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Security Alert May 17, 2024

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United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

There are no notices currently in effect for United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Consider hepatitis A vaccination for most travelers. It is recommended for travelers who will be doing higher risk activities, such as visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where a traveler might get infected through food or water. It is recommended for travelers who plan on eating street food.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to the United Kingdom. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to the United Kingdom.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Dogs infected with rabies are not commonly found in the United Kingdom.

If rabies exposures occur while in the United Kingdom, rabies vaccines are typically available throughout most of the country.

Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.

Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.

For more information, see country rabies status assessments .

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Tick-borne Encephalitis

Avoid bug bites

Learn more about tick-borne encephalitis at your destination .

Tick-borne Encephalitis - CDC Yellow Book

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil
• Avoid floodwater

Clinical Guidance

Airborne & droplet.

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in the United Kingdom, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the  Department of State Country Information Pages  for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Although the United Kingdom is an industrialized country, bug bites here can still spread diseases. Just as you would in the United States, try to avoid bug bites while spending time outside or in wooded areas.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Consider using permethrin-treated clothing and gear if spending a lot of time outside. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in the United Kingdom include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip:

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in the heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if you are driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately.  Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance for things your regular insurance will not cover.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medicines you take.
• Bring copies of your prescriptions for medicine and for eye glasses and contact lenses.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call the United Kingdom’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Make sure there are seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in the United Kingdom, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Traffic flows on the left side of the road in the United Kingdom.

• Always pay close attention to the flow of traffic, especially when crossing the street.
• LOOK RIGHT for approaching traffic.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for United Kingdom for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

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The US Has Issued A "Do Not Travel" Advisory for the UK and Four Other Countries

Here we go again

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. State Department have officially raised the advisory level and are warning U.S. citizens and residents to avoid travel to five countries around the globe, citing a marked concern over rising COVID-19 cases in these areas.

The five newest countries bumped up to the ‘Do Not Travel’ list include Zimbabwe, Indonesia, Fiji, the British Virgin Islands, and the United Kingdom. Until yesterday, July 19, these countries were all hovering with a ‘Level 3: Avoid Non-Essential Travel’ label. Since May 19, 57 new countries have received the ‘Level 4: Do Not Travel’ advisory on the CDC’s Travel Recommendation list.

According to Our World in Data as of July 18, 2021, just over half (54.2 percent) of the United Kingdom has reached fully-vaccinated status with 36.1 million receiving full doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. That’s still higher than the reported 49.2 percent rate of the population considered fully-vaxxed in the United States.

While vaccines promised the chance to return to some kind of new normal, or at least reopen many borders for non-essential travel, hardly any country has jabbed enough people required to reach the golden goal of herd immunity.

Unfortunately, the Delta variant got the message, and much of the rise in cases can be traced back to this pesky variant. The CDC has just reported that over 83 percent of all new COVID-19 cases in the United States have been sequenced as the Delta variant. The UK, in particular, had had a rough time controlling the variant, as it became the dominant variant weeks before it overtook U.S. cases.

In January 2021, COVID-19 cases in the UK peaked at nearly 60,000 new cases per day, but after a serious shutdown and the beginning of vaccinations, cases began falling. By early May, they had dropped to around 1,600 new cases per day. But then cases started trekking up again, and the country has been reporting between 45,000 to 50,000 new cases per day.

That alone would be enough for the U.S. to pop up their travel warning for the country—but that’s not all that is happening across the pond. Despite climbing numbers, and against advisories, the UK relaxed its COVID-19 rules Monday, July 19. 

People are no longer required to wear face masks, there are no limits on the number of people who can gather together at private or public spaces and venues, and there are no social distancing requirements. The country has also reopened nightclubs, and the table service-only limitations in pubs and restaurants have been lifted.

In Indonesia, the COVID-19 rates have increased tenfold since mid-May and are dancing between 35,000 to 50,000 new cases per day. On May 30, Zimbabwe reported just 11 new cases. Just two weeks later, the new daily case rate stood at 3,111; it's currently at just over 1,000. In mid-May, Fiji celebrated single-digit new case numbers, including zero new cases on May 15, but soon saw an uptick of 1,043 new cases come July 18. Similarly, the British Virgin Islands had reached a stretch of zero new cases in early and mid-May, but it didn’t last long. Cases were in the hundreds, and on July 18, the seven-day average reached 172 new cases.

• Becker's Hospital Review. "States ranked by percentage of population fully vaccinated: July 28." July 28, 2021

CNBC. " Delta variant now accounts for 83% of all sequenced Covid cases in the U.S., CDC Director Walensky says ." July 20, 2021

The Guardian. "Covid UK: coronavirus cases, deaths and vaccinations today."

• AP. "Death rates soar in Southeast Asia as virus wave spreads." July 22, 2021

World Health Organization. Zimbabwe. July 27, 2021

The U.S. Department of State Lifts Its Global “Do Not Travel” Advisory

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With New Rules and Promos, Thailand Opens Doors a Little Bit More

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The US Extends Masking Mandate, Tightens COVID-19 Testing Timeline for Travel

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What Travelers Should Know About the Delta Variant

More Than 100 Destinations Have Been Added to the State Department's "Do Not Travel" List

Is It Safe to Travel in the U.S. Right Now?

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

United Kingdom travel advice

Latest updates: The Need help? section was updated.

Last updated: August 15, 2024 13:55 ET

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Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, united kingdom - exercise a high degree of caution.

Exercise a high degree of caution in the United Kingdom due to the threat of terrorism.

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Demonstrations across the United Kingdom

Since July 30, 2024, there are ongoing demonstrations and violent clashes between protesters and police.

For more information on demonstrations

There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have carried out attacks in several European cities.

In the United Kingdom, previous attacks have resulted in casualties. They have included random violent incidents in public areas, such as knife and vehicle attacks as well as explosions.

These incidents have occurred mainly in the London area but have also happened elsewhere.

Further attacks in the United Kingdom are likely. Targets could include:

• government buildings, including schools
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places. Be particularly vigilant if attending:

• sporting events
• religious holidays
• public celebrations
• major political events, such as elections

Terrorists have used such occasions to mount attacks.

The Government of the United Kingdom maintains a public alert system on terrorism and communicates terrorism and national emergency threat level changes online and through local media. The national terrorism and national emergency threat level is currently 3 (“substantial”) on a scale of 5. A separate threat level for Northern Ireland is currently 4 (“severe”) on a scale of 5.

