Latest UK News: Thursday 5 November 2026 — The Day’s Top Stories

Here is the latest UK news for Thursday 5 November 2026, with the day’s biggest stories in one place. Immigration and the North Sea lead the political news, the pound has hit its highest level since the Brexit referendum, and interest rates are expected to rise for the first time in over three years. Below is what we know so far, as reported by BBC News, Al Jazeera and other UK outlets.

Politics and Government

Residency wait set to double

The government plans to double the wait for permanent residency in the UK, with exemptions for care workers. The proposal sits at the centre of Labour’s wider plans for migrant workers, and it has drawn close attention across the press today. The small print matters here, because who qualifies for an exemption and how the new wait applies to people already in the system will decide how many people are actually affected.

North Sea drilling ban moves ahead

The UK government is set to outlaw new North Sea drilling. Andy Burnham is poised to ban drilling for new oil and gas in the UK, ending exploration in the North Sea, and the Prime Minister has backed an energy bill that would put a permanent prohibition on new drilling into law. The aim, as reported, is to make it harder for future ministers to reverse the ban. A parliamentary investigation has separately found that the UK is “dangerously” dependent on China for critical raw materials needed for the military, renewable energy infrastructure and AI.

UK commits to ‘time-bound’ talks on slavery apology

The UK has committed to “time-bound” talks on a slavery apology. The King described the slave trade as a “shameful chapter” that “fills my heart with horror” during a Commonwealth address. Andy Burnham is reported to be “open” to a UK slavery apology, but not to reparations. The talks are expected to focus on the form and wording of an apology rather than on compensation.

Supreme Court hears Palestine Action appeal

The UK Supreme Court is hearing an appeal against the proscription of Palestine Action. Lawyers have opened their challenge to the ban, and the hearing was described in court reporting as a test of whether the proscription undermined confidence in anti-terror laws. The case is one of the most closely watched legal stories of the day.

Money and the Economy

Pound hits its highest level since the Brexit referendum

The pound has risen to its highest level since the Brexit referendum. BBC News reports that sterling reached its highest level against a basket of currencies since the referendum a decade ago. For households, a stronger pound can mean cheaper imports and cheaper holidays abroad, though what it does next depends on the Bank of England and the wider economy.

Interest rate rise expected

Interest rates are expected to rise for the first time in over three years. Reports suggest the Bank of England is set to raise rates to 4% to tackle rising inflation. A rise would mean higher borrowing costs for mortgage holders on variable rates, and better returns for savers — though banks pass changes on at different speeds, and savers often see the benefit more slowly than borrowers feel the cost.

£200m trains sit barely used

BBC News reports that £200m of taxpayer-funded trains have sat barely used for three years. The story has become one of the day’s most shared examples of public money going to waste, and it is likely to draw questions about how rolling stock decisions are made and who is accountable when trains are bought but not run.

Across the UK

Police to escort fire crews on Bonfire Night

Police are to escort fire crews in the latest crackdown on Bonfire Night disorder. Bonfire Night falls today, 5 November, and the operation in Scotland is reported to be the biggest Police Scotland operation since last year’s visit by President Trump, with as many as 1,700 officers said to be involved. The aim is to protect fire crews from attacks while they answer emergency calls on one of the busiest nights of the year.

British man with Ebola to be flown home

A British man infected with Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo is to be flown back to the UK. The case has been confirmed in reporting today, and the patient is expected to be brought home for treatment. Ebola is a rare and serious virus, and cases in the UK are extremely unusual, which is why this story is drawing attention well beyond the health pages.

More asbestos found in Parliament

More asbestos has been found in Parliament, as MPs are urged to get on with the revamp. The discovery adds to the long-running debate over the Palace of Westminster, which faces what has been described as “grave risks” ahead of a decision on its restoration. The building’s age and condition have been a political argument for years, and each new discovery makes the case for action harder to ignore.

Cocaine overtakes heroin in drug deaths

Cocaine has overtaken heroin as the leading cause of drug deaths in England and Wales. The finding comes from the latest figures on drug-related deaths, and it marks a shift in a pattern that has held for years. Health experts and campaigners are likely to use the figures to argue for more treatment and harm-reduction services.

Sport and Lighter News

Arsenal go top of the Premier League

Arsenal won at Liverpool to go top of the Premier League. It was a big result on a night when Liverpool’s performance underlined the pressure on their season, and it puts Arsenal in the driving seat at the top of the table. The Champions League also featured, with Barcelona due to face Aston Villa.

Karl Bushby completes 28-year walk

British adventurer Karl Bushby has returned home after a 28-year walk around the world. It is one of those stories that stops people in their tracks — nearly three decades on the road, walking the length of the planet, and now finally home. It is a reminder that some of the best stories in the news are not about politics at all.

DWP ‘passport’ to help young jobseekers

The Department for Work and Pensions says a new “passport” scheme will help 100,000 people aged 18 to 24 find work. The scheme is aimed at young people looking for their first job or a way back into work, and it is one of the day’s more practical announcements for anyone job-hunting right now.

What to Watch Next

• The Supreme Court hearing on the Palestine Action ban, and whether the judges signal which way they are leaning.
• The Bank of England’s rate decision and what it means for mortgages and savings.
• The detail of the residency changes — especially the care worker exemption and who else qualifies.
• Bonfire Night itself, and whether the police escort operation keeps fire crews safe tonight.
• Reaction to the North Sea drilling bill as it moves through Parliament.

FAQ

What are the biggest UK stories today, 5 November 2026?

The lead stories are the plan to double the wait for permanent residency, the ban on new North Sea drilling, the pound hitting its highest level since the Brexit referendum, and an expected interest rate rise from the Bank of England. The Supreme Court hearing on the Palestine Action ban and the slavery apology talks are also leading the news.

What is Bonfire Night, and why are police escorting fire crews?

Bonfire Night, on 5 November, marks the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and is celebrated with fireworks and bonfires across the UK. It is one of the busiest nights of the year for fire crews, and in some areas crews have faced attacks while working. That is why police are escorting them this year, with a large operation in Scotland in particular.

What does the North Sea drilling ban mean?

The ban covers new drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea. The government is backing a bill that would write a permanent prohibition on new drilling into law. It does not, as reported, cover existing production — the argument is about whether any new exploration should go ahead.

Where can I read the full stories?

The stories in this roundup were reported by BBC News, Al Jazeera and other UK outlets. For the full detail on any single story, the BBC News UK pages and Al Jazeera’s United Kingdom pages are good starting points, along with the morning newspapers.

Is this roundup updated every day?

This article is a snapshot of the news on Thursday 5 November 2026. Stories move fast — court hearings, the Bank of England decision and the Bonfire Night operation will all develop through the day, so check the news outlets above for the latest updates.