5 top UK news stories today (17 March 2026)

Here’s your UK news roundup for Tuesday (17 March 2026):

Reeves vows to stop UK tech from drifting abroad

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has told the BBC she wants to stop top British technology firms and scientists “drifting abroad” to make money. She said she wants “the pattern to end”, adding that the government was investing £2.5bn in quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI). At a lecture to business leaders in London later on Tuesday, she will say this investment as well as closer ties with the EU and greater regional powers, will help boost sluggish economic growth. [BBC]

Chancellor accused of wanting to row back on on Brexit

Reeves has been accused of trying to “row back on Brexit”, as the chancellor prepares to set out how “deeper” ties with the EU will help drive economic growth. The Conservatives have said it’s her economic policies, not the departure from the EU that they oversaw, that’s caused the economy to stagnate. Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride accused the chancellor and prime minister of wanting “to row back on Brexit”. “Labour are desperate to blame anyone but themselves for their economic failures,” he added. [Sky News]

Pothole repair backlog hits record £18.6bn in England and Wales

A losing battle with potholes has now seen the backlog of repairs across England and Wales reach a record £18.6bn, according to an annual industry estimate, despite councils filling in about 1.9 million holes last year. The “national disgrace” of dangerously pockmarked local roads has been exacerbated by a notably wet winter, with only half of the network now reported to be in good condition. The report, published by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), suggests that new holes may have sprung up faster than additional government money can be sunk into the tarmac. [Guardian]

Concern over meningitis outbreak in the UK

Antibiotics will be handed out to thousands of students in a race to stop the spread of deadly meningitis across the country. Unprecedented emergency measures are being taken across Kent to contain the infection before young people go home for Easter. The outbreak, which is believed to have spread at a Canterbury nightclub almost two weeks ago, has killed an A-level student named Juliette from a grammar school in Faversham and a 21-year-old student at the University of Kent. [Telegraph]