5 top UK news stories today (19 February 2026)

Here’s your UK news roundup for Thursday (19 February 2026):

Tech firms will have 48 hours to remove abusive images under new law

Tech platforms would have to remove intimate images which have been shared without consent within 48 hours, under a proposed UK law. The government said tackling intimate image abuse should be treated with the same severity as child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and terrorist content. Failure to abide by the rules could result in companies being fined up to 10% of their global sales or have their services blocked in the UK. [BBC]

UK retailers plan to cut staff hours and jobs

UK retailers are planning to cut staff hours and jobs amid rising employment costs and pessimism about the economy. Almost two-thirds (61%) of finance bosses at retail companies said they planned to reduce working hours or cut overtime, according to the latest survey from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the trade body that represents most big retailers. More than half (55%) said they would cut head office jobs, and 42% said they would reduce jobs in stores. [Guardian]

Pubs to stay open until 2 AM during World Cup

Pubs will be allowed to stay open until 2 AM during the World Cup knockout stages this summer – but only if any of the home nations have got that far. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has agreed to extend opening hours for the later rounds of the tournament, which is being hosted jointly by the US, Canada, and Mexico. Pubs will also be able to apply for a temporary licence for any very late kick-offs that could finish beyond 2 AM. [Sky News]

Gen Z turning to trade jobs for steady pay

Younger workers are driving jobs growth within the construction and trade industry, as Gen Zs turn to blue-collar work amid rising youth unemployment and the looming threat of artificial intelligence (AI), new data suggests. Data from HR platform Employment Hero showed that the hiring of Gen Z workers significantly outpaced other generations last month. Employment for the age group – incorporating those born between 1997 and 2012 – increased by 16.8% in January, compared with the same month last year. In comparison, Gen Y employment grew by 5.5%, Gen X by 6.7%, and Baby Boomers by 7.1% year-on-year in January, according to the data. [LBC]