Editing United Kingdom (section)

== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of the United Kingdom}}
{{further|Economy of England|Economy of Scotland|Economy of Northern Ireland|Economy of Wales}}

[[File:Bank junction - 2020-09-20 (2).jpg|thumb|[[London]] is the largest [[urban economy]] in Europe<ref>{{Cite web |last=Florida |first=Richard |date=16 March 2017 |title=The Economic Power of Cities Compared to Nations |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-03-16/top-metros-have-more-economic-power-than-most-nations |access-date=22 February 2024 |website=Bloomberg |archive-date=8 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308074221/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-03-16/top-metros-have-more-economic-power-than-most-nations |url-status=live }}</ref> and, alongside [[New York City|New York]], the city in the world most integrated with the [[World economy|global economy]].<ref>{{Cite web |website=GaWC |title=The World According to GaWC 2020 |url=https://www.lboro.ac.uk/microsites/geography/gawc/world2020t.html |date=21 August 2020 |access-date=3 June 2023 |publisher=Loughborough University |archive-date=12 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612112616/https://www.lboro.ac.uk/microsites/geography/gawc/world2020t.html |url-status=live }}</ref>]]
[[File:Evening view across Carlton Hill towards the Castle (13164472813).jpg|thumb|right|[[Edinburgh]] is the financial centre of Scotland and is ranked the 4th largest in Europe and 13th largest internationally.<ref>{{cite web |title=Edinburgh 4th in Europe in new Financial Centres index – Scottish Financial Review |url=https://scottishfinancialreview.com/2020/09/25/edinburgh-4th-in-europe-in-new-financial-centres-index/ |website=scottishfinancialreview.com |access-date=15 December 2024}}</ref>]]

The UK has a regulated [[social market economy]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 2011 |title=Principles for Economic Regulation |url=http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/better-regulation/docs/p/11-795-principles-for-economic-regulation |access-date=1 May 2011 |publisher=Department for Business, Innovation & Skills |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517134052/http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/better-regulation/docs/p/11-795-principles-for-economic-regulation |archive-date= 17 May 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Thane |first1=Pat |year=2019 |title=The Origins of the British Welfare State |journal=The Journal of Interdisciplinary History |volume=50 |issue=3 |pages=427–433 |doi=10.1162/jinh_a_01448 |s2cid=208223636 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="ftms">{{cite web |last1=Griffiths |first1=Alan |last2=Wall |first2=Stuart |date=16 July 2011 |title=Applied Economics |url=http://www.ftms.edu.my/pdf/Download/UndergraduateStudent/BusinessEconomics/BC215001S%20-%20BE%20Key%20Text%20-%20Applied%20Economics.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620120524/http://www.ftms.edu.my/pdf/Download/UndergraduateStudent/BusinessEconomics/BC215001S%20-%20BE%20Key%20Text%20-%20Applied%20Economics.pdf |archive-date=20 June 2013 |access-date=25 September 2014}}</ref> Based on market [[exchange rate]]s, the UK is the [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|sixth-largest economy]] in the world and the [[List of sovereign states in Europe by GDP (nominal)|second-largest]] in Europe, both by nominal GDP. Its currency, the [[pound sterling]], is the fourth most-traded currency in the [[foreign exchange market]] and the world's fourth-largest [[reserve currency]] (after the [[United States dollar]], [[euro]], and [[yen]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Currency Composition of Official Foreign Exchange Reserves |url=https://data.imf.org/regular.aspx?key=41175 |access-date=10 October 2021 |website=IMF Data |archive-date=12 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512202858/https://data.imf.org/regular.aspx?key=41175 |url-status=live }}</ref> The pound sterling maintains its high nominal value through both its long history of stability and by never undergoing formal [[redenomination]]. [[London]] is the world capital for foreign exchange trading, with a market share of 38.1% in 2022<ref>{{Cite web |title=BIS Triennial Survey of Foreign Exchange and Over-The-Counter Interest Rate Derivatives Markets in April 2022 – UK Data |url=https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2022/october/bis-triennial-survey-of-foreign-exchange-and-over-the-counter-interest-rate-derivatives-markets |date=27 October 2022 |access-date=21 February 2023 |publisher=Bank of England |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221135740/https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2022/october/bis-triennial-survey-of-foreign-exchange-and-over-the-counter-interest-rate-derivatives-markets |url-status=live }}</ref> of the daily $7.5&nbsp;trillion global turnover.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Global FX trading hits record $7.5 trln a day – BIS survey |date=27 October 2022 |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/global-fx-trading-hits-record-75-trln-day-bis-survey-2022-10-27/ |access-date=21 February 2023 |work=Reuters |last1=Jones |first1=Marc |last2=John |first2=Alun |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221135739/https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/global-fx-trading-hits-record-75-trln-day-bis-survey-2022-10-27/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The UK has amongst the highest levels of [[Income inequality in the United Kingdom|income inequality]] in the [[OECD]], but has a very high [[Human Development Index|HDI]] ranking.<ref>{{Cite web |title=House of Commons Research Briefing on Income inequality in the UK. |url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7484/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210104536/https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7484/ |archive-date=10 February 2022 |access-date=1 July 2023 |website=UK Parliament}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Inequality – Income inequality – OECD Data |url=http://data.oecd.org/inequality/income-inequality.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629183322/https://data.oecd.org/inequality/income-inequality.htm |archive-date=29 June 2023 |access-date=3 July 2023 |website=theOECD}}</ref>

