UK news

Millions of people across the UK ushered in 2026 with fireworks displays, street parties and public gatherings, as cities marked the start of the new year amid forecasts

Renewable energy generated a record amount of electricity in Great Britain in 2025, driven by strong wind output and a sharp rise in solar power, BBC analysis shows.

Peers will hold five short debates in the House of Lords on Thursday 8 January, examining issues ranging from the environmental legacy of British mining overseas to

Snow and ice are forecast to affect large parts of the UK on Friday, with the Met Office warning of likely travel disruption as wintry weather spreads south and east.

Online minicab companies have been barred from using a niche tax scheme to reduce the VAT they pay on fares, a move the government says will level the playing
House prices forecast to rise modestly while rent inflation cools after years of sharp increases
Hundreds of people were left disappointed after turning up to a New Year’s Eve fireworks display in Birmingham city centre that never existed, marking the second year

Businesses across the UK will benefit from a new tax break from today, as a 40 per cent first-year allowance for investment in plant and machinery comes into effect,
Cllr Claire Holland, the chair of London Councils and leader of Lambeth Council, has been awarded an OBE for services to local government and public service.
An amber cold-health alert has been rolled out across all regions of England as forecasters warn of a sustained spell of very cold weather.

Culture
-
Europol sounds alarm over more violent museum heists across Europe
Museum robberies are taking a more dangerous turn across Europe, with organised criminal groups increasingly using heavy tools, explosives and other forms of force to steal valuableRead More... -
London marks UNESCO day with call for action, memory and justice on the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade
City Hall brings together community leaders, artists, young Londoners and historians to honour those affected by the transatlantic slave trade and celebrate the strength of African andRead More... -
Honiara welcomes a global showcase of wildlife photography
Some of the world’s most striking wildlife photographs have arrived in the Solomon Islands, as the British High Commission and the Solomon Islands National Art Gallery open anRead More... -
Britain’s festival season stages a cautious comeback as fans pay for more
Britain’s battered music festival industry is showing tentative signs of recovery, with several major events selling out faster than expected as organisers reshape their offer aroundRead More... -
British Week in Paraguay marks a decade with nine days of culture, food and music
Asunción is preparing for the 10th edition of British Week, a nine-day programme showcasing British culture and connections across Paraguay.Read More... -
Stefan Zweig’s London refuge marked with blue plaque 90 years after Austrian writer fled Hitler
A London address that once offered refuge to one of Austria’s most celebrated writers has been formally marked in honour of Stefan Zweig, the Jewish novelist and essayist who fled theRead More... -
Bloomsbury keeps profit outlook unchanged as AI partnerships boost early-year trading
Bloomsbury Publishing has maintained its full-year financial outlook after reporting a solid start to the new fiscal year, supported by continued income from artificial intelligence licensingRead More... -
Salman Rushdie warns free speech is under threat as London honours his literary legacy
Author Salman Rushdie has warned that freedom of speech is facing growing threats around the world, saying the right to express dissenting views is under increasing pressure even inRead More... -
More than 400 UK towns compete for inaugural Town of Culture title as shortlist nears
More than 400 towns across the UK have entered the race to become the country's first-ever UK Town of Culture, as ministers prepare to unveil a shortlist in the coming weeks.Read More... -
Historic Bayeux Tapestry returns to England after nearly a millennium for landmark exhibition
The British Museum is preparing for overwhelming public interest as tickets go on sale for a once-in-a-generation exhibition featuring the legendary Bayeux Tapestry. The remarkableRead More... -
Universal unveils £5 billion UK theme park project, set to open in 2031
Comcast NBCUniversal has confirmed plans to invest more than £5 billion in building its first-ever European theme park and resort, marking one of the largest entertainment investments in theRead More... -
London gears up for biggest-ever summer of live music as global superstars take over the capital
London is preparing for a landmark summer of live music, reinforcing its status as the world's leading music city with an unparalleled programme of exclusive performances from some of theRead More... -
Eid festival marks 20 years in Trafalgar Square with music, food and family events
London’s annual Eid on the Square celebration will return to Trafalgar Square on Saturday, 30 May, as the popular event marks its 20th anniversary in the heart of the capital.Read More...

British Queen celebrates
Most Read
- Teen held after US woman killed in London stabbings
- Heave-ho Harry! Prince prepares to join the walking wounded in ice trek to North Pole
- Football: Farhad Moshiri adamant Everton deal above board
- "Master of English Style". Interview with Designer Lydia Dart
- Letter to the Financial Times from Lord Mayor Alderman Michael Bear
