Evening briefing Monday 30th March

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0:35This is the Times Radio evening briefing for Monday 30th March. The Prime Minister has told business leaders that tackling the economic impact of the Iran conflict must be a joint effort. As talks with energy, shipping and banking firms got underway at Downing Street, it said the government can't do it on its own. It's not our war, but it is our duty to protect British citizens. Particularly their concern will be not just the escalation of the war, but this sense that it's going to hit them and their families and their households. and I think probably most of their minds at the moment is energy bills, petrol and also food prices.

1:11The price of Brent crude has risen again today and it's now up by 59 % so far this month. The RAC says petrol and diesel prices have reached their highest level since the end of 2022. It says Downing Street says forecourts are well stocked and motorists should fill up as normal. But a former government advisor has told Times Radio measures to preserve fuel may be needed. Adam Bell is a partner with consulting firm Stonehaven. The Prime Minister says that there's no need for any voters to do anything different yet. That's probably quite optimistic. I think certainly in other territories we've seen measures like asking people to go slower, asking people to work from home if they can, to reduce the demand for fuel, at least in the short run.

1:50If the war continues, then by the middle of the month, the Prime Minister will start saying, well, perhaps some volunteer measures might be appropriate. President Donald Trump has held what he called great progress towards a deal with Iran, but in a social media post he warned he could obliterate Karg Island if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened. An Iranian official has described American proposals for a deal as unrealistic, illogical and excessive and said Tehran would continue to defend itself. Here in the Financial Conduct Authority says the holders of more than 12 million car finance agreements could receive an average of£829 in compensation.

2:24The watchdog has set out details of a redress scheme for customers who are missold loans. It says millions of consumers will be compensated this year, with most of the rest paid by the end of 2027. Chief Executive Nikhil Rattu says those affected should complain to their lenders now. The scheme is proportionate for consumers and for firms, and it brings certainty to everybody, the firms and their investors and consumers. It puts£7.5 billion into people's pockets, with millions of people getting payments in 2026, especially at a moment when household bills are rising. The BBC radio presenter Scott Mills has been sacked after allegations about his personal conduct.

3:04The corporation says the longtime DJ is no longer contracted and has left. It's understood he was taken off air from his Radio 2 programme last week. Here's Times Radio's Cara Bentley. The Mirror, who first reported the story, say that they understand that the allegation relates to a historical relationship dating back more than 10 years. And in a statement to BBC staff, Lorna Clark, the director of music, said, I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock. I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity. You can follow the Times Radio News Briefing on Spotify and listen live to Times Radio Online.

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