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gb45El Niño forecast to be strongest in living memory, NOAA and Met Office warn
Background: NOAA had confirmed the formation of a strong El Niño in the Pacific, expected to grow to historic strength and rival the record 1997 event, with a 63% chance of ranking among the largest since 1950. Today, the UK Met Office and NOAA warn that the developing El Niño could be the strongest in living memory, with sea surface temperatures over 2°C above normal and potentially exceeding 3°C. NOAA's mid-August forecast gives a greater than 90% chance of a very strong event during the Northern Hemisphere fall and winter, with a 69% chance it will surpass all events since 1950 during October-December. The event is expected to peak around late 2026 and persist through spring 2027, making 2027 very likely the hottest year on record. Impacts already observed include suppressed monsoon rains in India, reduced Atlantic hurricane activity (only three named storms so far), and increased storminess risk for the UK. Scientists note subsurface temperature anomalies up to 10°C at depth, and some projections suggest anomalies could reach 4°C, potentially making this the strongest event in 500-1,000 years. The World Food Program estimates at least 49 million additional people could face acute food insecurity by end of 2027. The UK Met Office's head of long-range forecasting, Adam Scaife, stated that the current El Niño is expected to be the strongest in over a century, with sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific potentially exceeding three degrees above average—a level described as 'unheard-of' in modern climate records. The event is expected to trigger severe droughts in South America and the West Pacific, with significant implications for global food security. For the UK, the Met Office warns of increased rainfall and storminess in autumn and early winter, raising flood risks, and a possible cold spell in late winter, though the link is uncertain. The event could make 2027 the hottest year on record, offering a glimpse of future heat by the late 2030s.
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El Niño forecast to be strongest in living memory, NOAA and Met Office warn
Background: NOAA had confirmed the formation of a strong El Niño in the Pacific, expected to grow to historic strength and rival the record 1997 event, with a 63% chance of ranking among the largest since 1950. Today, the UK Met Office and NOAA warn that the developing El Niño could be the strongest in living memory, with sea surface temperatures over 2°C above normal and potentially exceeding 3°C. NOAA's mid-August forecast gives a greater than 90% chance of a very strong event during the Northern Hemisphere fall and winter, with a 69% chance it will surpass all events since 1950 during October-December. The event is expected to peak around late 2026 and persist through spring 2027, making 2027 very likely the hottest year on record. Impacts already observed include suppressed monsoon rains in India, reduced Atlantic hurricane activity (only three named storms so far), and increased storminess risk for the UK. Scientists note subsurface temperature anomalies up to 10°C at depth, and some projections suggest anomalies could reach 4°C, potentially making this the strongest event in 500-1,000 years. The World Food Program estimates at least 49 million additional people could face acute food insecurity by end of 2027. The UK Met Office's head of long-range forecasting, Adam Scaife, stated that the current El Niño is expected to be the strongest in over a century, with sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific potentially exceeding three degrees above average—a level described as 'unheard-of' in modern climate records. The event is expected to trigger severe droughts in South America and the West Pacific, with significant implications for global food security. For the UK, the Met Office warns of increased rainfall and storminess in autumn and early winter, raising flood risks, and a possible cold spell in late winter, though the link is uncertain. The event could make 2027 the hottest year on record, offering a glimpse of future heat by the late 2030s.
Background: NOAA had confirmed the formation of a strong El Niño in the Pacific, expected to grow to historic strength and rival the record 1997 event, with a 63% chance of ranking among the largest since 1950. Today, the UK Met Office and NOAA warn that the developing El Niño could be the strongest in living memory, with sea surface temperatures over 2°C above normal and potentially exceeding 3°C. NOAA's mid-August forecast gives a greater than 90% chance of a very strong event during the Northern Hemisphere fall and winter, with a 69% chance it will surpass all events since 1950 during October-December. The event is expected to peak around late 2026 and persist through spring 2027, making 2027 very likely the hottest year on record. Impacts already observed include suppressed monsoon rains in India, reduced Atlantic hurricane activity (only three named storms so far), and increased storminess risk for the UK. Scientists note subsurface temperature anomalies up to 10°C at depth, and some projections suggest anomalies could reach 4°C, potentially making this the strongest event in 500-1,000 years. The World Food Program estimates at least 49 million additional people could face acute food insecurity by end of 2027. The UK Met Office's head of long-range forecasting, Adam Scaife, stated that the current El Niño is expected to be the strongest in over a century, with sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific potentially exceeding three degrees above average—a level described as 'unheard-of' in modern climate records. The event is expected to trigger severe droughts in South America and the West Pacific, with significant implications for global food security. For the UK, the Met Office warns of increased rainfall and storminess in autumn and early winter, raising flood risks, and a possible cold spell in late winter, though the link is uncertain. The event could make 2027 the hottest year on record, offering a glimpse of future heat by the late 2030s.
