5 important things happening in the UK today

Here are 5 important things happening in the UK today – 26 June 2025.

• Starmer to offer concessions on welfare changes: Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to offer concessions to Labour MPs amid a major rebellion over the government’s planned welfare cuts. Downing Street is understood to be considering watering down changes to the eligibility for disability benefits, which had been significantly tightened by the reforms in the bill. More than 120 MPs are poised to rebel against the government next Tuesday, and there remains division at the top of government over how to stem the growing anger. [Guardian]
• UK firms to be protected from cheap imports: The government is set to unveil a new plan for trade aimed at boosting exports and protecting UK firms at a time of growing uncertainty for businesses following the introduction of US tariffs. It aims to remove obstacles for UK businesses selling abroad while also bolstering the country’s trade defences to avoid the threat of cheap imports undercutting domestic companies. [BBC]
• UK pledges £500 million transport package for new theme park: The UK government pledged to spend close to £500 million on transport and infrastructure improvements to secure the vast Bedford theme park planned by US media group Comcast, said people close to the talks. The scale of taxpayer support from a government under tight fiscal pressure is a sign of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s desire to attract billions of dollars of inward investment as he tries to boost the stagnant UK economy. [Financial Times]
• UK needs to contain wealth exodus, warns mayor: The UK government should act to stem an exodus of wealthy foreigners from the country following a major tax crackdown, says Alastair King (Lord Mayor of the City of London). King, who serves as a global ambassador for the UK’s financial and professional-services industries, said he expects the exits to dent investment into the country, including into growth businesses. [Bloomberg]

• On Thursday, Oil was trading slightly higher at $68.11. The pound was trading at £1.37 to the dollar, £1.17 to the euro and £9.85 to the yuan.

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