National threat level  - British Home Office

Demonstrations

Demonstrations take place regularly. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. Past violent clashes between protestors and security forces have resulted in assaults, riots, looting and vandalism. Protests can deteriorate quickly. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations, protests and large gatherings are taking place
• Exercise caution
• Expect an increased security force presence in areas where demonstrations are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Petty crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, is common. Cellphone theft is common in certain tourist areas of London. Vehicle theft and theft from parked vehicles also occurs, particularly in tourist areas and roadside rest areas. Theft is common in restaurants, pubs and bars. Never leave bags or purses hanging on the back of your chair.

Thieves work alone and in groups. They may use various techniques to distract you and steal your belongings.

They are especially active in crowded areas, such as:

• tourist attractions and busy areas, including Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square
• airports and public transportation
• patios and outdoor cafés
• hotel lobbies
• underground pedestrian walkways
• roadside stops

Violent crime

Violent crime, such as mugging, knife crime and sexual assault occurs, particularly in larger cities. There have been incidents of passengers being sexually assaulted and robbed when riding in unlicensed taxis.

If you are the victim of a crime on the transportation system, including in a taxi, consult Transport for London to learn how to report it.

Report a crime or incident on the transportation system  - Transport for London

During your trip:

• ensure that your belongings, including your passport, are secure at all times
• don’t keep your passport and other types of ID at the same place and carry a photocopy rather than the original
• avoid showing signs of affluence
• avoid carrying large sums of cash or unnecessary valuables
• pay attention to your surroundings, particularly in crowded and tourist areas
• be wary of unsolicited offers or advice from strangers
• be vigilant in urban areas, particularly after dark
• never leave personal belongings unattended in a vehicle, even in the trunk
• use secure parking facilities, especially overnight

Spiked food and drinks

Snacks, beverages, gum and cigarettes may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

• Be wary of accepting these items from new acquaintances
• Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers

Credit card and ATM fraud

Credit card and ATM fraud occurs. Fraud can range from simple to sophisticated, and sometimes involve hidden electronic devices that obtain account information and personal identification numbers.

When using debit or credit cards:

• pay careful attention when others are handling your cards
• use ATMs located in public areas or inside a bank or business
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Cybercrime occurs. Perpetrators may compromise public Wi-Fi networks to steal credit card or personal information.

• Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks
• Avoid making purchases on unsecured websites
• Use judgment when posting information on social media
• Be especially careful if you are meeting people you have met online
• Never click a suspicious link in an email or text message asking for your credit card details

Useful links

• More about overseas fraud
• Cybercrime - National Crime Agency

Strikes and pressure tactics occur from time to time, in key sectors such as transport. These strikes can sometimes complicate travel and disrupt public services.

• Consult local media to be aware of strikes that may affect your stay or travel plans
• In the event of a transport strike, plan extra time to get to your destination

Northern Ireland

Inter-communal tensions can arise from April to August during the summer marching season. This is particularly common during the weeks leading up to July 12.  

During the summer marching season:

• expect possible delays and disruptions in some areas
• exercise caution
• follow the advice of local authorities

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Adventure tourism

Outdoor activities, such as hiking and biking, may lead to safety concerns if they are not well-organized. Weather conditions can change rapidly, even in summer.

Avalanches can occur in Scotland, especially in the Cairngorms area between December and April. Check local avalanche forecasts before you go.

If you intend to go walking, biking or hiking in remote areas:

• never do so alone and do not part with your hiking companions
• obtain detailed information on your activity and on the environment in which you will be doing it before setting out
• buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation
• ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity
• avoid venturing off marked trails
• ensure that you’re adequately equipped
• stay informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard
• inform a family member or friend of your itinerary
• Weather conditions - Met Office
• Avalanche Forecasts - Scottish Avalanche Information Service

Road safety

Vehicles drive on the left.

Pedestrians should use caution when crossing streets and be mindful that traffic comes from the opposite direction than it does in Canada. There are many one-way streets in London and other cities. Always confirm the direction of traffic before you cross the street.

Road conditions

Roads are excellent but are often narrow and congested, especially in urban areas. Use caution when entering a traffic circle (roundabout). Rural roads may become hazardous during severe weather conditions. You should be especially careful when driving in the countryside during periods bad weather or freezing temperature. You should always slow down before approaching turns on narrow roads as curves may hide oncoming traffic.

Public transportation

Public transportation is extensive. Train and bus services connect most cities and areas of the country.

Taxis are widely available. Only use officially licensed and marked taxis or private hire vehicles.

• Getting around Britain - Visit Britain
• Train schedules and service alerts - National Rail
• Taxis and minicabs – Transport for London

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the British authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

electronic_travel_authorisation_(eta)

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

The United Kingdom has started to unroll a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) program. Canadians are not currently able to apply for an ETA.

Once the program goes into effect, you will need to apply for your ETA before you travel to or transit through the UK. You must travel on the passport used for your ETA application.

Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) – UK Visas and Immigration

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least the expected duration of your stay in the United Kingdom. This requirement may also apply when travelling to Northern Ireland from other parts of the United Kingdom, and vice versa.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required for stays of up to 6 months Business visa or work permit: required Student visa: required

You may need a work permit or visa even if you plan to do:

• unpaid work
• volunteer work
• part-time work
• temporary work

A marriage visitor visa is also required if you plan to get married or register a civil partnership in the United Kingdom.

You must apply online for your visa before you travel to the UK. The High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom, in London, cannot assist you in your visa application process. Useful links

• Check if you need a UK visa  - UK Government
• UK Visas and Immigration  - UK Government
• Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application  - UK Government

Other entry requirements

UK Border officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself for the duration of your stay.

If you are unable to do so, or if you seek entry as a visitor but are found with items indicating that you intend to seek any type of employment (such as curriculum vitae or educational certificates), you may be denied entry and expelled from the country.

Similarly, if you seek entry as a visitor and are suspected of planning to reside in the UK for any reason, including having a UK-based partner, you may be denied entry.

If you have previously been refused entry, contact the British High Commission in Ottawa to enquire about entry clearance before making plans to visit the UK, even if a visa is normally not required.

