5 important things happening in the UK today

Here are 5 important things happening in the UK today – 9 July 2025.

Move to scrap jury trials: Thousands of defendants in England and Wales could lose the right to a jury trial under plans designed to save the criminal justice system from collapse. Sir Brian Leveson, a former judge asked by the government to come up with proposals to tackle a record court backlog. [Guardian]

Warning over UK’s budget: The UK faces daunting risks to the public finances as its soaring debt load leads to substantial erosion of its capacity to respond to future shocks, the Office for Budget Responsibility has warned. It noted that efforts to put the UK on a more sustainable fiscal footing have met with only limited and temporary success in recent years. [Financial Times]

UK and France to work together to stop migrant boats: French President Emmanuel Macron has said the UK and France will deliver on stopping small boat crossings, ahead of negotiations with Sir Keir Starmer this week. Downing Street is hoping to finalise a deal on border enforcement during Macron’s three-day state visit, the first by a French president since 2008. [BBC]

Millions of Brits face a hosepipe ban: Yorkshire Water will impose a hosepipe ban this week that could last until winter. The water firm said the restrictions would come into force on Friday, 11 July, to protect water supplies ahead of a predicted warm summer. Dave Kaye, the firm’s director of water, said that the curbs would be in place until the region has seen significant rainfall to bring reservoirs and groundwater stocks back to where they need to be. [Telegraph]