A metropolitan county in the UK’s midlands, and a regional power hub.
England faces a fifth heatwave this year, with amber heat health alerts in force across most regions. Temperatures are set to reach mid-30s Celsius, with drought conditions intensifying and health services braced for strain as power, rail and water services face disruption.
England endures a record-dry July and scorching August, with Water resources strained as hosepipe bans expand. Authorities warn of lingering drought while urging water efficiency and infrastructure investment. The weather picture remains hot and dry, threatening wildlife, farms and daily life.
A record summer of heat, drought and wildfires has prompted an emergency Cobra meeting and voluntary retailer suspensions of disposable-barbecue sales. Green groups have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging him to call the crisis 'climate change' and stop new North Sea drilling; Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has questioned net zero and urged adaptation and celebration of warmer weather.
NHS England has published data showing an average of 2,241 patients daily experienced corridor care in emergency departments in May, with 669 more treated in wards. The figures highlight a national crisis, concentrated in a few trusts, as ministers pledge to eradicate the practice.
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.
The NHS has launched Movement 26.2, a rewards-based walking challenge designed to convert daily movement into a sustainable habit. Participants log 20-30 minutes of walking daily to reach 26 miles per month; earnings depend on retailer partnerships and completion. The scheme aims to boost physical and mental wellbeing amid inactivity concerns.
Measles cases have risen in England this year, prompting NHS and UKHSA to widen a catch‑up vaccination effort targeting children who missed jabs. Authorities report rising illness despite long‑standing vaccination programs, with campaigns reaching families via GPs, NHS app, and letters. The initiative aims to prevent outbreaks as authorities stress vaccines’ role in protecting vulnerable groups.
Howard University has reinstated roughly 200 of 502 first-year students who were removed from its roster after missing a July 10 payment deadline or failing to meet other enrollment conditions; the school says each case will be reviewed. In the UK, the University of Greenwich and the University of Kent have formed the London and South East University Group (LASE/LASEUG), a four-campus group of more than 50,000 students that will launch on 7 September.
Astronomers have detected helium escaping from LHS 1140b, a rocky 'super-Earth' 48 light-years away that orbits in its star's habitable zone. The finding has confirmed an atmosphere around a habitable-zone rocky exoplanet for the first time and has been published in Science; teams used ground-based infrared spectroscopy and modelling.
An 18-year-old from Pamplona and an 86-year-old British man are among more than 57 people injured during the Sanfermines running of the bulls in Pamplona. The eight-day festival sees thousands sprint through narrow streets ahead of six bulls; gorings and broken bones are common, though deaths are rare.
Attendees at Pride in London have reported antisemitic verbal abuse during the central-London parade. The Met says it is reviewing footage to assess potential criminal offences, while organisers say Jewish participants have faced hostility in a bid to push for safer inclusion.
The CMA has urged the UK and devolved governments to bolster safeguards for heating oil consumers after a price spike triggered by the Middle East crisis. It finds rising wholesale costs largely explain price increases, but protections for oil users lag those for gas and electricity customers. About 1,700 orders were cancelled with some patients paying up to £350 extra; regulators plan enforcement and compensation for affected customers.
A mix of BBC, Business Insider and other outlets highlight community initiatives and family decisions around childcare and local entrepreneurship, with Razwan Amin's Erdington hair-cutting program and parents relying on teen babysitters to cut costs. Other voices describe the financial trade-offs of daycare.
Northern leaders are steering a push for investment and culture to rejuvenate the region, with Andy Burnham’s influence and a revived civic approach guiding new projects like local food festivals and arts hubs. The pieces highlight Todmorden and Ouseburn as exemplars of a broader northern renaissance in outdoor spaces, culture and community cohesion.
Scotland faces a maternity care crisis with hundreds of deaths in five years. An independent review is announced to inspect culture, rural services and safety, while calls grow for a broader safety remit.