[[HM Treasury]], led by the [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]], is responsible for developing and executing the government's [[public finance]] policy and [[economic policy]]. The [[Department for Business and Trade]] is responsible for business, international trade, and enterprise. The [[Bank of England]] is the UK's [[central bank]] and is responsible for issuing notes and coins in the pound sterling. Banks in Scotland and Northern Ireland retain the right to issue their own notes, subject to retaining enough Bank of England notes in reserve to cover their issue. The Bank of England is exploring a digital pound ([[Central bank digital currency|CBDC]]) to enable instant settlement and improve payment infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The digital pound |date=29 January 2025 |url=https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/the-digital-pound |access-date=4 March 2025}}</ref> In 2022, the UK became the world's [[List of countries by exports|fourth-largest exporter]] behind only China, the US, and Germany.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.cityam.com/services-trade-sees-uk-become-worlds-fourth-largest-exporter/ |date= 9 April 2024 |title= Services trade sees UK become world's fourth largest exporter |work= City A.M. |location= London |first= Jessica |last= Frank-Keyes |access-date= 2 May 2024 |archive-date= 2 May 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240502182204/https://www.cityam.com/services-trade-sees-uk-become-worlds-fourth-largest-exporter/ |url-status= live }}</ref> The estimated nominal GDP of the UK for 2024 is £2.765 trillion.<ref>{{Cite press release |date=11 July 2023 |title= United Kingdom: 2023 Article IV Consultation |url= https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/CR/Issues/2023/07/10/United-Kingdom-2023-Article-IV-Consultation-Press-Release-Staff-Report-and-Statement-by-the-535878 |access-date=9 March 2024 |publisher=IMF |archive-date=9 March 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240309143322/https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/CR/Issues/2023/07/10/United-Kingdom-2023-Article-IV-Consultation-Press-Release-Staff-Report-and-Statement-by-the-535878 |url-status=live }}</ref> This value is 23% higher than the 2019 figure of £2.255 trillion<ref>{{Cite press release |date=February 2022 |title=2021 Article IV Consultation  |url= https://www.imf.org/-/media/Files/Publications/CR/2022/English/1GBREA2022001.ashx |access-date=9 March 2024 |publisher=IMF |archive-date=9 March 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240309143322/https://www.imf.org/-/media/Files/Publications/CR/2022/English/1GBREA2022001.ashx |url-status=live }}</ref> before leaving the EU (at similar US and EU exchange rates to 2019).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sterling Exchange Rates |url= https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/boeapps/database/Rates.asp |access-date=9 March 2024 |publisher=Bank of England |archive-date=9 March 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240309143322/https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/boeapps/database/Rates.asp |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Efn|Real GDP is an inflation-adjusted GDP, which is needed to study changes in volume rather than value, especially if the currency devalues due to the inflation but does not show current market values.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Real GDP growth |url=https://obr.uk/forecasts-in-depth/the-economy-forecast/real-gdp-growth/ |access-date=9 March 2024 |website=OBR |archive-date=9 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309143323/https://obr.uk/forecasts-in-depth/the-economy-forecast/real-gdp-growth/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

