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] Hypertension prevalence has decreased in the United Kingdom since 2004 and has been projected to further decline by 2025. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] For both sexes, Chad (34.9%) is projected to have the highest prevalence of hypertension, while the least prevalence is likely to occur in the United Kingdom. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] The least prevalence of hypertension in males is projected to be in the United Kingdom. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] University of Portsmouth researchers have been awarded a £654,625 grant from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to tackle a problem that could transform how medical research is conducted, while significantly reducing the number of laboratory animals needed. Understanding Animal Research
• [New] TechUK welcomes the launch of AI Growth Lab, which represents a strong, positive step towards a pro-growth regulatory approach that will help companies to safely develop, scale and deploy AI in key sectors of the UK economy. UKAuthority
• [New] The option for UK data residency is live from today, giving British customers and developers the option to store their data in the UK, and that MoJ will be the first to use it. UKAuthority
• [New] The Pension Schemes Bill currently going through Parliament heralds significant change across the UK pensions landscape, with a shift towards fewer, bigger and better-performing DC offerings. A&O Shearman
• [New] By unlocking the potential of commercial nuclear energy and easing restrictions on North Sea oil and gas, Britain can secure affordable, reliable energy from its own resources. Electricity Info
• [New] More than 166,000 people in the UK currently live with Parkinson's disease, and the global total is expected to reach 25 million by 2050. ScienceDaily
• [New] The UK would capitalize on advances in sensor technology, including surface, airborne, and space-based sensors, to extend detection and tracking ranges, increasing opportunities to engage and defeat threats through a system of layered defences. Business Insider
• [New] Action from the UK Government to rebalance energy prices, is key to unlocking the full potential of clean heating - making it an attractive and affordable choice for all households across Scotland. The Herald
• [New] Prudential Regulation Authority concerned over banks' reliance on cloud The Prudential Regulation Authority, responsible for regulating UK banks, credit unions, and insurers, plans to increase its scrutiny of major cloud computing providers. Monevator
• [New] Rural and remote communities across the UK, Europe, Africa, and Asia could gain reliable access to the internet, bypassing traditional infrastructure. International Business Times UK
• [New] Bank of England's CFO Afua Kyei tops 2026 Powerlist, breaking barriers in British finance and inspiring African women in leadership. Arbiterz
• [New] Grain silos - from small grain silos to vast, digitized grain storage facilities - remain an indispensable asset for UK farmers in 2026 and beyond. Farmonaut
• [New] The UK agriculture sector in 2026 is now benefiting from a wide range of smart innovations in grain silos-technologies that enable farmers to remain competitive and sustainable in the face of rising global demand. Farmonaut
• [New] Over 60% of UK farmers are expected to adopt advanced grain storage systems by 2026 for sustainable crop preservation. Farmonaut
• [New] UK smart grain silos in 2026 can reduce spoilage rates by up to 30% compared to traditional storage methods. Farmonaut
• [New] With 44% of UK workers now in hybrid arrangements, court precedents will establish employer responsibility for home office ergonomics by 2027. Astutis
• [New] UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has relaunched his digital ID scheme as something that will make people's lives easier, less than four weeks after announcing it as a measure to tackle illegal working. The Register
• [New] The UK government projects AI will almost certainly amplify cybersecurity threats by 2027, with current systems already detecting 77% of security vulnerabilities. AI for Education
• [New] Citizens without a government-issued ID will simply not be able to work in the United Kingdom. CryptoSlate

Last updated: 28 October 2025