UK News 12 February 2026 - 14 May 2026

UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Rises as GDP Surprise Offsets Starmer Turmoil
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UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Rises as GDP Surprise Offsets Starmer Turmoil

The FTSE 100 closed up 0.5% at 10,372.93 and the FTSE 250 rose 1.3% to 22,828.07 after UK GDP grew 0.6% in Q1, beating forecasts. Sterling slipped 0.1% and 10-year gilt yields hovered near 5.02% as political uncertainty grew following Health Minister Wes Streeting’s resignation and doubts over Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s future. Prediction markets put Andy Burnham at 47% to become the next UK prime minister in 2026.
May 14, 2026
NatWest Group Plc Gets Fitch Boost as UK Bank Rules Face Shake-Up
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NatWest Group Plc Gets Fitch Boost as UK Bank Rules Face Shake-Up

Fitch Ratings upgraded NatWest Group Plc’s main banking units to AA from AA- as the UK government prepares to revise rules separating retail and investment banking. NatWest’s ring-fenced retail bank reported a common equity tier 1 ratio of 11.9% for Q1, up from 11.2% at end-2025. Shares rose 0.78% to 568.40 pence in early afternoon London trading. NatWest posted £1.4 billion Q1 profit and raised income guidance.
May 14, 2026
Openreach Adds 238 UK Areas to Copper Switch-Off List as Landline Deadline Nears
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Openreach Adds 238 UK Areas to Copper Switch-Off List as Landline Deadline Nears

Openreach has added 238 UK telephone exchanges to its full-fibre “stop sell” programme, bringing the total to 2,116, according to a May 8 update. The new tranche affects about 1.69 million premises, with order restrictions for older copper-based products set to begin June 3, 2027. The move comes ahead of the planned retirement of the UK’s analogue phone network by January 2027.
May 11, 2026
UK Stock Market Today: Why FTSE 100 Slipped as AstraZeneca, NatWest and BP Dragged London Shares
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UK Stock Market Today: Why FTSE 100 Slipped as AstraZeneca, NatWest and BP Dragged London Shares

London’s FTSE 100 slipped 0.1% to 10,363.93 on Friday, weighed down by AstraZeneca, NatWest, BP, and Shell. AstraZeneca dropped 3.1% after a U.S. FDA panel voted against its breast cancer drug. NatWest fell despite a 12% profit rise, citing economic uncertainty and higher impairment charges. BP lost over 2% amid reports it may sell North Sea assets.
May 1, 2026
Bank of England Rate Decision Today: Oil Shock Puts Three UK Rate Hikes Back on the Table
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Bank of England Rate Decision Today: Oil Shock Puts Three UK Rate Hikes Back on the Table

Traders are betting on three Bank of England rate hikes by December as Brent crude hits $126.41 a barrel, its highest since March 2022, amid Middle East tensions. The BoE is expected to hold rates at 3.75% today, but markets are watching the vote split and inflation warnings. Ten-year gilt yields closed at their highest since July 2008. Sterling rose 0.1% to $1.3488 ahead of the decision.
April 30, 2026
UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Falls Again as Oil Shock and Rate Fears Hit London Shares
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UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Falls Again as Oil Shock and Rate Fears Hit London Shares

London’s FTSE 100 fell 0.2% to 10,457.01, its fourth consecutive decline, as oil stayed above $100 a barrel and hopes faded for renewed U.S.-Iran talks. Sainsbury’s dropped 3.4% after warning the Iran war could hit profits, while WH Smith slumped 9.2% on a profit warning. Consumer confidence hit a six-month low, and traders now see a 70% chance of a June Bank of England rate hike.
April 23, 2026
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Starts 43 MW Scotland Battery Project, Deepening UK Power Push
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Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Starts 43 MW Scotland Battery Project, Deepening UK Power Push

Rolls-Royce has begun building a 43-megawatt battery storage facility in Falkirk, Scotland, for Voltaria Helios Energy Storage. The site will store 86 MWh, connect to the grid in 2026, and start operations in 2027, with Rolls-Royce maintaining it for 15 years. Britain aims to expand battery capacity to at least 23 GW by 2030 but faces grid and permitting delays. Siemens and GE Vernova report surging demand for power infrastructure.
April 2, 2026
NatWest Group Plc Raises Mortgage Rates Again as UK Home Loan Costs Climb
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NatWest Group Plc Raises Mortgage Rates Again as UK Home Loan Costs Climb

NatWest Group will raise mortgage rates across new and existing deals from March 31, its second increase in a week. Many rates will rise by 0.28 percentage point, with a two-year fixed purchase at 60% loan-to-value moving to 5.02%. Barclays, HSBC, and Santander have also raised rates since early March. The average UK mortgage rate reached 5.50% on March 25, the highest since August 2024.
March 30, 2026
National Grid plc signs near-£3 billion Eastern Green Link 3 contracts in UK power-grid push
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National Grid plc signs near-£3 billion Eastern Green Link 3 contracts in UK power-grid push

National Grid has signed nearly £3 billion in contracts for the Eastern Green Link 3 project, awarding Hitachi Energy the converter stations and NKT the cable system. The 690-km link between Scotland and England aims to carry electricity for about 2 million homes. Construction is planned for 2028, pending approval, with operation targeted for 2033. The English section still requires a development consent order.
March 6, 2026
UK Mortgage Approvals Set to Rise in H1 2026 as Broker Flags “Positive Momentum”
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UK Mortgage Approvals Set to Rise in H1 2026 as Broker Flags “Positive Momentum”

Alexander Hall forecasts UK mortgage purchase approvals to average 62,286 in Q1 and 64,196 in Q2 2026, with remortgage approvals rising to 48,257 by Q2. The firm cites competitive pricing and more deals as drivers. UK Finance says 1.8 million fixed-rate mortgages are set to expire. The Bank of England held its rate at 3.75% in February, with future moves uncertain.
February 27, 2026
Lloyds branch closures surge: 95 more UK bank branches to shut — is your Halifax or Bank of Scotland branch on the list?
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Lloyds branch closures surge: 95 more UK bank branches to shut — is your Halifax or Bank of Scotland branch on the list?

Lloyds Banking Group will close 95 branches across Britain between May 2026 and March 2027, including 53 Lloyds Bank, 31 Halifax, and 11 Bank of Scotland sites. The closures bring the total planned for 2026 and 2027 to at least 168. Lloyds cited increased digital banking demand. Some affected towns will receive new banking hubs to maintain cash access.
February 12, 2026

Stock Market Today

  • Aston Martin Shares Forecast: £1,000 Investment Potential in 12 Months
    May 26, 2026, 10:47 AM EDT. Aston Martin shares have risen over 30% from their 52-week low but remain below their 2018 IPO price of £45. As of May 26, the share price stands at 47p, with analysts giving a 12-month average forecast at the same level, indicating limited near-term upside. Broker targets range from 30p to 55p, reflecting uncertainty over the luxury car maker's financial recovery. Recent Q1 results showed a 16% revenue increase to £270.4 million and improved gross margin, yet the company still faces challenges, including workforce reductions and cautious outlooks. CEO Adrian Hallmark projects ongoing improvement supported by model launches and operational discipline, but analysts remain cautious, suggesting investors should weigh risks carefully before buying.