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
- Tariffs live: Trump unveils 10% reciprocal tariff on imports from UK and 20% on EU in global trade shake-upby Andy Gregory,Tara Cobham,Jane Dalton and Alisha Rahaman Sarkar (The Independent UK) on April 3, 2025
Donald Trump has announced a reciprocal tariff of 10% on Britain
- 'I was a Premier League referee, but now I'm learning to walk again'by BBC News on April 3, 2025
Uriah Rennie uses a wheelchair after a rare condition left him paralysed from the waist down.
- No escape for UK as Trump targets ‘foreign cheaters’ in new global trade warby David Maddox (The Independent UK) on April 3, 2025
Keir Starmer urges ‘calm’ as Donald Trump reveals that UK companies face a 10 per cent tariff from 0500 GMT
- Councils putting homeless children at risk, MPs findby BBC News on April 3, 2025
An inquiry says children are living in "appalling conditions" and suffering impacts to their health.
- The Papers: 'World faces economic war' and 'TikTok talks'by BBC News on April 3, 2025
Most of Thursday's front pages lead on Trump announcing universal 10% tariffs on all imports into the US.
- Assisted dying: California man invites BBC to witness his death as Parliament debates new lawby BBC News on April 2, 2025
Wayne Hawkins believes terminally ill people should be able to die when they choose, but others in the state disagree.
- Britons ‘to be £400 worse off’ due to Reeves’ tax hikes - despite pledge to boost pockets by £500by Archie Mitchell (The Independent UK) on April 2, 2025
The Resolution Foundation’s warning is the latest blow to Rachel Reeves as her spring statement continues to face scrutiny
- Trump announces tariffs on NI and Irish goodsby BBC News on April 2, 2025
NI goods entering the US will face a 10% tariff, while those from the Republic will be hit with 20%.
- Council delays force disabled child to miss crucial operation as hidden crisis of Britain’s homeless children laid bareby Holly Bancroft (The Independent UK) on April 2, 2025
MPs alarmed by ‘appalling conditions’ for homeless families living in temporary accommodation
- UK’s longest-serving prison officer reveals major changes behind bars after 50 yearsby Eleanor Fleming (The Independent UK) on April 2, 2025
Steve Ley has witnessed firsthand how the justice system has evolved over five decades
- Trump tariffs: What will immediate impact on UK be?by Albert Toth and Barney Davis (The Independent UK) on April 2, 2025
Some of UK’s key industries were hit after US president announced sweeping measures
- Decision demanded on port closure compensationby BBC News on April 2, 2025
A report urges ministers to decide "urgently" if firms hit by Holyhead closure should be compensated.
- UK to keep pushing for deal after Trump imposes 10% tariffby BBC News on April 2, 2025
"No one wants a trade war" but "nothing is off the table", UK business secretary says.
- Scottish exporters 'disappointed' over Trump tariffsby BBC News on April 2, 2025
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes says the new 10% levy will have a negative impact on Scotland's economy.
- How Trump's tariffs might affect the UK and your moneyby BBC News on April 2, 2025
The UK has been hit with 10% tariffs by the US, but there is uncertainty of the impact of them.
- 'US is our closest ally', says UK minister reacting to Trump tariffs - but 'nothing off the table'by UK News - The latest headlines from the UK | Sky News on April 2, 2025
The US is "our closest ally" but "nothing is off the table" in response to Donald Trump's 10% tariffs on imports from the UK, the business secretary has said.
- Letby barrister to hand over 'fresh evidence'by BBC News on April 2, 2025
Letby's barrister Mark McDonald says he will hand over detailed medical reports to the CCRC.
- UK firms react to Trump tariffs: 'It's a huge blow to Scotland's whisky industry'by BBC News on April 2, 2025
Business in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland tell us what US tariffs could mean for them.
- Urgent warning as shoppers told not to eat popular chocolate barby Rebecca Whittaker (The Independent UK) on April 2, 2025
Two chocolate bars have been recalled after almonds were ‘insufficiently processed’
- MP tells Sky News she was attacked online by Tate brothers after Commons contributionby UK News - The latest headlines from the UK | Sky News on April 2, 2025
An MP has told Sky News she was attacked online by the Tate brothers after she participated in a debate in the House of Commons about violence against women.
- 'It's just nasty': Residents 'overwhelmed' by foul stench and massive rats as bins strike rumbles onby UK News - The latest headlines from the UK | Sky News on April 2, 2025
In parts of Birmingham, the stench is overwhelming - enough to make you heave.
- 'My lawyers are ready' for questions about corruption claims, ex-minister tells Sky Newsby UK News - The latest headlines from the UK | Sky News on April 2, 2025
Tulip Siddiq has told Sky News her "lawyers are ready" to handle any formal questions about allegations she is involved in corruption in Bangladesh.
- British mother and daughters hit and killed by Audi in New Yorkby Bryony Gooch (The Independent UK) on April 2, 2025
The British mum’s four-year-old son survived the incident but remains critically injured
- London grandmother may have to move to Scotland to access vital cancer drug unavailable on NHS in Englandby Rebecca Whittaker (The Independent UK) on April 2, 2025
Breast cancer drug Enhertu costs about £8,000 per session and is only available privately in England, but is offered on the NHS in Scotland
- Warning over disposable barbecues as UK temperatures set to soar to 22Cby Bryony Gooch (The Independent UK) on April 2, 2025
People are urged not to use disposable barbecues and to act responsibly to prevent the risk of wildfires
- Voices: ‘The US is the biggest loser’: What Independent readers are saying about Trump’s tariffsby Independent and Lauren MacDougall (The Independent UK) on April 2, 2025
Our community share their concerns on the potential impact of Trump’s new tariffs, from ‘worsening the cost-of-living crisis’ to ‘finding opportunity amid the chaos’
- Man charged with 64 offences in funeral home probeby BBC News on April 2, 2025
The charges follow an inquiry into a Hull funeral directors in which police removed human remains.
- Man charged with 64 offences in funeral home probeby BBC News on April 2, 2025
The charges follow an inquiry into a Hull funeral directors in which police removed human remains.
- Polish prime minister says his party was targeted in cyberattack ahead of electionby Via AP news wire (The Independent UK) on April 2, 2025
The Polish prime minister says his centrist political party was the target of a cyberattack, and suggested that it could have been interference by Russia ahead of Poland's presidential election next month
- Human remains found at recycling plantby BBC News on April 2, 2025
Police investigate following the discovery of bones at the centre at Tofts Farm Industrial Estate.