1992 in the United Kingdom

UK related events during the year

Events from the year 1992 in the United Kingdom. This year was the Ruby Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. This year is notable for a fourth term general election victory for the Conservative Party; "Black Wednesday" (16 September), the suspension of the UK's membership of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism; and an annus horribilis for the Royal Family.

2 February – Neil Kinnock, Labour leader, denies reports that he had a "Kremlin connection" during the 1980s. 6 February – The Queen commemorates her Ruby Jubilee, the first British monarch to do so since her great great grandmother Queen Victoria in 1877. 7 February – Signing of the Maastricht Treaty. 8–23 February – Great Britain and Northern Ireland compete at the Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, but do not win any medals. 9 February – Prime Minister John Major speaks of his hopes that the recession will soon be over as the economy is now showing signs of recovery. 15 February – Neil Kinnock, Labour Party leader, speaks of his belief that the Conservative government's failure to halt the current recession will win his party the forthcoming general election. 18 February – David Stevens, head of community relations, blames the recession for the recent rise in crime across the UK – most of all in deprived areas. 20 February – Hopes of an end to the recession are dashed by government figures which reveal that GDP fell by 0.3% in the final quarter of 1991. 23 February – The London Business School predicts an economic growth rate of 1.2% for this year, sparking hopes that the recession is nearing its end.

August – Graham Norton debuts at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. 6 August – Lord Hope, the Lord President of the Court of Session, Scotland's most senior judge, permits the televising of appeals in both criminal and civil cases, the first time that cameras have been allowed into courts in the United Kingdom. 10 August – Nissan commences production of its British built Micra supermini, which goes on sale in Britain and the rest of Europe at the end of this year. 15 August – The new FA Premier League commences. 16 August – English driver Nigel Mansell comes in second in the Hungarian Grand Prix and wins the 1992 Formula One season with five races still remaining. Mansell becomes the first Briton to win the title since James Hunt in the 1976 Formula One season. 17 August – Five months after the demise of Aldershot FC, Maidstone United resign from the Football League due to large debts and being unable to fulfill their fixtures for the new Division Three season. 20 August – Intimate photographs of Sarah, Duchess of York and a Texan businessman, John Bryan, are published in the Daily Mirror.

5 September – Italian supercar manufacturer Ferrari announces that its Formula One division will be designing and manufacturing cars in the UK. 7 September – Britain's first national commercial radio station, Classic FM, launches, broadcasting classical music. 13 September – Nigel Mansell announces his retirement from Formula One racing. 16 September – "Black Wednesday" sees the government suspending the UK's membership of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism following a wave of speculation against the Pound. 17 September – There is more bad news for the economy as unemployment is at a five year high of 2,845,508, and experts warn that it will soon hit 3,000,000 for the first time since early 1987. 18 September – The latest MORI poll shows the Labour Party four points ahead of the Conservatives at 43%, following the events of Black Wednesday two days earlier. 19 September – Operatic bass baritone Sir Geraint Evans dies in Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth, aged 70. 24 September – David Mellor resigns as Heritage Minister amid tabloid press speculation that he had been conducting an adulterous affair with actress Antonia de Sancha. 30 September – The Royal Mint introduces a new 10 pence coin which is lighter and smaller than the previous coin.

Inflation has fallen to a six year low to 3.7%. Stella Rimington is appointed as the first female Director General of MI5. Barbara Mills is appointed as the first female Director of Public Prosecutions (England and Wales). Palawan Press is founded in London. Most leading retailers, including WH Smith, withdraw vinyl records from stock due to a sharp decline in sales brought on by the rising popularity of compact discs and audio cassettes.