Friday, 13 March 2026
The UK economy recorded zero growth in January 2026, falling short of analysts' expectations for a 0.2% increase, amid rising energy prices and geopolitical tensions stemming from the outbreak of war in the Middle East. This follows a modest GDP growth of 0.1% in Q4 2025, with inflation decreasing to 3.0% in January 2026 from 3.4% in December 2025.
The UK Home Office reported a record backlog of asylum appeals, with 80,333 cases pending at the end of 2025, nearly doubling from 41,987 the previous year. The average waiting time for an appeal has increased to 63 weeks, up from 48 weeks in 2024, raising concerns about the government's ability to fulfill its pledge to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers by 2029. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that reforms are underway to address these delays and improve the asylum system.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union are set to strike for 12 days between March and May, with six planned 24-hour walkouts that could significantly disrupt London's hospitality sector. Champa Magesh, managing director of Access Hospitality, warned that past strikes have led to declines in bookings by up to 67%, highlighting the sector's reliance on the Tube for customer access. The strikes coincide with key events, including a Women's Champions League match on March 24, raising concerns over potential revenue losses for local businesses.
Ofcom has delayed a proposed ban on under-16s using social media, shifting the responsibility for online safety back to major tech companies, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. The regulator has demanded that these platforms implement more robust age checks and enhance protections for young users, citing that 72% of children aged eight to 12 access sites prohibited for their age. Ofcom's chief executive, Dame Melanie Dawes, stated that current measures are insufficient and warned that enforcement actions could follow if companies do not comply.
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