Thanks for joining me. Retail sales rose unexpectedly last month as consumers raced to stock up on fuel after the outbreak of the Iran war.  Sales volumes in Britain climbed by 0.7pc in the month of March, according to the Office for National Statistics, having fallen by 0.6pc during February compared to January. Analysts had expected sales to flatline during the month but the ONS said fuel sales were up sharply as retailers reported motorists stocking up ahead of impending price rises. Motor fuel sales leapt by 6.1pc for the month, which was the highest level since April 2021. Motorists are now paying nearly 25p per litre more for petrol since the start of the Iran war, with diesel prices up nearly 50p, according to RAC.…