Finance

Published: 18 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online Robert Jenrick, the newly appointed shadow chancellor for Reform UK, has signalled a fresh approach to major economic institutions — promising to support the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and defend the independence of the Bank of England while vowing to end what he described as a “cosy consensus” around fiscal forecasting that has dominated British economic politics...

Published: 18 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves is resisting growing pressure from military leaders and parts of the government to agree to a substantial and immediate boost in defence spending, as debates intensify over how to fund the nation’s armed forces amid rising security challenges. The report says Reeves is sticking firmly to strict Treasury fiscal rules, frustrating defence chiefs and...

Published: 18 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online The United Kingdom’s consumer price inflation rate slowed sharply in the year to January 2026, dropping to 3.0%, the lowest rate in nearly a year, the latest official figures show. The decline from 3.4% in December 2025 marks a continued easing in price pressures on households and is widely expected to influence the Bank of England’s interest rate...

Published: 18 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online The UK Conservative Party has called for a pause and fundamental rethink of the government’s extensive plans to renovate the Houses of Parliament, amid growing concern over soaring costs, long timescales and value‑for‑money issues. The move, confirmed by party leader Kemi Badenoch, marks a significant political challenge to the current restoration project and underscores wider debates about public...

Published: 18 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online In a significant policy announcement on Wednesday, the populist political party Reform UK pledged that it would retain the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) — the United Kingdom’s independent fiscal watchdog — if it wins power in the next general election, aiming to reassure financial markets and the business community. The broadcaster BBC reported the development today as...