The budget watchdog said that the outlook for inflation would be ‘particularly uncertain’.

The UK’s largest retail business said more than 22,000 of its staff, mainly in stores and distribution, are eligible for significant payouts.

Boss Roisin Currie said that ‘easing inflationary pressures’ should boost consumer spending this year.

The chain, which employs more than 33,000 people, stressed that it has been resilient in the face of a ‘challenging market’.

Tilray Brands, which produces medicinal cannabis and craft beer in the US, bought the BrewDog brand in a £33 million deal.

Qatar’s state-backed energy company stopped liquified natural gas production, driving a roughly 52% jump in European wholesale prices.

International financial markets also opened weaker in the face of the growing conflict between Iran and US-Israeli forces.

Dame Clara Furse is set to retire from the role of non-executive chair in the coming months after nine years.

On Tuesday March 3, Greggs is expected to reveal pre-tax profits of around £173 million for the year to December 27, representing a 9% drop.

Katharine Braddick is to replace Sam Woods as the next chief executive of the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Rightmove also told shareholders that it has seen ‘strong momentum’ so far in 2026.

It comes after Borge Brende acknowledged that he dined with Epstein on three occasions in 2018 and 2019.

The ONS said the number of so-called Neets aged 16 to 24 was reported at 957,00 in the three months from October to December.

It will roll out its new Mac & Wings delivery brand to more than 300 sites across the UK from Tuesday March 3.

In 2020, the John Lewis Partnership first announced efforts to expand into build-to-rent properties.

The FTSE 250 firm saw its share value drop by as much as 7% on Wednesday morning as a result.

The London-based company will be valued at around 8.6 billion dollars (£6.4 billion).

FTSE Russell said in its list of indicative changes that the firms are on track to be replaced by IG Group and Tritax Big Box REIT.

The governor of the Bank of England said on Tuesday he will need to be confident he has seen ‘enough further evidence’ before backing another cut.

The deal will see Meta, which also owns Instagram and WhatsApp, snap up a 10% shareholding in the US semiconductor company.