2024 in the United Kingdom
| 2024 in the United Kingdom |
| Other years |
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| Countries of the United Kingdom |
| England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales |
| Popular culture |
Events from the year 2024 in the United Kingdom.
Incumbents[edit]
- Monarch – Charles III
- Prime Minister – Rishi Sunak (Conservative)
- Parliament – 58th (17 December 2019 – present)
Events[edit]
January[edit]
- 1 January
- Figures show the annual number of migrants crossing the English Channel fell during 2023, doing so for the first time since records began. The provisional annual total for 2023 is 29,437, a 36% decrease from the 2022 total of 45,774.[1]
- Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps says that British forces are ready to act against Houthi rebels targeting cargo ships in the Red Sea.[2]
- VAT on period pants is abolished, potentially making the products cheaper to buy.[3]
- A 5% increase in the price cap on domestic energy comes into force for England, Scotland and Wales.[4]
- Kimberlee Singler, a 35-year-old mother accused of the murder of two of her children in the United States, appears before Westminster Magistrates Court for extradition proceedings following her arrest in London on 30 December 2023.[5]
- HMRC announces a crackdown on tax evasion by those who make extra cash from "side hustle" websites like Airbnb, Amazon, eBay and Etsy.[6]
- 2 January
- Storm Henk:
- The Met Office issues a severe weather warning as Storm Henk hits parts of the UK, bringing winds of up to 80 mph (128 km/h), along with the risk of flooding.[7]
- A man dies in Gloucestershire after a tree fell on his car during high winds.[8][9]
- At the London Eye, strong winds blow open a pod hatch while a family of 11 is 400 ft in the air.[10]
- Footage emerges of a mother and her three-year-old daughter being rescued from a submerged car in Birmingham.[11]
- An 87-year-old woman dies when the car she was driving hit a fallen tree. The crash occurred on the B4526 near Crays Pond, Oxfordshire at around 5.25pm.[12]
- Research published by the RAC indicates that the target set by the UK government for installing rapid or ultra-rapid chargers near motorways was missed during 2023.[13]
- Provisional data released by the Met Office indicates 2023 was the second warmest year on record in the UK behind 2022, with Wales and Northern Ireland experiencing their warmest year on record during 2023.[14]
- 16-year-old Luke Littler beats Rob Cross to reach the World Darts Championship final, making him the youngest person to reach the final; overtaking Kirk Shepherd who was 21 years and 88 days old in 2008.[15]
- Storm Henk:
- 3 January
- Luke Littler becomes the youngest finalist of the PDC World Darts Championship as he faces Luke Humphries in the 2024 final at the age of 16 years and 348 days.[16] Humphries wins the final.[17]
- Halifax, the UK's largest money lender, cuts its mortgage rates by almost 1%, with other banks and lenders following.[18]
- 4 January
- Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says his "working assumption" is that the general election will take place in the second half of this year.[19]
- Sainsbury's announces that they will offer pay rises from March as supermarkets continue their battle to retain workers. The increase means that all their workers will be paid the voluntary Real Living Wage, which is higher than the compulsory National Living Wage.[20]
- A man is arrested after firing shots at a cinema, newsagent, and a house in Croxteth, Liverpool.[21]
- 5 January
- The Metropolitan Police says it is not investigating allegations against Prince Andrew after unsealed court papers in the United States contained groping allegations against him.[22]
- Critics have branded comments by Sir Howard Davies, chair of NatWest, as "astounding" and "out of touch with reality" after he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was "not that difficult" for someone to buy a house.[23]
- Chris Skidmore, MP for Kingswood, announces his intention to stand down from Parliament "as soon as possible" in protest at the UK government's decision to issue more oil and gas licences. His decision will trigger another by-election.[24]
- Lawyers representing potential victims of the British Post Office scandal say they have been contacted by a further 50 people following the broadcast of the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office.[25]
- 6 January
- The Metropolitan Police confirms it has launched an investigation into the Post Office for potential fraud over the Horizon IT scandal.[26]
- The rate of National Insurance is reduced from 12% to 10%, reducing NI contributions for an estimated 27 million employees earning between £12,571 and £50,270.[27]
- 7 January
- Sir Keir Starmer admits he worries about the toll of a general election year on his two teenage children as he and his wife try to keep them out of the public eye.[28]
- Sunak describes the Post Office scandal as "an appalling miscarriage of justice" and says the government is looking at ways to clear the names of those convicted because of faulty IT software.[29]
- 8 January
- Chinese authorities claim to have detained an individual who they say has been working for the British Secret Intelligence Service MI6.[30]
- Ofgem grants permission for energy companies to resume the forced installation of prepayment meters a year after the practice was suspended and after drawing up new rules that prohibits them being installed under certain conditions, such as households where the occupant is over 75, where there are children under two, and for those with certain health conditions.[31]
- More than a million people have signed a petition calling for former Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells to be stripped of her CBE in the wake of the Horizon IT scandal.[32]
- At an event held in Parliament Square, the actor Idris Elba calls on the UK government to introduce an immediate ban on the sale of zombie knives and machetes to reduce the number of young people losing their lives because of the weapons.[33]
- London and the South-east see a mix of snow, sleet, and rain as the country braces for a week-long cold spell.[34]
Predicted and scheduled events[edit]
- 1 February – It will become a criminal offence to own an American XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless the owner has successfully applied for the dog to be exempt.[35]
- 2 February – Two teenagers are scheduled to be sentenced following their conviction for the murder of Brianna Ghey.[36]
- 2 March – The 2024 Brit Awards will take place at London's O2 Arena.[37]
- 6 March – Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is scheduled to deliver the 2024 United Kingdom budget.[38]
- 1 April – The cost of a TV licence will increase by £10.50 from £159 to £169.50.[39]
- 21 April – The 2024 London Marathon is scheduled to take place.[40]
- 2 May – Local elections are scheduled to take place for councils and mayors in England and police and crime commissioners in England and Wales.
