UK News Daily UK Unemployment Surges as Bank Watch, UK Theme Park Gets Green Light, UK BBC Charter Reforms, UK Probes Foreign Interference in Politics, and more...
Dec 17, 2025
UK unemployment has surged to its highest level since 2016, raising concerns about the labor market. Meanwhile, Universal's first UK theme park has been approved, promising a £50 billion economic boost. Significant reforms are in the works for BBC governance and funding. There's also an investigation into foreign financial interference in politics, led by a former senior civil servant. Additionally, record-breaking sunshine is fueling a solar energy boom, with renewables now supplying about 60% of the UK's electricity.
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Labour Market Cooling Points To Rate Cut
- UK unemployment rose to 5.1%, the highest since early 2016 once pandemic effects are removed.
- Economists view slower hiring and easing wage growth as supporting a Bank of England rate cut to 3.75% from 4.0%.
Universal Theme Park Aims For Big Economic Boost
- Universal won planning permission for a major theme park near Kempston Hardwick targeting 8.5m visitors a year.
- The project aims to create 8,000 permanent jobs and boost the regional economy by about £50 billion by mid-century.
BBC Charter Review Targets Funding And Trust
- The government launched a once-in-a-generation BBC charter review to reshape funding, governance and duties.
- Options include licence fee reforms, stronger editorial autonomy, and new duties to counter disinformation and support regional growth.