The [[Tertiary sector of the economy|service sector]] made up around 80% of the UK's [[Gross value added|GVA]] in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hutton |first=Georgina |date=6 December 2022 |title=Industries in the UK |url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8353/ |access-date=31 January 2023 |website=UK Parliament: House of Commons Library |archive-date=7 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007134640/https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8353/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As of 2022, the UK is the world's [[List of countries by service exports|second-largest exporter of services]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Service exports (BoP, current US$) |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/BX.GSR.NFSV.CD?most_recent_value_desc=true&year_high_desc=false |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526025607/https://data.worldbank.org/ |archive-date=26 May 2023 |access-date=25 August 2023 |website=World Bank Open Data}}</ref> London is one of the world's largest financial centres, ranking second in the world in the [[Global Financial Centres Index]] in 2022. London also has the [[List of cities by GDP|largest city GDP]] in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global city GDP rankings 2008–2025 |url=http://www.ukmediacentre.pwc.com/Media-Library/Global-city-GDP-rankings-2008-2025-61a.aspx |date=2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428032945/http://www.ukmediacentre.pwc.com/Media-Library/Global-city-GDP-rankings-2008-2025-61a.aspx |archive-date=28 April 2011 |access-date=16 November 2010 |publisher=PricewaterhouseCoopers}}</ref> Edinburgh ranks 17th in the world, and sixth in Western Europe in the Global Financial Centres Index in 2020.<ref name="GFCI 27 Rank – Long Finance">{{Cite web |title=GFCI 27 Rank |url=https://www.longfinance.net/programmes/financial-centre-futures/global-financial-centres-index/gfci-27-explore-data/gfci-27-rank |access-date=29 August 2020 |website=Long Finance |archive-date=15 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815191828/https://www.longfinance.net/programmes/financial-centre-futures/global-financial-centres-index/gfci-27-explore-data/gfci-27-rank/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Tourism in the United Kingdom|The country's tourism sector]] is very important to the British economy; London was named as Europe's most popular destination for 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/london-best-europe-city-tripadvisor-2022-b1996028.html |title=London named Europe's most popular destination for 2022 |website=[[Independent.co.uk]] |date=19 January 2022 |first1=Helen |last1=Coffey |access-date=11 March 2023 |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311142939/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/london-best-europe-city-tripadvisor-2022-b1996028.html }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://fortune.com/2023/04/25/king-charles-coronation-tourists-money-london-british-economy/ |title=King Charles' coronation is bringing millions of tourists and a cash infusion to London but it probably won't save the British economy |website=[[fortune.com]] |date=25 April 2023 |first1=Kelvin |last1=Chan |agency=The Associated Press |access-date=9 May 2023 |archive-date=2 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502144950/https://fortune.com/2023/04/25/king-charles-coronation-tourists-money-london-british-economy/ }}</ref> The [[creative industries]] accounted for 5.9% of the UK's GVA in 2019, having grown by 43.6% in real terms from 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DCMS Economic Estimates 2019 (provisional): Gross Value Added |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/dcms-economic-estimates-2019-gross-value-added/dcms-economic-estimates-2019-provisional-gross-value-added |access-date=31 January 2023 |website=gov.uk |archive-date=31 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131001226/https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/dcms-economic-estimates-2019-gross-value-added/dcms-economic-estimates-2019-provisional-gross-value-added |url-status=live }}</ref> Creative industries contributed more than £111bn to the UK economy in 2018, growth in the sector is more than five times larger than growth across the UK economy as a whole as reported in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2020 |title=UK's Creative Industries contributes almost £13 million to the UK economy every hour |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uks-creative-industries-contributes-almost-13-million-to-the-uk-economy-every-hour |access-date=21 February 2023 |publisher=UK Government |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221131518/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uks-creative-industries-contributes-almost-13-million-to-the-uk-economy-every-hour |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Lloyd's of London]] is the world's largest [[insurance]] and [[reinsurance]] market and is located in London.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lloyd's of London – value proposition |url=https://www.lloyds.com/about-lloyds/value-proposition-coverholder |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227100951/https://www.lloyds.com/about-lloyds/value-proposition-coverholder |archive-date=27 February 2023|website=Lloyd's of London}}</ref> [[WPP plc]], the world's biggest advertising company, is also based in the UK. The UK is one of the leading retail markets in Europe and is home to Europe's largest e-commerce market.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.great.gov.uk/international/content/investment/sectors/retail/|access-date=18 January 2024|title=Retail|publisher=great.gov.uk|archive-date=18 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118084416/https://www.great.gov.uk/international/content/investment/sectors/retail/|url-status=live}}</ref> With [[Consumer spending|consumption expenditures]] of over $2 trillion in 2023, the UK has the [[List of largest consumer markets|second-largest consumer market]] in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (current US$) |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.CON.PRVT.CD?year_high_desc=true |access-date=17 August 2024 |website=World Bank Group |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143614/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.CON.PRVT.CD?year_high_desc=true |url-status=live }}</ref> [[John Lewis Partnership|John Lewis]] is the UK's largest employee-owned business.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://employeeownership.co.uk/resources/what-the-evidence-tells-us/|access-date=18 January 2024|title=Employee owned businesses - What the evidence tells us|archive-date=2 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202155249/https://employeeownership.co.uk/resources/what-the-evidence-tells-us/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Bank-of-England.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Bank of England]] is the [[central bank]] of the United Kingdom and the model on which most modern central banks have been based.]]

The [[Automotive industry in the United Kingdom|British automotive industry]] employs around 800,000 people, with a turnover in 2022 of £67&nbsp;billion, generating £27&nbsp;billion of exports (10% of the UK's total export of goods).<ref name="Auto Output 2022"/> In 2023, the UK produced around 905,100 passenger vehicles and 120,400 commercial vehicles, output was up 17.0% on the previous year.<ref>{{Cite web | date=24 January 2024 | title=December 2023 UK Car Manufacturing | url=https://media.smmt.co.uk/december-2023-uk-car-manufacturing/ | access-date=16 March 2024 | website=SMMT | archive-date=16 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316184018/https://media.smmt.co.uk/december-2023-uk-car-manufacturing/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Britain is known for iconic cars such as [[Mini Hatch|Mini]] and [[Jaguar Cars|Jaguar]],<ref>{{Cite web | date=19 November 2020 | title=Best British cars: Top 50 all-time greatest British-built cars revealed - page 2 | url=https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/best-cars-vans/351729/best-british-cars-top-50-all-time-greatest-british-built-cars-revealed/page-2 | access-date=9 March 2024 | website=Auto Express | archive-date=16 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316184015/https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/best-cars-vans/351729/best-british-cars-top-50-all-time-greatest-british-built-cars-revealed/page-2 | url-status=live }}</ref> as well as luxury cars such as [[Rolls-Royce Motor Cars|Rolls-Royce]], [[Bentley]] and [[Range Rover]]. The UK is a major centre for engine manufacturing: in 2022 around 1.5&nbsp;million engines were produced.<ref name="Auto Output 2022">{{cite web |url=https://www.smmt.co.uk/industry-topics/uk-automotive/ |title=UK Automotive |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= |publisher=The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders |access-date=14 November 2023 |quote= |archive-date=13 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113163440/https://www.smmt.co.uk/industry-topics/uk-automotive/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It is also the world's [[List of countries by engine exports|fourth-largest exporter of engines]], as of 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Combustion Engines |url=https://oec.world/en/profile/hs/combustion-engines |access-date=30 September 2023 |website=OEC - The Observatory of Economic Complexity |archive-date=3 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003014526/https://oec.world/en/profile/hs/combustion-engines |url-status=live }}</ref> The UK [[auto racing|motorsport]] industry employs more than 40,000 people, comprises around 4,300 companies and has an annual turnover of around £10&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2020 |title=UK motorsport industry in pole position for F1's 70th anniversary |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-motorsport-industry-in-pole-position-for-f1s-70th-anniversary |access-date=19 February 2023 |publisher=UK Government |archive-date=19 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219100712/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-motorsport-industry-in-pole-position-for-f1s-70th-anniversary |url-status=live }}</ref> 7 of the 10 [[Formula One]] teams are based in the UK, with their technology being used in supercars and hypercars from [[McLaren Automotive|McLaren]], [[Aston Martin]] and [[Lotus Cars|Lotus]].{{Efn|Car brands here are classed as British based on several of the following criteria: historical heritage, cultural significance, design and engineering base, manufacturing location, headquarters location, UK registered company (even with overseas investors).}}

