A regional overview of England’s nine ITL region
The UK faces a fourth heatwave as dry conditions persist. Wales has declared drought, parts of England remain in prolonged dry weather, and hosepipe bans cover millions. Health alerts warn of heat-related risks as rivers run low and wildfires threaten landscapes.
Emergency services are conducting a multi-agency search at Testwood Lakes, near Totton, Hampshire, after a 15-year-old boy went missing while swimming. The incident coincides with a record-breaking heatwave, with temperatures around 36C. The area is closed to the public while responders search, and authorities urge the public to avoid the site.
A series of high-stakes cases and policy moves are shaping debates on deportation, capital punishment, and post-release care across the US and UK, as authorities face mounting scrutiny over decades of systemic failures.
The Welsh government has pledged a multi-year budget for farming subsidies, ring-fenced at 340m a year until March 2030, amid debate over sustainability and how best to support the sector as farms adapt to environmental schemes and legacy funding transitions.
The UK has seen a record-hot July and persistent drought across large parts of England and Wales. Hosepipe bans remain in force as cooling rain is forecast to be patchy and limited this weekend. Forecasters warn that heat and dry conditions will continue into next week, with a potential return of hotter spells in parts of the country.
The Guardian and other outlets report that No 10 North is opening in Manchester to push devolved power to local postcodes. Burnham chairs the NEC meeting and aims to drive growth across every region; leaders from business and unions are set to attend.