Spa town, garden destination, transport hub in North Yorkshire
A convergence of UK maternity reforms is unfolding as ministers pledge a return to national standards, addressing underperformance and racial disparities. The oversight aims to end postcode lotteries, with patient experience and early-warning metrics guiding care. The government faces pressure from reports into Nottingham and Shrewsbury/Telford, and from unions calling for culture change.
Four young women have told the BBC they experienced sexual assault and harassment while at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, prompting calls for an independent inquiry and reforms to the military crime process.
Rail operators across the UK are adjusting timetables and services in response to an amber heat warning, with temperatures expected to exceed 30C in several regions. Operators warn of reduced services, enforced speed limits, and potential disruption, urging passengers to check journeys before travel.
Strathmore Hotels is placed under joint administration as eight hotels, including Perth’s Salutation Hotel, trade while options for the business are reviewed. The move follows sustained creditor pressure and a winding up petition in July; 410 staff are being retained as the portfolio continues operating.
Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 names St Cuthbert’s Way, a 62-mile route from Melrose to Lindisfarne, as a top experience. Described as passing through wild uplands and historic sites, the walk is praised for its scenery and accessibility, ending at Holy Island. The recognition follows earlier histories of St Cuthbert and the route’s modern opening in 1996. Scotland’s tourism body welcomes the listing and highlights slow tourism opportunities.
Lib Dem MPs have publicly and privately criticised Sir Ed Davey’s response to Labour leader Andy Burnham’s plan to change the state pension triple lock to fund a National Care Service. Davey warns the move could push pensioners into poverty, while several Lib Dem MPs argue the policy would address intergenerational inequality and expand care funding. The debate unfolds as Labour pushes a reform that would remove the automatic earnings link from 2030.