The King’s Fund found life expectancy reached the highest levels ever recorded in 2025, but the gains are not represented equally across the country.

For example, there is a difference of three years between London and the North East, the health charity said, reflecting the greater levels of deprivation seen in northern regions.

The King’s Fund concluded that the Government’s aim to increase healthy life expectancy for everyone in England and halve the gap between the richest and poorest regions looks “unrealistic”.

It said achieving these aims would require improvements in population health on a scale not seen in recent decades.

Life expectancy has consistently been the lowest nationally for almost half of the population of England living in the North (the North East and North West, Yorkshire and The Humber, East and West Midlands), with little or no improvement in the decade before 2023-25.

In contrast, life expectancy increased in London and the South East, the South West and East of England regions, despite London experiencing the sharpest fall in life expectancy during the pandemic.

There were also stark figures when it came to how many years of life people spend in good health.

Overall, healthy life expectancy everywhere is on a downward trend, having fallen by about 2.5 years in the decade to 2022-24.

Figures show that in 2022-24, men living in the least deprived 10% of areas in England could expect to live about a decade longer overall than men in the 10% most deprived areas, and for females the difference was eight years.

(Image: Newsquest)

But the gap in healthy life expectancy was even greater – at two decades.

This means people in the most deprived areas both have shorter lives and spend more of their lives in poor health.

A close examination of people in London compared with those in the North East showed northerners fare particularly badly in areas such as early death from heart disease and cancer, as well as suicide and deaths linked to alcohol and drug misuse.

UK life expectancy is now also lowest of all comparable high-income countries, apart from Germany and the US.

Veena Raleigh, senior fellow at the King’s Fund said: “That people in our Northern and deprived communities have seen little or no improvement in longevity over a decade, in contrast to the health gains in their Southern and more well-off counterparts, is a mark of shame for an affluent country.

“Addressing this inequity in the nation’s health is not just a matter of social justice, it would reduce pressures on the NHS and the high economic costs of ill-health.

“Improving population health and reducing entrenched health inequalities have never been more urgent and yet also more challenging, given the economic constraints facing the country.

“It will require concerted, bold, cross-governmental action to reduce largely preventable illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes associated with poor diet, drinking and smoking, and tackle the wider determinants driving persistent poor health, especially among northern and deprived communities.

“One of the three ‘radical shifts’ in the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan is from sickness to prevention.

“One year on, and the modest moves on this front fall well short of the bold action needed to improve public health, reduce inequalities and increase people’s lives and the years they spend in good health.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “Someone’s postcode should never dictate how long they live, and this Government is determined to tackle the stark inequalities that still exist across Britain.

“We’re already taking action, from allocating GP funding more fairly to delivering pioneering Neighbourhood Health Centres in the areas that need them most.

“But we will now go further in devolving power to local communities, putting decision-making into the hands of those who know their areas best, and driving lasting change across the country.”

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Adam Ramsay-Peaty scored a bronze medal in the men’s 100m breaststroke earlier this week and the Team GB athlete has managed to follow that up with another medal

Adam Ramsay-Peaty secured bronze once again in the 50m breaststroke semi finals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games as Sam Williamson claimed glory.

The Brit was quickly up against it after the start but his late charge wasn’t enough to see him bag another hold. He finished in 26.94 – 0.44 off the Australian winner, who was able to back up his 100m performance to secure an incredible double in Glasgow.

Michael Houlie secured second as Ramsay-Peaty finished third by just 0.01. Ramsay-Peaty came into the race as defending champion having won gold four years ago in Birmingham and revved up the crowd during his walk-in, but it wasn’t enough to inspire him to glory.

He booked his place in the final with a time of 26.82 seconds, as he finished behind just South Africa’s Houlie in his semi-final.

It comes after the Olympian secured a bronze at the weekend in the 100m breaststroke final, despite going in as the fastest qualifier.