The [[Aerospace industry in the United Kingdom|aerospace industry of the UK]] is the second-largest national aerospace industry in the world<ref>{{cite web |title=United Kingdom - Country Commercial Guide: Aerospace and Defense |url=https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/united-kingdom-aerospace-and-defense |website=[[International Trade Administration]] |date=3 November 2023 |access-date=17 December 2024}}</ref> and has an annual turnover of around £30&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tovey |first=Alan |date=29 June 2016 |title=Britain's aerospace sector soars amid fears Brexit could clip its wings |work=The Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/06/29/britains-aerospace-sector-soars-amid-fears-brexit-could-clip-its |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/06/29/britains-aerospace-sector-soars-amid-fears-brexit-could-clip-its |archive-date=10 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> The [[British space programme|UK space industry]] was worth £17.5bn in 2020/21 and employed 48,800 people. Since 2012, the number of space organisations has grown on average nearly 21% per year, with 1,293 organisations reported in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2022 |title=Size & Health of the UK Space Industry 2022 Summary Report |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-size-and-health-of-the-uk-space-industry-2022/size-health-of-the-uk-space-industry-2022 |access-date=1 April 2023 |publisher=UK Government |archive-date=31 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331072353/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-size-and-health-of-the-uk-space-industry-2022/size-health-of-the-uk-space-industry-2022 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |year=2021 |title=Size and Health of the UK Space Industry 2021 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-size-and-health-of-the-uk-space-industry-2021/size-and-health-of-the-uk-space-industry-2021 |access-date=21 February 2023 |publisher=UK Government |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221103315/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-size-and-health-of-the-uk-space-industry-2021/size-and-health-of-the-uk-space-industry-2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[UK Space Agency]] has stated in 2023 that it is investing £1.6&nbsp;billion in space-related projects.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-funding-to-support-space-exploration-using-moon-resources-and-nuclear-power |title=New funding to support space exploration using Moon resources and nuclear power |access-date=11 March 2023 |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311195622/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-funding-to-support-space-exploration-using-moon-resources-and-nuclear-power }} <!-- (last checked 2023-03-11) --></ref>