Transiting through a United Kingdom airport

If you plan to transit through a United Kingdom airport, make sure you comply with the entry requirements of your final destination. If you don’t meet the entry requirements of your final destination, you may be denied boarding or forced to wait in the UK to apply for a new passport, which can take several days.

Unplanned layovers could lead to substantial travel costs and delays. You should not depend on the Government of Canada for assistance related to changes to your travel plans.

• Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is not required to enter this country.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.

* It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

In this destination, rabies  may be present in some wildlife species, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. 

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. 

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who will be working directly with wildlife. 

Polio (poliomyelitis) is an infectious disease that can be prevented by vaccination. It is caused by poliovirus type 1, 2 or 3. Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus 2 (cVDPV2) is present in this country. Polio is spread from person to person and through contaminated food and water. Infection with the polio virus can cause paralysis and death in individuals of any age who are not immune.

Recommendations:

• Be sure that your polio vaccinations are up to date before travelling. Polio is part of the routine vaccine schedule for children in Canada.
• One booster dose of the polio vaccine is recommended as an adult .

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a risk in some areas of this destination. It is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It is spread to humans by the bite of infected ticks or occasionally when unpasteurized milk products are consumed.

Travellers to areas where TBE is found may be at higher risk  during April to November, and the risk is highest for people who hike or camp in forested areas.

Protect yourself from tick bites . The vaccine is not available in Canada. It may be available in the destination you are travelling to.

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Human cases of avian influenza have been reported in this destination. Avian influenza   is a viral infection that can spread quickly and easily among birds and in rare cases it can infect mammals, including people. The risk is low for most travellers.

Avoid contact with birds, including wild, farm, and backyard birds (alive or dead) and surfaces that may have bird droppings on them. Ensure all poultry dishes, including eggs and wild game, are properly cooked.

Travellers with a higher risk of exposure include those: 

• visiting live bird/animal markets or poultry farms
• working with poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, domestic ducks)
• hunting, de-feathering, field dressing and butchering wild birds and wild mammals
• working with wild birds for activities such as research, conservation, or rehabilitation
• working with wild mammals, especially those that eat wild birds (e.g., foxes)

All eligible people are encouraged to get the seasonal influenza shot, which will protect them against human influenza viruses. While the seasonal influenza shot does not prevent infection with avian influenza, it can reduce the chance of getting sick with human and avian influenza viruses at the same time.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Medical services and facilities

Health care is excellent. Service is available throughout the country.

You must pay for medical services provided by the National Health Service (NHS) unless:

• you are ordinarily a resident of the United Kingdom
• you are accessing emergency services exempted from fees

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

• Accessing NHS services as a visitor - National Health Service (NHS)
• Travel health and safety

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Transfer to a Canadian prison

Canada and the United Kingdom are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in the United Kingdom to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and the United Kingdom authorities.

This process can take a long time, and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs, including cannabis, are severe. Convicted offenders can expect prison sentences and heavy fines.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Laws on knives

It is illegal to carry, purchase, sell or enter the country with certain types of knives. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines and jail sentences.

Selling, buying and carrying knives - UK Government

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in the United Kingdom.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of the United Kingdom, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Dual citizens

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and the United Kingdom.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in the United Kingdom, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the British court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in the United Kingdom to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children's Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abductions: A guide for affected parents
• The Hague Convention – Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Request emergency assistance

Traffic drives on the left.

Parking in London and other major city centres is limited and expensive.

Driver's licence

You can drive with a valid Canadian licence for up to 12 months from your date of entry.

Car rental companies may require an international driving permit, especially if your licence is not in English. Check with your car rental agency in advance.

Congestion Charge

If you drive into central London, you will be required to pay a daily congestion charge. The Congestion Charge zone is indicated by a large “C” painted on the roads and by signs.

You can pay the fee by phone, online or at selected shops and gas stations.

Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)

All boroughs in London are part of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). If you drive in London, your vehicle must meet the ULEZ emission standards. If it does not, you must pay a daily charge to drive within the ULEZ.

• More about the International Driving Permit
• Congestion Charge  - Transport for London
• Ultra Low Emission Zone – Transport for London

The currency of the United Kingdom is the pound sterling (GBP).

If you are carrying £10,000 or more, or the equivalent in other currencies, you must make a declaration to customs when you enter or leave the United Kingdom.

It includes sums in:

• banknotes and coins
• bearer bonds
• travellers’ cheques
• cheques that are signed but not made out to a person or organization
• money orders (Northern Ireland only)
• gold coins, bullion or nuggets (Northern Ireland only)
• prepaid cards (Northern Ireland only)

Take cash in and out of the UK - Government of the United Kingdom

Climate change

Climate change is affecting the United Kingdom. Extreme and unusual weather events are becoming more frequent and may affect your travel plans. Monitor local news to stay informed on the current situation.

Severe weather

The United Kingdom is subject to severe storms that can cause death and injury and severely damage commercial, residential and natural areas.

High winds, fog, and snow can also have widespread impacts, including transportation disruptions.

• Keep informed of regional weather forecasts
• Stay away from disaster-affected areas
• Follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders

Storm forecast  - Met Office

Flooding and landslides

Heavy rains can cause severe flooding, mudslides and landslides, particularly in certain coastal and riverside areas. Roads may become impassable and infrastructure damaged.

• Exercise caution, particularly in coastal areas and around major rivers
• Stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• Follow the advice of local authorities, including evacuation orders
• Flooding risks in England  - UK Government
• Flood forecasting  - Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Heat waves are becoming more common in the United Kingdom, and most houses and public places are not designed or equipped to provide shelter from high heat.

High temperatures can be dangerous. Know the symptoms of dehydration and heatstroke, which can both be fatal.

If you are in the United Kingdom during a summer heat wave:

• stay indoors or in the shade during midday hours
• stay hydrated and carry a sufficient water supply
• monitor local media for information on heat warnings

Local services

Dial 999 for emergency assistance.

Consular assistance

The Falkland Islands and Gibraltar

For emergency consular assistance, call the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom, in London, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

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Full list of countries issuing travel warnings to UK amid far-right riots

Nigeria, malaysia, kenya, australia, sweden, indonesia, the uae, india and hong kong have all sent out alerts, article bookmarked.

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Several countries have issued safety warnings to their citizens in the UK due to ongoing anti-immigration protests and riots .

