surge in prices

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Politics live: Reeves to unveil crackdown on ‘profiteering’ firms exploiting Iran war amid surge in prices

Angela Rayner tells Starmer to ‘pick more fights’

Politics reporter Athena Stavrou writes:

Angela Rayner has urged the prime minister to “pick more fights” to win back voters, as she issued fresh criticism of Sir Keir Starmer.

The former deputy prime minister, who has widely been seen as a potential successor to Sir Keir, warned voters are “impatient for change” in a speech at a fundraising dinner on Monday night.

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Urging the government to take stronger action to fix systems voters feel are “rigged against them”, she said: “They feel that nobody understands and cares about the difficulties they go through. And this isn’t just people who you would naturally associate with struggling, naturally associate with poverty.

“But these are professional people, people that are working really hard, people that have got two, three jobs and they’re still not able to get to the end of the month with their wage packet.”

According to The Telegraph, she added: “And they need to know they’ve got a government on their side, and they’re impatient for change and I understand their impatience. So I think we have to pick more fights, personally.”

The intervention comes less than a week after she warned Labour was “running out of time” to deliver change and cannot “go through the motions in the face of decline”.

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Maryam Zakir-Hussain24 March 2026 08:25

Iran uses proxies to make attacks abroad hard to detect, intelligence committee chair says

The chair of Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee said the Iranian regime uses proxies for its attacks abroad to make it difficult for police to detect.

Labour peer Kevan Jones told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “In our report in 2025, we highlighted the Iranian regime, whether it be the IRGC (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps) or Iranian security services, do attack dissidents and target the Jewish community, and they do that increasingly, not directly, but through proxies.”

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He agreed when asked if Iranian use of proxies makes it hard for police, adding: “Because what you are dealing with here is not necessarily just organised crime groups, but also people who are just paid.

“It is an approach which the Russians are using. For example, the attack last year on the warehouse in East London, many of those individuals who are not directly linked to any organised crime groups, are just paid money.”

He said: “It is quite clear the Iranians don’t care about what you call collateral damage if people were harmed. I would caution, though, with this attack, that the group that’s claimed credit for it, Ashab al-Yamin, is a new group. It only appeared in March. It’s claimed responsibility for attacks on Jewish schools in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, for example.”

The former MP for North Durham, now known as Lord Beamish, also highlighted the threat to the Jewish community from right-wing extremism.

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He said: “The Jewish communities are increasingly under threat from homegrown, UK based right-wing groups as well.

“Whether it’s Iranian involvement, or whether it’s extreme right-wing terror, they just want to create confusion, mistrust and fear in the Jewish community, and ensure communities are divided.”

Tara Cobham24 March 2026 08:11

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Minister rejects calls for further North Sea drilling

A government minister has rejected calls for using more oil and gas from the North Sea amid calls to approve further drilling in an effort to reduce energy prices.

The Conservatives are set to force a vote in the Commons demanding new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea to help tackle soaring fuel prices, branding the ban “sheer lunacy”.

But energy minister Michael Shanks said doubling down on fossil fuels would be “the absolute wrong lesson” to learn from the outbreak of war in the Middle East.

“Our future lies in building a clean power system that breaks us away from the volatility of fossil fuels,” he told the BBC. “It gets us off this roller coaster. More than half of the economic shocks this country’s faced have been caused by fossil fuel crises around the world. We’re determined to insulate households from that in the future that means moving away from fossil fuels building a clean power system protecting households and bringing down bills.”

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Tara Cobham24 March 2026 08:04

Starmer warns UK must be prepared for lengthy conflict in Middle East

Though the US pause on strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure calmed markets and saw oil prices ease back, Sir Keir Starmer said Britain must be prepared for the Iran war to continue “for some time” on Monday.

Donald Trump had threatened to obliterate Iranian power plants if Tehran did not open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping by 11.45pm on Monday, and then said he would “postpone” the strikes after “very good and productive” talks with Tehran.

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But Iranian officials have denied any such negotiations took place.

Sir Keir Starmer appearing at the Liaison Committee (PA Wire)

Tara Cobham24 March 2026 07:54

‘Nothing is off the table’ when it comes to energy bills support, minister says

Political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:

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A minister has insisted the government will “fight people’s corners” as Rachel Reeves weighs up plans to implement support for British households in the wake of the war in the Middle East.

