Morning Briefing: Wednesday 19 August 2026
- Energy bills: Inflation rose to 2.9 per cent in July, driven almost entirely by the 13 per cent jump in the energy price cap that added £221 to the typical annual bill. Food inflation eased to 1.3 per cent, so the squeeze is concentrated in heating and power for now.
- Mortgages: A global bond sell-off has pushed UK 10-year gilt yields close to a 19-month high, keeping the cost of new fixed-rate mortgages elevated even as the Bank of England weighs a further cut. Borrowing stays dear for now.
- Petrol: Iran fired missiles at the UAE and the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remains in force, holding Brent crude near $91.50. Pump prices are likely to stay high while the Gulf standoff continues.
UAE Says Iran Fired Two Missiles as Trump Rejects Talks
The United Arab Emirates said Iran fired two ballistic missiles towards the country on Tuesday, one landing inside its territorial waters, in the first such attack since May; no casualties were reported. A nationwide alert warned residents…
Israel Bombs Syrian Airbase to Block Turkey, Drawing US Rebuke
Israel carried out eight air strikes on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria’s Idlib province, saying the operation was intended to stop Turkey deploying troops there; Syrian media reported no casualties. It was Israel’s first strike on Syria…
Kushner and Netanyahu Talks End Without Gaza Ceasefire Commitment
More than four hours of talks between Jared Kushner and Benjamin Netanyahu ended without a firm commitment to the US 15-point ceasefire plan for Gaza, which the Israeli prime minister rejected earlier this month. Mr Netanyahu called the pr…
Drone Kills Worker at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant, IAEA Says
A drone exploded at a bus stop used by staff of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, killing one worker and injuring around 15 others, the International Atomic Energy Agency said. The plant’s director called it the worst incide…
Zambia's Hichilema Wins Second Term Amid Observer Concerns
Zambia’s president, Hakainde Hichilema, won a second term, the electoral commission said, taking about 61 per cent of the vote against 38 per cent for his main challenger, Brian Mundubile. International observers, including the European Un…
Inflation Climbs to 2.9% as Energy Bills Jump
Inflation rose to 2.9 per cent in the year to July, up from 2.6 per cent and its highest since March, official figures showed. The increase was driven almost entirely by the 13 per cent rise in the energy price cap on 1 July, which added £…
Burnham Pledges Route Off Streets for Rough Sleepers by Christmas
The prime minister, Andrew Burnham, launched a national drive to offer every rough sleeper “a route off the streets” by Christmas, backed by an extra £102m for medical care, addiction support and charities. He called for a “Covid-style” wi…
Burnham Declared Nearly £350,000 in Donations Before Taking Office
Andrew Burnham declared close to £350,000 in donations in his first register of interests as prime minister, covering the weeks before and after he entered Downing Street. The largest sum, more than £164,000, came from the Labour peer Lord…
Davey Urges UK to Join EU Migration Pact on Small Boats
The Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Ed Davey, called for the UK to join the European Union’s Migration and Asylum Pact, arguing that being outside it leaves Britain “vulnerable to traffickers” and unable to return small-boat arrivals. Members…
Demand for Degree Apprenticeships Quadruples in Three Years
Demand for degree apprenticeships in England has quadrupled in three years, according to official figures, as school leavers weigh the cost of university against earning while they learn. Around 40 per cent of undergraduate applicants, som…