Political Calendar
Upcoming elections, economic events, and key official data releases — dates and context in one place.
Upcoming Elections
Local Elections (England)
Next scheduled cycle of English local government elections. Metropolitan boroughs, unitaries, and some county councils.
Police & Crime Commissioner Elections
PCCs elected across England and Wales every four years. Significant races in high-population areas.
General Election (legal deadline)
This Parliament first met on 9 July 2024. Under the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 it dissolves automatically at the start of 9 July 2029 if not dissolved earlier, and polling day follows 25 working days later: Wednesday 15 August 2029 is the latest possible date. The Prime Minister can ask for an earlier dissolution at any time. This is the legal limit, not a forecast of when the election will be held.
Note: The Conservatives under Rishi Sunak called the 2024 General Election early (4 July 2024), about seven months before the legal deadline of January 2025 for that Parliament. Labour won a large majority. For this Parliament, automatic dissolution is 9 July 2029 and the latest possible polling day is 15 August 2029. Any earlier date is the Prime Minister's choice; we do not forecast it.
Economic Events 2026
Key OBR forecasts and Bank of England MPC meetings drive market expectations, mortgage rates, and government borrowing costs. The two OBR forecasts per year are the most significant fiscal events.
OBR Spring Forecast
The OBR published its updated economic and fiscal outlook.
Official date and publication →MPC rate decision
The Bank published its rate decision and minutes.
Official date and publication →MPC rate decision
The Bank published its rate decision and minutes.
Official date and publication →MPC rate decision
The Bank published its rate decision and minutes.
Official date and publication →Autumn Budget
The Treasury has announced this date. Final measures and costings remain to be published.
Official date and publication →MPC meeting and Monetary Policy Report
Scheduled release of the rate decision, minutes and quarterly forecast.
Official date and publication →MPC meeting
Scheduled release of the rate decision and minutes.
Official date and publication →MPC schedule: The Bank of England MPC meets roughly every 6 weeks — approximately 8 times per year. Each meeting produces a rate decision; quarterly meetings also produce the Monetary Policy Report with detailed economic forecasts.
Regular Official Data Releases
These releases update the key statistics shown across this site. Monthly releases drive political commentary; understanding the release calendar helps contextualise media coverage.
ONS GDP Estimate
Monthly GDP estimate published ~28 days after the reference month. Key economic health indicator.
ONS Labour Market Statistics
Unemployment rate, employment figures, average weekly earnings. Published monthly ~6 weeks after reference period.
ONS Consumer Prices Index (CPI)
Inflation rate — 12-month CPI and CPIH. Published monthly ~2.5 weeks after reference month.
ONS House Price Index
Average UK house prices and regional breakdown. Published ~2 months after reference month.
ONS Crime Survey for England and Wales
Quarterly crime survey data covering personal and household crime. Supplemented by police recorded crime.
ONS Public Sector Finances
Monthly and quarterly public sector borrowing, debt, and spending. Key for assessing fiscal rules.
ONS Migration Statistics
Revised net migration estimates. Long International Migration series. Most politically sensitive release.
ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE)
Definitive earnings data by sector, region, and occupation. Used for minimum wage assessment.
All releases are free and publicly available at ons.gov.uk. The ONS release calendar is published in advance at ons.gov.uk/releasecalendar.