The chancellor is set to outline plans to guard against unfair price rises in a statement to MPs on Tuesday, following an emergency Cobra meeting on Monday afternoon.

Energy minister Michael Shanks said that minister’s have “left nothing off the table”, as he discussed further support that might come into place.

“We also know that we might need to introduce further support,” he told Sky News. “We are three weeks into a conflict, it’s changing very rapidly. We will continue to monitor what’s happening.”

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When asked if it would likely be targeted rather than universal support, he said: “ I think most people would accept that when we’ve got limited public financing, looking at targeting that to people who need it the most is probably an important thing for us to look at.

“But we also want to make sure we don’t miss people in that, because often means testing things does miss those people who are just on the edge.”

Tara Cobham24 March 2026 07:47

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UK was not involved in Iran-US peace talks

Political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:

The UK was aware, but not involved, in the most recent talks between the US and Iran to end the war in the Middle East.

The US president insisted that “very good and productive” discussions on ending the war were taking place — a claim which has since been labelled as “fake news” by the Iranian parliament speaker, who said there had been no talks.

Energy minister Michael Shanks told Sky News that the government was “aware that the talks were happening”, but said it was not a part of them.

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“I think in truth, we’ll see how these play out over the coming days,” he said.

 “But obviously we’ve been really clear, anything that leads to de escalation of this conflict is welcome. Diplomacy is really important, so if there are people having these conversations that can only be a good thing.”

Tara Cobham24 March 2026 07:46

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Reeves to outline plans to protect public from unfair price hikes

Rachel Reeves will outline plans to guard against unfair price rises amid fears among the public over surging oil and fuel prices sparked by the Iran war.

The Chancellor will make a statement to MPs after laying out her plans to the Prime Minister and colleagues in an emergency Cobra meeting on Monday afternoon.

Those will include an “anti-profiteering framework” to detect and crack down on companies exploiting the Middle East crisis and help the Competition and Markets Authority root out price gouging.

It comes after Sir Keir Starmer said he was looking at boosting the competition regulator’s powers, giving it “further teeth” to deal with profiteering.

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This could involve giving regulators “time-limited, targeted powers” and the Treasury, Department for Business and Trade and regulators were said to be working “at pace” on what those powers could be.

The Chancellor is also expected to tell the Commons that Britain needs a diverse mix of energy to shield the public from volatile fossil fuel markets and stress the importance of not letting “blockers” get in the way of boosting Britain’s nuclear power supply.

Ms Reeves will announce that she is exploring government-backed indemnities for critical energy security projects so construction can continue if a project is legally challenged.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves leaves her official residence at 11 Downing Street in London on Monday
Chancellor Rachel Reeves leaves her official residence at 11 Downing Street in London on Monday (Reuters)

Tara Cobham24 March 2026 07:45

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Motorists should not drive slower because of Iran oil crisis, minister

Motorists should not drive slower nor buy fuel differently because of the Iran oil crisis, an energy minister has said.

Michael Shanks was asked by Times Radio if drivers should change their habits as a result of the oil restrictions caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

He told the broadcaster: “They should do everything as absolutely normal because there is no shortage of fuel anywhere in the country at the moment. We monitor this every single day, I look at the numbers personally. There’s no issue at all with that.”

Mr Shanks added: “People should go about their business as normal. That’s what the RAC and the AA have said. It’s really important people do that.

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“There’s no shortage of fuel and everything is working as normal.”

Asked directly if drivers should slow their speed, Mr Shanks replied: “Look genuinely, people shouldn’t change their behaviour or their habits in the slightest.”

The US continues to target Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz
The US continues to target Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz (US Centcom)

Tara Cobham24 March 2026 07:28

Starmer to give Competition and Markets Authority ‘further teeth’ to protect customers

Sir Keir Starmer said on Monday he was looking at giving the Competition and Markets Authority “further teeth” so it can better protect customers.

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As part of that, Downing Street said the Government will not hesitate to give the CMA and other regulators “time-limited, targeted powers” if needed. The Treasury, Department for Business and Trade and regulators are working “at pace” on what those powers could be.

Bryony Gooch24 March 2026 07:10

No 10: Reeves to ‘crack down on companies if they exploit’ Iran war

Chancellor Rachel Reeves, governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey and energy secretary Ed Miliband gave updates on the economy regarding the crisis in the Middle East in a Cobra meeting on Monday.