Nigeria , Malaysia , Kenya , Australia , Sweden , Indonesia , the UAE , India and Hong Kong have all sent out alerts, advising their nationals living in or visiting the UK to stay away from demonstrations.

Hong Kong has become the latest of nine countries to issue a warning to citizens travelling to the UK following days of violent riots.

The HK government’s Security Bureau issued a warning saying: “Since late July 2024, protests and riots occurred across the United Kingdom, resulting in violent clashes.”

Hong Kong residents “who intend to visit the country or are already there should monitor the situation, exercise caution, attend to personal safety, avoid large gatherings of people and pay attention to local announcements,” the advice says.

Earlier, officials at the High Commission of India in London said they were “closely monitoring” the situation as they advised visitors from India to “stay vigilant and exercise due caution while travelling in the UK”.

Australia issued a similar warning and advised travellers to “avoid areas where protests are occurring due to the potential for disruption and violence” as it urged people to “monitor the media for information and updates”.

Follow our live coverage of riots across the UK.

A post on the Embassy of Sweden website on 6 August told Swedes in Great Britain: “Since the beginning of August, riots have taken place in several British cities, motivated by xenophobia. It is strongly recommended to avoid large crowds.”

The UAE embassy in the UK also urged citizens to “exercise the highest level of caution” and “take the necessary precautions” in light of the unstable security situation.

Elsewhere, Kenya’s High Commission in London warned Kenyans residing in the UK on Twitter/X to “stay away from the protest areas” and “remain vigilant”.

A travel alert by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, based in the capital Abuja, also stated that there is “an increased risk of violence and disorder occasioned by the recent riots in the UK”, noting that “the violence has assumed dangerous proportions”.

It went on: “Demonstrations by far right and other extra-parliamentary groups in parts of the UK in recent weeks have been large, and in some instances unruly.”

The High Commission of Malaysia in London posted a message online on Sunday which read: “Malaysians residing in or travelling to the United Kingdom are urged to stay away from protest areas, remain vigilant and follow the latest updates and guidance provided by local authorities.”

It also “strongly encouraged” people to register with it to “receive timely information and assistance”.

The Indonesian embassy in London also issued a warning, advising its citizens in the UK to avoid large crowds and increase their vigilance.

Violence has broken out in several towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland following the killing of three young girls at a dance class in Southport last week (29 July).

Almost 500 people have been arrested after far-right riots rocked Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Hull, Belfast, Stoke and other cities across the UK this week.

For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calder’s podcast

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Everything you need to know about State Department travel advisories

When traveling abroad, the top concern for many Americans is safety.

Whether it is due to ongoing conflict, special events such as the 2024 Paris Olympics , natural disasters like a volcano currently erupting in Iceland or an uptick in crime , conditions of countries can change rapidly, affecting both travelers and locals.

To help keep American travelers safe, the U.S. Department of State issues and maintains travel advisories for U.S. citizens based on current circumstances.

These advisories can be particularly helpful for first-time and younger travelers, though the agency encourages all people to review them for their desired destination ahead of travel.

What are travel advisories based on?

Although travel warnings originate from the State Department and live on its website , they are a joint effort between the State Department's Office of Overseas Citizens Services and U.S. consulates and embassies worldwide.

"We've got our diplomats and consular officers on the ground in all those places, who have more up-to-date information than anyone in Washington could have," said Angela Kerwin, deputy assistant secretary for Overseas Citizens Services, during a Zoom interview Thursday. "But we use a variety of information in order to look at the criteria that go into our travel advisories around the world."

In addition to crime reports, nongovernmental organization reports and those from international organizations such as the United Nations, the government considers nine risk factors in determining the level at which each country's advisory should be set:

• C — Crime : Widespread violence or organized crime is present in areas of the country. Local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
• T — Terrorism : Terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups or other targets may exist.
• U — Civil Unrest : Political, economic, religious and/or ethnic instability exists and may cause violence, major disruptions and/or safety risks.
• H — Health : Health risks, including current disease outbreaks or a crisis that disrupts a country's medical infrastructure. The issuance of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travel Health Notice may also be a factor.
• N — Natural Disaster : A natural disaster, or its aftermath, poses danger.
• E — Time-limited Event : Short-term events, such as elections, sporting events or other incidents that may pose safety risks.
• K — Kidnapping or Hostage Taking : Criminal or terrorist individuals or groups have threatened to and/or have seized or detained and threatened to kill, injure or continue to detain individuals in order to compel a third party (including a governmental organization) to do or abstain from doing something as a condition of release.
• D — Wrongful Detention : The risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals exists.
• O — Other : Potential risks are not covered by previous risk indicators. Read the country's travel advisory for details.

Although the most recently added category, Wrongful Detention, only applies to a handful of countries, it's an important criterion for travelers to note when a country has detained a U.S. citizen without cause.

Level 1 to 4 tiered warning system

Based on that nine-rubric system, plus reports and input from U.S. consulates and embassies in these countries, the agency assigns each country a Level 1 to 4 tiered warning , with 1 being the lowest level, indicating relative safety, and 4 being the highest, meaning travelers should not visit.

Level 1: Exercise normal precautions

This is the lowest level a country can achieve, making it among the safest for Americans to visit. As with any travel, there is always some risk, so every country will always have at least a Level 1 advisory.

Level 2: Exercise increased caution

Under a Level 2 designation, a country has increased safety or security risks, but they likely won't preclude you from traveling there.

Level 3: Reconsider travel

A Level 3 advisory tells travelers to potentially defer trips to the country in question, as serious potential risks exist.

Level 4: Do not travel

The most serious advisories are Level 4 recommendations, which alert you to avoid travel to designated countries and areas due to a greater threat of potentially life-threatening risks and limited resources to help Americans.

What else to know about travel advisories

In addition to the State Department's general travel advisory, a country's information page will also provide any timely alerts from the corresponding U.S. embassy and/or consulate to consider.

There are also certain countries where the agency can provide "carve-outs" to communicate information related to specific areas or regions within a particular country.

"Perhaps the country itself is a Level 3 country, but there is one particular border area that has ongoing kinetic activity of some sort, and we'd say that would be a Level 4," Kerwin explained.

These carve-outs are most often found in Mexico , as the U.S. shares a border with the country and more Americans travel to Mexico for tourism than elsewhere.