- 17 December – Assuming the next general election has not already taken place, the Parliament elected in 2019 must be dissolved, with the next general election taking place no later than 28 January 2025.[41][42]
Deaths[edit]
See also[edit]
- Politics in the United Kingdom
- 2020s in United Kingdom political history
- 2024 in United Kingdom politics and government
- 2024 in British music
- 2024 in British television
- 2024 in British radio
- List of British films of 2024
References[edit]
- ^ Collins, Lauren (1 January 2024). "Channel migrants: Crossings fell in 2023, government figures show". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
- ^ Gribben, Paul; Gardner, Frank (1 January 2024). "Red Sea: UK defence secretary says British forces will repel Houthi attacks". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
- ^ Hooker, Lucy (1 January 2024). "Period pants could get cheaper after VAT is removed". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
- ^ Peachey, Kevin (1 January 2024). "Household energy price rise of 5% comes into force". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
- ^ "Mother in UK court after children's deaths in Colorado". BBC News. BBC. 1 January 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
- ^ "HMRC cracks down on 'tax-evading' second-hand online sellers and side hustlers". LBC. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
- ^ "Met Office issues weather warning as Storm Henk hits parts of UK". The Guardian. 2 January 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ "Man dies after tree falls on car during Storm Henk". BBC News. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
- ^ Webb, Daniel Jae (2 January 2024). "Storm Henk: Person dies as car crushed by tree near Malmesbury". Wiltshire 999s. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
- ^ "Wind rips London Eye pod hatch open while 400ft in air with family inside". The Guardian. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
- ^ "Dramatic rescue of woman and child submerged in car in Birmingham during Storm Henk". BBC News. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
- ^ "Storm Henk: Woman, 87, dies after car crashes into fallen tree". BBC News. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ Austin, Katy (2 January 2024). "Motorway electric car charge point target missed, says RAC". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ Stallard, Emma (2 January 2024). "UK weather: 2023 was second warmest year ever, says Met Office". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ "Luke Littler beats Rob Cross to reach World Darts Championship final". BBC Sport. 2 January 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
- ^ "Luke Littler – the 16-year-old who is changing darts at PDC World Championship". BBC Sport. 2 January 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
- ^ Cartwright, Phil (3 January 2024). "Luke Humphries beats Luke Littler to win PDC World Darts Championship". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
- ^ Peachey, Kevin (3 January 2024). "Lenders cut mortgage rates to ease borrowers' pain". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
- ^ "Sunak pencils in election for second half of 2024 as Starmer makes pitch". BBC News. BBC. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Sainsbury's increases pay as supermarkets battle for staff". BBC News. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Liverpool shooting: Arrest after shots fired at Showcase cinema and shop". BBC News. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ Gregory, James (5 January 2024). "No investigation into Prince Andrew – Met Police". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ Race, Michael (5 January 2024). "Sir Howard Davies: Not that difficult to buy a home, says NatWest chair". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ "Chris Skidmore: Tory MP to quit over new oil and gas licences". BBC News. BBC. 5 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ Sri-Pathma, Vishala; Simpson, Emma (5 January 2024). "Post Office scandal: Dozens more seek legal help after TV drama". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ Sri-Pathma, Vishala; Simpson, Emma (5 January 2024). "Post Office scandal: Met Police investigate potential fraud offences". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ "National Insurance calculator: What will I pay and how is tax changing?". BBC News. BBC. 15 November 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ "Sir Keir Starmer has worries over election impact on his children". BBC News. 7 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ Jordan, Dearbail (7 January 2024). "Post Office scandal: Rishi Sunak considers measures to clear all victims". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ Corera, Gordon (8 January 2024). "MI6 spy detained in China, authorities claim". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ Peachey, Kevin (8 January 2024). "Energy firms allowed to restart force-fitting meters". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ Cochrane, Angus (8 January 2024). "Rishi Sunak would back committee in honour probe into ex-Post Office boss". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ "Idris Elba urges stronger action on knife crime". BBC News. 8 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ "UK weather: Snow hits south-east England as cold spell takes hold". BBC News. 8 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ "American bully XLs added to list of banned dogs in England and Wales". BBC News. BBC. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ Hirst, Lauren; Moritz, Judith (21 December 2023). "Teenagers who murdered Brianna Ghey to be named". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ Grein, Paul (26 September 2023). "Here's the Date of the 2024 Brit Awards". Billboard. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ "Treasury says 2024 Budget to be held on 6 March". 27 December 2023 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ McIntosh, Steven (7 December 2023). "BBC funding: TV licence fee to rise by £10.50, government says". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
- ^ Mata, William; Davison, Tamara (18 October 2023). "London Marathon 2024: Date, route and how to enter". Evening Standard. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ "Electoral administration bulletin" (PDF). Electoral Commission. 22 March 2023.
- ^ "London Playbook: Strikes hope — Budget fallout — Labour's election prep". POLITICO. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
