Area Total | 243,610 sq km |
Climate | temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast |
Natural Resources | coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land |
Imports | $602.5 billion (2017 est.) partners: Germany 13.7%, US 9.5%, China 9.3%, Netherlands 8%, France 5.4%, Belgium 5% (2017) |
Exports | $436.5 billion (2017 est.) partners: US 13.2%, Germany 10.5%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 6.2%, Ireland 5.6%, China 4.8%, Switzerland 4.5%, (2017) |
Government | parliamentary constitutional monarchy; a Constitutional realm |
Capital | London |
Population | 65.6 million (July 2017 est.) |
Ethnicity | white 87.2%, black/African/Caribbean/black British 3%, Asian/Asian British: Indian 2.3%, Asian/Asian British: Pakistani 1.9%, mixed 2%, other 3.7% (2011 est.) |
Language | English; recognized languages are: Scots (about 30% of the population of Scotland), Scottish Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland), Welsh (about 20% of the population of Wales), Irish (about 10% of the population of Northern Ireland), Cornish (some 2,000 to 3,000 people in Cornwall) (2012 est.) |
News about United Kingdom
- Two teens arrested after man dies in stabbingby BBC News on July 1, 2025
Two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, are arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of a 38-year-old.
- 92-year-old man sentenced to life in prison for 1967 murder and rapeby BBC News on July 1, 2025
Ryland Headley, who was 34 when he raped and strangled Louisa Dunne, was told he will die in prison.
- Three former bosses of Lucy Letby arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughterby BBC News on July 1, 2025
All three worked at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016, when Letby killed babies at the neonatal unit.
- Three ex-bosses of Lucy Letby arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughterby BBC News on July 1, 2025
Cheshire Police arrests three former senior staff on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
- Chief rabbi attacks BBC for airing 'vile Jew hate' at Glastonburyby BBC News on July 1, 2025
Sir Ephraim Mirvis hit out after Bob Vylan's controversial performance at Glastonbury was aired by BBC.
- Labour welfare bill latest: Starmer warned secret rebels ready to sink benefits cuts in key vote todayby Archie Mitchell,Athena Stavrou and Kate Devlin (The Independent UK) on July 1, 2025
Commons to vote on legislation today as dozens of Labour MPs still set to rebel
- Three former hospital bosses arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in Lucy Letby investigationby Tara Cobham and Alex Ross (The Independent UK) on July 1, 2025
Former Countess of Chester Hospital nurse was convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others
- He evaded police for 58 years. Then a single handprint brought him to justiceby Alex Ross (The Independent UK) on July 1, 2025
For decades, Ryland Headley went undetected for the violent murder of Louise Dunne in Bristol, until police officers re-examining the case discovered key links to the killer from boxed evidence
- ‘Depraved’ killer, 92, finally jailed for rape and murder cold case after 58 yearsby Tara Cobham (The Independent UK) on July 1, 2025
Ryland Headley jailed for life after forcing open window at Louisa Dunne’s Bristol home and attacking her nearly six decades ago
- Starmer is likely to scrape through the welfare bill vote, but he cannot consider this a victoryby David Maddox (The Independent UK) on July 1, 2025
Keir Starmer is likely to have the numbers to get his legislation on welfare to pass its first hurdle today, writes David Maddox, but the concessions he has been forced to make show he’s rapidly losing control
- Watch live: MPs debate and vote on Labour’s welfare billby Holly Bishop (The Independent UK) on July 1, 2025
Watch live as MPs debate and vote on the Labour government’s welfare bill in the House of Commons on Tuesday (1 July).
- Man, 92, who raped and murdered woman nearly 60 years ago jailedby UK News - The latest headlines from the UK | Sky News on July 1, 2025
A 92-year-old man has been sentenced to life with a minimum term of 20 years in prison for the rape and murder of an elderly widow nearly 60 years ago.