"Mexico is a special case. We also have more U.S. consulates than we do in any other country in the world, and for that reason, we are able to provide state-by-state travel advisory levels in Mexico," Kerwin said. "[With] other countries around the world, [we] just simply don't have the ability to have that level of detail; the specificity is greater for Mexico."

Because data is the main source of information for crafting these advisories, not all alerts can be created equally.

"It is impossible to say that we can apply all nine criteria exactly the same in country A as we do in country B. You're going to have more statistical data of a reliable type for ... Germany than you would Chad," Kerwin explained. "So to compare the exact same report for Germany with the exact same report for Chad is not something that makes sense because it's generally not going to be available."

In those cases, the government relies on its embassies and consulates, which are present in most of these countries, to help inform its alerts.

"We've got people on the ground who are often best positioned to help us evaluate the number of kidnappings, the level of civil unrest, how many terrorist attacks reported or not reported," she said.

Note that a lack of readily available or accurate data doesn't make the country inherently riskier or more dangerous for travelers.

"It just means that we don't have the exact type of data that we would have in another country," Kerwin said. "We would have to rely more heavily on embassy reporting and our folks there, but it does not necessarily mean it is a more dangerous country."

Does a Level 4 alert mean I should avoid traveling there?

In short, the answer is yes.

At the time of publication, there were 19 countries with Level 4 alerts, per the State Department.

"These are the places we deem as the most dangerous for U.S. citizens to travel to, and we would really like U.S. citizens to look at other destinations," Kerwin said. In part, that's because of the limited consular or embassy services available in these places should an American need help.

"Every U.S. citizen gets to make up their own mind on where they want to travel. That's all we can do as a government," she continued. "If a U.S. citizen finds themselves in a situation where they need to travel to one of these countries for whatever reason, we would ask that they look at our travel advisories in advance, read our country information sheet. We would certainly recommend if we have a functioning embassy, that they save that information on their phone so they can contact the embassy if necessary."

But overall, travelers should avoid traveling to Level 4 countries if possible.

"Each of these Level 4 countries will tell you what our concerns are with these countries and [that] our criteria has been met," Kerwin said. "We believe it is quite dangerous to go there."

How often are State Department travel advisories updated?

When viewing a travel advisory, you'll note at the top the date it was last updated, as alerts are updated on a rolling basis.

Generally speaking, Level 4 and Level 3 alerts are updated at least once every six months, while Level 1 and Level 2 alerts are examined at least once per year, pending evolving circumstances.

"If something changes or some precipitating event, we would do it earlier as needed," Kerwin said.

For example, on Thursday, the U.S. Embassy in Reykjavik issued its own alert regarding a volcanic eruption in southwest Iceland that morning. When embassy alerts are issued for isolated events in a particular region of a country, it does not necessarily reflect the overall level of the country as a whole.

Despite the volcano warning, Iceland remained at Level 1 , as it has since July. If it had been a more widespread eruption affecting general European air travel, that would have prompted the agency to update the travel advisory as a whole.

"Right now, by sending out that security alert, we're saying stay away from the volcano, but if you wanna go have dinner in Reykjavik, follow our regular information we have on our travel advisory," Kerwin said.

That volcano alert also went out via the agency's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program , which sends relevant security updates from the nearest U.S. Consulate, and which Kerwin advised travelers to enroll in as another way to stay safe abroad.

"So anybody who is registered in STEP traveling to or who is living in Iceland would've gotten an email to say, 'Hey, be aware the volcano erupted again today, we're watching it closely; pay attention,'" she explained. "We have those various security alerts that we can send out at any time in a country based on late-breaking events."

Special events, such as the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, will also trigger additional and/or more frequent alerts.

"We will be paying special attention to that. We expect there will be a large number of U.S. citizens that are headed in that direction to cheer on our team, and we want to make sure that we are giving them the best information we can about their time when they're traveling," Kerwin said.

Other things to consider when traveling abroad

As with travel in general, the State Department advises Americans heading overseas to prepare in advance.

"We have a slogan we've been using, and I like it; it's called 'travel smart from the start,' and that starts even before you decide what destination," Kerwin said. That slogan applies to details like checking that you have enough validity on your passport (most countries require six months at the time of entry) and buying travel insurance.

Kerwin also advises procuring the contact information for the nearest U.S. government presence (i.e., the embassy or consulate) via the State Department's list of U.S. embassies and consulates .

"Jot down on paper, take a picture on your phone and save the U.S. Embassy/Consulate phone number or email address so you can get in contact with us if there's a problem," she said. "And always be aware of your surroundings ... a heightened level of awareness ... is important for travelers no matter where they're going."

Bottom line

With travel comes an inherent risk, and the government aims to help travelers remain safe domestically and abroad.

While the decision to travel is ultimately up to the traveler, these travel advisories should be taken seriously.

"Our goal is to always provide the best advice and information we can for U.S. citizens so they can make their decisions as to where they wish they travel," Kerwin said.

Therefore, heed these travel warnings from the State Department via U.S. embassies, consulates and the department's STEP program.

"The final thing — and this is an important one — is to have fun," Kerwin added. "Travel is fantastic — you get to see new cultures, and you get to experience new languages and beautiful countries and beautiful cities. We want U.S. citizens to travel and have fun on their adventures around the world."

Related reading:

• Cancun travel advisory: State Department issues warning to US travelers heading to Mexico
• The difference between CDC and State Department travel warnings
• US issues worldwide travel advisory — here's what you should know
• Finally: US passport processing back to pre-pandemic time frame

U.S. Issues New Travel Alert for the UK Amid Escalating Unrest: What You Need to Know

Last verified: Tuesday, 13. August 2024 at 08:21 AM

United Kingdom Travel Advisory

• Northern Europe
• United Kingdom Travel Advice

We advise caution when travelling to United Kingdom

Local situation: 3.0 / 5.

We advise caution when travelling to United Kingdom. We detected travel advisories from 7 sources for this specific country.

Regional Situation: 2.8 / 5

United Kingdom shares a land border with Ireland . For these two countries, the Advisory Index is 2.8 .

Current informationen on Covid-19 in United Kingdom

There are currently no officially reported cases of infections with SARS-CoV-2 (or Coronavirus) in United Kingdom. As reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control this morning (~8:30am CET).

There are currently no officially reported deaths related to this disease in United Kingdom.

