More than a third of Brits surveyed say the budget last week made them more concerned about the state of the UK’s economy.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled his spring statement in the House of Commons last week in light of rosier economic projections and within the government’s self-imposed fiscal rules.

He focused on childcare reforms, pensions and business investment but the OBR warned the nation’s tax burden will peak at a post-war high of 37.7 per cent of GDP in 2027-28.

People are also more concerned than reassured about their finances, Ipsos polling found.

Gideon Skinner, from Ipsos, said Brits realised “external factors are also to blame” but added that many still blame the Conservatives “for at least some of Britain’s economic difficulties”.

Meanwhile a separate poll for Opinium finds more than twice as many voters would prefer a Labour government led by Keir Starmer to be running public services … Read more

Equities in Canada’s busiest market was still feeling around for the bruises as the week limped to an end, as industrial and energy losses overcame gains in metal and resource stocks.

The TSX declined 151.29 points to end Friday at 19,387.72, for a loss on the week of 387 points, or 1.96%

The Canadian dollar edged lower 0.08 cents to 72.79 cents U.S.

Among industrial stocks which headed lower, TFI International subsided $4.83, or 2.9%, to $159.20, while Canadian Pacific lost $3.04, or 2.8%, to $106.36.

Energy stocks wavered, too, with Athabasca Oil falling 18 cents, or 6.1%, to $2.78, while Precision Drilling faltered $3.95, or 6%, to $62.09.

Financials lost ground, with Power Corporation of Canada ditching $1.40, or 4%, to $33.84, while National Bank slipped $3.17, or 3.3%, to $93.91.

Gold put up a good fight, with Torex Gold jumping $1.89, or 10%, to $20.80, while Wesdome Gold … Read more

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More than 1,000 Passport Office workers will go on strike for five weeks over a dispute about jobs, pay and conditions, unions say.

Members of the Public and Commercial Services union working across England, Scotland and Wales will take part in the action from 3 April to 5 May.

The union warned of delays to applications and the delivery of passports in the run-up to summer.

Those working in Belfast are being balloted and could join the strike.

BBC News has contacted the Home Office for a response.

More than 4,000 people are employed by the Passport Office across the UK, meaning that according to the union figures around one in four workers will be walking out.

The offices affected in England, Scotland and Wales will include Durham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Newport, Peterborough and Southport.

At peak times – including the month of April when the strike will take place … Read more

Monday

U.S.

Featured Earnings

PDD Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:PDD) (Q4) Reported EPS of $1.00, compared to 92 cents in the prior-year quarter

Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE:FL) (Q4) Reported EPS for 52 cents, compared to $1.67 in the prior-year quarter.

Reata Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:RETA) (Q4) Reported EPS for loss of $2.21, compared to loss of $2.35 in the prior-year quarter.

Canada

Featured Earnings

Ascot Resources Ltd. (T.AOT) (Q4) Reported EPS for loss of 0.2 cents, compared to loss of one cent in the prior-year quarter.

Tuesday

U.S.

Economic Lookahead

Existing home sales (Feb.)

Featured Earnings

Nike Inc. (NYSE:NKE) (Q3) Reported EPS for 51 cents, compared to 87 cents in the prior-year quarter.

Tencent Music Entertainment Group (NYSE:TME) (Q4) Reported EPS for 12 cents, compared to six cents in the prior-year quarter.

On Holding AG (NYSE:ONON) (Q4) Reported EPS for loss of seven cents, compared to a loss of 65 cents in the … Read more