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They stressed that de-escalation and ending the Iran conflict was “the best thing we can do for the economy”, Downing Street said in a readout.

“The Chancellor set out the steps she will take tomorrow – in a statement to Parliament – that will help protect working people from unfair price rises.

“She spoke about a plan to detect and crack down on companies if they exploit the crisis in the Middle East. This will take the form of a new anti-profiteering framework which will help regulators like the CMA to root out price gouging.”

Bryony Gooch24 March 2026 07:00

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NASA Artemis II Astronauts enter 14-Day quarantine as moon rocket reaches launchpad

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NASA’s Artemis II crew entered quarantine on March 18 whilst the massive moon rocket completed its journey to the launchpad a day later

A groundbreaking chapter in space exploration is set to unfold as NASA’s Artemis II mission has achieved a significant milestone. On the evening of Thursday, March 19, the colossal moon rocket made its way to the launchpad for a second attempt, whilst the astronauts preparing for the voyage monitored proceedings via screens from their isolation quarters.

The rocket concluded its trek from the Vehicle Assembly Building to LC-39B, wrapping up an approximately 10-hour nocturnal transfer. Concurrently, the Artemis II crew – Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen – all commenced a 14-day isolation period on March 18, with a potential launch window opening as soon as April 1.

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Throughout this isolation phase, medical personnel will conduct health assessments of the astronauts, with additional checks scheduled immediately prior to departure to detect any indicators of potential illness.

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“We choose to isolate the crew for 14 days before a launch because most infectious diseases take 10 to 14 days to be transferred from one person to another,” said Dr Raffi Kuyumjian, the Canadian Space Agency’s flight surgeon.

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This protective environment extends to support personnel, technical staff and relatives who may choose to participate as well.

The crew members will be well-versed in the quarantine process, as this marks their third experience, following two earlier scrubbed launch attempts. Artemis II had been scheduled for a February lift-off, but NASA was compelled to scrap the launch attempt and return the rocket to the Vehicle Assembly Building in Cape Canaveral for repairs after discovering a helium leak, reports the Express.

Engineers have confirmed the problem has been resolved and are optimistic that a final series of tests at the launch pad will allow the rocket to blast off in early April.

NASA is targeting 6.24pm Eastern Daylight Time on April 1 – 11.24pm UK time – for Artemis II’s initial launch attempt. Back-up launch windows are available on April 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 if the first date proves unsuccessful. If all these opportunities pass, the month’s final launch window will fall on April 30.

The mission encompasses a 10-day crewed journey that will transport four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft, which will function as the exploration vehicle.

It will mark the first human lunar flyby since Apollo 17 in 1972, laying the groundwork for Artemis III, which seeks to land astronauts on the Moon’s surface once again.

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Miami Open: Jannik Sinner breaks Novak Djokovic’s record for consecutive sets won at ATP Masters 1000 events

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Jannik Sinner celebrates after his win at the Miami Open

Jannik Sinner surpassed Novak Djokovic’s 10-year record for most consecutive sets won at ATP Masters 1000 events by dismantling Frenchman Corentin Moutet at the Miami Open.

Italian world number two Sinner, 24, recorded his 25th and 26th straight sets at the sport’s highest level of tournaments below the Grand Slams in a commanding 71-minute 6-1 6-4 victory.

Sinner had equalled 24-time major champion Djokovic’s previous record of 24 straight sets won in beating Damir Dzumhur in his opening match.

“I am very happy. This sport is unpredictable, so we try to keep attention as much as we can and we’ll see what is coming in the next round,” Sinner said.

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Sinner, a four-time Grand Slam winner, has triumphed at the past two Masters 1000 tournaments – winning at Indian Wells earlier this month and Paris in November – without losing a set.

The former world number one was dominant from the start against Moutet, winning 19 of the first 26 points of the match before taking the first set in 22 minutes.

Sinner then clinched his fourth break point to end Moutet’s resistance in the fifth game of the second set before serving his way to victory untroubled.

He will meet American Alex Michelsen in the last 16 as he seeks to continue his bid to become the first man to complete the ‘Sunshine Double’ – winning Indian Wells and the Miami Open back-to-back – since Roger Federer achieved the feat in 2017.

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