gb43UK declares national salmonella outbreak linked to imported eggs
The UK Health Security Agency has declared a national salmonella outbreak linked to imported eggs, with one death and 207 confirmed cases over the past year, most recent. Over a third required hospital care, including two with blood poisoning. Cases are concentrated in England (199), with smaller numbers in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The outbreak involves a specific strain, and investigations suggest infections occurred in catering settings using imported eggs. No link to UK-produced eggs has been identified. The Food Standards Agency is working with UKHSA to trace the source and country of origin.
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UK declares national salmonella outbreak linked to imported eggs
The UK Health Security Agency has declared a national salmonella outbreak linked to imported eggs, with one death and 207 confirmed cases over the past year, most recent. Over a third required hospital care, including two with blood poisoning. Cases are concentrated in England (199), with smaller numbers in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The outbreak involves a specific strain, and investigations suggest infections occurred in catering settings using imported eggs. No link to UK-produced eggs has been identified. The Food Standards Agency is working with UKHSA to trace the source and country of origin.
The UK Health Security Agency has declared a national salmonella outbreak linked to imported eggs, with one death and 207 confirmed cases over the past year, most recent. Over a third required hospital care, including two with blood poisoning. Cases are concentrated in England (199), with smaller numbers in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The outbreak involves a specific strain, and investigations suggest infections occurred in catering settings using imported eggs. No link to UK-produced eggs has been identified. The Food Standards Agency is working with UKHSA to trace the source and country of origin.
gb43Russia warns UK of consequences over drone supplies to Ukraine
Background: Ukrainian forces have used British-made drones for the first time to strike targets inside Russia, including oil refineries, as part of a deep-strike campaign. New development: Russia's embassy in London issued a formal statement accusing the UK of deliberately escalating the Ukraine crisis after confirming that British-made drones were used in Ukrainian strikes on military and industrial targets inside Russia, including near Moscow. The embassy warned that London's deeper involvement would result in a higher price to pay. The UK Ministry of Defence reaffirmed its support, stating it stands 'shoulder to shoulder' with Ukraine and that Russia should be in no doubt about UK resolve. The warning follows a wave of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory, including hundreds of drones targeting the Moscow region, causing damage and casualties, while Russian strikes on Ukraine killed at least 17 people, including 10 in a village in north-eastern Ukraine.
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Russia warns UK of consequences over drone supplies to Ukraine
Background: Ukrainian forces have used British-made drones for the first time to strike targets inside Russia, including oil refineries, as part of a deep-strike campaign. New development: Russia's embassy in London issued a formal statement accusing the UK of deliberately escalating the Ukraine crisis after confirming that British-made drones were used in Ukrainian strikes on military and industrial targets inside Russia, including near Moscow. The embassy warned that London's deeper involvement would result in a higher price to pay. The UK Ministry of Defence reaffirmed its support, stating it stands 'shoulder to shoulder' with Ukraine and that Russia should be in no doubt about UK resolve. The warning follows a wave of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory, including hundreds of drones targeting the Moscow region, causing damage and casualties, while Russian strikes on Ukraine killed at least 17 people, including 10 in a village in north-eastern Ukraine.
Background: Ukrainian forces have used British-made drones for the first time to strike targets inside Russia, including oil refineries, as part of a deep-strike campaign. New development: Russia's embassy in London issued a formal statement accusing the UK of deliberately escalating the Ukraine crisis after confirming that British-made drones were used in Ukrainian strikes on military and industrial targets inside Russia, including near Moscow. The embassy warned that London's deeper involvement would result in a higher price to pay. The UK Ministry of Defence reaffirmed its support, stating it stands 'shoulder to shoulder' with Ukraine and that Russia should be in no doubt about UK resolve. The warning follows a wave of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory, including hundreds of drones targeting the Moscow region, causing damage and casualties, while Russian strikes on Ukraine killed at least 17 people, including 10 in a village in north-eastern Ukraine.
gb40UK wage growth slows and vacancies hit five-year low as Iran war impact persists
Background: UK unemployment rose to 5% in Q1 2026 with vacancies at a five-year low due to Iran war uncertainty. Today: New ONS data for the three months to June shows wage growth slowed to 4.1% (down from 4.4%), with private sector pay growth easing to 2.8%, the weakest since October 2020. Vacancies fell to a five-year low of 707,000, and payrolls declined by 13,000 in July. Unemployment held at 4.9%. The slowdown may deter the Bank of England from raising interest rates this year, with markets pricing one possible hike. The government faces pressure to ease household financial strain ahead of the autumn budget.
