4 h. ago The Guardian view on the rising risk from flooding: uninsurable buildings should focus minds on climate adaptation | Editorial

The bleak future faced by one small town offers a cautionary tale about the threat from global heatingThe bleak prospect facing the market town of Tenbury Wells in Worcestershire, due to rising flood risks, is first and foremost a problem for locals. After seven floods in four years, and with plans for new flood defences around the town abandoned after costs rose to £30m, the town council announced this month that three buildings it owns, including a theatre and historic pump rooms, no longer have insurance. Independent retailers are in a similar situation, and some are packing up as a result. The number of empty properties is growing.Tenbury is at higher risk than most places from floods, due to its low-lying position between the River Teme and Kyre Brook. But the threat it faces is not unique, and will become more common in future. Last year UK insurers paid out a record £585m for weather-related damage to homes and possessions, after unusually s...

Events

15 h. ago Towns may have to be abandoned due to floods with millions more homes in Great Britain at risk

Every constituency projected to be at greater risk, with many areas likely to be uninsurable, Guardian investigation findsThe flood-prone Worcestershire town being abandoned by insurersDoors, drains and paving perils: protecting your home from floodingMillions more homes in England, Scotland and Wales face devastating floods, and some towns may have to be abandoned as climate breakdown makes many areas uninsurable, a Guardian investigation has found.New analysis from the insurance industry, seen by the Guardian, reveals the extent of concern in the sector, with bosses warning that large swathes of housing and commercial property in densely populated areas will be at greater risk.Every constituency in Great Britain is projected to have increased flood risk in future. In England, 69% of constituencies are likely to have an increase of more than 25% in the number of properties facing flood risk by mid-century. In Wales and Scotland, every area is projected to have a similar rise with m...

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18 h. ago Millions more homes in Great Britain at risk of flooding, investigation finds

Every constituency projected to be at greater risk, with many areas likely to be uninsurableThe flood-prone Worcestershire town being abandoned by insurersDoors, drains and paving perils: protecting your home from floodingMillions more homes in England, Scotland and Wales face devastating floods, and some towns may have to be abandoned as climate breakdown makes many areas uninsurable, a Guardian investigation has found.New analysis from the insurance industry, seen by the Guardian, reveals the extent of concern in the sector, with bosses warning that large swathes of housing and commercial property in densely populated areas will be at greater risk.Every constituency in Great Britain is projected to have increased flood risk in future. In England, 69% of constituencies are likely to have an increase of more than 25% in the number of properties facing flood risk by mid-century. In Wales and Scotland, every area is projected to have a similar rise with many being much worse hit.Bermo...

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35 h. ago Britain's most expensive bungalow? Humble ramshackle Cornwall home could be yours for £1.5million

The rundown home, which comes in at 782 sq ft, lies in a prime plot next to Polzeath's sandy beach off the coast of Cornwall

Economics

3 d. ago Millions of Britons have NO IDEA how to switch off water, gas or electric in an emergency

Around three million homeowners in Britain have no idea how to switch off the water system inside their home, data seen by the Daily Mail shows.

Science

4 d. ago ‘It gets a bit dirty after 2am’: overtourism debate centre stage as Abta meets in Mallorca

Home to Magaluf, a major draw for boozed-up Britain, the island has become emblematic of the most heated debate in travelThe swish seafront hotels and freshly planted palms on the gleaming promenade might tempt any unwary holidaymaker to book in for Mallorca’s Calviá beach. But step out the back door and the resort is still firmly, as it is better known, Magaluf: boozed-up Britain in Spain, with cocktails by the pint.Mallorca gets most of the Balearics’ 18 million UK visitors a year: for some residents, far too many. The island has become emblematic of the most heated debate in travel: overtourism – and how to tackle it. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Britain's best home renovations revealed: Before and after shots of the six most inspiring makeovers, the surprisingly small amounts they cost and how long they took

Nicole Gray discovers that you don't need a huge budget or a team of professionals to pull off a stunning transformation.

Economics

4 d. ago The cities where buying a home with a 5% deposit could work out cheaper than renting

Lloyds compared typical monthly rental costs with potential first-time buyer mortgage payments in 11 major cities.

Society

4 d. ago Britain’s cities ‘where buying a home with just a 5% deposit could beat renting’

Lloyds compared typical monthly rental costs with potential first-time buyer mortgage payments in 11 major cities.

Society

5 d. ago Home Office releases footage of small boat migrants being deported under France deal

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood warned anyone considering trying to arrive in Britain by illegal routes should 'think twice' as the Government battles to end small boat crossings

Economics

5 d. ago A woman's place WAS NOT in the home: Female workers in 17th century Britain played a critical role in the economy, researchers conclude

Far from being just housewives, women contributed to all the most important areas of the economy, such as agriculture, commerce, and care, research has found.

Economics

6 d. ago Britain's oldest rescue dog searching for retirement home at age of 126

Charity chiefs want people to look past ‘the odd grey hair’ and give Chihuahua Tiny a home to see out the rest of his life in peace and comfort

Events

6 d. ago No wonder billionaires' row has lost its shine! Mansion on sale for £20M

Fair Hill, located on the enviable road near Hampstead Heath, North London, is on the market for a cool £20 million, according to Channel 4's Britain's Most Expensive Homes.

Economics

7 d. ago Ladybirds 'swarm' UK homes as expert gives reason for 'invasion'

Large swarms of ladybirds have been spotted invading homes across Britain, leaving many people confused, but now one expert has explained the reason behind the behaviour

Events

7 d. ago American visits smallest house in Britain and Welsh property blows him away

Kalani Smith is an American who loves exploring the UK. He recently ventured to Wales to visit the smallest house in Britain, and he was left blown away by the experience

Society

8 d. ago Ladybirds swarm UK homes as baffled Brits given reason for 'invasion'

Large swarms of ladybirds have been spotted invading homes around Britain, leaving many people baffled - and now one expert has explained the reason behind their behaviour

Events

1 week ago Storm Amy set to batter Britain and cripple transport with 100mph winds

Storm Amy has already battering Britain and Ireland with thousands of homes struck with power cuts and 100mph causing a danger to life warning, as the first victim of weather has sadly died

Events

1 week ago Chatsworth art exhibition warnings trigger wokery row at estate visited by Queen and inspiration for Mr Darcy's Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice

Trigger warnings have been placed around an exhibition about flowers at one of Britain's grandest stately homes - recently visited by the Queen.

Events

1 week ago Ipswich stance on giving Blackburn 'unopposed' goal revealed after EFL replay decision

The EFL have decided to force Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town to replay their Championship match in full after it was abandoned in the 80th minute last month, with the hosts leading 1-0

Events

1 week ago Crowded camps, stagnant water and not enough doctors: first the floods, now disease stalks millions in Pakistan

As the waters recede, a surge in cases of cholera, diarrhoea, malaria and dengue has compounded the misery of people who have already seen their homes and crops disappearOn a sweltering afternoon in Head Muhammad Wala, a riverside village near the Pakistani city of Multan, Rubina Nawaz is nursing a sick child in a temporary home of damp blankets and plastic sheeting.Her two-room house disappeared under flood waters in September when the Chenab River burst its banks in the torrential rains that have been deluging parts of Pakistan since late June. More than 6 million people have been affected, with nearly 1,000 killed, including 250 children, according to the UN. Nearly 2.5 million people have been displaced. Continue reading...

Events