[[Agriculture in the United Kingdom|British agriculture industry]] is intensive, highly mechanised and efficient by European standards, producing approximately 60% of the country's overall food requirements and 73% of its indigenous food needs, utilising around 0.9% of the labour force (292,000 workers).<ref>{{Cite web |title=UK Food Security Index 2024 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-food-security-index-2024/uk-food-security-index-2024 |access-date=19 May 2024 |publisher=Department for the Environment Food & Rural Affairs |archive-date=18 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518072412/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-food-security-index-2024/uk-food-security-index-2024 |url-status=live }};{{Cite web |title=Agricultural workforce in England at 1 June 2023 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/agricultural-workforce-in-england-at-1-june/agricultural-workforce-in-england-at-1-june-2023 |access-date=19 May 2024 |publisher=Department for the Environment Food & Rural Affairs |archive-date=19 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519211112/https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/agricultural-workforce-in-england-at-1-june/agricultural-workforce-in-england-at-1-june-2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> Around two-thirds of production is devoted to livestock, one-third to arable crops. The UK retains a significant, though much reduced fishing industry, with at least 49% of UK fish sustainably caught in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jncc.gov.uk/our-work/ukbi-b2-sustainable-fisheries|title=Sustainable fisheries: fish stocks harvested within safe limits|website=JNCC|access-date=14 December 2024}}</ref> The UK gains sovereign rights over [[Exclusive economic zone of the United Kingdom|its exclusive economic zone]] from July 2026, enabling it to enforce sustainable fishing practices and protect marine habitats.<ref name="commission.europa.eu" /> It is rich in a variety of other natural resources including coal, petroleum, natural gas, tin, limestone, iron ore, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, lead, silica and an abundance of arable land.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bgs.ac.uk/mineralsuk/mines/coal/home.html |title=Coal |website=BGS Minerals UK |access-date=7 July 2015 |archive-date=26 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426141109/http://www.bgs.ac.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Science and technology ===
{{Main|Science and technology in the United Kingdom|Telecommunications in the United Kingdom}}
[[File:Cambridge Science Park Napp.jpg|thumb|[[Silicon Fen|Cambridge]] is the most intensive research cluster for science and technology in the world.<ref name="auto">{{Cite book |last=WIPO |url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2022/index.html |title=Global Innovation Index 2022, 15th Edition |publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization |year=2022 |isbn=978-92-805-3432-0 |doi=10.34667/tind.46596 |access-date=16 November 2022 |archive-date=3 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203061259/https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2022/index.html |url-status=live }}; {{Cite web |title=Global Innovation Index 2021 |url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2021 |access-date=5 March 2022 |website=[[World Intellectual Property Organization]] |publisher=[[United Nations]] |archive-date=5 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305010458/https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2021/ |url-status=live }}; {{Cite web |title=Release of the Global Innovation Index 2020: Who Will Finance Innovation? |url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2020/index.html |access-date=2 September 2021 |website=World Intellectual Property Organization |archive-date=3 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603121259/https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2020/index.html |url-status=live }}; {{Cite web |title=Global Innovation Index 2019 |url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2019/index.html |access-date=2 September 2021 |website=World Intellectual Property Organization |archive-date=2 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902101818/https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2019/index.html |url-status=live }}; {{Cite web |title=RTD – Item |url=https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/rtd/items/691898 |access-date=2 September 2021 |website=ec.europa.eu |archive-date=2 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902140715/https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/rtd/items/691898 |url-status=live }}</ref>]]
England and Scotland were leading centres of the [[Scientific Revolution]] from the 17th century.<ref>Gascoin, J. "A reappraisal of the role of the universities in the Scientific Revolution", in Lindberg, David C. and Westman, Robert S., eds (1990), ''Reappraisals of the Scientific Revolution''. Cambridge University Press. p. 248. {{ISBN|978-0-521-34804-1}}.</ref> The United Kingdom led the [[Industrial Revolution]] from the 18th century, and has continued to produce scientists and engineers credited with important advances.<ref>Reynolds, E.E.; Brasher, N.H. (1966). ''Britain in the Twentieth Century, 1900–1964''. Cambridge University Press. p. 336. {{OCLC|474197910}}</ref> Major theorists from the 17th and 18th centuries include [[Isaac Newton]], whose [[Newton's laws of motion|laws of motion]] and illumination of [[gravitation|gravity]] have been seen as a keystone of modern science;<ref>Burtt, E.A. (2003) 1924.[https://books.google.com/books?id=G9WBMa1Rz_kC&pg=PA207 ''The Metaphysical Foundations of Modern Science''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326164803/https://books.google.com/books?id=G9WBMa1Rz_kC&pg=PA207 |date=26 March 2023 }}. Mineola, NY: Courier Dover. p. 207. {{ISBN|978-0-486-42551-1}}.</ref> from the 19th century [[Charles Darwin]], whose theory of [[evolution]] by [[natural selection]] was fundamental to the development of modern biology, and [[James Clerk Maxwell]], who formulated classical [[electromagnetic theory]]; and more recently [[Stephen Hawking]], who advanced major theories in the fields of [[cosmology]], [[quantum gravity]] and the investigation of [[black holes]].<ref>Hatt, C. (2006). [https://books.google.com/books?id=BVBvehqrAPQC ''Scientists and Their Discoveries''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326164803/https://books.google.com/books?id=BVBvehqrAPQC |date=26 March 2023 }}. London: Evans Brothers. pp. 16, 30 and 46. {{ISBN|978-0-237-53195-9}}.</ref>

The [[Department for Science, Innovation and Technology]] (DSIT) is responsible for helping to encourage, develop and manage the UK's scientific, research, and technological outputs. Scientific research and development remains important in [[Universities in the United Kingdom|British universities]], with many establishing [[science park]]s to facilitate production and co-operation with industry.<ref>Castells, M.; Hall, P.; Hall, P.G. (2004). ''Technopoles of the World: the Making of Twenty-First-Century Industrial Complexes''. London: Routledge. pp. 98–100. {{ISBN|978-0-415-10015-1}}.</ref> In 2022, the UK retained its number one spot for technology in Europe reaching a combined market value of $1&nbsp;trillion. Cambridge was named the number one university in the world for producing successful technology founders.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 July 2021 |title=London Has Officially Become the Technology Capital of Europe |url=https://brainstation.io/magazine/london-technology-capital-of-europe-100-unicorns |access-date=10 July 2023 |website=BrainStation |archive-date=7 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007093133/https://brainstation.io/magazine/london-technology-capital-of-europe-100-unicorns |url-status=live }}</ref> The UK ranked third globally in a 2024 report on [[artificial intelligence]] development.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 November 2024 |title=Global AI Power Rankings: Stanford HAI Tool Ranks 36 Countries in AI |url=https://hai.stanford.edu/news/global-ai-power-rankings-stanford-hai-tool-ranks-36-countries-ai |access-date=1 January 2025 |website=hai.stanford.edu}}</ref>

In 2024, the UK ranked 5th in the [[Global Innovation Index]], a position determined by approximately 80 indicators encompassing the political environment, education, infrastructure, and knowledge creation, amongst others.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Innovation Index 2024 : Unlocking the Promise of Social Entrepreneurship |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2024/en/ |access-date=29 November 2024 |website=www.wipo.int}}</ref><ref name="auto"/> During 2022, the UK produced 6.3% of the world's scientific research papers and had a 10.5% share of scientific citations, the third highest in the world for both. The UK ranked 1st in the world for Field-Weighted Citation Impact.<ref>{{Cite web |title=International comparison of the UK research base, 2022 |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1078073/international-comparison-uk-research-base-2022-accompanying-note.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305235208/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1078073/international-comparison-uk-research-base-2022-accompanying-note.pdf |archive-date=5 March 2023 |access-date=11 March 2023}} (last checked 11 March 2023)</ref> Scientific journals produced in the UK include publications by the ''[[Royal Society]]'', ''[[Nature (journal)|Nature]]'', the ''[[BMJ|British Medical Journal]]'' and ''[[The Lancet]]''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=McCook, Alison |year=2006 |title=Is peer review broken? |url=http://gaia.pge.utexas.edu/Good/Materials/scientist_02_28_2006.htm |journal=The Scientist |volume=20 |issue=2 |page=26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816230933/http://gaia.pge.utexas.edu/Good/Materials/scientist_02_28_2006.htm |archive-date=16 August 2011 |access-date=22 June 2011}}</ref>

