Hospitals in England recorded 3,140 flu patients last week, an 18% rise and the highest for this time of year. This surge, coupled with ongoing resident doctors' strikes, is placing immense pressure on the NHS, with bed occupancy at 94.2%.
The UK government has initiated an independent review into foreign financial interference in its political and electoral systems, led by former DExEU Permanent Secretary Philip Rycroft. Announced in the House of Commons on December 16, 2025, the review aims to assess financial safeguards and recommend measures against evolving threats, following the conviction of former MEP Nathan Gill for accepting Russian bribes.
UK police forces, including the Metropolitan and Greater Manchester Police, have announced they will arrest individuals chanting 'globalise the intifada' at protests. This policy shift, effective from Wednesday, December 17, 2025, follows recent terror attacks in Sydney and Manchester, with authorities citing a 'changed context' and escalating threat. Initial arrests have already been made in London.
UK's Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police announced they will arrest individuals chanting 'globalise the intifada' at protests. This policy shift, effective December 17, 2025, follows recent terror attacks in Sydney and Manchester, with first arrests already made in London. Police cite a 'changed context' and use powers under the Public Order Act.
The UK government has announced a significant investment of over £120 million in the Grangemouth ethylene plant, securing 500 jobs and bolstering the nation's critical chemical infrastructure. This funding, part of a £150 million joint investment with INEOS, aims to ensure the long-term viability of the UK's last ethylene cracker.
The United Kingdom has announced its decision to rejoin the European Union's Erasmus+ student exchange program starting in January 2027. This move, part of a broader post-Brexit reset, will allow British students to study abroad in European universities and expand opportunities for various educational and training sectors. The UK will contribute approximately £570 million for the 2027/28 academic year, benefiting an estimated 100,000 people in its first year.
The UK government has given Roman Abramovich a 90-day deadline to release £2.5 billion from the sale of Chelsea FC for Ukrainian humanitarian aid, threatening legal action if he fails to comply. The funds have been frozen since the club's 2022 sale.
The United States has put its £31 billion 'Tech Prosperity Deal' with the United Kingdom on hold. The decision stems from unresolved trade disputes, including the UK's digital services tax and food safety regulations, impacting significant technology investments from US giants like Microsoft and Google.
The UK economy shrank by 0.1% in October, marking the second consecutive monthly contraction, according to official figures from the Office for National Statistics. This unexpected decline, defying economists' forecasts, has fueled concerns ahead of the Autumn Statement and intensified calls for interest rate cuts.
Thousands of speeding fines issued in England since 2021 are set for cancellation after National Highways identified a 'technical anomaly' in variable speed cameras. The fault caused cameras to incorrectly penalise drivers on motorways and A-roads, leading to reimbursements and point removals for affected motorists.
Resident doctors in England are set to commence a five-day strike from December 17 to 22, 2025, after overwhelmingly rejecting the government's latest pay offer. The industrial action coincides with a severe 'super flu' outbreak, intensifying pressure on the already strained National Health Service.
Donald Trump has initiated a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC in a Florida federal court. The suit alleges the broadcaster 'intentionally, maliciously, and deceptively' edited his January 6, 2021, speech in a 'Panorama' documentary, creating a false impression he incited violence and aiming to influence the 2024 US Presidential Election. The BBC has apologized for the edit but denies a legal basis for the claim.
The UK's labour market is experiencing a significant downturn, with the unemployment rate rising to 5.1% in October 2025, a four-year high. Businesses, as reported by the British Chambers of Commerce, are grappling with soaring employment costs, leading to reduced hiring and delayed pay rises.
UK Finance predicts a 1% drop in property transactions for 2026, translating to 10,000 fewer sales than in 2025. This downturn is primarily attributed to challenging affordability pressures, with high mortgage payments impacting borrower income across the United Kingdom.
Anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies are escalating in the UK and across Europe, driven by migration's rise on the political agenda and growing support for right-wing parties. Recent policy changes include stricter settlement rules, increased salary thresholds for visas, and the cancellation of the controversial Rwanda plan by the new Labour government, which has also introduced its own tough measures.
The UK Government has clarified official State Pension rates for 2025/2026 and 2026/2027, debunking widespread claims of a £720 per week payment. The full new State Pension is confirmed at £230.25 weekly from April 2025, with projections for £241.30 weekly from April 2026, driven by the Triple Lock mechanism.
Britain's development minister, Baroness Jenny Chapman, announced UK support for Pakistan's new regulatory reforms, which are anticipated to generate nearly £1 billion annually. The overhaul aims to cut red tape, streamline business processes, and attract foreign investment, marking a significant step towards Pakistan's economic stabilization and growth.
The rare alignment of true, magnetic, and grid north is set to leave England at Berwick-upon-Tweed on December 13, 2025, moving into the North Sea. This geospatial event, tracked by the British Geological Survey and Ordnance Survey, marks the end of a three-year period where the three norths converged over England, a phenomenon not seen for centuries.
King Charles III has announced a significant reduction in his cancer treatment schedule starting in the New Year, describing it as a 'personal blessing' and a milestone in his recovery. The monarch, who was diagnosed in February 2024, emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and screening in a pre-recorded message for Channel 4's 'Stand Up To Cancer' broadcast.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined Nationwide Building Society £44 million for inadequate anti-financial crime systems and controls between October 2016 and July 2021. The failings included poor customer due diligence and transaction monitoring, which led to missed red flags, notably in a case involving £27.3 million in fraudulent Covid furlough payments. Nationwide received a 30% discount for resolving the matter.
