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Advance UK News Diary

March 9-15: HMS Dragon heads to the Mediterranean, UK-Ireland Summit, and the Oscars

March 6, 2026
  • Slice 1

A look ahead at the key events leading the news agenda, from the team at Foresight News. Delivered to your inbox on Fridays.

Leading the week   

Something to keep an eye out for this week is the departure of HMS Dragon, which is expected to sail from Portsmouth Harbour to the Mediterranean to bolster defensive capabilities around RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. The government has faced criticism over the delay in getting the ship deployed to the region, and it’s expected to be another week before it arrives to help defend against Iranian drones. 

Monday (March 9): King Charles and Queen Camilla attend Commonwealth Day service; MPs vote on Lords changes to Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, including proposed social media age limit; High Court hears civil trial brought against Gerry Adams by IRA bomb victims. 

Tuesday (March 10): IAEA director general Rafael Grossi addresses Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris; UN Security Council discusses Iran sanctions; Liverpool, Newcastle and Spurs play Champions League round of 16 fixtures. 

Wednesday (March 11):  Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch at PMQs; Treasury committee questions Rachel Reeves on the Spring Statement; Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City play Champions League round of 16 fixtures. 

Thursday (March 12): UK-Ireland Summit; Chief of the Air Staff addresses RUSI Combat Air Power conference; EU defence ministers meet in Cyprus. 

Friday (March 13): Monthly estimate of UK GDP; High Court hears challenge to UK-Mauritius Chagos Islands deal; Cheltenham Gold Cup. 

Saturday (March 14): Final round of Six Nations; US and Japan co-host Indo-Pacific energy security ministerial; Harry Styles hosts Saturday Night Live. 

Sunday (March 15): Academy Awards; Ed Davey speech to Lib Dem Spring conference; London Al Quds Day rally. 

Oscar winners hold their trophies
Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

 

Also look out for...

March 9

Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman hold rally on the Isle of Wight, first of three this week 

X, TikTok and Meta at committee session on disinformation diplomacy 

Donald Trump expected to address House Republicans’ retreat in Miami

Joe Biden speaks at DC health conference

March 10

Treasury Qs and first debate on new courts bill in the Commons 

Queen hosts Women of the World reception 

Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman hold rally in Basingstoke 

New Zealand Covid-19 inquiry publishes phase 2 report 

March 11

European Parliament holds debate on the Iran war 

Forbes publishes World Billionaires list 

One year ago: all-out Birmingham bin strikes began 

15 years ago: 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan, triggering Fukushima nuclear disaster 

March 12

Andrew Bailey addresses FSB conference on cross-border payments 

Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman hold rally in Swindon

China's NPC plenary concludes 

PGA Tour: The Players Championship begins 

March 13

Assisted dying debate continues in the House of Lords 

Bridget Phillipson speaks at Association of School Leaders conference 

Plea hearing for Barry George charged with rape of a 14-year-old girl 

Footballer Thomas Partey in court on further rape charges 

March 14

Defence and culture speeches at Lib Dem Spring Conference 

Razzie Awards

March 15

Viktor Orban expected to deliver National Day speech ahead of elections next month 

Local elections in France, legislative polls in Vietnam, and constitutional referendum in Kazakhstan

Formula One: Chinese Grand Prix 

Mothering Sunday 

Key statistics, reports and results

March 9

CER report on foreign-born workers in Britain 

NAO report on financial resilience of museums and galleries 

S&P Global/REC report on jobs 

China CPI 

Israel Q4 GDP 

UBS annual report

Markets reopen following weekend pause in trading 

March 10

BRC retail sales monitor 

US advance economic indicators 

China monthly trade data 

South Africa Q4 GDP 

Results from: Saudi Aramco, BioNtech, Oracle Corporation, Capita Group 

March 11

US inflation 

OECD consumer price indices 

OPEC monthly oil markets 

Results: Balfour Beatty, Inditex, L&G 

March 12

NHS key services data 

Quarterly tribunals, asylum and gender recognition stats 

Modern slavery 2025 

Farm business income in England 2024/25 

Ofqual annual qualification market report 2024/25 

MPs’ expenses 

IEA monthly oil market report 

Results: BMW, Daimler, TP ICAP 

March 13

UK trade and production stats 

BRC economic monitor 

Revised US Q4 GDP 

US personal income & outlays (incl. PCE price index)

 


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