Global Scans · UK · Weekly Summary

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WHAT'S NEXT?: Achieving Brexit will dominate the UK's agenda up to and beyond 2020 with uncertainty rife until clear decisions are made on the form of Great Britain's future relationship with the EU and the rest of the world.

• [New] Flooding is becoming more commonplace, including in the UK, and areas that were previously unknown for flood risk are now facing real problems. Funding the Future
• [New] In regions such as Wales and Southwest England, a 30% replacement in cement usage equates to nearly 300,000 tonnes of demand, highlighting the scale of opportunity for new materials. News Powered by Cision
• [New] A combination of British Steel with other industry players, including Sheffield Forgemasters, which is also in government control, will be a necessary step to preserving steelmaking capacity in the UK. SKY
• [New] The Bank of England plans to regulate stablecoins alongside the US. Live Bitcoin News
• [New] Between 1 and 3 million UK jobs, mostly in declining occupations like secretarial work, basic admin, and machine operation, could vanish over the next decade due to AI and automation. ContentGrip
• [New] Automation and artificial intelligence could eliminate up to three million low-skilled jobs in the UK by 2035. ContentGrip
• [New] The wider aviation industry could benefit from a more resilient, future-ready hub airport - helping to keep the UK competitive in global air travel, especially as Europe's much larger airports continue to expand. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The Environment Agency has already warned England to prepare for drought continuing into 2026 unless there is significant rain over autumn and winter. The Guardian
• [New] Scotland has recently recommitted to providing free bus travel by 2026. The Guardian
• [New] This month, the UK government issued travel warnings for 11 additional countries where travelers face the risk of methanol poisoning, citing a rise in cases of death and serious illness. The Guardian
• [New] Standards will see all drivers, vehicles and operators subject to robust checks and requirements on safety and accessibility across England. GOV.UK
• [New] The UK has become the first major economy to call time on new fossil fuel exploration, confirming that no more licenses for oil and gas drilling will be issued in the North Sea. Positive News
• [New] In the UK, new legislation regulating AI (the UK AI Bill), is unlikely to be published until the second half of 2026. The AI Journal
• [New] The UK Budget introduces a mileage-based charge for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles from 2028 (eg ~3 p per mile for EVs reported in coverage), to compensate for falling fuel-duty receipts. Answer4u
• [New] Pension reforms are at an inflection point as UK and Dutch pension systems enter 2026 with high funding ratios, regulatory clarity, and the scope to re-risk in controlled ways. AXA IM UK
• [New] Public pilots are being fast-tracked: for example, Uber plans to trial Level 4, driverless electric taxis beginning in spring 2026 in the UK, following the regulatory changes. Currently, by AT&T
• [New] From an ongoing struggle to deliver AI ROI to regulations forcing banks to improve hit their ESG goals, 2026 is going to be a truly transformative year as the UK banking ecosystem grapples with major challenges. FinExtra
• [New] The Office for Budget Responsibility has upgraded its UK growth forecast to 1.5% for 2025, with inflation expected to fall to 2.5% in 2026 and return to target by 2027. Insurance Business
• [New] The UK Government has announced plans for a first-of-its-kind Energy Resilience Strategy, designed to protect critical energy infrastructure and shield consumers and businesses from costly disruptions. Public Sector Executive

Last updated: 02 December 2025