Ahh, 2024—what a whirlwind of a year!
From political drama to royal health concerns and what felt like an endless parade of named storms, the UK has been buzzing with stories that got us talking, debating, and, of course, Pulsing. It’s been a year full of twists, turns, and headlines that kept everyone on their toes.
So, grab a cuppa, and let’s dive into a whirlwind tour of the biggest stories that shaped the year—plus what Brits thought about them, OnePulse-style.
January
Storm Gerrit kicked off the year with a bang, disrupting that strange lull between Christmas and New Year for 1 in 10. Ofcom proposed cutting Royal Mail delivery days from six to five to save up to £200m, but the public wasn’t impressed. Reactions were far from stamped with approval—see them here. Buckingham Palace announced King Charles will undergo surgery for an enlarged prostate. With 68% of men saying it might encourage others to prioritise prostate health. Vinted and eBay must report transactions to HMRC, targeting undeclared income. The news had 28% of sellers rethinking their preloved hustles—tax man strikes again! And in Scotland, XL bully dogs will be banned after reports of owners dumping them to dodge English licensing rules. The decision split opinions, with 29% strongly supporting the ban.
February
Dame Esther Rantzen, battling stage four lung cancer, called for a change in assisted dying laws, noting her dog’s dignified death compared to her husband’s. Two-thirds of Brits agree it’s time for legal reform. The Home Office raised eyebrows with plans to pay influencers to discourage Channel crossings on TikTok. Half of Brits weren’t sold on the idea, calling it a mismatch. A claim that it’s cheaper to live in an all-inclusive in Turkey than rent in Manchester had 71% saying, “Where do we sign up?” And Wild Pack, led by Georgia Toffolo, is pushing for stricter dog food standards, with 45% of pawrents backing the call for better kibble for their pups.
March
advocating for sex-specific terms in official documents. With 46% backing the move, it sparked plenty of debate. The Princess of Wales, apologised for confusion over a viral Mother’s Day photo, admitting to experimenting with editing—much like the 1 in 4 Brits who often tweak their snaps before posting. Secondhand fashion boomed, with two-thirds of Brits buying preloved finds as the market edged toward making up a tenth of global fashion sales. Meanwhile, Cadbury’s Crème Eggs had us doing sugar math—26.5g per egg! Yet half of us shrugged it off. Who’s counting calories when Easter’s calling? Pass the choccy!
April
Cancer patients tested a bespoke mRNA vaccine for melanoma, potentially revolutionising cancer treatment. 59% believe personalised healthcare would become the norm. Meanwhile, a family dined and dashed on a £329 bill at an Italian restaurant. Shockingly, 19% admitted they’d done the same at least once—tut tut! Olive oil prices hit record highs, turning the kitchen staple into liquid gold. 78% either cut back on their drizzle or ditched it altogether. And Ross Cook made us all feel a bit lazy, having completed 385 marathons in 352 days across Africa. While 20% found his feat inspiring, the rest of us were still celebrating a 5k walk.
May
ASDA brought good news, reporting disposable income is at its highest since September 2021. With 36% of Brits feeling more financially secure, it’s a rare win for the wallets. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift mania swept the world, but UK Finance warned of fake Olympics and Taylor tickets flooding the web. Only 14% of Brits feel confident they could spot a scam—let’s hope their eras don’t end in tears. And in royal news, King Charles III unveiled his first official portrait since the coronation. It turned a few heads, with 35% wishing royal artwork would stick to classic vibes. A bold choice, Your Majesty!
June
The first pollen bomb of 2024 hit hard, with 24% of hay fever sufferers declaring summer officially cancelled. Pass the antihistamines, please! At Glastonbury, Banksy struck with a powerful migrant boat artwork. While most admired the statement, 1 in 10 prefer their public art to apolitical. On a sobering note, over 80 pubs closed each month in England and Wales earlier this year. With 70% saying pubs are the heartbeat of their communities, it’s a bitter pint to swallow. And finally, UK nurses sounded the alarm over NHS conditions, declaring a national emergency. Only 13% believed the then-conservative government was doing enough.
July
We saw yet another Prime Minister shuffle, with Sir Keir Starmer stepping in. A solid 45% of Brits felt a glimmer of optimism back then about the change. The Welsh accent was been crowned the UK’s most relaxing, with the South Wales Valleys taking the top spot for our British community. Mattel’s new blind Barbie doll was a hit, with 1 in 2 saying inclusive toys help kids better understand disabilities. On the high street, shoplifting offences hit a 20-year high. 44% believe better economic support could tackle the problem. Finally, the Covid-19 inquiry revealed the UK “planned for the wrong pandemic,” with Brexit prep diverting vital attention from public health. Read the raw reactions here!
August
With house prices and rates still sky-high, nearly 30% of Brits are warming to buying with friends. The Gallagher brothers (aka Oasis), who famously split after a heated backstage brawl in 2009, are putting their differences aside for an Oasis reunion tour next year; 56% are curious if they’ll make it to the stage next year. Sadly, on a much grimmer note, riots rocked parts of the UK, highlighting deep national challenges. Only 7% of Brits trust the government to handle future unrest, while 1 in 3 are calling for stricter policing. And it wouldn’t be summer without mentioning the weather. Storms soaked us one minute; sweltering sunshine burned us the next—typical. Oh, and a fun fact: sunsets officially beat sunrises for Brits.
September
Tamagotchi nostalgia hit hard with the opening of its first-ever official store in London. 21% of grown-up Tamagotchi parents confessed their pixel pets didn’t just die—they died frequently. New research revealed that shopping at your local corner shop could cost you up to £832 more a year than heading to a supermarket. Still, 15% don’t mind the price hike, happily paying for the convenience of grabbing milk in their slippers. Lloyds Bank announced it’s letting first-time buyers borrow up to 5.5 times their salary. However, 44% think it’s a risky game, fearing people might end up borrowing more than they can handle. Meanwhile, the cost of sending a first-class letter rose again, prompting 48% to ditch first-class stamps altogether.
October
New data revealed that women have fewer children, with the average now being 1.58 per woman. For 38%, it’s a natural shift and a positive one. Meanwhile, Norovirus, the “winter vomiting bug,” arrived early, with cases doubling across the UK. Yet only 37% of Brits say they’d stay home if they caught it. And in festive news, Nestlé’s shaking up Quality Street tubs this Christmas with new paper packaging for sustainability. While 37% applaud the eco-move, some say it’s not Christmas without that shiny tub glinting under the tree. Oh, and it was Halloween, too! Tap here to peek into our cauldron of spooky stats.
November
‘Twas the month of Christmas ads—read all the juicy takes here. Of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas without John Lewis, so tap here for an even deeper dive into their festive magic. But November wasn’t all tinsel and cheer. Storm Bert swept through, flooding parts of the country, and 52% reckon the Met Office dropped the ball on warnings about the damage it could cause. Meanwhile, millions signed a petition for a general election, calling out dissatisfaction with the Labour government’s policies. 36% say, “Enough is enough—bring on the ballots!” On a lighter note, as snowflakes fell, 12 celebs braved the jungle for I’m a Celeb, and Brits called it right that Danny Jones would be crowned king. A bit of cheer to end a wild month!
December
What a year it’s been—packed with twists, turns, debates, and plenty of surprises. Here’s to another year of Pulsing, and uncovering the stories and insights that shape our world.
Who knows what 2025 has in store? Let’s find out together!
