Water Bills to Rise Further for Millions in England as Regulator Approves Price Hikes
CMA allows five water firms to raise bills by £556m, adding 3% on average, amid public anger over sewage pollution and rising costs.
CMA allows five water firms to raise bills by £556m, adding 3% on average, amid public anger over sewage pollution and rising costs.
Anonymous donor gives 21kg gold bars worth £2.7m to Osaka for repairing ageing water pipes; mayor vows to respect donor's wishes.
Burst pipe leaves fewer than 100 homes in Hastings without water on Christmas Day; Southern Water sets up bottled water station.
The Met Office warns that Tuesday's 40C heatwave will feel worse than the UK's hottest day ever in July 2022 due to higher humidity, making conditions muggier and more uncomfortable.
Mediterranean cooling techniques like white roofs and shutters can help UK homes cope with heatwaves, reducing temperatures by up to 4°C.
New water efficiency rules for new homes could save families £111 a year and help build 1.5 million homes by 2030.
Lake District soil erosion at dramatic rate due to climate change, warns academic; farmers oppose grazing ban.
Ofwat fines Thames, Yorkshire and Northumbrian Water a record £168m for illegal sewage discharges, citing widespread operational failures and environmental harm.
Southern Water applies for drought order to draw from River Test, risking ecology; campaigners urge environment secretary to block.
A rare red heat health alert has been issued for parts of England as temperatures are forecast to reach 40°C, posing a risk to life and potential disruptions to transport, energy, and water supplies.
UK households are urged to switch off and unplug electronic devices from Tuesday as temperatures could reach 38C. Experts warn appliances generate heat even on standby, increasing indoor temperatures and fire risk.
A Cape Cod diver survived being swallowed by a humpback whale off Provincetown, spending 30 seconds inside the whale's mouth before being spat out.
UK dog owners warned about paw burns and heatstroke during heatwave; experts advise checking ground temps, using shade, and immediate vet care.
A 16-year-old pilot died after crashing his Cessna 150 while following air traffic control instructions to avoid a faster plane, according to an accident report.
With London facing 40C heat, UK law lacks a maximum workplace temperature. Employers must ensure 'reasonable' conditions, but no statutory upper limit exists.
UK schools could close as Met Office issues rare red warning for extreme heat up to 40°C; uniform rules relaxed; risk assessments urged.
Gardeners advise neglecting lavender by reducing water and fertiliser to boost blooms, as the plant thrives in poor, dry conditions.
British Gas advises UK households to hang a damp sheet in front of open windows to cool incoming air naturally during the 30°C heatwave, offering a low-energy alternative to fans or air conditioning.
A 22-inch rat found in Normanby, Teesside, highlights worsening rodent problem blamed on council pest control cuts.
Kirkby town centre will get six to eight padel courts as part of a £2.5m retail and leisure space, funded by £19.5m government Pride in Place funding. The plan was unanimously agreed by the neighbourhood board.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued only its second-ever red heat-health alert, warning of risk to life as temperatures are forecast to reach up to 38C this week.
Six areas in England are under a red 'danger to life' heat-health alert as temperatures are forecast to reach 40°C, the hottest since 2022, with humidity exacerbating conditions.
Met Éireann issues a nationwide yellow high temperature warning for Ireland, with daytime temperatures exceeding 25°C and possibly reaching 30°C on Thursday.
Manchester City Council expands free Parktastic programme to 32 parks, offering sports, arts, and nature activities for children aged 6-12, no booking required.
The Met Office has issued a rare red extreme heat warning for 36 counties across England and Wales, with temperatures forecast to reach 37°C. People are advised to stay indoors between 11am and 3pm.
Four major UK race meetings at Kempton, Salisbury, Worcester, and Ffos Las have been abandoned after the Met Office issued a rare red weather warning for extreme heat, with temperatures forecast to reach 38°C.
As UK temperatures hit 40C, experts advise opening windows from 8pm to 9am to stay cool. Keep windows closed during the day to trap cool air, and use blinds to block sun.
The Met Office has issued red and amber warnings for extreme heat, urging people in 98 areas across England and Wales to avoid exercise between 11am and 3pm as temperatures could reach 40C.
England's new garden waste collection rules mean councils are no longer obliged to collect certain items like animal bedding, plant pots, and sand. Check your local authority's policy.
A major study finds that fewer than 20% of people consume enough flavanols, found in berries and green tea, to reduce heart disease death risk. Experts recommend specific foods.