The US dollar has fallen, extending a two-day slide against other major currencies, asDonald Trumppressured Republicans to back his sweeping tax bill.
The US president visited the Capitol to persuade lawmakers to support what is known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Traders are also cautious ahead of the Group of Seven finance minister talks in Canada, where US officials could angle for a weaker dollar.
The greenback is down by 0.5% against a basket of major peers.
Goldman Sachs economistJames Moberlyis predicting a rise in UK headline inflation to 3.5%. He explained:
What does this mean for interest rates?Moberly said:
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Inflation in the UK is expected to have risen back above 3% last month, reflecting higher household bills.
The consumer prices index is forecast to have risen by 3.3% in the 12 months to April, up from 2.6% in March, according to economists polled by Reuters. The figures from the Office for National Statistics are due at 7am BST.
There is an unusually wide range of forecasts, from 2.7% to 3.6%. The core rate of inflation, which strips out volatile energy and food costs, is predicted to have risen to 3.6% from 3.4%.
Many household bills go up in April every year, from council tax to energy and water, but this year the picture is complicated by the impact of higher national insurance contributions for employers, and by the late timing of Easter. This year, people talked about “Awful April”.
Julien Lafargue, chief market strategist at Barclays Private Bank, said:
AsRachel Reevestravels to Banff in Canada for a two-day summit of the G7 finance ministers and central bank governors, she said:
The UK government has been boosted by three trade deals struck within the last fortnight – with the US, the European Union and India.
The chancellor is expected to meet with the US treasury secretary,Scott Bessent, for the first time since the US-UK trade deal (which, unlike the free trade agreement with India, is not a full trade deal). The UK treasury said it paves the way for further negotiations on tariffs to secure benefits across our economy – such as a future technology partnership between the two countries.
Reeves is also due to meet Canada’s finance minister,François-Philippe Champagne, for the first time since the Canadian election, with the chancellor welcoming Canada’s leadership during its G7 presidency in areas like tackling financial crime and supporting the strong ties between the UK and Canada on trade and economic security.
The Agenda
7am BST: UK inflation for April
G7 two-day meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors in Canada