Chancellor Rachel Reeves says the government is drawing up contingency plans to shield the most vulnerable households if the war in the Middle East drives UK energy costs higher.Reeves warned the full economic fallout is still unclear but promised measures would focus on those most in need, while sticking to borrowing limits and a goal of keeping inflation and interest rates down.Households in...

The Competition and Markets Authority has announced new rules forcing vets to be clearer about what they charge and who owns them.Under the reforms, written prescription fees will be limited to £21 for the first medicine and £12.50 for each additional item.Practices will also need to publish clear price lists for common services such as consultations, routine procedures and cremation. A...

Senior US officials are pressing the European Union to rethink its rules for major tech firms as part of talks over steel and aluminium tariffs in Brussels.Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Europe should make its digital regulations more welcoming to American tech companies if it wants lower US duties on metals.The comments come during negotiations to follow up on a trade framework agreed in...