British consumers cut back on travel spending by 3.3% in March, the first annual decline recorded by Barclays since 2021, as concerns over the cost of living and the ongoing Middle East conflict (which began in late February with US-Israeli strikes on Iran) prompted many to postpone foreign trips or opt for domestic holidays instead. Spending fell across airlines, travel agents and public transport, though hotels and accommodation edged up slightly as Easter domestic bookings rose. Overall consumer card spending grew just 0.9% year on year, with one in seven adults delaying major purchases or building savings buffers ahead of an expected 18% rise in UK energy bills forecast for July.