Source: www.ecdc.europa.eu

Advice scoring history for United Kingdom

Chart of the risk level over that last 200 days. This is the daily calculated travel risk for United Kingdom.

Chart of the number of sources over that last 200 days. This is the daily number of advisory sources (of any rating) that have been active on that day.

Note: Changes happening on the 28th/29th of July 2019 are related to a change in the software and number of sources processed.

Rating Details (single travel warnings)

These are the individual advisories published by other countries about the destination United Kingdom from a travellers perspective. The scoring of all messages combined is the foundation for the current rating 3.0 out of 5.0 .

This is the general advisory usually covering the country as a whole.

Advisory issued by: New Zealand

Exercise increased caution in the United Kingdom due to the threat of terrorism (level 2 of 4).

Source: https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/united-kingdom

Advisory issued by: United States

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed. Exercise increased caution in the United Kingdom due to terrorism. Country Summary: Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in the United Kingdom. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government ...

Source: http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/united-kingdom-travel-advisory.html

Advisory issued by: Finland

Iaktta normal försiktighet - Allmänt taget är Storbritannien ett relativt tryggt resmål. Enligt de brittiska myndigheternas bedömning är hotnivån för internationell terrorism just nu allvarlig (substantial). I Nordirland är hotnivån för terrorism anmärkningsvärd (substantial).

Source: https://um.fi/resemeddelande/-/c/GB

Advisory issued by: Canada

The Canadian goverment suggests: Exercise a high degree of caution.

Source: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/united-kingdom

Individual rating changes for United Kingdom

This is the recent history of individual changes of travel advices that affected the total asessment of United Kingdom. Most recent events first.

Changes from September 25th 2020

The total rating for United Kingdom changed from 3.6 to 3.8 . Here are the influencing details:

The Danish government increased their existing warning for United Kingdom to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 3.0 (by +1.0).

Changes from August 7th 2020

The total rating for United Kingdom changed from 3.4 to 3.6 . Here are the influencing details:

The United States government increased their existing warning for United Kingdom to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 2.0 (by +2.0).

Changes from July 11th 2020

The total rating for United Kingdom changed from 3.5 to 3.4 . Here are the influencing details:

The Danish government decreased their existing warning for United Kingdom to 3.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 4.0 (by -1.0).

Changes from March 22nd 2020

The total rating for United Kingdom changed from 3.4 to 3.5 . Here are the influencing details:

The Canadian government increased their existing warning for United Kingdom to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 3.0 (by +1.0).

Changes from March 18th 2020

The total rating for United Kingdom changed from 2.6 to 3.4 . Here are the influencing details:

The Australian government increased their existing warning for United Kingdom to 5.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 4.0 (by +1.0).

The Austrian government issued a new warning for United Kingdom with a rating of 5.0.

The Irish government increased their existing warning for United Kingdom to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 1.0 (by +3.0).

Changes from March 14th 2020

The total rating for United Kingdom changed from 2.2 to 2.6 . Here are the influencing details:

The Australian government issued a new warning for United Kingdom with a rating of 4.0.

Changes from March 8th 2020

The total rating for United Kingdom changed from 2.0 to 2.2 . Here are the influencing details:

The Danish government increased their existing warning for United Kingdom to 3.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 2.0 (by +1.0).

Changes from September 26th 2019

The total rating for United Kingdom changed from 0.0 to 2.0 . Here are the influencing details:

The Danish government issued a new warning for United Kingdom with a rating of 2.0.

Changes from September 25th 2019

The total rating for United Kingdom changed from 0.0 to 0.0 . Here are the influencing details:

The United States government issued a new warning for United Kingdom with a rating of 2.0.

The Canadian government issued a new warning for United Kingdom with a rating of 3.0.

The New Zealand government issued a new warning for United Kingdom with a rating of 2.0.

The Irish government issued a new warning for United Kingdom with a rating of 1.0.

The Finnish government issued a new warning for United Kingdom with a rating of 2.0.

About United Kingdom

United Kingdom with its capital London is a country in Europe (Northern Europe), slightly smaller than Oregon (244,820 km²). The country is located Western Europe, islands - including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland - between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea; northwest of France. The climate can be described as temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast. The landscape is mostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling plains in east and southeast. With a population of about 60.94 million citizens.

British flag

Introduction Video

Basic Statistics and Facts

Environmental problems and natural hazzards.

These are problems United Kingdom is facing. Environmental issues refer to damages of the nature due to industry and society. Natural hazzards refer to potential dangers originating in nature.

Environmental problems

• and industry
• but air pollution remains a concern
• continues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• decline in marine and coastal habitats brought on by pressures from housing
• particularly in the London region
• soil pollution from pesticides and heavy metals

Natural hazzards

• winter windstorms

Top Industries and Agricultural Products

These are the main product industries and agricultural products of United Kingdom. This list indicates what this country is good at producing.

• automation equipment
• communications equipment
• electric power equipment
• electronics
• food processing
• machine tools

Agriculture products

British Imports and Exports

These are the main product categories of imports and exports to and from United Kingdom.

Export products

• manufactured goods

Import products

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current travel advisory for united kingdom.

United Kingdom is currently rated at 3,0 out of a possible 5.0. Collected from 7 official sources. We advise caution when travelling to United Kingdom.

Is it safe to travel United Kingdom in 2024?

Visiting the country United Kingdom is usually fine. The score is at 3,0 Just keep an eye open, obey local rules and you'll most likely be fine.

How many travel advisories do you know for United Kingdom?

We currently evaluate 11 official sources each morning. Today, we know of active advisories from 7 individual sources for United Kingdom.

What is the current Corona virus situation in United Kingdom?

There are currently no officially reported cases of infections with SARS-CoV-2 (or Coronavirus) in United Kingdom. As reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control this morning (~8:30am CET). There are currently no officially reported deaths related to this disease in United Kingdom.

What is the size of United Kingdom?

United Kingdom has a size of 244,820 km² or 94,525 mi² which is slightly smaller than Oregon.

Common Frequently Asked Questions

For non-country specific questions, please check our global F.A.Q.

Travel safety map for United Kingdom and bordering countries.

If you want to embed United Kingdom travel warning information into your website or application, check out these tools.

• Is United Kingdom safe to travel?
• What's the safety situation in United Kingdom?
• Are there security warnings for United Kingdom?

