Thursday, 15 January 2026
The UK economy grew by 0.3% in November 2025, surpassing forecasts of zero growth, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This growth was primarily driven by an increase in the services sector, which rebounded after a weak October, although construction output fell by 1.3% during the same period. Economists predict lower growth for 2026, with estimates ranging from 0.7% to 1.4% for the year.
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has launched an investigation into Home REIT, a UK social housing company, over suspected fraud and bribery involving £300 million. On January 14, 2026, the SFO conducted raids and made six arrests across various locations including Altrincham, Maidenhead, London, and a commercial site in Manchester, with additional assistance from Italian law enforcement in Venice.
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has expressed a loss of confidence in West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford following a report that criticized the flawed intelligence behind the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending a match against Aston Villa last year. Mahmood stated that the police force exhibited 'confirmation bias' and misjudged the threat posed by Maccabi fans, while acknowledging that she lacks the authority to dismiss Guildford, a power that the government plans to restore. The West Midlands Police has since apologized for the errors and is taking immediate action.
The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) is set to announce the results of a strike ballot regarding teachers' workloads, which could lead to national strike action potentially closing nearly every school in Scotland. The EIS, the largest teachers' union, is advocating for a reduction in class contact time from 22.5 hours to 21 hours per week to allow teachers more time for lesson preparation and marking. The Scottish government has proposed changes to address these concerns, including a restructured working week, but the EIS claims there has been insufficient progress in negotiations.
Jinchao Wei, a former US Navy sailor, was sentenced to 200 months in federal prison for selling military secrets to China, according to FBI Director Kash Patel. Wei, who began passing sensitive defense information in early 2022, provided over 30 restricted naval technical manuals related to the USS Essex in exchange for approximately £8,940 ($12,000). Patel noted a significant increase in FBI counterespionage efforts, with espionage takedowns nearly quadrupling compared to 2024.
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