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Worsening health is only part of the reason for the concerning rise in young people who are neither studying nor workingLaunching a review into unemployment and economic inactivity among young people in December, the former health secretary Alan Milburn described the situation as a “national outrage”, and suggested that a “coalition of the concerned” would be needed to turn things around for the 16- to 24-year-olds known as Neets (not in education, employment or training). The latest figures, showing another increase in the final quarter of last year, to 957,000, underline the scale of the problem.The review is evidence that ministers are paying attention. The “youth guarantee” in the autumn budget means that £820m will be spent on paid work placements for 18- to 21-year-olds. But further bold reforms are needed if young adults are to be enabled to flourish.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be con...

Leading researchers call for sustained investment by governments and policymakers to enable scientific innovations aimed at preventing malnutritionDuring British Science Week, which starts on Friday, we urge government leaders and policymakers to sustain investment in research on nutrition and food systems. Malnutrition remains the leading cause of death among children under five worldwide. It leaves survivors with impairments that limit learning and earning potential, impacting generations and economies. These pressures contribute to instability, migration and conflict. Addressing hunger is both a humanitarian obligation and a strategic investment that promotes growth and stability.However, in the UK, there is a funding grey area. Food policy falls between the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department of Health and Social Care. But food is a driver of health and wellbeing. Sustained investment is essential to enable science that will unlock innovations and develop integrated p...

All World Cup matches to break after 22 minutes of each halfAdverts can be either normal breaks or split-screen version ITV is in talks with its commercial partners about showing adverts during the mid-half drinks stoppages that will take place in every match at this summer's World Cup.Global broadcasters have been briefed on Fifa's stipulations for the three-minute hydration breaks, which will take place after 22 minutes of each half irrespective of the temperature. Continue reading......

Staff for the rich and famous are influencerizing their day-to-day lives, giving followers access to luxury while creating financial safety nets for themselvesVictoria Hiegel, personal assistant to a celebrity client she cannot name because of a nondisclosure agreement, spent 13 February ferrying Valentine's Day cookies across Manhattan. Her boss “doesn't love chocolate,” so Hiegel had to hunt for a bakery that could swap the batch's chocolate chunks for sour hearts. She posted part of her search to TikTok, where she received thousands of views from people keen to watch her cater to the whims of the rich and famous.Hiegel, 26, is a microcelebrity in her own right. Wearing her blond hair in carefully styled waves and speaking with a practised ease, she has obvious star appeal. But it is her career that fascinates her 1m followers. Continue reading......

The $110bn deal will require approval from regulatory authorities in the US, the EU and the UKChampagne reportedly flowed at Paramount Skydance headquarters late last week after the media conglomerate edged out Netflix to acquire the entirety of Warner Bros Discovery for a cool $110bn.And on a call with analysts and investors on Monday morning, David Ellison, Paramount Skydance's chief executive, said the company was “absolutely confident” that the merger will expeditiously pass regulatory muster both in the US and abroad. Continue reading......

Reports of attack on US registered tanker in Gulf lifts crude by 3% to $84 a barrel as gas price also starts to climbBusiness live – latest updatesMiddle East crisis – live updatesStock markets have rebounded in Asia after days of heavy losses driven by the war in the Middle East, but oil and gas prices have continued to climb amid disruption to supplies.South Korea's KOSPI, which posted its biggest ever fall on Tuesday of 12%, rose by almost 10% on Thursday, while Japan's Nikkei climbed by 1.9%. MSCI's Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan jumped by 2.7%. Continue reading......

Experts say Iran war could cause energy price shock that pushes up UK inflation, in turn forcing up interest ratesHSBC, Nationwide and Coventry building societies are the first big UK lenders to announce an increase in rates on their fixed mortgage deals as a result of the Middle East crisis, with brokers predicting others are likely to follow.Experts have said the war could trigger an energy price shock that pushes up UK inflation, which may in turn force the Bank of England to increase interest rates. Continue reading......

Trade court directs customs to repay importers with interest after supreme court ruled tariffs unlawfulA US trade court judge on Wednesday ordered the government to begin paying potentially billions of dollars in refunds to importers who paid tariffs that the supreme court said last month were collected illegally. Richard Eaton, a judge of the US Court of International Trade in Manhattan, ordered the government to finalize the cost of bringing millions of shipments into the US without assessing a tariff, according to a court filing. He ordered the refunds to be made with interest.When merchandise is brought into the United States, an importer pays an estimated amount at entry which is then finalized around 314 days later, a process known as liquidation. Eaton directed Customs and Border Protection to finalize the entry cost on shipments without the tariff being assessed, resulting in a refund. Continue reading......

Government's claim to have lowered bills in jeopardy as households face £160 rise caused by soaring oil and gas pricesMinisters are discussing the possibility of intervening to protect the public against soaring household energy bills if the Middle East conflict drags on.Oil and gas prices have surged since Donald Trump started his bombing campaign against Iran, which has responded by closing off a crucial shipping route through the strait of Hormuz and by attacking regional energy infrastructure. Continue reading......

