Reeves accused of being tone deaf' on energy prices as Middle East crisis deepens

"Delivering the annual spring statement, the chancellor defended her fiscal policy, saying the government was in a better place to deal with gas and oil price shocks than it was after the last general election amid growing tensions in the Middle East."

"But she was challenged by Labour and opposition MPs over the need to have a plan to cap energy bills if the war escalates further. It came as the Office for Budget Responsibility's report painted a grim picture, warning that economic growth forecasts are down, unemployment is set to rise even higher and net migration is set to go up."

Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the annual spring statement while facing accusations of being tone-deaf regarding energy prices. She defended the government's fiscal policy and claimed Britain was better positioned to handle potential gas and oil price shocks from Middle East tensions than after the last election. Opposition MPs challenged her on the lack of an energy bill cap plan if conflict escalates. The Office for Budget Responsibility released a concerning report indicating economic growth forecasts have declined, unemployment will rise further, and net migration will increase. Reeves attempted to frame the figures positively, asserting the government maintains the correct economic strategy for an increasingly uncertain world.

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