United Kingdom

UK runs much bigger than expected budget deficit in May

The government is also struggling to finance extra defence spending

Newly-elected MP Andy Burnham celebrates his victory in the Makerfield by-election, Wigan, Britain, June 19, 2026.

Mayor Andy Burnham’s election win paves way for bid to oust UK PM Starmer

Burnham has said he would stand in any contest to replace Starmer

Tesco says a good spell of weather will give more of a boost to sales than England and Scotland performing well in the men’s football World Cup.

UK retail sales rise by more than expected 1.2% in May, official data shows

In comparison with the year-ago period, volumes are 3.2 per cent higher

Plans to expand Heathrow have faced opposition for decades from local communities and environmentalists.

UK moves ahead with Heathrow Airport expansion plan

The government wants Heathrow’s new runway to open in 2035

"Oil prices have fallen in recent days and that's encouraging," Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey said in written remarks.

Bank of England holds rates in 7-2 vote as oil outlook eases

The BOE is trying to strike a balance between taming inflation and supporting growth

The BOE is closely watching Britain’s job market to see if higher oil prices caused by the Iran war will trigger bigger wage rises.

UK wages grow faster than expected in three months ended April

Holding at 3.4%, it beats economists’ expectations of a decline to 3.2%

British PM Keir Starmer is also facing discontent among his Labour lawmakers after a series of U-turns and resignations.

UK losing jobs abroad due to high energy costs, manufacturers and union warn

A quarter of companies surveyed are already or considering moving their production overseas

Britain has increasingly toughened its approach to tech companies in recent years.

Britain announces sweeping social media ban for under-16s

Australia was the first country to ban social media for children under 16

“This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide,” UK PM Starmer said in a post on X.

British forces intercept Russian shadow fleet oil tanker attempting to cross English Channel

British Prime Minister Kier Starmer said that he had directed the interception

British retailers are pushing for the UK government to take steps to close a tax loophole they say is helping companies such as Shein and Temu gain market share.

UK lags rivals in curbing influx of cheap parcels from China

Low-value imports to the UK tripled between 2021 and 2024