[amsat-bb] Ham Radio in UK?

I am planning a trip to UK and was wondering about VHF repeater usage.

1) I have an ICOM W32A and it does not generate 1750 Hz tone as far as I can tell (US Version). Is CTCSS widely used in OK?

2) The radio is dual band 2M/70CM but I can disable 70CM band from front panel. Will Customs hassle me for that model?

3) Any recommendations for good PMR446, dPMR or similar radios (low cost) to communicate with my wife should we get separated? Preferably something readily available and using AA (not AAA) batteries.

4) Is GSM still the way to go for basic cell phone service in UK? We got my son a used blackberry "world phone" for his trip last year and it seemed spotty. Maybe he was getting SIM cards for the wrong provider?

Thanks in advance