2020-03-10: Integrated data from European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (COVID-19/ SARS-CoV-2/ Coronavirus).

2019-09-01: Added timeline charts for risk level and number of advisories.

2019-07-29: Added two more sources (Finland and Denmark). Affects country ratings.

2019-07-15: South-Sudan was missing and was added today.

2019-05-18: Performance improvements for API users.

2019-03-23: Introduced professional API with more data.

2019-02-13: Added three more sources (Cyprus, Ireland and Malta). Affects country ratings.

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Mpox: UK preparing after virus declared global emergency - as Sweden records first case

Preparations include making sure rapid testing will be available. A global emergency has been declared, with one expert stating there are reports of cases in 16 countries in Africa.

Friday 16 August 2024 12:04, UK

Sweden has confirmed it has recorded its first case of a contagious new variant of mpox - a day after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a global health emergency.

The strain, known as clade 1b, emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo , with more than 17,000 cases and 571 deaths in Africa this year, officials have said, which exceeds last year's total.

Scientists from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention report 96% of all cases and deaths have been in DR Congo.

There are currently no cases of the virus in the UK, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said, and its deputy director Dr Meera Chand claims the risk "is currently considered low".

"However, planning is under way to prepare for any cases that we might see in the UK," she added.

"This includes ensuring that clinicians are aware and able to recognise cases promptly, that rapid testing is available, and that protocols are developed for the safe clinical care of people who have the infection and the prevention of onward transmission."

Read more: How does mpox spread and what is the risk to the world?

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Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is passed on through close physical contact and symptoms include a high temperature, headache, muscle aches, backache and a rash.

Dr Jean Kaseya, the director general of Africa Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention, said there are cases in 16 countries in Africa.

"For the first time, we have countries like Ivory Coast, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda reporting cases," he told Sky News.

"We took our responsibility to say we need to declare this public health emergency… to better protect and support our countries."

He added WHO declared an emergency as it considers the strain is "potentially the outbreak that can become a pandemic".

Sweden's Health minister Jakob Forssmed told a news conference on Thursday that a case had been detected in the country and it was the "more grave" clade 1 strain.

The person became infected during a stay in Africa, according to officials.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

In 2023 and up to 31 July this year, 286 cases were reported in the UK.

Of these, 269 were in England - with 116 patients presumed to have caught the virus in the UK and 82 outside of the country.

Before the spring of 2022, UK cases were usually associated with travel to or from countries where mpox is endemic, particularly in western or central Africa.

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But in May that year, there was a large outbreak in the UK, mostly in men who are gay, bisexual or have sex with other men.

A vaccination programme was launched in the UK in the summer of 2022 and closed the following July.

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Greece wildfires: should you cancel your holiday to Athens?

Summer 2023 was one of the hottest on record – in July last year, certain destinations across Europe broke records for the warmest days ever recorded from Spain to Italy – causing health concerns and disruption to locals and tourists alike. In May 2024, Greece had the earliest heatwave it had, as temperatures exceeded 43 degrees Celsius. Those extreme temperatures resulted in wildfires spreading across the islands of Kos, Chios and Crete.

Wildfires started on Kos, one of Greece’s Dodecanese islands. Hundreds of British tourists and residents were forced to flee, taking shelter in a football stadium and other venues to escape the smoke. Similar fires have spread across Chios and Crete.

There are reports of wildfires raging through forests north of Athens since Saturday 10 August. A weekend of consistently high temperatures and strong winds had led to a continuous escalation of the situation. At the time of writing (Monday 12 August) the fires are still not under control.

What's causing the fires in Athens?

The wildfires started causing considerable damage in the early hours of Monday 12 August, and, at the time of writing, are still being contained by emergency services. At the time of writing, the exact cause of the wildfires is unknown. However, gale-force winds of around 50km/h in some areas north of the Greek capital, plus several days of extreme temperatures approaching 40C, mean emergency services are working tirelessly to extinguish the blazes.

Is it safe to travel to Athens?

The Greek authorities have not yet announced a state of emergency in Athens. The FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) is currently not advising against travel to any Greek islands, but make sure to check the latest official advice on the gov.uk website and check in with your tour operators, accommodation or airlines before you travel.

Which airlines have cancelled flights to Athens?

At the time of writing, no airlines have altered their flight schedule or cancelled any flights.

Can I get a refund if I cancel my holiday?

If you've booked flights and hotels separately, you need to check your airline's latest policy regarding travel to the island. If FCDO does not advise against travel to the destination, the airline is able to still operate flights and is not required to refund customers who wish not to travel.

If you've booked a package holiday that includes flights and accommodation, the tour operator has a duty of care to travellers. This means that trips to the island's affected areas might be cancelled, in which case refunds would be offered. Again, this will vary by operator, so check in with the company you booked with.

Will my travel insurance cover wildfires?

No, as the FCDO advice doesn't tell travellers not to visit Athens. Plus, even if the FDCO did advise against travel to the destination, the two types of UK healthcare available abroad, the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) and the UK European Health Insurance CARD (EHIC), do not cover expenses in the case of natural disasters.

Are any other Greek islands affected?

Emergency services have been battling countless wildfires in recent months, as the country has recorded its hottest June and July since reliable records began. However, at the time of writing, the situation north of Athens is causing the greatest amount of concern.

Which Greek islands had the worst wildfires last year?

In 2023, wildfires spread across Greece and other parts of the Mediterranean and hit Rhodes, Evia and Corfu particularly badly. Airlines cancelled flights as the island declared a state of emergency.

This article is accurate at the time of publishing, 4pm Monday 12 August 2024.

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• International travel, immigration and repatriation during COVID-19

UK’s new simplified travel system takes off from today

International travel will be simpler with lower testing costs for people who qualify as fully vaccinated.

• new simplified travel system with a single red list and the rest of the world comes into force from 4 October at 4am
• fully vaccinated travellers from over 50 countries and territories have simpler, cheaper rules, with just a single post arrival test needed
• changes come as UK government welcomes fully vaccinated residents of over 50 countries and territories who can travel like fully vaccinated UK travellers

From 4am today (Monday 4 October 2021), the UK’s new travel system comes into force with countries and territories categorised as either red or the rest of the world.

