Town and borough in north-west Surrey, England
Pizza Express has conducted an internal inquiry into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s 2001 Woking visit, testing his alibi amid Virginia Giuffre’s allegations. BBC and Guardian reports say no evidence confirms or disproves the claim, while Mountbatten-Windsor denies any wrongdoing and remains under police investigation.
Seven properties in Edgelaw View, Gilmerton, are to be evacuated for six to eight weeks of precautionary groundworks, with families moved to temporary accommodation. Residents warn disruption could extend beyond the initial period, affecting schooling, transport, and finances as they await a permanent solution.
The Crown Prosecution Service has charged Steven Sansom and Adam Watson with attempted murder in relation to an incident at Belmarsh Prison in January 2025. The proceedings are active and the defendants will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 26 August. Sharif and Sara’s case has generated renewed attention to prison safety and the handling of violent offences within Category A facilities.
A wave of measures has expanded support for families as the new term begins: free school meals for all Universal Credit households, more free breakfast clubs, cheaper uniforms through branded-item limits, and thousands of extra childcare places. The changes aim to ease the financial squeeze and ensure children start classes ready to learn.
Lando Norris has extended his McLaren contract to at least 2030, with a multi-year option beyond that date. The 26-year-old world champion has delivered McLaren’s first drivers’ title since 2008 and has won back-to-back races in the current season. He says he is “home” at McLaren and aims to keep winning with a team that has rebuilt to the front of Formula 1.
A flood-damaged, vandalised Seawinds park in Overcome Heights, Cape Town, is being closed and redeveloped as part of the Overcome Heights Housing Project. The park has a history of gang violence, but authorities hope the new development will provide safe open spaces and housing, with construction expected to take about 18 months after approvals.
In Surrey, the inquest into Sara Sharif’s death has been pushed back by six months to October 2027. The coroner has demanded full disclosure of documents to the court, with anonymity requests from witnesses under consideration. The trial follows life sentences for Sara’s father and stepmother in 2024, and a separate conviction for Sara’s uncle.
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has published a Local Youth Opportunity Index showing a sixfold gap in suitable vacancies for 18-24-year-olds between the South and certain northern regions. Rotherham faces 46 vacancies per 1,000 youths, while the Cotswolds have 288. The report argues lack of opportunities, not unwillingness, drives Neet rates, and calls for targeted youth employment services and reforms to apprenticeships.
The government has faced rising inflation to 3.1% in August, driven by Middle East turmoil and higher fuel prices. Ministers are facing calls to act on the cost of living, with energy bills and transport costs under scrutiny ahead of the autumn Budget.
Inflation has moved to a five‑month high of 3.1% as fuel prices and airfares climb, driven by Middle East conflict. The government has announced relief measures while stressing fiscal prudence. The Budget is six weeks away, and markets face higher borrowing costs amid a fragile headroom.
McLaren has announced a £500 million investment across UK sites, expanding its Woking HQ and a South Yorkshire carbon‑fiber facility, creating about 1,000 jobs by 2032 and potentially 3,000 more in the supply chain as part of broader growth in British manufacturing.