British Isles

England: fourth heatwave increases water crisis

14 Aug 2025
England is facing a deepening water crisis, with five regions officially in drought and six more experiencing prolonged dry conditions - the worst since 1976. Despite brief storms in July, river flows and reservoir levels continue…

Reeves must raise tax to cover £41bn gap, says thinktank

07 Aug 2025
The Government faces a £41.2 billion shortfall that could force Rachel Reeves to raise taxes this autumn to meet her own borrowing rules, according to the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR). Reeves has…

Channel migrants: ‘no specified number’ to be returned to France

07 Aug 2025
Home secretary Yvette Cooper has confirmed there is 'no specified number' of migrants set to be returned under the UK-France 'one in, one out' agreement, now in effect. The scheme enables the UK to return illegal…

Struggling families need grants for school uniforms

07 Aug 2025
As the back-to-school season approaches, a major debt advice charity is urging the Government to introduce a statutory school uniform grant for England. While families in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland receive support of £93 to…