UK inflation ‘to hit 18%’ as energy bills rocket; recession fears hit markets – as it happened

Rising cost of living is entering the stratosphere" says Citi, which forecasts energy price cap could rise to 5,816 per year in April.

Barristers have voted to begin striking indefinitely from next month, in the latest industrial action to hit the UK.

The Criminal Bar Association, which represents advocates in England and Wales, has announced that 80% of voting members had backed escalating their industrial action in their ongoing dispute over government funding.