Business

President Trump announced that the US blockade of Iranian ports is proving effective, urging Tehran to “just give up” amid escalating tensions. Iran’s Parliament Speaker dismissed the blockade’s impact, stating it has only increased global oil prices, while tensions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to disrupt markets.

The UK’s leading business lobbying group, the CBI, is calling for a major reset in relations with the EU, saying the current post-Brexit setup is “no longer fit for purpose”. Ahead of a UK-EU summit on 19 May, the group has urged both sides to rebuild trust and take “practical steps” to reduce red tape, ease staff mobility, and coordinate on climate, defence and energy.

The UK economy grew by 0.7% in the first quarter of the year, outpacing expectations and marking a stronger start to 2025 than analysts had predicted. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that growth was primarily driven by a resilient services sector, alongside significant gains in industrial production.

From our sponsors
Advertisement
Advertisement