Eurostat has released updates on EU key economic indicators, including inflation rates, GDP growth, and unemployment data. Recent news highlights include the European Statistics Competition, Sustainable Development progress, and energy statistics publications.

A new IFS report reveals significant flaws in a recent revision by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to its official estimates of household wealth, which subtracts £2.3 trillion from estimates of household wealth in 2018 to 2020. This change, based on a method for valuing private pensions, is deemed fundamentally flawed and possibly further distorts the true picture of household wealth in Britain.

President Donald Trump initiated a process to dismantle the Department of Education by signing an executive order, aiming to shift education oversight to states and parents. The order bans programs from advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, raising concerns about the impact on low-income, rural, and disabled students. The Department of Education is also facing budget cuts and layoffs, with nearly 50% of its workforce planning to leave. Legal challenges are expected, and the future of federal student loans and grants remains uncertain.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 20, 2025, instructing Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the Department of Education. The order faces opposition from teachers' unions and education advocates, who are preparing legal challenges. While funding for key programs will be preserved, the move is seen as politically motivated and could have significant impacts on education and student loan management.

Oil prices saw a 2% increase to above $68 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate and near $72 for global benchmark Brent. This was driven by increased pressure on Iran’s crude exports due to US sanctions, including the sanctioning of a Chinese oil refinery and its CEO for allegedly buying Iranian oil. The sanctions could remove up to 1.5 million barrels per day of Iranian exports from the market. Despite the bullish sentiment, crude oil remains below its mid-January peak due to concerns over energy demand from an escalating trade war and OPEC's plans to raise output starting April. Member nations that have flouted production quotas, including Kazakhstan, Iraq, and Russia, have announced plans to make additional cutbacks, which should offset the group's plans to revive halted output. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is set to extend Chevron's deadline to halt its Venezuela operations for another 30 days.