Two riders have died after cross-country accidents at Swalcliffe Park (Oxfordshire) and Penrith (Cumbria). British Eventing says medical teams responded immediately and both horses were unharmed. A review will be conducted into the incidents as the sport mourns its losses.
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 UK has faced a fourth heatwave with amber and yellow alerts across large swaths of England and parts of Wales. Temperatures peak midweek, with rainfall scarce and drought status declared in parts of Wales; authorities warn of health impacts and increasing wildfire risk. A cooler, wetter change is forecast to arrive later in the week.
The government has unveiled plans to give England’s mayoral authorities a share of income tax to fund local development. While praised as a potential fix for regional inequality, the policy will take years to implement and risk leaving slower-growing areas behind, as councils seek to borrow for major projects amid central oversight.
Heat warnings cover much of England, with amber alerts in the East Midlands, London, the South East and East England. Yellow alerts remain for Yorkshire, the West Midlands and the South West. Officials warn of health risks, drought and heightened wildfire danger as temperatures rise this week.
The government has announced a major reform aimed at reducing the number of Neets (young people not in education, employment or training). The plan includes earlier access to technical education for 14-year-olds and a broader shift to align technical routes with academic pathways. Data show about 1.01 million Neets in early 2026, a 6% rise from the previous quarter. Milburn’s 2025 report warned of a £125 billion potential economic hit if action is delayed.
Public data show overcrowding remains an issue on key commuter routes in England and Wales, with load factors exceeding 170% on several services last autumn. Authorities say capacity improvements and new timetables are underway to ease pressure while fares and service quality are under scrutiny.
Insurers warn Europe’s disaster costs are outpacing coverage as wildfires devastate parts of France, Spain, Greece and Portugal. Heatwaves push temperatures past dangerous levels and drive up resilience costs, while authorities urge action to close the protection gap.
UK health officials say interim data suggest 2026 could record the highest heat-related deaths, with 2,877 fatalities across May and June heatwaves—nearly double 2021 levels. Records for May and June temperatures are already in. Authorities warn the NHS faces strain as heat intensifies.
Jaguar Land Rover plans to cut fewer than 300 UK jobs as it continues its recovery from a cyber attack that halted production last year and amid tariff pressures. The company says affected staff may be redeployed or offered voluntary exit, with locations and roles undisclosed.
Mayors will keep a share of income tax and business rates from 2027-28, replacing central grants and empowering local areas to fund transport, housing and jobs. The reform is pitched as the biggest transfer of power in a generation, with details to be announced in the autumn budget as Burnham leads devolution push.
Dogs Trust warns that open-water near UK lakes and coasts can be deadly for dogs. Campaigns urge owners to assess risks around hot weather. Independent reports offer practical tips to keep pets cool and safe, including car safety, hydration and cautious near beaches.
The 16-17 Saver Railcard has been extended to remain valid for a full year from purchase, even if the holder turns 18, with the change taking effect on 17 August. The policy aligns the youth railcard with others, aiming to reduce travel costs for young people and support education, employment, and training. Several outlets report on varying proposals to widen discounts beyond the Southeast.
July 2026 marks one of the driest Julys on record across the UK, with England and Wales declaring drought conditions. The Met Office notes unprecedented heat and low rainfall, affecting agriculture, water supplies, and daily life. Government and Environment Agency leaders say action is underway, including infrastructure investments and stricter water use rules.
The UK is experiencing its fifth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures rising to the mid-30s across England and Wales. Health alerts are in place for vulnerable groups, and authorities warn of impacts on infrastructure and water supplies as a heatwave extends into the week.
Pooja Kanda and families affected by knife crime welcome the government’s expansion of knife-surrender bins and a mobile surrender van. Since July last year, more than 14,500 weapons have been handed in, with knife-enabled robberies and homicides showing declines. The scheme aims to remove dangerous weapons from streets, with new bins in Yorkshire and other areas.
