Unemployment predicted to continue rising to 5.3% as chancellor says she is meeting energy firms amid soaring oil and gas prices

Rachel Reeves’ upcoming spring forecast has not led to slowdown, as property tax rumours did in November

The chancellor is under pressure to keep energy prices down

The chancellor is under pressure to keep energy prices down as stock markets tumble across the UK and Europe

Chancellor’s statement comes amid backdrop of economic and geopolitical turmoil, including gas prices at three-year high

Unemployment predicted to continue rising to 5.3% as chancellor says she is meeting energy firms amid soaring oil and gas prices

The forecasts were made before the conflict in the Middle East broke out

Growth forecast cut again and unemployment to rise as chancellor warned economy risks big hit from Iran war – but Reeves insists ‘plan is right’