London: UK Weekend News Briefing 06 June 2025
London – It’s been a busy week this week, with politics taking centre stage. At home, UK policy including the winter fuel payments U-turn, free school meals being expanded and the release of the defence spending plans took centre stage at the beginning of the week.
The new search for Maddie McCann and the rise in illegal crossings across the English Channel found prominent space in the UK news this week.
The week rounded out with more explosive political news as the Reform chairman quit the party amid a spat over a burka ban and last night Donald Trump and Elon Musk engaged in a highly-amused online argument resulting in Trump threatening to cut Musk’s government contracts and Musk saying Trump is named in the Epstein files.
But now, with the weekend in reach, it’s time to turn off the computer and get out and about. It’s set to be a wet weekend – so don’t forget your brolly!
TOP TIP: This Friday the Euromillions jackpot sits at £208 million! Get your tickets early!
🇬🇧 Weekend Outlook:
👉 What to Know:
- Saturday is the riskier day—wet and potentially stormy, especially in England, Wales, and the Midlands.
- Sunday brings a reprieve with calmer, drier, and sunnier weather.
- Temperatures: Cool to mild—between 14 °C and 17 °C.
📰 Top UK News Stories this week (Week of 2 June 2025)
- UK defence review: The government set out its plans to get Britain on the “war footing” – with plans to boost the military including building new submarines, dand rones and introducing AI. The government also plans to boost recruitment to the Armed Forces.
- Maddie McCann new search: 18 years after she went missing a new search, led by Portuguese and German authorities, began at the beginning of the week. The three-day search has now ended.
- UK avoids Trump’s new tariff hike: Trump hiked tariffs on metals from 25% to 50% by the middle of the week – something the UK was able to avoid – for now.
- Winter fuel payments U-turn: The UK government U-turned on one of their most unpopular measures by announcing they would be reinstating the winter fuel payments for the almost 10 million pensioners that were cut off last year.
- Free school meals expanded: The government announced they will expand free school meals to a further 500,000 children as part of a wider effort to tackle child poverty in the UK.
- Reform UK chairman quits: Zia Yusuf quit as Reform UK chair after a row over new Reform UK’s MP’s call for burqa ban. It comes as Nigel Farage is trying to professionalise his party.
- Trump and Musk spat: Regardless of where you are in the world right now – Friday’s hottest story is the ongoing spat between Musk and Trump that took place last night. It started when Musk criticised Trump’s spending bill.
🇬🇧 Weekend Guide (6–8 June 2025)
🌆 London
- London Open Gardens (7–8 June): Explore hidden and celebrity-owned gardens open to the public—an annual delight .
- Eid Festival at Trafalgar Square (8 June): Celebrate the end of Ramadan with live music, food stalls, and arts .
- London Rivers Week continues (until 8 June): Guided walks (like Elmbridge Meadows), sketching sessions at Walthamstow Wetlands, and arts using river-found plastic .
- Museum of the Moon Exhibition, London Transport Museum Depot Open‑Day & NPL Open Day (Friday 6 June) .
🎨 Manchester
- Dr John Cooper Clarke at Salford Lads Club (date unspecified) – an evening with Manchester’s punkiest poet .
- Creative events: Manchester Flower Festival workshops, wellness activities, plus city sightseeing cruises and tours this weekend .
🎶 Liverpool
- Friday 6 June at Arts Club & Camp and Furnace:
- Big Condo Records Weekender at The Hold
- Eagles & Steely Dan tribute at Camp and Furnace .
- Big Condo Records Weekender at The Hold
- Hang around for tribute nights and late-night Reggaeton sessions—live music’s buzzing all weekend .
📚 Southampton
- Southampton Street Food Circus (6–8 June) – a foodie haven in Crosshouse Carpark .
- World Ocean Open Day (8 June) at the National Oceanography Centre—free interactive science displays and talks .
- Friday night: Dub/electronic fusion with Zion Train and Latin Fusion Night at Engine Rooms .
- Saturday: R&B Lovers party, Old Skool Brunch, bingo and comedy nights—something lively every hour .
🌿 Glasgow
- Govan Fair (Friday 6 June) – local community celebration on Glasgow’s South Side .
- Throughout June: Candlelight tribute gigs (ABBA, Queen), Celtic Park tours, etc. .
🎤 Belfast
- Belsonic 2025 kicks off (7–8 June) in Ormeau Park featuring Waterboys, Ocean Colour Scene, and more .
- Belfast Book Festival continues (5–12 June) at the Crescent Arts Centre .
💪 Cardiff
- Everywoman Festival at Insole Court (7 June): workshops, talks, music and food celebrating women’s empowerment .
- Friday (6 June): Glamorgan vs Essex cricket match—perfect for a relaxed day out .
- Saturday evening: Tribute concert at Tramshed – tribute acts to Stone Roses, Oasis, The Smiths .
📋 Quick Sporting Summary
| Sport | Event Name | Date(s) | UK Location | Notes |
| Football (Men’s & Women’s) | — | 6–8 Jun | — | No top-level football matches in UK |
| Tennis | Ilkley Open (joint) | Starts Sun 8 Jun | Ilkley, Yorkshire | Men’s & Women’s matches begin Sunday |
| Tennis | Queen’s Club Champs | 9–22 Jun | London – Queen’s Club | Men’s & Women’s grass-court tournament |