Pound climbs to second-highest level since Brexit vote – as it happened

Sterling rises above $1.43 ahead of key UK data this week, while rouble stabilises following steep drop earlier. Markets tense after western air strikes on Syria and ahead of anticipated new US sanctions against Russia 2.49pm BST Wall Street has opened higher, as fears of an escalating conflict in Syria faded. 2.27pm BST Since Trump became president in January 2017, the dollar has weakened substantially against most major currencies, including China’s yuan and, until the US sanctions again