5 important things happening in the UK today (19 June 2026)
Here are five important things happening in the UK on Friday (19 June 2026):
Andy Burnham wins huge majority in Makerfield byelection
Andy Burnham has won the crucial Makerfield byelection by a huge majority, paving the way for a challenge to Keir Starmer’s premiership. The Greater Manchester mayor beat the Reform UK candidate, Robert Kenyon, by 9,231 votes, and the new hardline Restore Britain party came a distant third. [Guardian]
Burnham’s election to parliament sets up bid to oust Starmer
Polls show Burnham, 56, is Labour’s most popular politician who would win a leadership contest decided by party members, while some Labour lawmakers hope Starmer could be persuaded to hand over power to avoid a damaging contest. That would mean Britain installing its seventh prime minister in about a decade, the highest turnover in nearly two centuries, as voters punish leaders who failed to improve living standards, public services, and tackle illegal immigration. [Reuters]
Brexit cost 6% of the UK economy, Bank of England company data suggests
The UK economy has taken a 6% hit from the effects of Brexit, according to economists’ analysis of internal Bank of England data about the decisions, views and financial results of thousands of British companies since the referendum a decade ago. Examining data that the Bank uses to decide on interest rates, the study analysed lost growth by trying to reconstruct how the UK would have grown if it had not voted to leave the EU. [BBC]
High streets score after England World Cup win
British retailers are celebrating England’s opening World Cup victory after football fever boosted high street footfall. High street retailers scored an 8.6% increase in footfall, with overall footfall across all UK retail destinations up 4.2%, new data from property tech firm MRI Software has revealed High streets became busier during the build-up to the game against Croatia, with visitors peaking at 8pm. [CityAM]
Financial news
Brent traded around $79 per barrel on Friday and was on track to fall roughly 10% for the week, as investors welcomed improving shipping conditions in the Strait of Hormuz following the implementation of the US-Iran interim peace agreement. The pound is trading at $1.32, €1.15, and ¥8.92.
