5 top UK news stories today (1 April 2026)

Here’s your UK news roundup for Wednesday (1 April 2026):

Reeves meets supermarket bosses to discuss cost of living

The bosses of the UK’s biggest supermarkets are to meet the chancellor on Wednesday as the government seeks to gauge the extent of potential price rises and shortages of household essentials amid a surge in energy, fuel and fertiliser costs. Rachel Reeves is meeting the bosses of Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrisons as concerns rise about the potential impact on the cost of living – including higher food prices – as a result of the Middle East conflict. [Guardian]

Minimum wage increase comes into force

Around 2.7 million people are set to receive a pay rise this week as the national minimum wage goes up by 50p to £12.71 for over 21s. Workers aged 18-20 will see an 85p rise to £10.85, and under-18s and apprentices will get 45p more to £8 an hour. Campaigners have welcomed the increases, but businesses have said the higher wage bills will force them to increase prices or cut staff. The Low Pay Commission, the government agency which recommended the increases, said previous minimum wage rises for over-21s had “not had a significant negative impact on jobs”. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said wages were going up “for the lowest paid” but said the government “must go further to bear down on costs”. [BBC]

UK business confidence plunges to another record low

Business confidence in the future of the UK economy has plunged to another record low as directors fear the war will damage investment plans and increase costs, a leading survey has found. Research by the Institute of Directors recorded business confidence dropping to a net figure of -76 in March, compared to -63 in February. Cost expectations rose to the second highest level on record after last September at the height of pre-Budget tax speculation while revenue expectations for the year dipped. [CityAM]

More UK troops to be sent to the Middle East

More British troops are being sent to the Middle East to help UK allies defend their skies from Iranian attacks as the conflict continues to escalate. Speaking during a trip to Gulf nations, Defence Secretary John Healey said the UK will deploy the Sky Sabre air defence missile system in Saudi Arabia and extend UK Typhoon jets’ action in Qatar. Additional air defence teams and systems have also arrived in Bahrain and Kuwait. Healey did not give specific figures, but said “Britain’s best” will be chosen for the missions as he visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain. [ITV]