New measures announced to help tariff-hit British firms amid ambitious plans to foster closer ties with EU The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has set out the case for far-reaching changes to global trade and economic agreements, admitting that Donald Trump’s tariffs will have a “profound” effect on the UK and world economies that require a strong international response. In her first significant intervention since the US president caused chaos on the global financial markets by announcing huge levies on imports to the US, Reeves says in a column for the Observer that she is “under no illusion about the difficulties that lie ahead”. Continue reading...

Vice-chancellors urge Office for Students to provide more clarity to protect students and academics from abuse A ruling by the higher education regulator for England on freedom of speech breaches at the University of Sussex has sparked anxiety in the sector, as vice-chancellors scramble to review their policies to avoid potential violations. Two weeks after the Office for Students (OfS) handed out a record £585,000 fine, many university leaders are still not clear what it means in practice. Continue reading...

February GDP rise bigger than forecast but impact from Donald Trump’s tariff war yet to come * Business live – latest updates The UK economy unexpectedly expanded by 0.5% in February, according to official figures, in a boost for Rachel Reeves before an expected downturn triggered by Donald Trump’s tariff war. Reversing a modest fall in January, the increase in gross domestic product in February could mark the last period of expansion before the threat of a global trade war dampens business investment and consumer spending. Continue reading...

Nearly every share on index rose after fall in value of pound helped multinationals listed in London