Events from the year 2026 in the United Kingdom.
Incumbents Monarch – Charles III Prime Minister Keir Starmer (Labour) (until 20 July) Andy Burnham (Labour) (starting 20 July)
Events January 1 January Scotland's "Not Proven" verdict is abolished in all new trials with the jury majority required for a conviction also changing, moving from the current simple majority to at least two-thirds of the 15 jurors. Figures indicate that 41,472 migrants crossed the English Channel during 2025, almost 5,000 more than 2024, and the highest annual number since 2022. 2 January The FTSE 100 rises above 10,000 points for the first time in its history. The MMRV vaccine, designed to protect children against measles, mumps, rubella (German measles), and varicella (chickenpox), is made available on the NHS throughout the UK. An amber weather alert for snow, which came into force for Scotland from midday, is extended until Monday 5 January, while there are yellow warnings for snow and ice for parts of England and Wales. 3 January Luke Littler wins the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship, his second consecutive PDC World Darts Championship victory, after defeating Gian van Veen 7-1. The Ministry of Defence announces that RAF Typhoon jets took part in a joint airstrike with France on a suspected underground arms cache in Syria that was previously used by ISIS. 4 January – The Met Office issues fresh warnings for snow and ice across the UK on Monday 5 January as people return to work and school following the Christmas break. An amber weather alert for fresh snow is also issued for northern Scotland. 5 January New powers come into force allowing mobile phones belonging to illegal migrants to be seized without their arrest. A ban on junk food advertising comes into effect, as part of a drive to tackle childhood obesity. This affects TV adverts shown before 9pm and online adverts at any time. 6 January The UK experiences its coldest night of the winter so far, with temperatures reaching as low as −12.5 °C (9.5 °F) in Marham, Norfolk. Snow and ice warnings continue to affect much of the country, closing more than 1,000 schools and causing widespread travel disruption. The Met Office issues a fresh yellow warning for ice and snow for much of the UK ahead of the arrival of Storm Goretti. Snow is forecast for the UK for the 6 and 7 January, and for England and Wales for the 8 and 9 January. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall demands that social media company X deals with deepfake nudes generated by its Grok AI model, and says that Ofcom is now "looking into this as a matter of urgency." The UK and France sign a declaration of intent, during talks in Paris, to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine if a peace agreement is signed with Russia. 7 January The Ministry of Defence confirms that British armed forces supported the US seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic. The UK government proposes that learner drivers wait six months between taking their theory test and their practical test as part of plans to improve road safety. 8 January A red "danger to life" wind warning is issued by the Met Office for south-west England as Storm Goretti heads towards the UK, with gusts expected to surpass 100 mph in some areas. Tougher rules for people applying to come to the UK on skilled worker or scale-up visas begin. The UK government announces it will make changes to plans to increase business rates for pubs. A review finds that two serial rapists were among 131 Metropolitan Police officers and staff who committed crimes or misconduct after they were not properly vetted. 9 January Storm Goretti brings heavy snow, ice and high winds to the UK, with further cold weather forecast. A yellow weather warning for ice is in force for much of the UK for Saturday 10 January, and a yellow warning for northern England and Scotland for Sunday 11 January. Defence Secretary John Healey tells reporters that British bases, personnel or equipment will not be used to support US military action against Greenland, following recent remarks by Donald Trump about the need to acquire the semi-autonomous Danish territory. 10 January Non-league football team Macclesfield F.C. defeat Crystal Palace 2–1 in the FA Cup third round, technically the biggest upset in the competition's history, with 177 league places separating both teams. Two people are arrested following protests outside the Iranian embassy in London during which a demonstrator climbs on to a balcony of the building. Weather warnings for snow, rain and wind are in place for Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England until Monday 12 January, before milder weather is forecast to end the cold snap. 11 January Four people are killed and five others injured in a head-on car crash on Wigan Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester. BBC News reports that the UK government has paid "substantial" compensation to Abu Zubaydah, who was tortured by the CIA and remains imprisoned without trial at Guantanamo Bay after almost 20 years. BBC News reports that the UK government has identified a legal basis by which ships belonging to "shadow fleets" can be boarded and detained if they enter UK territorial waters. The UK government releases a pothole map, showing how various local authorities are faring in fixing them. The map is accompanied by a new traffic light rating system, which evaluates local authorities' response. 12 January A major incident is declared as tens of thousands of people across Kent and Sussex remain without water, have low pressure or intermittent supplies, caused by recent cold weather and a subsequent breakout of leaks and bursts. Ofcom launches an investigation into X amid concerns that its Grok AI tool is being used to create sexualised images. