5 important things happening in the UK today

Here are 5 important things happening in the UK today – 21 July 2025.

Plans to announce new water regulator: A new water ombudsman will be announced on Monday by the environment secretary, Steve Reed, as part of government plans to overhaul the embattled sector. The body will be among sweeping changes recommended in a review launched by Jon Cunliffe that are also expected to include the abolishment of Ofwat, the industry watchdog for England and Wales. [Guardian]

Government sends warning to pensioners: People retiring in 2050 will be worse off than pensioners today, the government has warned, unless action is taken to boost retirement savings. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is reviving the Pensions Commission, which first reported nearly 20 years ago, to look at how to tackle the issue. Almost half of working-age adults are not putting any money into a private pension at all, with low earners and the self-employed less likely to be pension saving, the DWP said. [BBC]

UK seeks way out of clash with US over Apple encryption: Sir Keir Starmer’s government is seeking a way out of a clash with the Trump administration over the UK’s demand that Apple provide it with access to secure customer data, two senior British officials have told the Financial Times. The officials both said the Home Office, which ordered the tech giant in January to grant access to its most secure cloud storage system, would probably have to retreat in the face of pressure from senior leaders in Washington, including Vice President JD Vance. [Financial Times]

London Stock Exchange considers 24-hour trading: London Stock Exchange Group is weighing whether to introduce 24-hour trading in response to growing demand from small investors. The operator of London’s bourse is holding discussions about whether to extend its hours, including to round-the-clock trading, the newspaper said, citing unidentified people with knowledge of the matter. It’s looking into the practicalities of such a move, including the technology required and the regulatory implications.
On Monday, Oil was trading flat at $69.56. The pound is trading at £1.34 to the dollar, £1.15 to the euro and £9.64 to the yuan.