| 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
- Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor latest: Palace ‘won’t oppose’ Starmer’s plan to remove former prince from line of successionby Harriette Boucher,Nicole Wootton-Cane and Maira Butt (The Independent UK) on February 22, 2026
Starmer reportedly weighing up introducing legislation to remove the former prince from the line of succession
- 'I cleaned toilets while studying at Cambridge'by BBC News on February 22, 2026
Jade Franks uses her experience of classism to write a hit play which has been picked up by Netflix.
- 'We want the truth' - families of Nottingham attacks victims speak ahead of public inquiryby BBC News on February 22, 2026
An inquiry into the attacks carried out by Valdo Calocane will hear evidence in London from Monday.
- Kemi Badenoch pledges to cut interest paid on student loansby PA Reporters (The Independent UK) on February 22, 2026
The Tories have promised to limit the rate on Plan B loans
- I didn't know I was experiencing burnout until it was too lateby BBC News on February 22, 2026
Studies show burnout in young people is rising and there are a number of reasons why.
- The Papers: Andrew 'inquiry' calls and hiding from 'Putin's killer drones'by BBC News on February 22, 2026
Calls to probe Andrew's links to Epstein and the fourth anniversary of the Ukraine war leads Sunday's papers.
- Are ties and blazers over? Why some schools are pushing for 'active' uniformsby BBC News on February 22, 2026
Proponents say relaxed uniforms make life easier for children and are much more practical for physical play.
- We thought Gen Z had started going to church in droves. But the truth is more complicatedby BBC News on February 22, 2026
A fierce debate is taking place about whether there really has been a revival in Christianity.
- 13,000 calls in three months: How one city is keeping ahead of measlesby BBC News on February 22, 2026
Nurses and doctors are trying to understand and assuage the concerns some patients have over vaccines.
- All you need to know ahead of the Bafta Film Awards 2026by BBC News on February 22, 2026
The biggest night in the British film calendar is upon us - find out who's nominated and how to watch.
- Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban may have been politically influenced, say MPsby George Lithgow (The Independent UK) on February 22, 2026
New report on the row also criticises Keir Starmer for heightening tensions
- Inaccurate evidence from AI led to police pursuing ban on Israeli football fans, MPs findby UK News - The latest headlines from the UK | Sky News on February 22, 2026
Microsoft's Copilot AI tool led to more inaccurate evidence being used by West Midlands Police (WMP) to pursue a ban on Israeli football fans, MPs have uncovered.
- We will halve disadvantage gap in schools, ministers say in landmark education reformsby Millie Cooke (The Independent UK) on February 21, 2026
The government will reform how schools get targeted disadvantage funding as part of an attempt to tackle the gap in achievement between pupils from poorer backgrounds compared with their more affluent peers
- Son lived with mum's body for months after Covid lockdown let him hide murderby BBC News on February 21, 2026
Judith Rhead was bludgeoned to death by her son, who was meant to be her carer during Covid.
- GB curlers denied Olympic gold at death yet againby BBC News on February 21, 2026
Bruce Mouat's rink are unable to end a 102-year wait for a men's Winter Olympic curling gold - and vanquish their own disappointment from 2022 - as Canada deny Team GB a fourth gold medal of this year's Games.
- GB curlers denied Olympic gold at death yet againby BBC News on February 21, 2026
Bruce Mouat's rink are unable to end a 102-year wait for a men's Winter Olympic curling gold - and vanquish their own disappointment from 2022 - as Canada deny Team GB a fourth gold medal of this year's Games.
- Man taken to hospital after Lurgan stabbing incidentby BBC News on February 21, 2026
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said a woman in her 20s has been arrested and is assisting police with their enquiries.
- Five taken to hospital after gas explosion at farmby BBC News on February 21, 2026
All five are taken to hospital as a precaution following the incident, which involved a food truck.
- Arrests amid Britain First march and protestsby BBC News on February 21, 2026
The arrests are in relation to offences including assault on an emergency worker, police say.
- TikToker army medic, 25, found dead at barracksby BBC News on February 21, 2026
Lucy Wilde's brother says she was "strength wrapped in softness" and served with "courage and pride".
- MPs to consider inquiry into trade envoy role after Andrew’s arrestby Millie Cooke (The Independent UK) on February 21, 2026
Former prince was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office after allegations were made against him following the release of Epstein files
- Fears diesel spillage may have spread to second riverby BBC News on February 21, 2026
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has warned that fuel contamination in the River Dochart may have spread to the River Tay.
- London Bridge attack hero sacked by police for using ‘p*key’ slurby Ted Hennessey (The Independent UK) on February 21, 2026
Detective Constable Mark Luker has been fired for gross misconduct
- Alba Party 'unlikely' to stand in Scottish Parliament electionby BBC News on February 21, 2026
Leader Kenny MacAskill said the party faced an "immediate crisis" and it was unlikely it would be able to register for the Holyrood elections.
- MPs to discuss inquiry into trade envoy role after Andrew arrestby BBC News on February 21, 2026
A cross-party committee will also look into the appointment and accountability of UK trade envoys.
- Sweeping school reforms to be unveiled - but one mum says it's 'just what I was fearing'by UK News - The latest headlines from the UK | Sky News on February 21, 2026
Sweeping education reforms aimed at halving the disadvantage gap are to be unveiled by the government, with the plans also expected to include significant changes to the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system.
- Teen dies after being stabbed outside mosqueby BBC News on February 21, 2026
A murder investigation is under way into the death of Zeshan Afzal, 18.
- London Bridge terror attack cop sacked over 'offensive' textsby UK News - The latest headlines from the UK | Sky News on February 21, 2026
One of the first police officers on the scene of the 2017 London Bridge terror attack has been sacked for gross misconduct for his use of the word "pikey" in messages about Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller people.
- UK should send non-combat troops to Ukraine now, former PM Johnson tells BBCby BBC News on February 21, 2026
Troops should be deployed to peaceful parts of the country in non-fighting roles, he said.
- What Reform UK’s senior figures really think about women and familiesby Millie Cooke (The Independent UK) on February 21, 2026
As Reform UK surges in the polls and attempts to get its top team ready to fight an election, The Independent has taken a look at exactly what key figures in the party have said about marriage, women, abortion and fertility – and what it might mean for policy






