At least four tankers have been struck by drones and maritime traffic has dropped by 80%, reports sayMiddle East crisis – live updatesIran has in effect closed the strait of Hormuz to oil and gas exports for the past four days with a mixture of drone strikes and fear that has halted commercial maritime traffic despite intense US attacks on Iran's navy.At least four tankers have been struck and Lloyd's List Intelligence reported that seaborne traffic had dropped by 80% on Sunday, with little sign of a return as key maritime insurers cancelled cover the next day. Continue reading......

IG Metall says it will continue fighting for workers' rights despite failing to win majority on employee bodyEurope's largest trade union has said it will continue to fight for the rights of workers at Elon Musk's Tesla factory near Berlin, despite failing in its attempt to secure control of the plant's works council.IG Metall had hoped to gain majority rights on the elected body of employees that negotiates everything from working hours to pay deals with company management. Continue reading......

Bulk of 2025 renumeration came from share bonuses as drug company's now former CEO benefitted from stock riseBusiness live – latest updatesGSK awarded Emma Walmsley a near-50% pay rise to £15.6m in her final year as chief executive of Britain's second-biggest drugmaker.Walmsley, who led the FTSE 100 company from 2017 and handed over to Luke Miels at the start of this year, was paid a salary of £1.4m in 2025, slightly higher than the previous year, while her annual bonus rose to £3.5m, up from £2.9m in 2024. Continue reading......

CMA says it wants to ensure market 'working well for consumers' as figures show one in five seeking private careThe UK's competition watchdog has launched a review into the £8bn private dentistry market after the price of a consultation increased by nearly 25% over a two-year period.One in five people in Great Britain sought private dental care in 2024 in part because they could not access NHS treatment. Announcing its investigation, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it wanted to make sure the market was “working well for UK consumers”. Continue reading......

Japanese carmaker's warning comes as lobby group says EU proposals could damage £70bn cross-channel trade• Business live – latest updatesThe Japanese carmaker Nissan has said it could be forced to close its plant in Sunderland if the UK is not fully included in new “Made in Europe” manufacturing rules proposed by the EU.The UK car industry trade representative group also said it was “gravely concerned” about the proposals it said could damage the £70bn annual cross-channel trade. Continue reading......

Insider says demand is far outstripping supply and calls for creation of air bridges to evacuate people from Middle EastMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesPlanes are always urgently sought out when a crisis strikes somewhere in the world. Since the US-Israel war against Iran started on Saturday, demand has outstripped supply with thousands of people stranded in the Middle East frantically searching for an exit route.While many are reliant on governments to dispatch aircraft to evacuate them, those with the financial means can look at a more expensive and much speedier option – a private jet. Matt Purton, the director of aviation services at UK-based global company Air Charter Service, is the man some of them have on speed dial. Continue reading......

This week's events in the Middle East have sent stock markets plummeting and energy prices soaring. What does this latest economic shock mean for your own finances – from the cost of everyday items to interest rates and investments? Post your personal finance questions for the Guardian's money and consumer editor nowIn a week where Rachel Reeves had hoped to confirm a period of economic stability in Tuesday's spring statement, global events once more overtaken the government's best laid plans. The US and Israel's war on Iran has has shaken global markets and caused huge fears about energy prices and the impact they will have on inflation and the cost of living.Hilary Osborne is the Guardian's money and consumer editor and will be answering questions about wider economic fallout – and any others you might have – live from 1pm GMT here. Please post your questions and discuss the subject below.From petrol to groceries: how Middle East crisis is driving up pricesWizz Air issues profits warning due...

The economic ripples from the US-Israel attacks will soon become waves, engulfing everything from energy prices to food suppliesIn retaliation for the US-Israeli missile attacks, Iran has launched what amounts to all-out economic warfare. Should the conflict continue even for another week, its impacts will start to be felt around the world as the third price surge since the pandemic washes through global markets.For Britain, a further turn of the screw on living standards arrives just as political instability mounts at home, with the Labour and Conservative parties facing existential challenges to their left and right. Continue reading......

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsMiddle East crisis live: Israel launches fresh strikes on Tehran; Iran claims to have targeted Kurdish groups in IraqShares in Wizz Air have fallen by 6% at the start of trading, as traders react to last night's profit warning (see here).Other airlines are down too, with this morning's rise in the oil price threatening to push up their costs. IAG, British Airways' parent company, are down 2.6% while easyJet has lost 2.9%. Continue reading......

Regulator says failures that hit nearly 300,000 customers made worse by utility's failure to maintain efficient supply systemBusiness live – latest updatesSouth East Water has been fined £22.5m by Ofwat for repeated supply failures in Kent and Sussex between 2020 and 2023 that affected more than 280,000 people.While the root cause of the water shortages was extreme weather, the water regulator for England and Wales found that they were “in part attributable to and/or exacerbated by failures by South East Water itself to develop and maintain an efficient water supply system”. Continue reading......

Iranian blockade of the strategic strait of Hormuz is hitting global fertiliser supply chainThe global fertiliser supply chain could face significant disruption if the effective closure by Iran of the strait of Hormuz persists, prompting concerns from analysts about crop production and food security.Passage through the waterway, located off Iran's southern coast, has mostly stopped since the US and Israel launched their attacks at the weekend. Continue reading......