5 important things happening in the UK today (3 June 2026)
Here are five important things happening in the UK on Wednesday (3 June 2026):
Contract changes could wipe out seasonal work in the UK
Labour has been warned that its controversial crackdown on zero-hour contracts could eradicate seasonal work and put even 20-hour contracts under threat. The government has said it could class 20-hour weeks as a low-hour contract and force firms to offer permanent terms after as little as 12 weeks of work. Retail and hospitality firms have urged the government to make sure its guaranteed hours rules do not threaten the flexible work which they say offers vital pathways into employment for young people. [CityAM]
Starmer urges calm after Henry Nowak murder
Politicians and community leaders have called for calm amid fears that the populist right is using the murder of Henry Nowak by a Sikh man to whip up racist resentment against minority ethnic Britons. After Nigel Farage called for the public to respond with “pure, cold rage”, Keir Starmer condemned the Reform UK leader, saying Nowak’s family had explicitly asked that the case not be used to target particular communities. [Guardian]
Three-quarters of workers are not on track for ‘moderate’ pension income
Too many people face a “cliff-edge drop in income” when they retire, with more than three-quarters not on course to save enough for a “moderate” lifestyle, a pensions trade body has warned. A new report by Pensions UK suggested that what it termed a moderate lifestyle cost £32,700 for one person and £45,400 for two but estimated just 23% of the working population were on course to reach such a level. [BBC]
Public asked to help select UK wildlife to appear on new banknote series
The public are being asked to give their views on a selection of wildlife, native to the UK, that will appear on the next series of banknotes in a consultation launched today. Working with a panel of wildlife experts from across the UK, the Bank of England has produced a shortlist of animals that could become the central image on the £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes. The list has been grouped into three categories, which cover a variety of species and environments. [Bank of England]
Financial news
Brent crude futures climbed toward $97 per barrel on Wednesday, marking a third consecutive session of gains as ongoing uncertainty surrounding US-Iran peace negotiations and renewed conflict in the Middle East continued to support a geopolitical risk premium in oil markets. On Wednesday, Oil was trading higher at $95.10. The pound is trading at $1.35, €1.16, and ¥9.10.
