There are gloomier economic data to start the day, as inflation rose even more than expected in March. The consumer price index jumped to 7% – a new high of 30 years – as the war in Ukraine pushed prices higher. The percentage increased from 6.2% in February and exceeded expectations of 6.7%. The growth came from widespread price increases throughout the economy, including dining, furniture and clothing, as well as energy and food. Inflation is set to get even worse as the price ceiling begins to rise this month, putting pressure on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to do more to help troubled households.

5 things to start your day with

  1. Restaurant workers lured with free discounts on prosecco and fitness at war for talent Companies struggling to hire staff amid rising vacancies
  2. Wind turbines set new record for Plus energy: Shell to develop ‘blue’ hydrogen plant in UK to boost carbonation
  3. ‘Imposing’ number of foreign acquisitions threatens to hurt economy, warns Schroders More than half of British companies that have disappeared from the stock market have been bought by foreign buyers
  4. British Airways tries to chase the cabin crew with the 1,000 Golden “welcome bonus” Golden hellos offered to licensed staff amid long delays in inspection
  5. Sky Accelerates Satellite Dish Collapse Puck will allow viewers to watch all channels online

What happened overnight

Asian stocks were higher on Wednesday, amid hopes that US interest rate cuts could ease after new data showed signs of slowing inflation. The benchmarks rose at the beginning of trading in Japan, South Korea and Australia, while they fell in China. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index jumped 1.4% in morning trading to 26,703.18 points. Australia’s S & P / AS 200 rose 0.2% to 7,465.30. South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.7% to 2,686.14. Hong Kong Hang Seng fell 0.2% to 21,276.10 points, while Shanghai Composite fell 0.6% to 3,194.69 points.

He is coming today

Corporate company: Tesco (full year results), PageGroup, PZ Cussons (transaction statement) Economics: Consumer Price Index (UK), Producer Price Index (UK), Retail Price Index (UK), Trade Balance (China)