UK faces £35bn hit and risk of recession this year over impact of Iran war, thinktank warns

Niesr says even under best-case scenario, economy would grow at slower pace in 2026 and 2027 because of conflict

Britain is facing a 35bn economic hit and the risk of a recession this year as the fallout from the Iran war adds to the pressure on Keir Starmer's government, a leading thinktank has warned.

The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (Niesr) said that even under a best-case scenario the UK economy would grow at a much slower pace this year and next because of the Middle East conflict.