1. Spring statement: small impact on surging living costs
The main points of Rishi Sunak's spring mini-Budget were a 5p cut to fuel duty, a 1p cut (in 2024) to the basic rate of income tax, and reduced the VAT on spending for energy-saving home improvements.
2. Footsie retreats as mini-Budget takes centre stage
The FTSE 100 index closed 16.09 points, or 0.22% lower at 7,460.63 on Wednesday.
3. Natwest to enter interest-free ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ sector
Several BNPL companies have emerged over the last few years, with Klarna and Clearpay the more popular ones.
4. Futura Medical climbs on South Korean license agreement
It is teaming up with the local subsidiary of Menarini Group, a large Italian biopharma business.
5. Potash and fertiliser prices rocket on Ukraine crisis
The big producing areas in Eastern Europe, one of the world’s potash powerhouse regions, are all either directly in the firing line of the Russia-Ukraine war, or else impacted negatively by sanctions.