English food writer, chef, baker and television presenter
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.
The UK is experiencing record heat and drought this summer, with temperatures reaching 36C. Garden centres report a shift from cottage garden plants to tropical varieties. Enthusiasts are cultivating subtropical gardens, while rare palms and tree ferns are becoming common in private plots. The trend reflects broader changes in horticulture as gardeners adapt to extreme conditions.
Dame Prue Leith has called for free, compulsory school meals for every child and has argued lunchboxes should be banned. England is rolling out free meals to universal-credit households as part of a wider school-food standards overhaul.
Nigella Lawson has joined The Great British Bake Off as a new judge alongside Paul Hollywood, with filming completed and the series set to air next month on Channel 4. The move follows Dame Prue Leith’s departure after series 16, and Lawson has shared excitement about the role.
Wendell Berry has died at 92 in Port Royal, Kentucky. The Kentucky-born author and critic of industrial farming had published more than 40 books and influenced figures from Michael Pollan to Alice Waters. His work linked literature to land, community and a simpler life, while challenging modern prosperity and mechanization.