The week ahead
With a rather bleak forecast, this week is set to be dominated by increasing concern about the cost of living, alongside diplomatic discussions relating to supporting Ukrainian refugees.
The EU interior ministers are set to meet on Monday to discuss the coming refugee crisis. In the UK, the treasury committee will be questioning chancellor Rishi Sunak and the Office for Budget Responsibility about last week’s spring statement.
On Tuesday, the UK will host a service of thanksgiving for the late Duke of Edinburgh, just one day before the 20 year anniversary of the Queen Mother’s death.
Wednesday will see the release of the Office of National Statistics report on the cost of living crisis. Meanwhile, the deputy governor of the Bank of England Ben Broadbent will deliver a speech on the bank’s Monetary Policy Committee, hosted by the NIESR think tank.
On Thursdays, Nato’s secretary general will present its annual report
It may be April fools on Friday, though the higher energy price caps coming into effect are no joke. This will also be when corporate and government financial statements are released, exposing the extent of inflationary pressures.