5 important things happening in the UK today

Here are 5 important things happening in the UK today, Wednesday (24 December 2025):

Keir Starmer’s Christmas message: Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called on Britons to show kindness to struggling friends or family this Christmas, saying being in touch with those in need can make a big difference. Starmer, whose brother died last Boxing Day, said people should channel the spirit of the many volunteers and public sector workers who are on duty this Christmas by resolving to get back in touch with those who might find the time of year difficult. “Some truly special people will be pulling on their uniforms and heading out to work,” he said. “Many volunteers will be out there as well. Serving food. Reaching out to help those lonely or in need. [Guardian]

Britain’s highest-paid woman earned £280 million last year: Britain’s highest-paid woman has taken home at least £280 million despite a sharp drop in profits at her gambling empire. Denise Coates, the billionaire owner of Bet365, paid herself a salary of £104 million in the year to the end of March, up from £95m in 2024. In addition, Coates’s majority stake in the company means she is entitled to at least half of the £353.6 million dividend paid out over the year, taking her total pay packet to at least £280 million. [Telegraph]

Government waters down inheritance tax plan for farms: Government proposals to tax inherited farmland have been watered down, with the planned threshold increasing from £1 million to £2.5 million. The climbdown follows months of protests by farmers and concern from some Labour backbenchers. At last year’s Budget, ministers said they would start imposing a 20% tax on inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1m from April 2026, ending the 100% tax relief that had been in place since the 1980s. [BBC]

Property slump hits half of London: London has a “two-speed” market, as house prices are falling in about half of London’s boroughs, with the most expensive boroughs hit the hardest. The average house price in London for October was £547,000, down 2.4 per cent from the previous year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The data also showed that property prices contracted year-on-year in 18 of the 33 boroughs of the capital, in contrast to a 1.7% house price increase across the UK. [CityAM]