=== Transport ===
{{Main|Transport in the United Kingdom}}
{{see|Transport in England|Transport in Scotland|Transport in Northern Ireland|Transport in Wales}} 
[[File:An LNER Azuma train on the East Coast Railway Line, geograph 6275180 by Walter Baxter.jpg|thumb|A high-speed [[East Coast Main Line]] train in [[Northumberland]]]]
[[File:Heathrow Terminal 5C Iwelumo-1.jpg|thumb|[[Airports of London|London]] has the [[List of busiest city airport systems by passenger traffic|busiest city airport system]] in the world.]]

A radial road network totals {{Convert|29145|mi|km}} of main roads, {{Convert|2173|mi|km}} of motorways and {{Convert|213750|mi|km}} of paved roads.<ref name="factbook" /> The [[M25 motorway|M25]], encircling London, is the largest and busiest bypass in the world.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Moran |first=Joe |url=https://archive.org/details/readingeveryday00mora |title=Reading the Everyday |date=16 November 2005 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-37216-4 |page=[https://archive.org/details/readingeveryday00mora/page/n107 95] |url-access=limited}}</ref> In 2022, there were a total of 40.8&nbsp;million licensed vehicles in Great Britain.<ref name="Transport stats 2022">{{cite web |last1=Wilkinson |first1=Freddie |title=RAC foundation traffic stats |url=https://www.racfoundation.org/motoring-faqs/mobility#:~:text=In%20the%20United%20Kingdom%2C%20there,the%20end%20of%20September%202022. |access-date=24 February 2023 |archive-date=24 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224202503/https://www.racfoundation.org/motoring-faqs/mobility#:~:text=In%20the%20United%20Kingdom%2C%20there,the%20end%20of%20September%202022. |url-status=live }}</ref>

The UK has an extensive railway network of {{Convert|10072|mi|0|abbr=out}}. In Great Britain, the [[British Rail]] network was [[privatisation of British Rail|privatised]] between 1994 and 1997, followed by a rapid rise in passengers. [[Great British Railways]] is a planned state-owned public body that will oversee [[rail transport in Great Britain]]. The UK was ranked eighth amongst national European rail systems in the 2017 European Railway Performance Index assessing intensity of use, quality of service and safety.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Sylvain Duranton |last2=Agnès Audier |last3=Joël Hazan |last4=Mads Peter Langhorn |last5=Vincent Gauche |date=18 April 2017 |title=The 2017 European Railway Performance Index |url=https://www.bcg.com/en-ch/publications/2017/transportation-travel-tourism-2017-european-railway-performance-index.aspx |publisher=Boston Consulting Group |access-date=4 February 2019 |archive-date=31 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531104458/https://www.bcg.com/en-ch/publications/2017/transportation-travel-tourism-2017-european-railway-performance-index.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

The UK has a train direct from London to Paris which takes 2hrs 16mins<ref>{{Cite web |title=London to Paris Trains |url=https://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/train/london-to-paris |access-date=11 May 2024 |publisher=Eurostar|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511114452/https://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/train/london-to-paris |archive-date=11 May 2024}}</ref> called the [[Eurostar]], it travels through the [[Channel Tunnel]] under the [[English Channel]], at 23.5&nbsp;miles long it is the world's longest undersea tunnel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Channel Tunnel, Tunnel, Europe |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Channel-Tunnel |access-date=11 May 2024 |publisher=Britannica|date=10 May 2024}}</ref> There is also a car service through the tunnel to France called [[LeShuttle]]. The [[Elizabeth line]], a rail link running between East and West London, was named in honour of [[Queen Elizabeth II]] in 2016 and opened in 2022. It was Europe's largest construction project at the time and is estimated to bring in £42&nbsp;billion to the UK economy.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 January 2012 |title=Crossrail's giant tunnelling machines unveiled |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16289051 |access-date=20 June 2018 |archive-date=10 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410034914/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16289051 |url-status=live }}; {{Cite news |last=Leftly |first=Mark |date=29 August 2010 |title=Crossrail delayed to save £1bn |work=Independent |location=London |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/crossrail-delayed-to-save-1631bn-2064629.html |access-date=22 August 2017 |archive-date=16 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116062835/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/crossrail-delayed-to-save-1631bn-2064629.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Crossrail to become the Elizabeth line in honour of Her Majesty the Queen |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2016/february/crossrail-to-become-the-elizabeth-line-in-honour-of-her-majesty-the-queen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225110413/https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2016/february/crossrail-to-become-the-elizabeth-line-in-honour-of-her-majesty-the-queen|archive-date=25 February 2023|website=Transport for London}}</ref> Another major infrastructure project is [[High Speed 2]] (HS2), a new high speed railway under construction. It will link London with Birmingham, with the potential to extend further north and capable of speeds of up to 225&nbsp;mph.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is HS2 |url=https://www.hs2.org.uk/what-is-hs2 |website=HS2 |access-date=22 June 2022 |archive-date=21 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621190841/https://www.hs2.org.uk/what-is-hs2/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=HS2 Trains |url=https://www.hs2.org.uk/building-hs2/trains/ |website=HS2 |access-date=24 February 2023 |archive-date=24 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224183953/https://www.hs2.org.uk/building-hs2/trains/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2023, there were 4 billion bus journeys in the UK, 1.8 billion of which were in London.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transport Statistics Great Britain: 2023 Domestic Travel |date=19 December 2024|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/transport-statistics-great-britain-2024/transport-statistics-great-britain-2023-domestic-travel | website=gov.uk|access-date=14 March 2025}}</ref> The red [[Double-decker bus|double-decker]] bus has entered popular culture as an internationally recognised icon of England.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Collection |url=http://www.icons.org.uk/theicons/index.html |access-date=16 August 2014 |publisher=icons.org.uk}}</ref> The [[London Buses|London bus network]] is extensive, with over 6,800 scheduled services every weekday carrying about 6&nbsp;million passengers on over 700 different routes making it one of the most extensive bus systems in the world and the largest in Europe.<ref>[http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/1548.aspx London Buses], Transport for London. Accessed 10 May 2007.</ref>

