5 important things happening in the UK today

Here are 5 important things happening in the UK today – 27 May 2025.

Energy payout: Tens of thousands of energy customers are set to receive payouts of up to £1,000 each, and could see debts written off, in response to the scandal over the forced fitting of prepayment meters. The move will see energy companies paying out more than £70 million in compensation and financial support to customers. [BBC]
Plans to build more homes: The government will cut back planning hurdles faced by smaller housebuilders as it targets 1.5 million new homes. Minor developments of as many as nine homes will face simpler planning requirements and faster decision-making, while sites of between ten and 49 homes will also face lower costs. [Bloomberg]
Cannabis push: Sir Sadiq Khan has called for cannabis possession to be decriminalised over concerns that drug laws are damaging police relations with ethnic communities. The Mayor of London, who oversees Britain’s biggest police force, backed decriminalisation after his independent London drug commission found that cannabis laws were disproportionate to the harms it can pose. [Telegraph]
Reeves given room: Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been given political cover by the IMF to refine her fiscal framework in order to avoid having to change course on the economy between Autumn Budgets. This comes after the finance body warned that the country risks hampering its growth unless the framework is tweaked. [Financial Times]