World Watch Report
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
CONFIDENTIAL WORLD WATCH® REPORT ON United Kingdom Date: 06/14/2018 15:27:51 GMT / UTC UnitedHealthcare Global Risk | 2925 Briarpark Drive, 11th Floor | Houston, Texas 77042 | ph: (713) 4307300 | email: [email protected] | url: www.uhcglobal.com World Watch® is confidential and is intended solely for the information and use of UnitedHealthcare Global's clients. Given the nature of the information, UnitedHealthcare Global does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information because agencies outside the control of UnitedHealthcare Global contribute information to World Watch®. While UnitedHealthcare Global vets and verifies all information with the utmost care and consideration for the end user, UnitedHealthcare Global does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and specifically disclaims all responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of, or reliance upon, any of the information on this site, including customized reports created by clients. Any alteration or modification of the content of World Watch®, either from the website or via printed reports, is strictly prohibited. For more information, please contact us at [email protected] or visit www.uhcglobal.com. Copyright © 2018 UnitedHealthcare Global. All rights reserved. For Terms and Conditions go to Terms Of Use World Watch® Report from UnitedHealthcare Global United Kingdom Executive Summary for United Kingdom The United Kingdom is a stable democracy located in northwestern Europe. It is composed of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. London located in southern England is the capital of the United Kingdom, although there are several other major cities in the country. The United Kingdom attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists and business travelers each year, both from mainland Europe and from around the world. Prime Minister Theresa May has led the United Kingdom since July 2016. The most significant issue facing May's government is negotiating an exit from the European Union (EU), a move that voters backed in a June 2016 referendum. May formally began the process known as Brexit in March 2017. The United Kingdom has until March 2019 to reach an agreement with the EU before it is dropped from all international agreements pertaining to the union. Brexit exacerbates the country's existing economic and political issues, such as the question of Scottish independence. A referendum on Scottish independence took place in 2014, with 55 percent of voters electing to have Scotland remain part of the U.K.; the Scottish National Party (SNP) leadership is planning for a second referendum in 2019 or 2020. The overall assessment of threats in the United Kingdom is Medium. The primary security concern for travelers to the United Kingdom is crime. Most incidents affecting visitors involve opportunistic crime such as pickpocketing and purse snatching. Street demonstrations related to political, social and economic developments occur regularly in larger cities. Violence has erupted during protests in the past, but most of these actions occur without incident, apart from traffic disruptions. Labor strikes in the public and private sectors also occur very frequently throughout the country and may affect services used by travelers. The United Kingdom continues to confront the threat posed by terrorist elements, including transnational terrorist groups and individuals motivated by Islamist extremism. In Northern Ireland, dissident paramilitary groups opposed to the peace process in Northern Ireland maintain a capacity and willingness to carry out attacks. Such attacks, however, are likely to target police or military elements within Northern Ireland, and there is no evidence that these groups have the capabilities or weaponry to carry out attacks in mainland Great Britain, which includes England, Scotland and Wales. United Kingdom Information Country Facts Current Analysis Official United Kingdom of Great Britain Country Name and Northern Ireland Prime Minister Theresa May took office in July 2016 after former Prime Type Of Consitutional Monarchy Minister David Cameron resigned following the "Brexit" referendum. May’s Government Conservative Party governs the U.K. with the help of the Northern Ireland Leadership Queen Elizabeth II. Head of based Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Government: Prime Minister The most significant international relations issue facing the government is Theresa May managing the U.K.’s exit from the European Union. Capital London The economy remains stable and in a period of marginal growth due in part to Official English probusiness policies enacted in recent years. However, experts have warned Language about the potential for economic instability once the United Kingdom separates Population 65.1 million (2015) from the European Union. Ethnic English 83.6%, Scottish 8.6%, Political Situation Divisions Welsh 4.9%, Northern Irish 2.9%, Black 2%, Indian 1.8%, Pakistani 1.3%, Mixed 1.2%, Other 1.6% Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative Party leads the British government with the support of the Northern Irelandbased Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Religion Christian (71.6%), Muslim (2.7%), The Conservative Party was forced to enter into a “confidence and supply” Hindu (1%), other/unspecified (24.7%) agreement with the DUP after losing its parliamentary majority in April 2017 snap elections. Domestic politics have remained in turmoil since the June 2016 vote to Growth 0.6% (2016) leave the European Union (EU), the ramifications of which are discussed further Inflation 1.8% (2017) below. The referendum results showed a deep divide among the population on Unemployment 4.8% (2016) the issue, with 51.9 percent voting to leave the EU and 48.1 percent voting to stay. The results prompted the resignation of thenPrime Minister David Cameron Currency Pound sterling and brought May to office. The referendum vote to leave the EU also called into Office Work MondayFriday question the political status of Northern Ireland and Scotland, both of which have Week World Watch® Report from UnitedHealthcare Global in the past fought for independence from the U.K. and whose populations Time Zone No UTC offset primarily voted against leaving the European Union. As a result, the Scottish Offset National Party (SNP) leadership is planning a second referendum on the Country Phone 44 independence issue for 2019 or 2020; a previous referendum in 2014 showed Code that only 55 percent of the Scottish population was in favor of remaining part of the U.K. Capital City 20 Phone Code International Relations Nationwide 999 Emergency Prime Minister May formally invoked Article 50 which triggers the twoyear Number(s) period of negotiations regarding the United Kingdom's exit from the EU in Electricity 230 volts, 50 cycles AC March 2017. The United Kingdom now has until March 2019 to form new agreements with EU members or it will face a "hard Brexit," in which all trade and Plug Styles Type G migration agreements would expire. Travelers with business interests or with British passports should keep abreast of developments. The issue will continue to be the most pressing international relations issue for the United Kingdom for the foreseeable future. Economic Situation The business environment in the United Kingdom remains among the best in the world owing to a probusiness government and flexible labor market. However, despite remaining steady since the June 2016 Brexit vote, experts warn that the economy is still at risk and future growth will depend on the type of deal the British government strikes with the EU. Additionally, the possibility that the government and EU fail to reach a deal could have catastrophic economic consequences; reports from February 2018 indicated the absence of a deal could cost the British economy as much as 252 billion pounds (348 billion U.S. dollars). The United Kingdom ranked 12th out of 178 countries in the Heritage Foundation’s 2017 Index of Economic Freedom and 7th out of 190 countries in the World Bank's 2017 Ease of Doing Business project. Security Issues Crime is the security concern that travelers are most likely to encounter in the United Kingdom. Street demonstrations occur frequently in the United Kingdom. Strikes take place often and may affect public services. The threat of domestic and international terrorism remains a significant concern in the United Kingdom. Crime Crime is the security concern that travelers to the U.K. are most likely to encounter. Petty theft and nonconfrontational crimes of opportunity are the types of crime that most commonly affect shortterm visitors. Although violent crime especially incidents involving knives and guns is perceived as a growing problem and British authorities are taking preventive measures, travelers are not commonly targeted by violent crime. Travelers should employ basic safety precautions such as not overtly flaunting wealth, keeping valuables out of sight and avoiding poorlylit areas to minimize the risk of falling victim to crime. Travelers should exercise particular caution when in major cities, where crime rates are the highest. Demonstrations Demonstrations and protests related to economic, social and political issues occur frequently in the United Kingdom. Most demonstrations are generally nonviolent, but clashes have occurred in the past. In addition, these events may disrupt traffic