During 2024, [[List of airports in the United Kingdom and the British Crown Dependencies|UK airports]] handled a total of 292.5 million passengers.<ref name="caastats">{{Cite web |title=Size of Reporting Airports 2024 |url=https://www.caa.co.uk/Documents/Download/11910/4d230d1f-dab6-4c1a-992a-431b9cca89a2/16918 |access-date=17 January 2025 |publisher=Civil Aviation Authority}}</ref> In that period the three largest airports were [[London Heathrow Airport]] (83.9 million passengers), [[Gatwick Airport]] (43.2 million passengers) and [[Manchester Airport]] (30.8 million passengers).<ref name="caastats" /> London Heathrow Airport, located {{Convert|15|mi|km|}} west of the capital, is the world's [[List of busiest airports by passenger traffic|second busiest airport by international passenger traffic]] and has the most international passenger traffic of any airport in the world;<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 June 2008 |title=Heathrow 'needs a third runway' |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7472432.stm |access-date=17 October 2008}}; {{Cite press release |title=Statistics: Top 30 World airports |date=July 2008 |publisher=Airports Council International |url=http://www.aci.aero/aci/aci/file/Press%20Releases/2008/TOP30_International%20Passengers_2007.pdf |access-date=15 October 2008}}</ref> it is the hub for the UK flag carrier [[British Airways]], as well as [[Virgin Atlantic]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 October 2008 |title=BMI being taken over by Lufthansa |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7697261.stm |access-date=23 December 2009}}</ref> During 2023, 18.3 million passengers travelled internationally by rail and 18.1 million travelled internationally by sea.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transport Statistics Great Britain: 2023 International Travel |date=19 December 2024|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/transport-statistics-great-britain-2024/transport-statistics-great-britain-2023-international-travel|website=gov.uk|access-date=4 March 2025}}</ref>

=== Energy ===
{{Main|Energy in the United Kingdom}}
{{see|Energy in England|Energy in Scotland|Energy in Northern Ireland|Energy in Wales}}
[[File:Ardrossan's fan club. - panoramio.jpg|thumb|left|Wind turbines overlooking [[Ardrossan]] in Scotland. The UK is the best site in Europe for wind energy, and [[Wind power in the United Kingdom|its wind power production]] is its fastest-growing supply.]]

In 2021, the UK was the world's 14th-largest consumer of energy and the 22nd-largest producer.<ref name="United Kingdom Energy Profile">{{Cite web |title=United Kingdom Energy Profile |url=https://www.eia.gov/international/overview/country/GBR |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228165225/https://www.eia.gov/international/overview/country/GBR |archive-date=28 February 2023 |access-date=28 February 2023 |publisher=U.S. Energy Information Administration}}</ref> The UK is home to many large energy companies, including two of the six major oil and gas companies{{snd}}[[BP]] and [[Shell plc|Shell]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mason |first=Rowena |date=24 October 2009 |title=Let the battle begin over black gold |work=The Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/6424030/Let-the-battle-begin-over-black-gold.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=26 November 2010 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/6424030/Let-the-battle-begin-over-black-gold.html |archive-date=10 January 2022}}{{Cbignore}}; {{Cite news |last=Heath |first=Michael |date=26 November 2010 |title=RBA Says Currency Containing Prices, Rate Level 'Appropriate' in Near Term |work=Bloomberg |location=New York |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-25/rba-s-stevens-says-inflation-unlikely-to-fall-much-further.html |url-status=live |access-date=26 November 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722062837/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-25/rba-s-stevens-says-inflation-unlikely-to-fall-much-further.html |archive-date=22 July 2012}}</ref>

