Its NOT just the UK.
Other EU countries do the same.
We landed at a spot in Germany, that I have landed many times and know that a 747 can safely land there at max weight. The ATIS was reporting a wet runway. After touchdown and assessing the runway conditions, I told the tower that it was a dry runway. Several hours later the ATIS reported a wet runway once again after no precip. WTF??
There was one puddle on the pavement outside the white line!!!
Can we not use some common sense?
It does make a difference on whether you can get in sometimes.
Having to use auto brakes 4 for no reason on an effectively dry runway is rather silly.