The British pound was little changed just above $1.35 as investors awaited UK Chancellor John Healey’s first major speech on Monday, ahead of next month’s budget announcement. Oil prices moved closer to seven-week highs after the US struck three Iranian oil tankers over the weekend, destroying one, and Tehran threatened to establish a new restricted zone outside the Strait of Hormuz. The rise in oil prices has helped drive a global bond selloff, leaving UK gilts (British government bonds) particularly exposed. Separately, UK firms increased full-time hiring in August for the first time in four years, according to a closely watched REC survey, a labor-market indicator that will be monitored by Bank of England policymakers assessing employment strength. Lloyds data also showed UK house prices fell year-on-year for the first time since November 2023.