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announces that the UK government will enforce legislation in the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (passed in June 2025) making it illegal to create non-consensual intimate images, and make it illegal for companies to supply the tools to create such images. A shortfall in UK defence spending prompts Sir Richard Knighton, the Head of the Armed Forces, to warn that the UK is "not as ready as we need to be for the kind of full-scale conflict we might face". Former Conservative Party Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi defects to Reform UK. 13 January Wing Commander Sasha Nash is appointed to lead the Red Arrows, succeeding Wing Commander Adam Collins, and becoming the first woman to take on the role. The UK government drops plans to require people to sign up to their digital ID card scheme in order to prove their eligibility to work in the UK. The UK government outlines its plans for investment in Northern Powerhouse Rail. 14 January Following his conviction on 5 September, actor John Alford is sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for sexually assaulting two girls aged 14 and 15. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says she has lost confidence in West Midlands Police chief constable Craig Guildford after Israeli football supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv were banned from a match against Aston Villa after police overstated the threat posed to Israeli fans. Mahmood says that she will reinstate legislative powers allowing chief constables to be dismissed by the Home Secretary. Ofwat is to review the operating licence for South East Water following disruption to water supplies in Sussex and Kent. Fast food outlet TGI Fridays closes 16 of its UK restaurants with the loss of 456 jobs. 15 January Office for National Statistics data indicates the UK economy grew by 0.3% in November, faster than had been forecast, largely as a result of good performance in the automotive and service sectors. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick is sacked by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for "plotting to defect". He is later unveiled as Reform UK's latest Member of Parliament. Downing Street announces it no longer has confidence in West Midlands Police chief constable Craig Guildford. Ofwat launches its investigation into South East Water. The Princess of Wales hosts the England women's national rugby union team at Windsor Castle to celebrate their 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup victory. 16 January Hutchison and others v County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust, an employment tribunal case between a group of eight female nurses and the NHS Trust, rules that the NHS trust had harassed and discriminated against eight nurses by requiring them to share a changing room with a transgender women and by not taking the nurses concerns seriously. Following his conviction on 12 December, Robert Rhodes is sentenced to at least 29 years and six months in prison for murdering his wife, after new evidence disclosed by their child led to a second trial. Craig Guildford announces his retirement from the role of chief constable of West Midlands Police. 17 January US President Trump announces that the UK, along with other European countries, will be hit with a 10% tariff on "all or any goods" exported to the US from 1 February, amid an ongoing dispute over the annexation of Greenland. Starmer describes the threat as "completely wrong". Justice Secretary David Lammy blocks plans to move Jake Fahri, convicted of the murder of Jimmy Mizen in 2008, to an open prison. 18 January The UK government withdraws an amendment to its Hillsborough Bill that would require MI5 and MI6 employees to only give evidence at the discretion of their boss. South East Water apologises as 4,000 homes in Kent experience problems with their water supply. 19 January During a speech about the Greenland crisis, Starmer says a trade war is "in no-one's interest" and that the "right approach" is "through calm discussion". The Criminal Cases Review Commission confirms it is holding a review into the conviction of Michael Stone for the 1996 murders of Lin and Megan Russell following an application from his legal team. The Independent Office for Police Conduct launches an investigation into West Midlands Police's decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from an away match in Birmingham in November 2025. The UK government is to launch a consultation on a potential social media ban for children under the age of 16. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds announces an overhaul of the water industry, including unannounced inspections, compulsory water efficiency labels and MOT-style checks on companies. 20 January Plans for a controversial new Chinese "mega-embassy" in London are approved by the UK government, amid ongoing debate over the security risks. Downing Street hopes that the 20,000 square metre complex, set to become the largest embassy in Europe if built, will pave the way for trade deals with China. The UK government announces its £15bn Warm Homes Plan, which will make households eligible for grants to install solar panels and other green energy saving technology in order to reduce household bills. The Crown Prosecution Service announces that Lucy Letby will not face any further charges over baby deaths and collapses. 21 January Inflation rose from 3.2% in November to 3.4% in December, the ONS reports, driven by higher air fares, tobacco, and food prices. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards rules that Reform UK leader Nigel Farage breached MPs' rules 17 times by failing to register financial interests totalling £384,000 within the 28-day limit, but concludes that the breaches were "inadvertent" and do not require sanctions. Chancellor Rachel Reeves says she "would never rule anything out" when asked if the UK would impose retaliatory tariffs on the US. Data from the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency indicates that instances of driving test cheating in England, Scotland and Wales rose by 50% during 2025, with bluetooth and imposters two common ways of cheating. 22 January Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper says that the UK is holding off joining Donald Trump's Board of Peace amid concerns about Vladimir Putin's involvement.