The Three UK Protest Themes to Watch out for in 2025: Immigration, Climate Change and Farmer Unrest

Last August’s riots showed the disruption that can be caused by large-scale mobilisation, and 2025 is shaping up to be a year of significant public activism in the UK, with protests expected to dominate headlines and disrupt businesses and communities alike. Using data from the Sigma7 Intelligence Fusion platform, our analysts have already identified 77 protest incidents so far this year, and there are three key protest themes anticipated to cause disruptions for businesses and the public throughout the year: Immigration, Climate Change and Farmer Unrest.

Immigration continues to dominate public concern in the UK, with a recent YouGov poll revealing 46% of Britons consider it the most important issue facing the country. The violence in towns and cities across the UK last August was partially fuelled by anti-immigrant sentiment, and so far this year, our analysts have already identified 8 protests either in support of or against immigration.  

The government has also acknowledged that the rapid spread of online misinformation contributed significantly to last year’s riots. With Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg abandoning independent fact-checkers in favour of community notes on X and Facebook, the risk of unchecked misinformation driving similar unrest remains high. Rallies for and against Tommy Robinson, scheduled for February 1st, highlight the impact Musk is having with his recent public calls to “Free Tommy Robinson” and endorsements of anti-immigrant parties across Europe. Businesses and authorities must remain vigilant as these protests could escalate throughout the year.

2024 was the hottest year on record as storms, wildfires, droughts, and record temperatures battered the globe, driving climate activism in 2025. Scientists continue to link the LA wildfires and devastating floods in Spain to climate change. Meanwhile, the USA’s new President, Donald Trump, has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement and pledged to increase oil drilling, a move that aligns with China and India’s limited commitment to net-zero targets.

Although the British government remains committed to achieving net-zero and expanding renewable energy, activists argue that progress is too slow and continue to take to the streets to demand urgent action. Groups like Extinction Rebellion and Fossil Free have already organised 12 climate-related protests this year, targeting corporations and policymakers.

At the same time, frustration over the UK’s slow economic growth, rising industrial energy costs and factory closures could fuel counter-protests against climate activists. These frustrations may be emboldened by global actors like Trump, China and India, who appear indifferent to net-zero commitments. While counter-protests have been rare, the growing tension between economic pressures and environmental demands could lead to increased opposition in 2025. Businesses and policymakers must prepare for disruptions on both sides of the climate debate as public sentiment continues to evolve.

Since last November, UK farmers have been uniting against the government’s agricultural and business property relief reforms, which include plans for farmers to start paying inheritance tax in 2026. As shown in the picture below, farmers across the whole of the UK have staged convoys and disruption to drive their message home, and our analysts have identified six protests linked to this so far this year.

Sigma7 Intelligence Fusion covered the farmer’s protests taking place in France, Spain, Germany and Poland over economic pressures, particularly the EU-Mercosur deal, where tactics such as street blockades, demonstrations, illegal dumping and barricades caused substantial delays in transportation and logistics. With the inheritance tax law set to be implemented in 2026, the potential for UK farmers to take inspiration from their European counterparts is high. Businesses dependent on transportation and agriculture should prepare for further disruptions throughout the year.

The coming year is likely to see notable public dissent in the UK, with immigration, climate change and agricultural unrest at the forefront of social movements. For businesses and policymakers, these protests present both challenges and opportunities. By understanding the driving forces behind these movements, organisations can better prepare for disruptions, mitigate risks and adapt to the evolving socio-political climate. Sigma7 remains committed to providing real-time insights and analytics to support informed decision-making in these uncertain times.

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