United Kingdom predictions for 2026
Read 27 predictions about the United Kingdom in 2026, a year that will see this country experience significant change in its politics, economics, technology, culture, and environment. It’s your future, discover what you’re in for.
Quantumrun Foresight prepared this list; A trend intelligence consulting firm that uses strategic foresight to help companies thrive from future trends in foresight. This is just one of many possible futures society may experience.
International relations predictions for the United Kingdom in 2026
International relations predictions to impact the United Kingdom in 2026 include:
Politics predictions for the United Kingdom in 2026
Politics related predictions to impact the United Kingdom in 2026 include:
Government predictions for the United Kingdom in 2026
Government related predictions to impact the United Kingdom in 2026 include:
- The government expands its Emission Trading Scheme to include the domestic shipping industry. Likelihood: 65 percent.1
- Students can be assessed digitally in some of their GCSE and A-level exams. Likelihood: 65 percent.1
- The government bans traditional gas boilers in homes and replaces them with hydrogen-based heating systems. Likelihood: 60 percent.1
- Refugees and asylum seekers' hotel costs hit £30 million a day as government struggles to provide affordable housing. Likelihood: 65 percent.1
- The mandatory use of tax-filing software (Making Tax Digital) for self-employed individuals and landlords begins. Likelihood: 60 percent.1
- Online tools that allow people to see all their retirement funds at a glance become available. Likelihood: 60 percent.1
- The number of families paying inheritance tax will double from 2022 levels. Likelihood: 70 percent.1
- The retirement age rises to 67 years from 66 years. Likelihood: 65 percent.1
- Here's a radical way to shrink the gender pay gap for British women: give men more paternity leave | George Gabriel.Link
- RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: Starmer's got his snout plunged deep in so many troughs he'd be nailed on to win next year's Brit....Link
- Britain's Labour Party gathers after a rocky start in government and a scandal over clothes.Link
- Tufton Street Descends on Reform UK Conference.Link
- Why Labour will not back down on its conversion therapy ban.Link
Economy predictions for the United Kingdom in 2026
Economy related predictions to impact the United Kingdom in 2026 include:
Technology predictions for the United Kingdom in 2026
Technology related predictions to impact the United Kingdom in 2026 include:
Culture predictions for the United Kingdom in 2026
Culture related predictions to impact the United Kingdom in 2026 include:
Defense predictions for in 2026
Defense related predictions to impact the United Kingdom in 2026 include:
- The UK's contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Kosovo Force (KFOR) Mission ends. Likelihood: 65 percent.1
Infrastructure predictions for the United Kingdom in 2026
Infrastructure related predictions to impact the United Kingdom in 2026 include:
- The number of UK properties with full-fiber broadband increases from 15.4 million in May 2023 to 27 million in May 2026. Likelihood: 65 percent.1
- Given the relatively small number of new beds planned and rising higher education enrolment across the country, the shortfall in student housing exceeds 600,000 beds. Likelihood: 70 percent.1
- Rents rise 25% as landlords pass on mortgage costs to tenants. Likelihood: 70 percent.1
- Over 250,000 UK-based households consider a solar installation, up from 130,000 in 2022. Likelihood: 65 percent.1
- Two nuclear power plants, Heysham 1 in Lancashire and Hartlepool in Teesside, are shut down. Likelihood: 65 percent.1
- More than 250,000 extra construction workers are needed to meet growing demands. Likelihood: 70 percent.1
- The Emergency Services Network, which serves police, fire, and ambulance communications, starts rolling out. Likelihood: 60 percent.1
- The Tata Group's £4-billion UK gigafactory for electric car batteries starts operations. Likelihood: 40 percent.1
Environment predictions for the United Kingdom in 2026
Environment related predictions to impact the United Kingdom in 2026 include:
- Recycling is standardized, with all homes, businesses and schools recycling the same materials. Likelihood: 65 percent.1
Science predictions for the United Kingdom in 2026
Science related predictions to impact the United Kingdom in 2026 include:
Health predictions for the United Kingdom in 2026
Health related predictions to impact the United Kingdom in 2026 include:
- Anyone aged 15 and below in the UK is banned from buying cigarettes for their entire lifetime. Likelihood: 50 percent.1
More predictions from 2026
Read the top global predictions from 2026 - click here
Next scheduled update for this resource page
January 7, 2022. Last updated January 7, 2020.
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