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] Most significantly, Net Zero will require the development of a UK greenhouse gas removal 'solutions bank' involving nature-based and technological options that removes 60-90 megatonnes of CO2 each year by 2050. AtkinsRealis
• [New] Reforms will free up capital for investment by raising the MREL threshold and reviewing the ring-fencing regime, while Basel 3.1 rules will be tailored to support UK competitiveness. Addleshaw Goddard
• [New] The success of the first largescale test of 'mine water heat' technology in Gateshead suggests it could play a crucial role in weaning the UK off gas boilers. The i Paper
• [New] Abandoned coal mines are estimated to lie under one in four UK properties and could be harnessed to fuel a heating revolution. The i Paper
• [New] Delivery drones could become business as usual in the UK by 2030. Roza.Pace@trade.gov
• [New] The use of drones in business and public services is predicted to be highly impactful and to deliver significant benefits to the British economy and society. Roza.Pace@trade.gov
• [New] UK defence spending is set to rise by £13.4bn annually by 2027, pushing the total budget beyond £70bn. City AM
• [New] The transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs) is accelerating, with the UK set to prohibit the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. Bizclik Media Ltd
• [New] Earlier this week, Cranfield University (UK) scientists announced a new genome editing technique for raspberries, which they say could be the future of fruit and farming. CNS Media
• [New] The convergence of post-Brexit recalibration, diaspora economic potential, and African economic integration creates unprecedented opportunities for Ghana-UK strategic partnership development. Myjoyonline
• [New] Digital trade facilitation, cross-border payment systems, and e-commerce platform development represent areas where UK technological capabilities could support Ghana's digital transformation while creating commercial opportunities for UK companies. Myjoyonline
• [New] The rapid digitalization of economic activity creates new opportunities for Ghana-UK collaboration in e-commerce, digital financial services, and technology innovation. Myjoyonline
• [New] Experts have warned of the increasing sophistication of AI-driven intrusions and the persistent underinvestment in cyber resilience across UK firms. Insurance Business
• [New] Risk-sharing initiatives, such as the Flood Re scheme in the UK, continue to provide a buffer for high-risk homeowners, though industry leaders warn more investment in flood defences and property-level resilience is needed. Insurance Business
• [New] In the UK, the expansion of Making Tax Digital requirements by 2026 is accelerating the push for digitization. FinExtra
• Current forecasts point to further interest rate cuts, with rates potentially falling to 3% by late 2026. / UK Fox Davidson
• The free trade is expected to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion and relax social security payments for short-term Indian workers in the UK for a maximum of 3 years. en_US
• The UK population is predicted to grow to 86 million by 2100, fuelled by net migration (without migration, it is modelled to fall to 48 million), so Hill argues there is little concern about a declining workforce in the short term. The Guardian
• Former Chancellor George Osborne has warned that the UK risks falling behind the US, Hong Kong, and Singapore, which have already launched regulated crypto products like ETFs. Ainvest

Last updated: 09 September 2025