News 02/04/26

Oil prices have surged past $100 per barrel following Donald Trump’s address to the nation.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, jumped from $99 to $106 after the speech. Trump blamed the rise on Iran, saying it was “entirely the result of the Iranian regime launching deranged terror attacks against commercial oil tankers and neighbouring countries that have nothing to do with the conflict.” He added the spike in energy prices would be short term.

The UK will pursue closer economic ties with the European Union in light of the war in Iran, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

The prime minister told a news conference he would use a summit later this year to seek greater cooperation on the economy and security. Relations between the UK and the United States have been strained by his refusal to be drawn further into the conflict. Sir Keir warned the war would impact the UK but said the government was taking action to ease the cost of living.

The government has withdrawn an offer to create one thousand additional doctor training posts in England after the British Medical Association refused to call off a planned six day strike.

The posts were part of wider proposals to resolve the long running dispute with resident doctors. Sir Keir Starmer had set a forty eight hour deadline for the walkout to be cancelled if the union wanted to keep the offer. The strike was announced after talks over pay and job shortages broke down.

Petrol and diesel prices in the UK rose more in March than in any previous single month, according to the RAC.

Higher wholesale energy costs linked to the US Israel war with Iran have led to record increases per litre. Petrol rose by twenty pence and diesel by forty pence since the conflict began. The rises follow sharp increases in crude oil prices after disruption to production and transportation through the Strait of Hormuz.

New government rules aim to protect consumers from falling into subscription traps.

People will be reminded before free or discounted trials end, and before contracts of twelve months or more automatically renew. Companies will also be required to make it easier for customers to cancel subscriptions online rather than face delays on phone lines. The measures are expected to come into force next year.

Teachers are calling for an end to censorship in school libraries, warning it should raise concerns.

The National Education Union says the issue follows claims a school in Salford removed dozens of classic titles. Reports say more than one hundred and thirty books were targeted, including well known works, and that the librarian involved later resigned.