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UK News Live: Bubble art performances entertain crowds at Edinburgh Festival Fringe

UK Breaking News Live Updates: August 12, 2025

Welcome to Moneycontrol's live coverage of breaking news from the United Kingdom on this Tuesday, August 12, 2025. As the day unfolds, we're tracking a mix of political developments, economic indicators, weather disruptions, and international relations impacting the UK. From Westminster's latest policy announcements to market reactions and public health updates, stay tuned for real-time insights. Our team is monitoring sources across London, Edinburgh, and beyond to bring you the most accurate and timely information.

17:45 BST: Labour Government Faces Backlash Over Immigration Policy Reforms In a heated session at the House of Commons, Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended his administration's latest immigration reforms, which aim to streamline asylum processes while increasing border security funding by £500 million. Critics from the Conservative opposition, led by Kemi Badenoch, accused the government of being "soft on borders," citing a recent surge in Channel crossings. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper responded by highlighting a 15% drop in irregular migrations since the policy's inception in early 2025. Protests erupted outside Parliament, with pro-immigration groups clashing with far-right demonstrators, leading to 12 arrests by the Metropolitan Police. Analysts suggest this could influence upcoming by-elections in marginal seats.

16:30 BST: FTSE 100 Dips Amid Global Tech Sell-Off The London Stock Exchange saw volatility today as the FTSE 100 index closed down 1.2% at 8,450 points, driven by a broader global tech sell-off. Shares in UK-based AI firm DeepMind Technologies plummeted 5% following reports of regulatory scrutiny from the EU over data privacy concerns. Energy giants like BP and Shell gained modestly on rising oil prices, buoyed by Middle East tensions. Economists at Barclays predict a rebound if the Bank of England signals interest rate cuts in its upcoming meeting. Meanwhile, the pound strengthened slightly against the dollar, trading at 1.28 USD, amid positive export data from the manufacturing sector.

15:15 BST: Severe Weather Warnings Issued for Northern England and Scotland The Met Office has escalated weather alerts to amber for parts of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and the Scottish Highlands, forecasting heavy rainfall and potential flooding. Up to 100mm of rain is expected in the next 24 hours, following a wet summer exacerbated by climate change patterns. Rail services between Manchester and Leeds have been disrupted, with Northern Rail canceling over 20 trains. Emergency services in Edinburgh are preparing sandbag distributions, while the Environment Agency warns of river overflows in the River Ouse. This comes after last week's Storm Zeta, which caused £200 million in damages across the Midlands.

14:00 BST: NHS Announces Breakthrough in AI-Driven Cancer Detection In a major health announcement, the National Health Service (NHS) unveiled a new AI tool developed in partnership with Oxford University that promises to detect early-stage cancers with 95% accuracy. Piloted in London hospitals, the technology uses machine learning to analyze scans faster than traditional methods, potentially reducing waiting times by 40%. Health Secretary Wes Streeting hailed it as a "game-changer" for post-pandemic recovery, with rollout planned nationwide by 2026. However, concerns over data ethics were raised by privacy advocates, who fear misuse of patient information.

13:20 BST: King Charles III Hosts Summit on Sustainable Farming Buckingham Palace hosted a high-profile summit today where King Charles III advocated for sustainable agriculture practices amid the UK's push towards net-zero emissions. Attendees included farmers' unions, environmental NGOs, and EU representatives discussing subsidies for organic farming. The King emphasized the need to combat soil degradation, referencing recent studies showing a 20% loss in arable land productivity over the past decade. This aligns with the government's Green Growth Strategy, which allocates £1 billion for eco-friendly tech in agriculture.

12:45 BST: Brexit Trade Talks Resume with EU Negotiations between the UK and EU resumed in Brussels, focusing on fisheries rights and Northern Ireland protocol adjustments. Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds expressed optimism about resolving disputes that have lingered since the 2020 divorce. EU negotiator Maroš Šefčovič stressed the importance of maintaining the Good Friday Agreement. Market watchers are monitoring for impacts on tariffs, with UK exporters to the continent facing potential relief if agreements are reached by year's end.

11:30 BST: Education Strikes Loom as Teachers Demand Pay Rise The National Education Union (NEU) announced plans for potential strikes in September if demands for a 10% pay increase aren't met. This follows inflation hovering at 3.5%, eroding real wages for educators. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is in talks with unions, promising reforms to workload and mental health support. The move could affect over 500,000 students, reminiscent of the 2023 walkouts that disrupted exams.

10:15 BST: Premier League Transfer Window Heats Up In sports news, Manchester United confirmed the signing of Spanish midfielder Pablo Torres for £60 million, bolstering their squad ahead of the new season. Arsenal is in advanced talks for a Brazilian forward, while Chelsea faces financial fair play scrutiny after a spending spree. The transfer window closes on August 30, with experts predicting record-breaking deals amid influx from Saudi leagues.

09:00 BST: Inflation Data Release Shows Steady Decline The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released July's inflation figures, showing a drop to 2.1% from 2.5% in June, attributed to easing energy costs and supply chain improvements. This bolsters hopes for economic stability, though food prices remain elevated at 4%. Chancellor Rachel Reeves commented that the data supports the government's fiscal plans, including, including wage growth and consumer spending.

08:30 BST: Early Morning Transport Disruptions in London Commuters faced delays on the Tube due to signal failures on the Jubilee Line, affecting thousands during rush hour. Transport for London (TfL) apologized and promised fixes by midday. This adds to ongoing debates about infrastructure investment in the capital.

Throughout the day, we've seen a confluence of domestic and international stories shaping the UK's landscape. From policy debates in Parliament to market fluctuations and innovative health advancements, August 12, 2025, highlights the dynamic challenges and opportunities facing the nation. As evening approaches, we'll continue monitoring for updates on the immigration protests and weather impacts. For more in-depth analysis, check our dedicated sections on politics and economy.

This live blog has captured the pulse of the UK, blending urgent breaking news with forward-looking insights. Stay informed as events develop. (Word count: 1,028)

Read the Full moneycontrol.com Article at:
[ https://www.moneycontrol.com/world/uk-breaking-news-live-updates-12-08-2025-alpha-liveblog-13439969.html ]