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UK wage growth slows and vacancies hit five-year low as Iran war impact persists
Background: UK unemployment rose to 5% in Q1 2026 with vacancies at a five-year low due to Iran war uncertainty. Today: New ONS data for the three months to June shows wage growth slowed to 4.1% (down from 4.4%), with private sector pay growth easing to 2.8%, the weakest since October 2020. Vacancies fell to a five-year low of 707,000, and payrolls declined by 13,000 in July. Unemployment held at 4.9%. The slowdown may deter the Bank of England from raising interest rates this year, with markets pricing one possible hike. The government faces pressure to ease household financial strain ahead of the autumn budget.
Background: UK unemployment rose to 5% in Q1 2026 with vacancies at a five-year low due to Iran war uncertainty. Today: New ONS data for the three months to June shows wage growth slowed to 4.1% (down from 4.4%), with private sector pay growth easing to 2.8%, the weakest since October 2020. Vacancies fell to a five-year low of 707,000, and payrolls declined by 13,000 in July. Unemployment held at 4.9%. The slowdown may deter the Bank of England from raising interest rates this year, with markets pricing one possible hike. The government faces pressure to ease household financial strain ahead of the autumn budget.
gb38Serco Employee Charged Over Leak of Asylum Seeker Addresses in Thetford
Background: Anti-immigration protests in Thetford, Norfolk, escalated over three nights in August, with attempts to storm homes of suspected asylum seekers, attacks on police, and multiple arrests. Today, James Jobson, a 62-year-old Serco employee from Costessey, has been formally charged with misconduct in public office for allegedly leaking addresses of asylum seeker accommodations in Thetford between 3 and 14 August. The charge relates to the release of information about properties on St John's Way, Bracken Road, Clover Way, Elm Road, and Chester Way, which were later targeted during nights of violent disorder. He appeared at Ipswich Magistrates' Court on Monday and was remanded in custody, with a hearing set for 14 September at Norwich Crown Court. Serco confirmed cooperation with police and declined further comment due to ongoing legal proceedings.
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Serco Employee Charged Over Leak of Asylum Seeker Addresses in Thetford
Background: Anti-immigration protests in Thetford, Norfolk, escalated over three nights in August, with attempts to storm homes of suspected asylum seekers, attacks on police, and multiple arrests. Today, James Jobson, a 62-year-old Serco employee from Costessey, has been formally charged with misconduct in public office for allegedly leaking addresses of asylum seeker accommodations in Thetford between 3 and 14 August. The charge relates to the release of information about properties on St John's Way, Bracken Road, Clover Way, Elm Road, and Chester Way, which were later targeted during nights of violent disorder. He appeared at Ipswich Magistrates' Court on Monday and was remanded in custody, with a hearing set for 14 September at Norwich Crown Court. Serco confirmed cooperation with police and declined further comment due to ongoing legal proceedings.
Background: Anti-immigration protests in Thetford, Norfolk, escalated over three nights in August, with attempts to storm homes of suspected asylum seekers, attacks on police, and multiple arrests. Today, James Jobson, a 62-year-old Serco employee from Costessey, has been formally charged with misconduct in public office for allegedly leaking addresses of asylum seeker accommodations in Thetford between 3 and 14 August. The charge relates to the release of information about properties on St John's Way, Bracken Road, Clover Way, Elm Road, and Chester Way, which were later targeted during nights of violent disorder. He appeared at Ipswich Magistrates' Court on Monday and was remanded in custody, with a hearing set for 14 September at Norwich Crown Court. Serco confirmed cooperation with police and declined further comment due to ongoing legal proceedings.
gb35UK Liberal Democrats propose joining EU migration pact to curb Channel crossings
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has proposed that the UK join the EU's Migration and Asylum Pact to tackle small boat crossings across the English Channel. The pact, in force since June, aims to speed up asylum processing, increase returns of irregular migrants, and redistribute asylum seekers across EU member states. Davey argues that joining would allow the UK to return asylum seekers to the first EU country they entered, undermining the business model of smuggling gangs. The Labour government responded that its collaboration with European countries is already yielding results, citing over 47,000 prevented crossings and 70,000 removals in two years. Joining the pact would require unanimous approval from all EU states and new UK legislation.