- Labour welfare rebellion: Who are the key MPs opposing Starmer’s benefit cuts?by Archie Mitchell and Freddie Dineage-Garreta (The Independent UK) on July 1, 2025
Sir Keir Starmer’s concessions will likely be enough to win the vote, but the prime minister still faces a major rebellion on Tuesday
- Dog owners given heatwave warning after French Bulldog dies in carby Jabed Ahmed (The Independent UK) on July 1, 2025
Warnings over extreme heat have been extended across much of England as temperatures are set to climb to 34C
- Three members of Lucy Letby hospital's senior leadership team arrestedby UK News - The latest headlines from the UK | Sky News on July 1, 2025
Three managers at the hospital where Lucy Letby worked have been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
- House prices see biggest monthly fall for over two yearsby BBC News on July 1, 2025
The Nationwide says the fall may reflect weaker demand following April's changes to stamp duty.
- Everything you need to know about Labour’s welfare reform U-turnby Albert Toth and David Maddox (The Independent UK) on July 1, 2025
Ministers will be hoping two key changes will be enough to keep wavering MPs on side
- Energy bills fall £11 a month but may not stay lowerby BBC News on July 1, 2025
Bills for homes using a typical amount of gas and electricity will drop by £11 a month.
- Wimbledon 2025 day two live: Jack Draper and Novak Djokovic in actionby UK News - The latest headlines from the UK | Sky News on July 1, 2025
- Heathrow in talks to land successor to chairman Lord Deightonby UK News - The latest headlines from the UK | Sky News on July 1, 2025
Heathrow Airport is sounding out candidates to take over from Lord Deighton, its long-serving chairman.
- Trans charity demands investigation into EHRC following Supreme Court ruling on genderby Millie Cooke (The Independent UK) on July 1, 2025
Exclusive: Leading trans campaign group files formal complaint over EHRC conduct
- How Labour’s welfare bill will cut benefitsby Albert Toth and Kate Devlin (The Independent UK) on July 1, 2025
Keir Starmer’s U-turn has provided welcome relief to many disability benefit claimants – but cuts stay on the table
- Tree that killed child ‘was held up by supports for decades’by Steffie Banatvala (The Independent UK) on July 1, 2025
City councillor recalls wooden supports propping up the tree as far back as the 1990s
- Energy bills to rise £104 despite price cap dropby Holly Williams (The Independent UK) on July 1, 2025
The money will go towards a major upgrade of the UK grid
- Firefighters battle wildfires in Scotland for third day amid ‘danger to life’ warningby Steffie Banatvala (The Independent UK) on July 1, 2025
There is thought to be a risk to life because the emergency services are struggling to attend other incidents
- Parental leave and pay for new parents to be reviewedby BBC News on July 1, 2025
Campaigners say the UK's system has been "overlooked for years", and investing in it is a "no-brainer".
- Chief rabbi condemns BBC's 'mishandled response' to anti-IDF chanting at Glastonbury - as band issues new statementby UK News - The latest headlines from the UK | Sky News on July 1, 2025
The chief rabbi has described the BBC's response to anti-IDF chanting at Glastonbury as "belated and mishandled" - as the rap duo involved, Bob Vylan, said the UK government needed to talk about its "criminal inaction".
- Voices: ‘Strong leader’ or ‘out of touch’? Welfare revolt splits readers’ opinions on Starmerby Independent and Lauren MacDougall (The Independent UK) on July 1, 2025
The debate over welfare reforms has highlighted mixed views on Starmer’s leadership, with some questioning his handling of welfare reforms and party unity, while others see his actions as a sign of strength under pressure
- Chris Mason: Labour still has a big persuasion job ahead on welfare cutsby BBC News on July 1, 2025
Ministers hope a partial U-turn will win over Labour rebels when MPs vote on welfare changes later.
- Royal train to be decommissioned following decades of serviceby Tony Jones and Laura Elston (The Independent UK) on July 1, 2025
The eight-carriage train will stop running in early 2027, according to the annual royal accounts