5 important things happening in the UK today

Here are 5 important things happening in the UK today, Tuesday (2 December 2025):

Plans to scrap jury trials in the UK: Courts cannot cling on to jury trials for the sake of tradition, David Lammy has said. Writing for The Telegraph, the Justice Secretary told critics of his plans to scrap thousands of jury trials that the only way to avoid the “total collapse” of trust in the justice system was “bold and meaningful change”. He cited the Magna Carta, signed in 1215, as justification because it not only laid the groundwork for jury trials 800 years ago but also “crucially” pledged that no one should be denied justice through delays. [Telegraph]

OBR head resigns over Budget day publishing error: The chairman of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has resigned following the Budget day error, which saw a key document published early. Richard Hughes said in his resignation letter, external he took “full responsibility” for the issues identified in the OBR’s investigation into the mistake, which it called the worst failure in the organisation’s 15-year history. [BBC]

Terror watchdog raises concerns about online activity in the UK:
The UK’s independent reviewer of terrorism laws has criticised the government’s latest national security strategy for failing to take online threats more seriously, despite Keir Starmer claiming it would result in “a hardening and sharpening of our approach” in the face of Russian menace. Jonathan Hall KC said it was “a very surprising omission” that the 2025 national security strategy did not focus more on online risks, including from terrorists and hostile states, which he said were now a “major vector of threat”. [Guardian]

Bank of England sees risks from AI: The Bank of England said risks to Britain’s financial system had risen this year due to stretched valuations of companies investing in artificial intelligence, risky lending to big companies, and some trading in government bonds. “Risks to financial stability have increased during 2025,” the BoE said in its half-yearly Financial Stability Report. [Reuters]