5 important things happening in the UK today

Here are 5 important things happening in the UK today, Wednesday (15 October 2025).

• The UK has lost control of its borders: Shabana Mahmood will warn on Wednesday that the UK’s failure to control its borders is eroding trust not just in politicians but in the state itself. The Home Secretary will host counterparts from six Western Balkan countries that are crucial to the prevention of illegal immigration to Europe. In a speech, she is expected to admit that Britain and other European countries do not have control of their borders. [The Times]
• UK set to be the second-fastest-growing G7 economy: The UK is set to be the second-fastest-growing of the world’s most advanced economies this year, according to new projections from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). But the IMF also predicts the UK will face the highest rate of inflation among G7 nations both this year and next, driven by rising energy and utility bills. The forecasts are part of the Fund’s twice-a-year outlook for the global economy. [BBC]
• Banks step up lobbying over threat of Reeves tax hikes: The total tax rate levied on British banks has risen again this year, according to a report by an industry trade body that will underpin warnings about threats to the City’s international competitiveness ahead of next month’s budget. Sky News has learnt that a study by UK Finance will show that the disparity between the tax rate paid by London-based banks – with a total tax rate of 46.4% – and those in rival financial centres such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt and New York has also widened this year. [Sky News]
• UK told to prepare buildings for 2 °C rise in global temperature: Britain must prepare for global heating far in excess of the level scientists have pegged as the limit of safety, the government’s climate advisers have warned, as current plans to protect against extreme weather are inadequate. Heatwaves will occur in at least four of every five years in England by 2050, and time spent in drought will double. The number of days of peak wildfire conditions in July will nearly treble for the UK, while floods will increase in frequency throughout the year, with some peak river flows increasing by 40%. [Guardian]
• On Wednesday, Oil was trading lower at $62.19. The pound is trading at $1.34, €1.15, and ¥9.53.

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