5 important things happening in the UK today

Here are 5 important things happening in the UK today, Monday (6 October 2025).

Big increase in water bills on the cards: Millions of households in England face the prospect of even bigger water bill increases than originally expected, as the competition regulator prepares to give a preliminary verdict on industry spending plans as soon as this week. Five water companies appealed to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to ask for permission to raise bills higher than allowed previously by the industry regulator, Ofwat. [Guardian]

Plans to shake-up house buying: House sellers will be forced to disclose problems with their homes before sale under plans by the government to cut costs for buyers and speed up purchases. The plans – which the Government is billing as “the biggest shakeup to the homebuying system” in England’s history – could also see buyers and sellers entering into “binding contracts” aimed at stopping sales from falling through. [The i Paper]

Conservatives to pledge £5,000 tax rebate for young homebuyers: The Conservatives will set out plans to “reward work” by giving young people a £5,000 tax rebate towards their first home when they get their first full-time job. In his speech to the party’s conference in Manchester, shadow chancellor Mel Stride is expected to announce proposals for a “first-job bonus” that would divert national insurance payments into a long-term savings account. [BBC]

Green Party votes to abolish landlords: The Green Party has committed itself to “abolishing landlords”. Party members at its conference in Bournemouth on Sunday passed a motion that makes seeking the “effective abolition of private landlordism” official policy. Tenants would be given first right to buy when a landlord sells, with their “total rent paid discounted” and government-backed financing provided. Councils would be given second right to buy. [Telegraph]