5 big UK news stories today: Starmer refuses to quit, £680 million bill for businesses & more (10 Feb 2026)
Here’s your UK news roundup for Tuesday (10 February 2026):
Cabinet ministers rally round Starmer as calls to quit grow
Cabinet ministers have rallied around Sir Keir Starmer after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called on the prime minister to quit. In a dramatic press conference, Sarwar said the situation in Downing Street was “not good enough” and that “too many mistakes” had been made at the top of government. However, just as Sarwar began to speak, a flurry of senior Labour ministers took to social media to express their support for the prime minister. [BBC]
Business could face £680 million hit from Labour’s union plans
Small businesses could face a £680 milliom bill as a result of Labour’s plan to let trade unions into workplaces. Union officials will be granted “statutory right of access” later this year under the Employment Rights Act spearheaded by Angela Rayner. At present, unions have access to workplaces through ad-hoc arrangements. Where they can’t reach a voluntary arrangement with a business, they can act through individual employees. The Government has argued that where membership is low in a workplace, the union’s ability to negotiate, resolve disputes and facilitate collective bargaining is limited. [The Telegraph]
Lower-income families face a 137-year wait for living standards to double
It would take 137 years for lower-income families in the UK to see their living standards double at the current rate of growth, according to a thinktank. A two-decade stagnation in disposable incomes has created a “mood of unease” across the country, the Resolution Foundation says, warning of the risk of “further political disruption” unless pay growth accelerates. In the 40 years to 2005, the typical disposable income of working-age families in the poorest half of the population doubled, after growing by 1.8% a year on average once adjusted for inflation, according to the thinktank. In the final decade of that period, growth in disposable incomes rose by 4% a year and looked on course to double within 18 years. [Guardian]
London’s Albert Bridge closes to traffic
Albert Bridge in west London has been closed as “a precautionary measure” following an inspection. The 150-year-old bridge , which connects Battersea to Chelsea, was closed to motorists after concerns were raised about the structure during a routine maintenance inspection. Kensington and Chelsea Council has said that the bridge has been closed while engineers analyse the inspection findings and work to “identify appropriate actions”. Motorists attempting to use the bridge will be diverted via Chelsea Bridge and Battersea Bridge, but it will remain open to pedestrians. [The Standard]
Financial headlines
On Tuesday, Oil was trading higher at $67.89. The pound is trading at $1.37, €1.15, and ¥9.45.
