Global Scans · UK · Weekly Summary

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] The UK Debt Management Office may need to issue more short-dated debt and therefore rely more on price-sensitive investors, increasing volatility and fiscal risk as public debt climbs. Evelyn Partners
• [New] The Bank of England is forecast to hold rates at 3.75% following December's hawkish reduction, as policymakers assess delayed impacts of previous cuts on inflation and economic growth. The Investment Trading Hub
• [New] US federal and state initiatives are advancing disclosure, risk reporting and governance standards, while the UK and other jurisdictions adopt sector-specific approaches to responsible AI deployment. Default
• [New] Commissioned by the UK government in 2014, if the rate of drug-resistant infections reached 100% by 2050, there would be an estimated 10 million deaths caused by drug-resistant infections. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Amid the ongoing biodiversity crisis, the UK offers stories of hope: once-extinct species like the large blue butterfly have returned, rare butterflies and orchids are making comebacks, and thousands of trees and restored habitats are helping wildlife thrive. United Nations Western Europe
• [New] While the CMA may be more open to negotiated outcomes, it will still intervene where UK interests are at stake, making early planning and execution discipline critical. Cleary Gottlieb
• [New] Companies should address UK merger risk early and systematically - by identifying UK issues upfront, coordinating across jurisdictions and developing credible non-divestment remedies where appropriate. Cleary Gottlieb
• [New] NHS organizations across England are being encouraged to adopt AI-powered notetaking tools, which early trials suggest could free up clinicians to spend nearly a quarter more time with patients. UKAuthority
• [New] Two new pilot projects, funded by the UK Space Agency, will explore how satellite data and digital tools can help farmers improve decision-making, increase productivity, and enhance environmental sustainability. UKAuthority
• [New] The UK framework specifically addresses the transition period, allowing for remote human operators to monitor vehicles during complex scenarios - a model Waymo will employ during its London pilot. BUSINESS 2.0 NEWS
• [New] Wales is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, with almost 1 out of 5 species at risk of extinction. Wales Online
• [New] Lowering sodium levels in packaged and prepared foods could lead to major improvements in heart health and prevent large numbers of heart attacks, strokes, and premature deaths in France and the United Kingdom. ScienceDaily
• [New] The Bank of England is expected to hold interest rates at 3.75% next week as policymakers continue to battle against sticky inflation. City AM
• [New] Environment Agency data estimates 6.3m properties in England are at risk of flooding, rising to 8m by 2050, with Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland hit hard. The Guardian
• [New] We are already experiencing changes in UK winter rainfall that the global and regional climate models predict for the 2040s - we are 20 years ahead. The Guardian
• [New] Beginning in late 2026, Full RESP will produce 11 holistic, whole-energy, Regional Energy Strategic Plans for Scotland, Wales and England. National Energy System Operator (NESO)
• [New] As the UK moves closer to its 2035 petrol and diesel phase-out, EVs are expected to become standard rather than optional in rental fleets. Digital Journal
• [New] The Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill will change the way in which national parks aims are set and in which they are governed. CIWEM
• [New] The UK government sought feedback in 2025 on how climate transition planning obligations should apply to corporates and regulated financial institutions, and we expect formal regulation to be introduced in 2026. Passle
• [New] While Chinese technology and investment could accelerate Britain's energy transition, concerns about strategic dependency and supply chain resilience remain prominent among policymakers and security experts. Bizclik Media Ltd
• [New] Over a third of UK businesses reported being targeted by AI-related fraud, and the capabilities of fraudsters will only continue to grow. FCA
• [New] We will see further Consumer Duty reviews and rule simplification programmes in the UK alongside similar plans in the EU, as regulators look to reduce compliance burdens on firms and free up resources for growth agendas. Baker McKenzie
• [New] We expect national enforcement to continue apace in 2026 and expect more clarity on the potential reforms to the treatment of non-competes in the UK. JD Supra

Last updated: 03 February 2026