Browsing: Today’s Main News Story (UK)

The UK government has committed £14.2 billion to build the Sizewell C nuclear power station in Suffolk, aiming to generate electricity for about 6 million homes and create 10,000 jobs, as part of a wider £113 billion infrastructure investment plan announced by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.

Nearly 350,000 NHS nurses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are being asked to vote on a 3.6% pay rise from Monday. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has slammed the offer as “grotesque” and warned it could trigger a fresh strike ballot.

Scottish Labour pulled off an unexpected victory in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, taking the seat from the SNP despite sliding poll numbers and backlash over UK-wide policies like cuts to winter fuel payments.

The government has confirmed that more people will qualify for the winter fuel payment this year, in a U-turn on one of Labour’s first controversial policies. Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated the increased eligibility will be in place “this winter,” though specific details on the new threshold and who qualifies remain vague.

The UK has been temporarily spared from a steep hike in US steel and aluminium tariffs, following a new executive order signed by former President Donald Trump. While tariffs on other countries doubled from 25% to 50% starting Wednesday, the UK will remain at 25%—for now.

The UK government has threatened to take legal action against Roman Abramovich to ensure that the £2.5 billion raised from the sale of Chelsea Football Club goes to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.

The funds have been frozen in a UK bank account since Abramovich was sanctioned in 2022, shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The UK will build up to 12 new conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines, as part of a sweeping Strategic Defence Review to be announced on Monday by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The submarines will begin replacing the current fleet from the late 2030s and are designed to safeguard Britain and its NATO allies for decades to come.

Doctors and teachers in England have been given a 4% pay rise after the government accepted recommendations from public sector pay review bodies.

Sir Keir Starmer has announced a U-turn on winter fuel payment cuts, following weeks of political pressure.

The UK, France, and Canada have warned Israel they may take “concrete actions” if it continues to escalate military operations in Gaza. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian PM Mark Carney, issued a joint statement urging Israel to halt its offensive and allow immediate humanitarian aid into the territory.