13 h. ago Amber heat health alerts and hosepipe bans across parts of England amid heatwave

The warnings and restrictions come as hot and dry weather scorches England, with temperatures set to rise further over the weekend.

Society

13 h. ago Bargain middle of Lidl buy is the only thing you need to keep cool in the heatwave

With temperatures soaring people are seeking ways to cool down in the hot weather

Economics

13 h. ago Heatwave to now see Wales hit record high temperatures, but hot weather will then end with a bang

Temperatures are set to drop by a whopping 16°C next weekend

Society

16 h. ago Rachel Reeves say GDP figures ‘are disappointing’ after UK economy shrinks for second month running – business live

UK GDP falls by 0.1% in May, following 0.3% fall in April.US will impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports, Trump says in letterFTSE 100 hit record high on ThursdayChancellor Rachel Reeves has described the latest GDP figures as “disappointing”.Following this morning’s news that the UK economy contracted by 0.1% in May, Reeves points to the government’s efforts to support households financially:“Getting more money in people’s pockets is my number one mission. While today’s figures are disappointing, I am determined to kickstart economic growth and deliver on that promise.“The choices we have made in our first year in government have seen us extend the £3 bus fare cap, fund Free School Meals for over half a million more children, press ahead with plans to deliver free breakfast clubs for every child in the country and increase the National Minimum and National Living Wage, giving a pay rise to 3 million workers.“Flatlining growth in May highlights the ongoing pressures facing the UK ec...

Economics

17 h. ago UK economy shrinks for second month running in May – business live

UK GDP falls by 0.1% in May, following 0.3% fall in April.US will impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports, Trump says in letterFTSE 100 hit record high on ThursdayThe pound has dropped against the US dollar, as investors react to this morning’s worse-than-expected GDP report.Sterling has lost a third of a cent to $1.354, a drop of 0.2%.“The economy contracted slightly in May with notable falls in production and construction, only partially offset by growth in services. However, across the latest three months as a whole, the economy still grew. This reflected strength earlier in the year that resulted, in part, from some activity being brought forward to February and March.“May’s fall in production was driven by oil and gas extraction, car manufacturing and the often-erratic pharmaceutical industry. Continue reading...

Economics

18 h. ago Brits urged to splash water on clothes this week for crucial reason

A third heatwave is coming and experts have shared the best ways to cope with the hot temperatures - and it's got to do with sprinkling some water on your clothes.

Politics

26 h. ago Exact time Met Office weather maps show heatwave will peak in Wales

We are in for a scorcher this weekend. This is where it will be hottest and when

Society

41 h. ago Drivers warned to remove three common items from their car today

It comes as a heatwave is expected in parts of Wales towards the end of the week

Events

43 h. ago UK households told to place plants in two places to create maximum shade

Brits are now being told to put their plants in these specific two areas of their homes to create and maximise a shading area to combat the hot summer temperatures

Politics

56 h. ago Number of abortions in England and Wales hit record high in 2022

Almost three in 10 conceptions ended in legal terminations, ONS figures show, as provider says women struggling to access contraceptionThe number of abortions in England and Wales reached a record high in 2022, with a leading provider stating that women are facing “significant barriers” in access to contraception.Almost three in 10 conceptions ended in legal abortions in the two nations in 2022, up from about two in 10 a decade earlier, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Continue reading...

Events

60 h. ago Bank of England says UK banks can increase riskier mortgage lending – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as BoE recommends banks can issue more high loan-to-income level loansCopper prices in US hit record high after Trump announces 50% tariffTrump threatens to escalate trade war amid confusion over new tariff ratesCarsten Menke, Head of Next Generation Research at Julius Baer, says the copper tariffs will be inflationary domestically in the US and deflationary internationally – which matches the price action we’ve seen since last night.Menke also points out that the jump in US copper prices (13% yesterday) is less than the 50% tariff, implying traders expect some imports will be exempt, saying:President Trump announced the imposition of 50% import tariffs at a cabinet meeting yesterday. While US-traded futures jumped on the news, the price differential is well below the tariff level, pointing to expectations of exemptions for key suppliers or expectations of different demand dynamics.As already mentioned, we remain of the con...

Economics

62 h. ago Copper prices in US hit record high after Trump announces 50% tariff

Latest escalation in trade war is expected to push up costs across key parts of US economyBusiness live – latest updatesCopper prices hit a record high in the US after Donald Trump announced he would impose a 50% tariff on the industrial metal, in the latest escalation in his trade war.Trump said before a cabinet meeting on Tuesday: “Today we’re doing copper,” proposing a 50% tariff rate for imports. He also threatened to impose a 200% border tax on pharmaceuticals but in a year or year and a half’s time. Continue reading...

Politics

62 h. ago Heatwave weather maps turn Wales red as temperatures hit melting highs

The Met Office outlook for Friday to Sunday promises 'strong sunshine'

Society

62 h. ago NATO scrambles warplanes as Putin launches attack near European country's border

Vladimir Putin's forces hit Ukraine with 741 missiles and kamikaze drones in a record for the three-year conflict, triggering an emergency response from NATO forces

Events

3 d. ago Homes across UK warned to close windows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday

The Met Office is predicting 30C heat on Thursday, July 10, with hot weather also expected in other parts of the UK- the temperature will then stay at 29C on Friday, July 11, and into the weekend

Events

3 d. ago Gardeners urged to make urgent change to 3 vegetables growing in July

As July is expected to bring more hot temperatures in the coming days, gardeners are being warned over the extra TLC their veggie plants need

Politics

4 d. ago Low water levels push up shipping costs on Europe’s rivers amid heatwave

Vessels on Rhine in Germany and Danube in Hungary forced to sail partially loadedBusiness live – latest updatesLow water levels after heatwaves and drought are limiting shipping on some of Europe’s biggest rivers including the Rhine and the Danube and pushing up transport costs.As much of Europe swelters in hot temperatures, water levels in its main rivers have fallen. This is affecting shipping along the Rhine – one of Europe’s key waterways – south of Duisburg and Cologne in Germany, including the choke point of Kaub, forcing vessels to sail about half full. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Here's how hot will it get in Scotland this week as UK braced for heatwave

Temperatures are expected to hit 28C in the capital on Saturday

Politics

4 d. ago BBC weather presenter says heatwave 'on the way' for Wales and there are three days that look absolutely scorching

Wales is set to see another heatwave later this week

Society

5 d. ago Met Office says third heatwave of the summer to hit the UK in days

Temperatures in the low 30s are likely to hit

Society