News in Review Wednesday 18th March 2026

In this week’s News in Review – UK economy shows no monthly growth per ONS data, oil prices are fluctuating and the latest on the mortgage and housing market

Key takeaways:

  • The UK economy unexpectedly flatlined in January following a growth of 0.1% in December
  • The price of Brent Crude increased by around 9% on Thursday, back above the $100-per-barrel mark
  • The housing market outlook is mixed, mortgage rates have increased and some residential mortgage products removed