Contextual, historical and social information

2000- UK forces intervene in Sierra Leone to protect and evacuate foreign citizens caught up in the civil war.

2001-Foot and Mouth crisis. Labour party win general election. Conservatoire for Dance and Drama, a national higher education institution, is established, the founding affiliates being the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and the London Contemporary Dance School. PM Tony Blair offers strong support for US-led campaign against international terrorism.

2002-Over 50% of the UK population (well over 30,000,000 people) now have internet access

2003- In London, more than 2,000,000people demonstrate against the Iraq War, the largest demonstration in UK history.

Sales of the DVD format take the largest share of the UK home video market for the first time

2004- The population of England reaches fifty-one million

2005- A series of co-ordinated terrorist bombings strikes London's public transport system during the morning rush hour, killing more than fifty people and injuring hundreds. The Civil Partnership Act 2004 comes into force, granting same-sex couples similar legal rights to those of married heterosexuals.

First ever YouTube video was posted

2007- Gordon Brown succeeds Tony Blair as prime minister and Labour leader.

Smoking Ban in public places UK came in to force

2008-The government part-nationalises three leading UK banks with a 37-billion-pound rescue package. There is a ‘global credit crunch.’

2009-Britain withdraws bulk of its remaining troops in southern Iraq. The UK economy comes out of recession, after figures show it grew by 0.1% in the last quarter of 2009

2010-General election: Conservative Party wins most seats but fails to gain an absolute majority. Coalition is formed with Liberal Democrats. Large-scale public spending cuts aimed at reducing UK's budget deficit announced.

2011- Prince William marries Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey. Barack Obama announces Osama Bin Laden has been killed. The killing of a 29-year old man by police sparks widespread riots and looting in poorer areas of London, as well as in several other English cities.

2012- London hosts the Olympics and Paralympics. It is the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II marking her power for 60years.

2013- Prime Minister David Cameron proposes a referendum on whether to leave the European Union after the next election. Prince George was born in July. A soldier, Lee Rigby, is hacked to death in south London by two Islamic extremists.

2014- Voters in a referendum in Scotland reject independence, with 55% opting to remain part of the United Kingdom. The Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa begins.

2015- Conservative Party confounds polls by winning majority in general election for first time since 1992.

Princess Charlotte was born in May.

2016- Political crisis after voters in a referendum opt to leave the European Union. David Cameron resigns, succeeded as prime minister by his home secretary, Theresa May.

2017- Prime Minister Theresa May calls an early parliamentary election for June, seeking a larger majority to strengthen her hand in negotiating over Britain's exit from the European Union.

Terror Attacks – London Bridge, Manchester

Donald Trump inaugurated as 45th President of USA.

Grenfell Tower fire