5 important things happening in the UK today

Here are 5 important things happening in the UK today, Wednesday (17 December 2025):

UK inflation falls: The UK inflation rate falls more than expected to 3.2% in the year to November, the Office for National Statistics says It marks the lowest rate in eight months but remains above the Bank of England’s 2% target Lower food prices mainly drove the drop, with the cost of tobacco and women’s clothing also contributing, according to ONS chief economist Grant Fitzer. [BBC]

Resident doctors in England begin five days of strike action: Resident doctors in England have begun five days of strike action after rejecting the government’s latest offer to resolve the long-running dispute over pay and jobs. The British Medical Association (BMA), and the health secretary, Wes Streeting, met on Tuesday in a final attempt to reach an agreement, but failed to do so. It means that resident doctors – formerly known as junior doctors – will remain on strike until 7 am on Monday. [Guardian]

Labour’s plan to tax income before you’ve earned it: Workers face paying tax on income they have not earned yet under plans announced in the Budget. Last month, the Government revealed a significant change to income tax that went largely unnoticed. From April 2029, employees with side hustles will be required to pay tax on their self-employment earnings throughout the year via their PAYE tax code, according to documents published alongside the Budget. [Telegraph]

London council starts handing out speeding fines to cyclists: A council has begun issuing speeding penalties to cyclists after deploying staff armed with a handheld speed gun on a popular commuter route through one of its parks. Wandsworth council’s in-house parks police have been stopping riders on a path across Tooting Common, southwest London, and issuing £50 fixed-penalty notices to those found exceeding the 12mph limit. [The Times]