5 top UK news stories today (19 March 2026)

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

Iran war expected to bring a hold in interest rates

Economic impacts of the war in Iran are expected to lead the Bank of England to hold interest rates later. Before the conflict began, analysts had predicted a cut in the Bank rate at this meeting, but upheaval in the markets and a higher oil price have all but ruled out such a move. The Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is likely to keep the benchmark rate, which influences the cost of borrowing for individuals and businesses, at 3.75%. The MPC’s latest decision will be published at 12:00 GMT.

Starmer signals migrant U-turn after pressure from Rayner

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has opened the door to concessions over reforms to the rights of 1.6 million migrants to stay in the UK, following criticism from Angela Rayner. Downing Street repeatedly refused to say whether the Government would press ahead with plans devised by Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, to increase the time it takes for migrants already in the UK to qualify for permanent settlement. Rayner, championed as a potential leadership contender by the Left, said on Tuesday that the plans were “un-British” and “pulled the rug” from underneath hard-working families. [Telegraph]

Greene King to sell or close 150 pubs

Pubs giant Greene King is considering selling 150 of its pubs and offloading dozens more to franchisees, as its managing director quits. The pub operator, which has 2,500 premises in the UK, has said it will put around 300 of its managed pubs into a separate unit, with 150 of these intended for sale, while the other half will be turned into leased, tenanted or franchise venues. The pub sector has faced tumultuous times in recent months, as Budget reforms to business rates – intended to reduce the burden on retail and hospitality – ended up hiking bills for thousands of landlords. [CityAM]

UK to double steel tariffs to 50% to save plants from collapse

The UK is to double tariffs on Chinese and other foreign steel in a bid to save its remaining plants from collapse. The new “steel safeguards” came weeks after bosses at Tata Steel in south Wales warned the government they had just two months to be saved. A target of 50% of steel used in the UK will be made domestically, and 50% of that is to be made in Wales, the business secretary, Peter Kyle, said during a visit to Tata Steel in Port Talbot. [Guardian]