Slower UK interest rate cuts likely as some mortgage providers hike rates; oil and gas prices rising again – business live

<p>Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/05/cost-of-living-qa-post-your-questions-for-money-expert-hilary-osborne-now"><strong>Cost of living Q&amp;A: post your questions for money expert Hilary Osborne now</strong></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/mar/05/iran-war-latest-updates-canada-carney-trump-israel-tehran-strikes">Middle East crisis live: Israel launches fresh strikes on Tehran; Iran claims to have targeted Kurdish groups in Iraq</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/05/globalisation-under-threat-britain-economy-iran-conflict"><strong>Globalisation is under threat from Iran war – and Britain is uniquely vulnerable</strong></a></p></li></ul><p><strong>European markets have dipped in early trading, as the recovery in Asia-Pacific markets fails to ripple round to Europe.</strong></p><p>The pan-European <strong>Stoxx</strong> <strong>600</strong> index is down 0.3%, with losses in Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Madrid and London.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2026/mar/05/wizz-air-profits-warning-iran-travel-middle-east-crisis-airlines-china-diesel-gasoline-exports-news-updates">Continue reading...</a>