Has Rachel Reeves found her inner zen?

If 2025 was tumultuous for the UK economy, Rachel Reeves is certainly seeking to calm the nerves in 2026 with a ‘business as usual’ Spring Forecast. 

As expected, the Chancellor’s statement was low key and light on policy and new announcements.  Despite falling business confidence and pre-speech calls for emergency repairs to the UK economy, the Chancellor avoided any major announcements and stuck to her promise of a single major fiscal event every autumn. 

The OBR figures published alongside did her few favours, with the OBR forecasting yet lower growth and higher unemployment through this year.  Nonetheless, she used the opportunity to replay criticisms of past Conservative governments and canter through her record to date, taking credit for recent reductions in inflation and borrowing, and reiterating that her plan is the right economic plan for Britain. 

Even this morning’s 'sensational poll' that put the Greens ahead of Labour failed to derail her soothing message that the Government has the right plan and is sticking to it. 

The opposition benches were dismayed.  Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride was aghast, labelling it a ‘surrender statement’ and inviting the Chancellor to resign.  Reform UK’s economic spokesperson Robert Jenrick likened the Chancellor to a ‘rogue landlord’ while Lib Dem counterpart Daisy Cooper criticised the Government for failing young people. 

Either way, much will depend on what happens in the Middle East.  As the OBR correctly pointed out, conflict in the Middle East could have very significant impacts on the global and UK economies. 

For those of us working in real estate and infrastructure there was very little to chew on.  The Chancellor revealed that she would be meeting North Sea leaders tomorrow, and later in the month will announce plans to strengthen our EU relationships, unlock the power of AI, and create new economic opportunity across the country.  Immediate reactions spoke warmly of stability alongside missed opportunities. 

So, for now we wait. 

Zen teaches us that patience, or acceptance, is a form of wisdom that gives us inner peace.  Amidst the domestic uncertainty and global strife of 2026, perhaps there’s something there for us all.