Renewable electricity sources provided 51% of the electricity generated in the UK in 2024. Wind power was the largest source of electricity in 2024, generating 30% of the UK's total electricity.<ref name="2024 Energy">{{Cite report |title=Britain's Electricity Explained: 2024 Review |url=https://www.neso.energy/news/britains-electricity-explained-2024-review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126085830/https://www.neso.energy/news/britains-electricity-explained-2024-review |archive-date=26 January 2025 |access-date=26 January 2025 |publisher=NESO}}</ref> The UK has the largest offshore wind farm in the world, which is located off the coast of Yorkshire.<ref>{{Cite report |date=14 June 2021 |title=Wind energy in the UK: June 2021 |work=UK Government |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/environmentalaccounts/articles/windenergyintheuk/june2021 |access-date=8 May 2023}}</ref>

In 2023, the UK had nine nuclear reactors generating about 15% of the UK's electricity.<ref name="coal-ref">{{Cite web |title=Nuclear Power in the United Kingdom |url=https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-t-z/united-kingdom.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228175735/https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-t-z/united-kingdom.aspx |archive-date=28 February 2023 |access-date=28 February 2023 |publisher=World Nuclear Association}}</ref> Unlike Germany and Japan, there are two reactors under construction and more planned.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 2013 |title=Nuclear Power in the United Kingdom |url=http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf84.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214061431/http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf84.html |archive-date=14 February 2013 |access-date=9 April 2013 |publisher=World Nuclear Association}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Nuclear energy: What you need to know |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nuclear-energy-what-you-need-to-know |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228181113/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nuclear-energy-what-you-need-to-know |archive-date=28 February 2023 |access-date=28 February 2023 |publisher=UK Government}}</ref> In the late 1990s, nuclear power plants contributed around 25% of the total annual electricity generation in the UK, but this has gradually declined as old plants have been shut down. The UK government is investing in [[small modular reactors]] that operate via [[nuclear fission]], as well as in research and development toward commercial [[fusion reactors]]. To that end, the government entered into a partnership with the US in late 2023 to collaborate on fusion technology, with "a commercial grid-ready fusion reactor by 2040" stated as a goal.<ref>{{Cite news |title=UKAEA implementing the UK's fusion energy strategy |work=Open Access Government |date=7 March 2024 |url=https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/ukaea-implementing-the-uks-fusion-energy-strategy/174384/ |access-date=27 May 2024 |last1=Belderbos |first1=Harriet }};{{Cite magazine |title=UK nuclear fusion reactor sets new world record for energy output |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2415909-uk-nuclear-fusion-reactor-sets-new-world-record-for-energy-output/ |magazine=New Scientist |access-date=27 May 2024}}</ref>

At the end of 2023 it was estimated that there was 1.1&nbsp;billion boe ([[barrels of oil equivalent]]) of "proven" and "probable" [[Oil and gas reserves and resource quantification|gas reserves]] and 2.3&nbsp;billion boe of "proven" and "probable" [[North Sea oil|oil reserves]] offshore, reducing reliance on imports for energy security and transitioning to renewables.<ref>{{Cite report |title=UK Oil and Gas Reserves and Resources |url=https://www.nstauthority.co.uk/media/vtjkyqnf/uk-reserves-and-resources-report-as-at-end-2023.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113172052/https://www.nstauthority.co.uk/media/vtjkyqnf/uk-reserves-and-resources-report-as-at-end-2023.pdf |archive-date=13 January 2025 |access-date=1 February 2025 |publisher=North Sea Transition Authority}}</ref> Emissions from UK gas production are roughly four times lower than imported [[liquefied natural gas]] (LNG), according to the [[North Sea Transition Authority|UK's oil and gas regulator]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=North Sea oil and gas claims fact-checked |work=BBC |date=22 January 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67945281 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250201182137/https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-67945281 |archive-date=1 February 2025 |access-date=1 February 2025}}</ref>

In September 2024 the last coal power station was closed, making [[coal]] no longer a power source in the UK.<ref name="2024 Energy" /> The UK currently has no [[fracking]] (hydraulic fracturing) for [[shale gas]] despite a large supply, due to environmental concerns.<ref>{{Cite news |title=UK's last fracking wells to be filled with cement despite dwindling gas stocks |date=29 January 2025 |url=https://www.cityam.com/uks-last-fracking-wells-to-be-filled-with-cement-despite-dwindling-gas-stocks/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250201182917/https://www.cityam.com/uks-last-fracking-wells-to-be-filled-with-cement-despite-dwindling-gas-stocks/ |archive-date=1 February 2025 |access-date=1 February 2025 |work=City AM}}</ref>

=== Water supply and sanitation ===
{{Main|Water supply and sanitation in the United Kingdom}}
Access to improved water supply and sanitation in the UK is universal. It is estimated that 96% of households are connected to the sewer network.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69582/pb6655-uk-sewage-treatment-020424.pdf |title=Sewage Treatment in the UK |publisher=DEFRA |website=assets.publishing.service.gov.uk |date=March 2022 |page=3 |id=PB 6655 |access-date=8 April 2023}}</ref> According to the Environment Agency, total water abstraction for public water supply in the UK was 16,406 [[megalitre]]s per day in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Environment Agency |url=http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/library/data/112185.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091125040346/http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/library/data/112185.aspx |archive-date=25 November 2009}}</ref>

In England and Wales, water and sewerage services are provided by 10 private regional water and sewerage companies and 13 mostly smaller private "water only" companies. In Scotland, water and sewerage services are provided by a single public company, [[Scottish Water]]. In Northern Ireland, water and sewerage services are also provided by a single public entity, [[Northern Ireland Water]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.niwater.com/about |access-date=29 August 2020 |publisher=niwater.com}}</ref>