5 important things happening in the UK today (16 June 2026)
Here are five important things happening in the UK on Tuesday (16 June 2026):
Burnham plans to give Starmer ‘space’ to resign after by-election
Andy Burnham will not immediately try to oust Keir Starmer if he wins Thursday’s Makerfield by-election, as allies of the Greater Manchester mayor continue to hope for an orderly transition of power. Burnham’s colleagues dismiss suggestions that the mayor would swiftly launch a leadership challenge on Friday if — as polls suggest — he holds off Reform UK and is elected as an MP. Some of the people said he will not move for at least 72 hours after any victory.
Thames Water moves step closer to nationalisation
The government has objected to a proposed rescue deal for Thames Water, in a move which takes the UK’s largest water company a step closer to a form of nationalisation. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds wrote to the industry regulator on Monday to raise concerns over the £10 billion package put forward by the firm’s lenders. [BBC]
UK ministers lobby Trump to avert backlash against social media ban
Ministers have embarked on a concerted lobbying operation to prevent a backlash from the Trump administration to the under-16s social media ban announced by Keir Starmer. Officials said they have spent weeks trying to reassure senior Trump officials and the US president himself that the restrictions were not specifically aimed at US technology companies. [Guardian]
VPN demand rockets
Searches for VPNs jumped 165% overnight after the government confirmed plans to ban under-16s from social media, fuelling demand for digital workarounds. The rush came within hours of Keir Starmer unveiling one of the world’s toughest online safety regimes, which will block social media platforms from offering services to under-16s and introduce wider restrictions on gaming platforms and addictive online features. [CityAM]
Financial news
Brent traded below $83 per barrel on Tuesday after tumbling nearly 5% in the previous session, as investors awaited further details of the reported US-Iran peace agreement that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz. On Tuesday, Oil was trading flat at $80.23. The pound is trading at $1.34, €1.16, and ¥9.06.
