Business & Economy

Published: 03 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. UK businesses operating in the Middle East have been warned of escalating cyber threats from Iran. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) emphasised that companies with offices or supply chains in the region face an almost certain risk of indirect cyber attacks. Despite the devastating US-Israeli bombing campaign, which significantly weakened Iran’s leadership and resulted in the death...

Published: 03 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. UK businesses operating in the Middle East have been warned of escalating cyber threats from Iran. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) emphasised that companies with offices or supply chains in the region face an almost certain risk of indirect cyber attacks. Despite the devastating US-Israeli bombing campaign, which significantly weakened Iran’s leadership and resulted in the death...

Published: 03 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. The Gulf shipping crisis has deepened after leading maritime insurers cancelled war risk cover across the region. The decision follows intense airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, which have sharply escalated tensions in the Middle East. The cancellations have shaken global shipping markets and triggered fresh concern among traders and governments. Industry experts warn that...

Published: 03 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Rachel Reeves faces a defining moment as Middle East conflict rattles fragile economic optimism across Britain. The Middle East conflict has sent energy markets soaring, threatening her plans to tame inflation and revive growth. Economists warn that rising oil and gas prices could quickly derail the stability she hopes to project today. As the Chancellor prepares her spring...

Published: 02 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Oil prices surged sharply on Monday as the escalating Iran war rattled global financial markets. Investors reacted swiftly after coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel intensified tensions across the Middle East. The sudden spike in oil prices and the slump in major stock indices signalled deep anxiety about the global economy. Traders fear prolonged disruption to...

Published: 02 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. UK house prices rise in February as the property market shows renewed resilience. The latest figures suggest confidence is returning after months of caution. Fresh data from Nationwide Building Society indicates steady momentum across much of the country. Buyers appear less anxious about sudden fiscal shocks than last autumn. The average home now costs £273,176, marking a modest...

Published: 02 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. The UK hotel data sharing probe has sent ripples across the global hospitality sector this week. Britain’s competition watchdog has launched a formal investigation into three of the world’s largest hotel groups. The inquiry centres on concerns that competitively sensitive information may have been shared between rival firms. Regulators stress that no conclusions have yet been reached. However,...

Published: 02 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. The debate over OBR reform has intensified as the spring forecast approaches. An unusual alliance of thinktanks is urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to rethink the powers and purpose of the Office for Budget Responsibility. They argue that without meaningful OBR reform, Britain risks underinvesting in its future at a critical economic moment. The intervention comes just days before...

Published: 27 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. The British hobby landscape experienced a seismic shift this morning following a major corporate announcement. Hornby has officially sold its iconic slot car brand, Scalextric, for a total of £20 million. This landmark deal marks the end of an era for the historic Kent-based model manufacturer. The buyer is Purbeck Capital Partners, a firm led by a highly...

Published: 27 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Households across Great Britain are being urged to review their energy deals, as experts suggest potential savings of over £200 a year. The price cap, which limits how much suppliers can charge for electricity and gas, is set to fall by seven percent from April, offering a timely opportunity for those on default tariffs to switch. Consumer advocate...