5 top UK news stories today (25 March 2026)

Here’s your UK news roundup for Wednesday (25 March 2026):

UK economy facing ‘pronounced recession’

The war in the Middle East is “stalling growth” in the UK economy, fresh data has shown, as economists warned that a “pronounced recession” will come if energy prices stay high. A monthly survey of business activity across the country has suggested that there was a slowdown in output as well as a fall in both domestic and international orders, with the war already taking a toll on the private sector. S&P Global’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) showed that businesses suffered from market turmoil in March, with cost pressures rapidly accelerating on the month. [CityAM]

UK offers to host international summit on reopening Strait of Hormuz

The UK has offered to host an international security summit to draw up a “viable, collective plan” to reopen the strait of Hormuz as economic fallout from the Iran conflict continues. Defence chiefs have been discussing how they could unblock the vital shipping lane, through which about 20% of global oil supplies usually pass, amid the Middle East crisis unleashed by the US and Israel. The Ministry of Defence has already sent military planners to US Central Command to look at options for getting tankers through the strait, which has in effect, been closed by Tehran’s threat of retaliatory attacks. [Guardian]

Reeves plans energy bill help for those ‘who need it most’

The government plans to help “those who need it most” if energy bills spiral due to the US-Israel war with Iran. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said contingency planning was under way for “every eventuality”, noting the full impact of the war on the UK economy was uncertain. Energy bills for millions of people in England, Scotland, and Wales are about to fall for three months from April under Ofgem’s price cap, which is updated quarterly, but there is likely to be a big jump in gas and electricity costs over the summer. [BBC]

Brits believe the UK is heading for war

Some 40% of people in the UK believe the country will be at war within five years, and more than two-thirds fear they would be unable to cope in a conflict, according to a new poll. The survey, which also found that over half of those questioned felt Britain is poorly prepared for war, was released to coincide with today’s launch of a private initiative to try to help bolster national resilience. [Sky News]