Sefton, Thurrock and Hackney are among the areas where households are most at risk of flash flooding as El Niño increases the risk of wet weather this autumn.
The Government is launching a new taskforce to prepare Britain for extreme weather, with an initial focus on preparing the nation for potential flooding this winter.
It comes as the Met Office warns there is an increased likelihood of wetter than normal conditions across the country during the late autumn and early winter.
Comedian and actor Russell Brand has arrived at Southwark Crown Court today with his wife for the start of his trial on rape and sexual assault charges.
What are the charges against him?
Brand, 51, is accused of groping women and forcing them into sexual acts in allegations spanning 10 years from 1999 to 2009.
He denies three charges of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one allegation of indecent assault, made by six women.
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The story in pictures
What happens now
- The hearing began at 9.30am today.
- Jury selection is expected to begin for a trial, which could last up to 10 weeks.
- Brand pleaded not guilty to the charges during pre-trial hearings and is currently on bail.
- The case is being overseen by High Court judge Mr Justice Bennathan.
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Closer look at accusations
- Previous hearings have heard Brand accused of raping a woman in a hotel room at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth.
- He has also been accused of grabbing a TV worker’s breasts and forcing her into a sex act in a toilet, and kissing and groping a radio station worker.
- Brand has denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty in a pre-trial hearing.
NHS rolls out new prescriptions alerts – what we know
The latest feature follows the launch of the “Amazon-style” prescription tracker on the NHS app, which officials said has been used by almost 2.9 million people.
What you need to know
- Millions of NHS app users in England can now get alerts on their phones and smartwatches when their prescriptions are ready. Thousands of pharmacies are already live with the service.
- The update will help tackle unnecessary calls or premature trips to the chemist to pick up medication, NHS England said.
- Health innovation minister James Frith urged people to enable push alert notifications on the NHS app to benefit from the new feature.
Embracing new technology
Henry Gregg, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, said it would free up staff time from answering phone calls and encourage more patients to use the NHS app.
“Pharmacies want to do all they can to embrace new technology and make the vital services they offer as easy and convenient as possible for patients to access,” he said.
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Welcome progress
It’s something many people have been asking for, and alongside other non-digital ways of accessing information and support, can help make it easier for patients to get the information they need in a way that works for them.
Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association
The likely benefits cuts after PM hints at shake-up
Two reviews due this autumn will shape what comes next for universal credit and personal independence payments (PIP).
Andy Burnham said his Government will show “the same boldness as we did on the triple lock” in responding to youth unemployment.
What could Milburn recommend?
Alan Milburn, a former health secretary, is examining why nearly one million 16- to 24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training .
The group’s out-of-work and disability benefits reportedly cost the government around £8.1bn a year.
His review is expected to recommend wholesale changes to get young people into work and bring down the benefits bill.
But Burnham told the Labour conference that savings would come not from “crude cuts” but from “investing in people in their success”.
Universal credit health element
Ministers are considering removing the universal credit health element for under-25s and replacing it with an intensive back-to-work scheme.
Young people who fail to take up intensive support to help them into work will face benefit sanctions, The i Paper understands
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Personal independence payments
PIP helps with the extra living costs of a long-term condition or disability, whether or not you work.
It is now claimed by four million people, with spending forecast to rise from £28.5bn this year to £41.5bn by 2030-31.
The Timms Review is looking at ways to improve PIP and reduce costs.
has reported that the Government is considering new eligibility criteria, though people with the most severe conditions would not be affected.
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What happens next?
- Parliament is expected to debate the Timms proposals before the end of the year, with the Government responding soon after.
- Milburn’s review is likely to be published shortly after the Budget, with savings not expected until 2027.
It is likely to require primary legislation, which provides scope for a Labour rebellion.
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Sacha Baron Cohen to star in Tarantino’s West End play
star Sacha Baron Cohen will headline when it premieres in London next year.
Quentin Tarantino said he was “keen with anticipation to give the West End a great night out”.
What we know so far
The production marks Tarantino’s first play written for the stage – which he will also direct.
Set in 1830s Europe, has been billed as a “rambunctious comedy of deception and disguise inspired by the grand swashbuckling epics of stage and screen”.
What did Baron Cohen say?
Baron Cohen, best known for comedy characters including Borat and Ali G said: “Quentin called, I said yes before he even got to say his first ‘motherf**ker.”
He added: “When the best director in the world calls, you don’t ask questions. I am beyond delighted that we will be losing our West End virginity together. I have made him [a] promise not to be gentle.”
How can you see it?
- It will premiere at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End on 18 March, 2027.
- Tickets go on sale on Monday 12 October.
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This is in part due to the El Niño climate phenomenon, a periodic warming in ocean temperatures in the tropical eastern Pacific that affects weather patterns across the globe.
Homes at increased risk of flooding
A total of 6.3 million homes and businesses are at risk of flooding in England, according to the Environment Agency (EA).
A total of 218,143 homes are at a high risk of flooding from rivers and seas, while 827,612 are at risk of surface water flooding.
Surface water flooding happens when heavy rainfall overwhelms drains and sewers, leaving water with nowhere to go.
It is the type of flooding most commonly associated with flash flooding, as water builds up quickly on roads, pavements and other low-lying areas, often with little warning.
According to EA data, Sefton in Merseyside is the local authority with the highest number of properties at high risk of surface water flooding. A total of 29,596 (21 per cent) properties are at high risk.
This is followed by Thurrock (22,736), Bristol (19,077), Hackney (18,176) and Haringey (15,248).
Many London boroughs are at high risk of surface water flooding due to large areas of impermeable surfaces, such as roads, pavements and buildings.
Meanwhile, East Riding of Yorkshire is the local authority with the highest number of homes at risk of flooding from seas and rivers (10,122), followed by North Yorkshire (6,589) and East Lindsey (4,964).
The Met Office has said it is currently not possible to predict where in the country will be affected by flooding this year, but has warned of an increased risk.
The Government is announcing a series of measures this week as part of Flood Action Week, including the new Flood and Drought Resilience Taskforce.
The taskforce will meet on Wednesday led by floods and drought minister Emma Hardy with representatives from over 50 organisations, including the EA, Met Office, Fire and Rescue Services, farming and water industry.
A new online advice centre – Flood Action Online – is also being launched to help people understand their home’s flood risk and take action to prepare.
A target has been set to provide 200,000 properties with better flood protection up to 2028-29 via a range of measures, including flood defences and natural methods, such as rain gardens.
Despite the flood warnings, over two thirds of England remains in drought following the exceptionally hot, dry summer.
Flooding and drought can occur at the same time as drought does not end until there is a prolonged period of steady rainfall to refill reservoirs and rivers, while flooding can happen after a single extreme weather event.
Climate change is increasing the likelihood of hotter, drier summers and milder, wetter winters in the UK, alongside more intense rainfall events.
Hardy said: “This Government has ambitious targets and historic investment to support the country against severe weather. Our new Flood and Drought Resilience Taskforce will put communities and businesses at the heart of our defence plans, while our £4.2bn investment in new and existing flood defences will protect even more people over the coming years.”