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UK households bracing for new cost of living crisis, report finds

UK inflation, as measured by the consumer prices index, [rose to 3.3% in March](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/22/uk-inflation-rises-soaring-fuel-prices-iran-war), up from 3% in February and well above the Bank’s 2% target. Consumer-facing businesses such

'I don't want the children to see how worried we are': UK family finances hit by Iran war

UK inflation, as measured by the consumer prices index (CPI), [rose to 3.3% in the year to March](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cre1rwz3019t?post=asset%3A6ad659e3-fa67-447e-92cd-2c1d12e3d310#post) - up from 3% in the 12 months to February - after the Iran war caused

Less bread and WFH Fridays – what Pret boss knows about our habits

consumers. Pret's latest accounts, for 2024, show like-for-like sales were up 2.8%. But overall it made a heavy loss after a £500m writedown linked to a reassessment of the company by owner

UK economy records surprise 0.3% growth in first month of the Iran war

affecting activity for businesses and consumers as badly as expected, despite [soaring oil and gas prices](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/30/oil-price-news-highest-since-2022-us-iran-ceasefire-strait-of-hormuz) due to the closure of the strait of Hormuz. The GDP reading ties in with some

UK electric car sales leap ‘could be hit by Iran war inflation and energy price rises’

inflation, higher energy prices and the resultant negative impact on the cost of living”. Overall, the jump in car registrations last month reflected a rebound from an unusually weak April last year, after consumers

UK unemployment unexpectedly rises to 5% as firms squeezed by Iran war

consumers are fearful of rising inflation](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/11/uk-households-brace-cost-of-living-crisis-pwc-survey-consumer-confidence) and are [cutting back on discretionary spending](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/12/uk-households-cut-spending-barclays-credit-card-iran-war), while businesses have reported [sharp rises in input costs](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/07/uk-construction-firms-experiencing-sharpest-cost-rise-30-years). However, figures from

JD Sports warns Iran war could hit consumer spending and raise prices

consumer demand should input cost inflation emerge.” JD does not expect an increase in sales this year, excluding the impact of acquisitions, after recording flat sales in the three months to the end of April

UK firms in ‘critical financial stress’ jump by a third as costs rise, report finds

affected, up from 45,416 the previous year. Begbies Traynor, which is one of the UK’s biggest insolvency practitioners, placed some of the blame on the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, for [a series

I was left with an £8,000 vet bill when my insurer cancelled my pet policy

UK households own a pet, and over the last two years BBC News has reported in detail about the rising cost of vet care, hearing from some who have even taken their pets abroad

Reeves to promise free summer bus rides for children and food tariff cuts in living costs package

affected by another round of rising food prices and energy bills. And yet the support announced today will primarily benefit those who are better off, with the richest fifth of households gaining more than twice

Could key climate talks mark ground zero in global push to ditch fossil fuels?

inflation that will raise interest rates and add to the cost of servicing debt. Both rich and poor nations are feeling the impact, but the poor with their [higher levels of debt and lower reserves