What's happened
UK exporters and manufacturers face challenges from increased costs and delays caused by Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
Why it matters
The disruptions are leading to higher shipping costs, delays, and shortages, impacting various sectors and potentially contributing to inflation in the UK economy.
What the papers say
The British Chambers of Commerce highlighted the significant impact on UK businesses, while The Times emphasized the disruptions causing knock-on effects like cashflow difficulties and component shortages.
How we got here
Since November, Houthi rebels have targeted container ships in the Red Sea, rerouting vessels and increasing shipping costs, affecting over half of UK exporters and manufacturers.
More on these topics
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The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. The connection to the ocean is in the south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden.
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The British Chambers of Commerce is the national representative body of 52 Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK. The Chambers represent 75,000 businesses in all sectors, ranging from small start-ups to multinational companies.
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William Worthington Bain Jr. was an American management consultant, known for his role as one of the founders of the management consultancy that bears his name, Bain & Company.
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northÂwestern coast of the European mainland.