The new simplified travel system also means that eligible fully vaccinated passengers and eligible under-18s returning from over 50 countries and territories not on the red list, can do so without needing to complete a pre-departure test ( PDT ), a day 8 test or enter a 10-day self-isolation period, making it easier for those travelling – whether that’s to see friends and family, or on business trips.

As announced last month, the new rules also mean that from later in October eligible fully vaccinated passengers with an approved vaccine and recognised certificate from a country not on the red list will be able to replace their day 2 test with a cheaper lateral flow test, reducing the cost of tests on arrival into England. The government aims to have this in place for when people return from half-term breaks.

Anyone testing positive will need to isolate and take a confirmatory PCR test, at no additional cost, which would be genomically sequenced to help identify new variants.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

We are accelerating towards a future where travel continues to reopen safely and remains open for good, and today’s rule changes are good news for families, businesses and the travel sector. Our priority remains to protect public health but, with more than 8 in 10 people now fully vaccinated, we are able to take these steps to lower the cost of testing and help the sector to continue in its recovery.

Also from today, under-18s from the over 50 countries whose vaccination status the UK recognises will not need to present a negative PDT before travelling to England. This applies regardless of their vaccination status.

All under-11s, regardless of where they are travelling from, are already exempt from pre-departure testing for arrival in the UK. If children aged 11 and over are not travelling from one of the 50-plus countries and territories where vaccines are recognised, they will be required to follow the same rules as for unvaccinated passengers.

From today, we are expanding our vaccinated policy to a further 18 countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Japan and Canada. The recognised vaccines are Pfizer BioNTech, Oxford AstraZeneca (including Covidshield), Moderna and Janssen (J&J).

This builds on the UK government’s successful pilot phase with Europe and the US, and brings the total number of countries in scope of the policy to over 50, with more countries and territories being added in the coming weeks.

Those eligible must have a document from a national or state-level public health authority that includes certain information including name, date of birth and vaccination details, as set out in guidance on GOV.UK.

The government has maintained it would take a phased approach to recognising vaccines administered by other countries and territories, building on the success of the pilot with the US and Europe.

Fully vaccinated residents in other countries not yet part of the inbound policy, as well as those partially vaccinated, will still have to take a pre-departure test, PCR tests for day 2 and day 8 after arrival, and self-isolate for 10 days, with the option to test to release after 5 days.

The UK government is continuing to work with international partners as we seek to more regularly expand the policy to further countries and territories.

All arrivals will still need to fill in a passenger locator form ahead of travel. Travellers should continue to check GOV.UK travel guidance including Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice before, during and after travel to keep up to date with entry requirements and ensure compliance with the latest COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 regulations for the country being visited. Passengers should also carefully check booking conditions prior to booking.

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Train drivers to stage autumn strikes on UK’s east coast line

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Philip Georgiadis and Anna Gross in London

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

Train drivers will stage a series of weekend strikes on the UK’s east coast mainline this autumn, in a new dispute just days after the government agreed a 14 per cent pay deal with the union to end nationwide walkouts.

The Aslef union said LNER workers would strike on Saturday and Sunday for 11 weekends between August 30 and November 10. LNER is one of the UK’s busiest rail companies and operates services linking London to Edinburgh.

The announcement on Friday was a sign that disruptive industrial action is set to continue in Britain despite the new Labour government agreeing inflation-busting pay deals to end disputes.

Just two days ago, Aslef agreed a deal with the new Labour government to end two years of nationwide strikes in England in exchange for a 14 per cent pay deal over three years.

Aslef’s leadership said the disputes were unrelated and that the row with LNER was not over pay.

Instead the union blamed the state-run company for “a breakdown in industrial relations, bullying by management and persistent breaking of agreements”, particularly over driver rostering and the use of managers to drive trains on previous strike days.

“Every member of Aslef welcomed the new Labour government, and the way that the transport secretary, Lou Haigh, wants to reset industrial relations . . . But LNER clearly didn’t get the memo,” Aslef’s general secretary Mick Whelan said.

LNER said it was “surprised and disappointed” by the announcement and that recent discussions with the union had been “constructive”. 

“Our priority focus will be on minimising disruption to customers,” it said. “We will continue to work with Aslef to find a way to end this long-running dispute which only damages the rail industry.”

The Department for Transport said: “This is extremely disappointing for passengers. The Transport Secretary has called on both Aslef and LNER to get around the table and work in good faith to resolve this dispute as quickly as possible.”  

The PCS union on Friday also announced a four-day strike by 650 Border Force officers at London Heathrow airport between August 31 and September 3, in a row over staff rostering.

The fresh strikes come as the Labour government braces for the possibility of a wave of demands for higher pay across the public sector following its offer to train drivers.

The RMT, the country’s largest transport union, is due to hold pay talks with the government on Tuesday and has indicated it will seek a significant pay rise.

RMT members staged 18 months of strikes under the previous Conservative government.

Those were settled in November 2023 with a deal that handed members 5 per cent for the 2022-2023 financial year, but left further pay rises for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to be negotiated.

The previous Tory government had said modernisations would need to be agreed to unlock new rises.

“After a no-strings-attached offer to throw cash at a Labour-backing union, it should shock nobody that more strikes are on the cards,” said Kieran Mullan, Conservative shadow transport minister, referring to the Aslef pay deal.

“All Labour are doing is encouraging the unions into more of this anti-passenger action, putting our rail network at the beck and call of unions, whilst passengers pay the price,” he added.

Challenged on whether the government would be forced to offer double-digit pay increases across sectors from education to health, Labour’s paymaster general Nick Thomas-Symonds told Times Radio on Friday that his party was “sticking to promises we made in opposition”.

He said: “We promised we would sit down and find solutions [to disputes] and people expressed scepticism about that, but actually that is precisely what we have done in government.”

The government is also still in disputes with some NHS workers over pay and conditions.

Junior doctors in England, who have been on strike for more than a year, have been offered a 22 per cent pay increase over two years, which the British Medical Association will put to its members for a ballot next week.

Earlier this month GPs in England announced they had voted in favour of industrial action to pursue higher funding and increased pay levels from the government.

Data published by the Office for National Statistics on Tuesday showed that UK public sector wage growth, excluding bonuses, rose by an annual rate of 6 per cent in the three months to June, above the 5.2 per cent registered in the private sector.

Additional reporting by Valentina Romei

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