Rachel Reeves had promised to deliver a nothing-to-see-here spring forecast this week, an event to be celebrated for its uneventfulness. After war erupted in the Middle East, however, Tuesday’s statement was more striking for what the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer failed to say.
The conflict with Iran cleaves together two of the biggest challenges facing Britain: defense and energy. The government promises to deliver more ships, troops and armaments — just not today. Energy prices have soared, threatening to undermine the entire forecast that Reeves announced to parliament — but she included no plan B.
“What was more important ...
