UK stocks gain on consumer staples, defence; budget borrowing report lifts sentiment

UK stocks rose on ‌Wednesday, ​lifted by consumer staples and defence stocks, as investors weighed a report that Finance Minister John Healey would avoid more borrowing in the budget later this ‌month.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 index rose 0.47% to 10,700.08 points by 10:06 AM GMT, while the midcap FTSE 250 climbed 0.8%.