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UK Liberal Democrats propose joining EU migration pact to curb Channel crossings
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has proposed that the UK join the EU's Migration and Asylum Pact to tackle small boat crossings across the English Channel. The pact, in force since June, aims to speed up asylum processing, increase returns of irregular migrants, and redistribute asylum seekers across EU member states. Davey argues that joining would allow the UK to return asylum seekers to the first EU country they entered, undermining the business model of smuggling gangs. The Labour government responded that its collaboration with European countries is already yielding results, citing over 47,000 prevented crossings and 70,000 removals in two years. Joining the pact would require unanimous approval from all EU states and new UK legislation.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has proposed that the UK join the EU's Migration and Asylum Pact to tackle small boat crossings across the English Channel. The pact, in force since June, aims to speed up asylum processing, increase returns of irregular migrants, and redistribute asylum seekers across EU member states. Davey argues that joining would allow the UK to return asylum seekers to the first EU country they entered, undermining the business model of smuggling gangs. The Labour government responded that its collaboration with European countries is already yielding results, citing over 47,000 prevented crossings and 70,000 removals in two years. Joining the pact would require unanimous approval from all EU states and new UK legislation.
gb33UK children's commissioner warns Prevent fails children fixated on violence without ideology
The UK's children's commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, published a report on July 8, 2025, warning that the government's counter-extremism programme Prevent is failing children who are fixated on violence without a clear ideology. Referrals of children to Prevent have risen from 2,918 in 2016-17 to 4,715 in 2024-25, with 71% lacking a specific extremist ideology and 79% of cases closed without progression. The report follows the Southport attack by Axel Rudakubana, who was referred to Prevent three times but was not deemed to have an ideology. De Souza recommends that children be referred to local multi-agency safeguarding teams and calls for Ofcom to enforce online safety regulations. The government says it is reviewing the report and developing options to manage those fascinated with extreme violence.
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UK children's commissioner warns Prevent fails children fixated on violence without ideology
The UK's children's commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, published a report on July 8, 2025, warning that the government's counter-extremism programme Prevent is failing children who are fixated on violence without a clear ideology. Referrals of children to Prevent have risen from 2,918 in 2016-17 to 4,715 in 2024-25, with 71% lacking a specific extremist ideology and 79% of cases closed without progression. The report follows the Southport attack by Axel Rudakubana, who was referred to Prevent three times but was not deemed to have an ideology. De Souza recommends that children be referred to local multi-agency safeguarding teams and calls for Ofcom to enforce online safety regulations. The government says it is reviewing the report and developing options to manage those fascinated with extreme violence.
The UK's children's commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, published a report on July 8, 2025, warning that the government's counter-extremism programme Prevent is failing children who are fixated on violence without a clear ideology. Referrals of children to Prevent have risen from 2,918 in 2016-17 to 4,715 in 2024-25, with 71% lacking a specific extremist ideology and 79% of cases closed without progression. The report follows the Southport attack by Axel Rudakubana, who was referred to Prevent three times but was not deemed to have an ideology. De Souza recommends that children be referred to local multi-agency safeguarding teams and calls for Ofcom to enforce online safety regulations. The government says it is reviewing the report and developing options to manage those fascinated with extreme violence.
gb30Scotland reports first bluetongue case, farmers urged to vaccinate
Scotland has recorded its first case of bluetongue virus (BTV3) in a lamb on a farm in Creetown, with the disease likely spread by midges blown from England where there are 439 cases. The virus has since been detected in four animals on three neighbouring farms, including the first cow. Scotland's chief veterinary officer is urging farmers to vaccinate, but vaccine supplies are running short. The outbreak poses a significant threat to livestock and could disrupt animal movements and farming businesses.
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Scotland reports first bluetongue case, farmers urged to vaccinate
Scotland has recorded its first case of bluetongue virus (BTV3) in a lamb on a farm in Creetown, with the disease likely spread by midges blown from England where there are 439 cases. The virus has since been detected in four animals on three neighbouring farms, including the first cow. Scotland's chief veterinary officer is urging farmers to vaccinate, but vaccine supplies are running short. The outbreak poses a significant threat to livestock and could disrupt animal movements and farming businesses.
Scotland has recorded its first case of bluetongue virus (BTV3) in a lamb on a farm in Creetown, with the disease likely spread by midges blown from England where there are 439 cases. The virus has since been detected in four animals on three neighbouring farms, including the first cow. Scotland's chief veterinary officer is urging farmers to vaccinate, but vaccine supplies are running short. The outbreak poses a significant threat to livestock and could disrupt animal movements and farming businesses.