5 important things happening in the UK today (27 May 2026)
Here are five important things happening in the UK on Tuesday (27 May 2026):
Next boss warns of ‘dramatic’ fall in entry-level jobs
The boss of Next has warned there has been a “dramatic fall” in the number of entry-level job opportunities in the UK. Lord Wolfson told the BBC that just two years ago, Next typically received 10 applicants for every job in its shops, but that number had since risen to 19. “That doubling of applicants for shop jobs is indicative of just how big the crisis is in youth unemployment at the moment,” he said. He also said a ban on zero-hours contracts from next year would make hiring more difficult. [BBC]
Reeves tells ministers to ‘buy British’
Rachel Reeves has instructed cabinet colleagues to award government contracts in four critical industries directly to British companies, making clear her irritation that ministers have been sending too much government business abroad. In a letter seen by the Guardian, the chancellor tells every cabinet minister in charge of a spending department to “buy British” wherever possible, adding that she is disappointed they are not already doing so. [Guardian]
Homes across Kent, Sussex, and Leicestershire are without water during heatwave
Water supply issues are currently affecting about 700 customers of South East Water and Anglian Water across Kent, Sussex and Leicestershire, leaving them without water on the hottest day of the year. People in three villages in Kent – Charing, Challock and Molash – have been experiencing low pressure or no water intermittently for three days, South East Water’s incident manager Steve Benton said. Roughly 250 properties are currently affected. [Sky News]
UK could join $4.65 billion EU startup fun
The UK could join a European Union equity investment fund for startups worth 4 billion euros ($4.65 billion) this year, the EU Commissioner for startups Ekaterina Zaharieva told the Financial Times in a report published on Tuesday. Zaharieva said the move was in the “mutual interest” but would require a treaty change to reverse a UK decision to opt out of participation, according to the report. [Reuters]
Financial news
Brent crude futures climbed above $98 per barrel on Tuesday, recouping some losses as fresh US military operations in southern Iran and ongoing peace negotiations kept investors on edge. On Tuesday, Oil was trading lower at $92.39. The pound is trading at $1.35, €1.16, and ¥9.16.
