Each year, the start of April brings a familiar and unwelcome pattern for households across the UK. Often dubbed "Awful April," the beginning of the new financial year sees a range of essential bills increase simultaneously.
Every week brings fresh claims about AI transforming the workplace. A CEO declares a revolution.
For years, HMRC has signalled its intention to modernise the tax system. After several delays, Making Tax Digital (MTD) is finally moving from theory to reality — and for anyone with self‑employment income, rental income, or both, the shift will be significant.
At first glance, pensioners in the UK might appear to be getting a better deal this year. The state pension has risen again, offering what looks like a welcome boost to incomes at a time when living costs remain high.
Further vital air defence support for Gulf partners has been confirmed by Defence Secretary John Healey MP as he visits the Middle East. Vital air defences from the UK are being deployed to the Middle East to further support Gulf partners from Iran's aggressive missiles and drone attacks which continue across the region.
Oil markets have seen a sharp shift today, with prices falling back after recent highs. Brent crude, the global benchmark, has dropped to around $100 per barrel, easing slightly after a period of intense volatility.
New minimum wage rates come into force from 1 April, following Low Pay Commission recommendations. Increased rates of the National Minimum Wage, including the National Living wage came into force from 1 April 2026.
The UK and Belgium have signed an MOU that will see Belgium invest over five years in UK expertise to develop world-class mission data collection and exploitation. UK and Belgium sign Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to help Belgium develop its own mission data capability.
The government is investing an additional £4.5 million in the LawtechUK programme over the next three years. £4.5m guaranteed for LawtechUK over the next three years.
We're facing a wartime economy emergency, and Rachel Reeves is saying nothing. No reassurance - No plan - No action.
Millions of people are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots for advice on everything from cooking to tax returns. Increasingly, they are also asking chatbots about their health.
CMA aims to create greater choice for UK businesses and public sector at pivotal time of advances in AI. Board decides to launch strategic market status investigation into Microsoft's business software ecosystem.
Resilience Room meets to discuss impacts on goods and services. The Scottish Government's Resilience Room (SGoRR) met this evening (Tuesday 31st March) to consider the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on Scotland’s people and businesses.
Over 1.9 million people now better supported to find good, secure jobs as the Government moves customers off outdated benefits and on to Universal Credit Two benefits to be closed as part of the Government's successful ‘Move to UC' campaign, modernising the welfare system Vulnerable customers to be supported in the move to Universal Credit as deadline to close income-related Employment and Support Allowance and Housing Benefit extended. The migration of customers from so-called legacy benefits to the country's main benefit recommenced in May 2022, with the campaign helping to move over 1.9 million people, including 135,000 Income Support and income-related Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants.
Families claiming Child Benefit will see an increase in payments from next week. More than 6.9 million families claiming Child Benefit will see an increase in payments from next week.
For decades, US government bonds—known as Treasuries—have been the ultimate safe haven. When markets panic, investors run towards them.
Over the past decade, data centres have quietly shifted from a niche corner of the digital economy to one of the most capital‑intensive sectors on the planet. What began as a steady build‑out of cloud infrastructure has accelerated into a global investment boom driven by artificial intelligence, high‑performance computing, and the insatiable demand for digital services.
Millions of motor finance customers will receive compensation this year under an FCA scheme for those treated unfairly by firms who broke the law by failing to disclose important information. Consumers were denied the chance to seek a better deal and, in some instances, paid more for their loan.
From April 2026, UK travellers will once again see an increase in Air Passenger Duty (APD), the tax applied to all flights departing from UK airports. While often hidden within ticket prices, APD plays a significant role in the overall cost of flying—particularly for long-haul and premium travellers.
Oil markets have once again moved sharply into the spotlight, with prices surging to some of their highest levels in recent years. As of late March 2026, Brent crude is trading in the range of roughly $110 to $117 per barrel—a level well above what most analysts consider "normal." While prices have shown some day-to-day volatility, the broader trend reflects a market under significant तनाव, driven primarily by geopolitical instability in the Middle East.