Five successive heatwaves and the warmest summer on record have left millions of Britons living in drought conditions.
The Environment Agency does not give one single definition for a drought, attributing different factors including duration and its impact on people.
However, all are caused by a severe shortage of rainfall, and there are fears that the situation may not change until next spring.
What Trump’s Russia-Ukraine ‘energy ceasefire’ means
The US President made the surprise announcement as he continues to pressure Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries.
What did Trump announce?
On Sunday, Donald Trump wrote on social media: “Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!”
In his regular evening address, Volodymyr Zelensky said “it is only logical” to establish a ceasefire and stop the war, and an energy ceasefire was “good news for everyone”.
Andy Burnham said a ceasefire is “the best route to get energy and fuel back into world markets”.
Russia did not comment on the ceasefire deal on Sunday.
What does this mean?
However, today Zelensky said the surprise announcement was not followed through by the Kremlin.
Speaking in Warsaw, the Ukrainian president said “immediately after [Trump’s] post, Russia launched a targeted strike on a power plant in Kharkiv, causing further damage to our energy system”.
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Trump’s diesel deal
On Friday, Trump announced a diesel deal with Vladimir Putin, claiming Russia would supply more than 2.25 million barrels of diesel to the US and global markets.
Reacting to a possible deal, Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius told Sky News: “We’re not proud of it. It’s shameful, disgraceful… I’m not sure if it’s even under way or if it’s just a political claim.”
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The latest updates after man dies in Yorkshire tiger attack
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has said it will remain closed on Monday as investigations continue into the death on Saturday.
What happened?
- Emergency services were called shortly after 1.30pm on 10 October.
- A witness claimed that a man had entered the tiger enclosure “to play” with the animal.
- One witness told he saw the man “dancing happily with his headphones in” 20 minutes before entering the enclosure.
- Police said the man was pronounced dead at the scene, and his family have been informed.
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The sequence of events
- Reports that a man jumped into the tiger enclosure at the wildlife park began circulating on social media on Saturday afternoon.
- The park confirmed emergency services were contacted after a man entered the enclosure and was “attacked” by the tiger after 1.30pm.
- Emergency services attended, with two ambulances and a helicopter rushing to the scene.
- Videos circulating online appear to show a man being pawed at and grappled by a tiger in the enclosure.
- One video also appeared to show him wagging a finger at the tiger in an apparent attempt to stop the attack.
The latest updates
The park was evacuated after the incident on Saturday, and a message to ticket holders on Monday morning said anyone with a booking would be offered the chance to reschedule.
The wildlife park said Altai, the Amur tiger involved in the incident, will not be euthanised. Members of park staff who were “deeply affected” by the incident were receiving specialist support.
How remnants of a hurricane will affect UK weather this week
The UK is set for a week of warmer weather, with particularly mild night-time temperatures and conditions getting windier towards the middle of the week.
The forecast this week
Just as autumn beds in, the UK is set to turn milder again this week with the remnants of Hurricane Isaias which hit the US on Saturday.
Day temperatures will be average but the nights will feel warmer, with parts of England forecast to stay as high as 18°C on Monday night.
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What to expect and when
Mild weather returns
Early in the week, temperatures will be slightly above average, reaching the low 20s on Tuesday.
Wet and windy
Early in the week, expect showers, while mid-week will seek some strong winds, with possible gales in Scotland.
Mixed end to the week
Thursday could see temperatures above 20°C again, though this will decline again by Friday.
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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The drought has led to widespread hosepipe bans across the country, which experts believe could remain in place for the foreseeable future unless there is a “significant amount of rainfall” this winter.
Which regions are in drought?
Last Friday, Yorkshire was the latest area to announce drought conditions after successive months of minimal rainfall.
Yorkshire Water announced it is not planning to impose restrictions for customers at this moment, despite the region’s new status.
The area joins all of central, southern and eastern England in drought status, while the North-East and North-West remain in prolonged periods of dry weather.
Regions in drought
The Environment Agency has declared drought in the following regions in England:
- Hertfordshire and North London
- Kent and South London
- Solt and South Downs
- Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire
Yorkshire Environment Agency manager Vicki Townend admitted the “ongoing lack of rainfall” had resulted in a water deficit as reservoirs hold just above a 40 per cent capacity – far below the average of 75 per cent for this time of year.