A flurry of late-career breakthroughs in sport shows athletes are redefining peak performance. From a 60-year-old British skater heading to the World Skate Games to young rising stars in CrossFit and track, competitors are challenging age norms and adding new chapters to their stories.
The Guardian and other outlets report increasing concern over Meta’s Ray‑Ban smartglasses. Pubs, theatres and schools ban or restrict wearables to protect privacy as regulators weigh rules. While advocates highlight accessibility benefits, critics warn surreptitious filming and harassment threaten safety in public spaces.
Refs to the UK’s Prevent programme have surged to a record 10,293 referrals involving 9,957 individuals in the year to September 2025, up 39% from the previous year. The rise follows the Southport 2024 attack and is accompanied by concerns over ideology, including 20% linked to extreme right-wing beliefs and 56% with no identified ideology. The data shows young people aged 11-15 are the largest group among referrals.
A judge has ruled that the confession by Abu Agila Mas’ud Kheir Al-Marimi will form a central part of the Pan Am 103 trial in Washington. Defence lawyers had argued the statement was false and made under duress, but prosecutors say the detail-rich document will be corroborated. Victims’ groups describe the ruling as a step forward in the long fight for justice.
The UK is facing a heatwave with temperatures reaching into the mid-30s by midweek and warnings of drought across large parts of England and Wales. Authorities say millions are under water-use restrictions as dry conditions intensify, with new heat alerts and potential hosepipe bans.
A fire at a Boyle Heights cold-storage facility left tens of millions of pounds of rotting food. Cleanup is extending beyond promised deadlines, with residents reporting ongoing smells, pests, and concerns about safety and transparency from Lineage and local authorities.
The government has announced planning and enforcement changes to curb vape shops, betting shops and other venues on high streets. Local councils will gain new powers, with planning permission required for vape shops and tighter controls on gambling premises. The measures aim to restore community spaces and address concerns about crime linked to some retailers.
England and Wales face ongoing drought conditions as reservoir levels stay low despite a wetter winter. Officials warn that continuing heat and low rainfall threaten water supplies, with hosepipe bans in effect and calls for infrastructure action.
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.
Jaguar Land Rover’s revenues have fallen by 9.6% to £6 billion for the quarter to June 30, as production disruptions and a pivot from petrol/diesel to electric models weigh on sales. The group is pushing four new electric models while navigating a fire-related disruption and a wind-down of several Jaguar variants.
Firefighters are tackling extensive grass fires across the West Midlands amid a record heatwave. Homes have been damaged and residents evacuated as crews declare major incidents in Stourbridge, Stratford-upon-Avon and surrounding areas. Emergency services warn people to stay indoors and close windows.
Belgians battle a historic wildfire in the High Fens as Europe endures a heat-driven fire season. Firefighters are reinforced by EU civil-protection aid; evacuations continue in several villages as authorities warn homes may be at risk.
The UK government has launched a consultation on the future of the zero emission vehicle mandate, with options to cut the 2030 target from 80% to as low as 50% or to keep 80% but extend flexibility to 2034. The final 2035 zero‑emission deadline remains unchanged, while industry groups warn of investment risk if targets loosen. The consultation runs until 23 October.
The government has issued an unprecedented emergency alert warning England and Wales about a very high risk of wildfires, urging people to avoid anything that could start a blaze. The alert follows dozens of fires, including in Stourbridge, and comes with a ban on disposable barbecues and a deployment of military resources to support firefighting efforts.
The government has announced new measures to help farmers manage drought, including a £65m fund for on-farm reservoirs and a raised Sustainable Farming Incentive budget. The move aims to ease water shortages, support livestock feeding, and back environmental work as hot, dry conditions persist.
UK fire services report a continued surge in wildfires amid prolonged heatwaves drought and water restrictions. The Stourbridge blaze has destroyed 19 homes and damaged 18 others while conditions persist across the country with major incidents declared in several regions.