Townend said: “Even if we receive a few weeks of rain, we cannot quickly reverse the effects of the lack of rainfall during a very dry spring and summer.”
Diana Valero, a social scientist at The James Hutton Institute, believes there “needs to be a change” in the discourse surrounding water scarcity and how individuals react to pressures.
“It’ll take a while to change,” Valero said. “In our research we’ve seen many households impose self-restrictions and water wise behaviours, but they adopt this when they see water sources drying out. Households need to respond beforehand – they need to be proactive not reactive.”
Eight reservoirs are now classed as being “exceptionally low” for the time of year.
The i Paper understands the Environment Agency is concerned about the low levels at Wimbleball, operated by South West Water, Ardingly, operated by South East Water, Clatworthy, operated by Wessex Water, Colliford, operated by South West Water, and Hanningfield and Abberton, both operated by Essex and Suffolk Water.
How long could drought status last?
Last month, The i Paper reported that large areas of southern England could still be in drought by next spring.
Research from the Environment Agency showed the country will need above-average rainfall throughout both autumn and winter for most areas to be out of drought by April 2027, following a succession of exceptional heatwaves.
England would need 120 per cent of typical rainfall over the next seven months just to be considered out of the drought status – which now affects 11 regions.
Miriam Glendell, a hydrologist and director at the Centre of Expertise for Waters (Crew), warned that many households must “expect” to experience a drought “every year”.
She said: “It’s not unusual any more to be in a drought. The spring and autumn months can become as dry as midsummer and now water resources fail to always replenish in the winter. Water scarcity is a big risk to people and we need to do our best to save water and use it wisely, whether it’s in the household or more widely across the public and private sectors.”
In August, it was revealed that around 45 million people were living in drought conditions.
Professor Liz Bentley, Cchief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, argued that the upcoming El Niño climate phenomenon will increase the likelihood that water will be replenished and lead to the lifting of drought status.
However, she said it was not enough to have significant rainfall, and “we need rain to fall in the right place.
She added: “The El Niño doesn’t make rainfall certain but it pushes the weather into the right direction. Most importantly, rain needs to fall in England and Wales – the drought regions – as these are the parts of the country that need it.”
Hosepipe bans could stay in place
As of this month, temporary use bans (TUBs) affecting almost 30 million people remained in force across England.
None have been lifted within the past month, with water companies continuing to progress drought permits and orders.
Where hosepipe bans are active
- – Central and East regions, covering Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Surrey, and parts of London and Essex.
- – Whole company area, excluding Hartlepool.
- – Whole company area.
- – Whole company area.
- Essex and Suffolk Water – Whole company area.
- – Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
- – Whole company area.
- – Whole company area, excluding Bournemouth.
- – Whole company area.
- – Whole company area.
TUBs are a legal restriction enforced by water companies to limit temporarily non-essential domestic water use during periods of drought or severe water shortages.
Bentley said that unless the UK had a “significant amount of rainfall” this winter, hosepipe bans were likely to stay in place for the foreseeable future.
Affinity Water has banned residents from watering gardens, washing cars and even cleaning their windows and patios.
Wessex Water declared its first hosepipe ban in 50 years from 18 August, affecting 1.4 million customers. They are the first restrictions imposed by the company since the 1976 drought.
National drought taskforce
On Monday, the Department of Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced that a new Flood and Drought Resilience Taskforce will launch this week to strengthen the nation’s ability to mitigate and respond to extreme weather.
Water Minister Emma Hardy and more than 50 organisations including the Environment Agency, mayoral authorities and representatives of the farming and water industries, will take part.
Hardy said: “Long term resilience is a priority for this Government. We’re facing extreme weather, with flood and drought intertwined, but are taking decisive action. We’re taking a smarter, more joined-up approach and are backing that ambition with historic investment.”
The taskforce is expected to share expertise to support a longer-term resilience strategy for flood and drought in order to help local communities and the economy.
Defra has allocated £65m to drought-hit farmers, to help the agricultural sector build its resilience over the winter period.
A further £100m will boost the country’s capacity to respond to extreme weather.