He was beaten by Williamson and Jersey history maker Filip Nowacki. His time – 59.65 seconds – was more than four-tenths slower than his semi-final swim and three seconds off his personal best from seven years ago.

He cut an emotional figure afterwards, but his comments have divided opinion after Ramsay-Peaty claimed he “deserved more” after all his efforts after several years away.

He said: “It took a lot of courage to get back into the sport, so we should be happy with everything we get, but then that contradicts the athlete inside me and what I work for.

“I just think I deserve more. I know sport isn’t about what you deserve or even what you work for – it’s who gets it on the day. I just know I’m a better athlete than that. It’s very disappointing.”

York-based veterinary group VetPartners has issued a warning after its practices have seen an increase in pets that have become unwell after trips to the beach.

The company highlighted five common hazards that could put dogs at risk during seaside outings, including sharp rocks, ingesting sand, drinking seawater, heatstroke and cliff falls.

Amy Jennings, a vet at VetPartners, said: “Going to the beach with your dog can be a lot of fun for both of you, but plan to take your dog when it’s a comfortable temperature and not too hot.

“Take plenty of fresh water with you, ensure your dog has a shaded area to rest in and limit their time in the sea.”

Injuries from rocks are one of the most frequent issues seen by vets, especially when dogs chase toys without noticing the terrain.

Owners are advised to play in open areas away from rocky patches to reduce the risk of cuts and scrapes.

Sand ingestion is another concern.

Although it may not seem likely, dogs can accidentally swallow sand while playing or licking their fur, leading to intestinal blockages.

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Ms Jennings recommends avoiding sand-covered toys and steering clear of tennis balls, which easily collect sand.

She said: “There can be lots of temptations for dogs at the seaside, so it’s important to keep a close eye on them to make sure they don’t eat anything they shouldn’t, such as washed-up crabs, seaweed, and left-over picnic food or rubbish, all of which can make them very ill.

“Watch out for discarded fish, too, which can seem like a tasty treat to pets but might contain fishhooks that can damage mouths or the throat and stomach if swallowed.”

Seawater poses its own set of risks.

Dogs that drink from rock pools or the sea can develop gastroenteritis, and dehydration due to the level of salt it contains; it also harbours bacteria.

Owners are urged to bring plenty of fresh water for their pets to reduce the likelihood of them drinking seawater.

Despite the breeze, beaches can become extremely hot and offer little shade, putting dogs at risk of heatstroke.

Young or energetic dogs are especially vulnerable, as they may not know when to stop running or playing.

Ms Jennings suggests scheduling beach visits during cooler parts of the day, providing shade, and limiting time spent in the sun and sea.

Cliffs and coastal paths also present significant dangers.

Unfamiliar terrain and distractions can lead to falls, resulting in serious injury or worse.

Owners should keep dogs on short, secure leads near cliff edges and avoid using retractable leads in these areas.

Additional coastal hazards include jellyfish stings, which can cause severe reactions, and fishhooks that can injure the mouth or digestive tract.

Ms Jennings said: “Keep your dog in sight when they are swimming in the sea, and consider using a dog life jacket to keep them afloat.

“Watch out for jellyfish, too, as a sting could trigger a potentially fatal anaphylactic shock.

“Symptoms of a jellyfish sting include blistering, burning pain, changes in heart rhythm, difficulty breathing, itching, nausea, fever, excessive drooling, vomiting, swellings and hives.

“If you are concerned your pet appears unwell after a trip to the beach, seek veterinary advice immediately, and be aware that in some cases, such as sand ingestion, they might not show signs of being unwell until the following day.”

By ALEX HAMMER, US MEDIA CORRESPONDENT

Updated: 20:00 BST, 27 July 2026

Today star Savannah Guthrie appeared to address suspects in her mother’s kidnapping case directly on Monday, saying in a self-filmed social media video: ‘I know you have tried to do things the right way.’ 

In the post, Guthrie pleaded for the senior’s return almost six months after the 84-year-old’s disappearance. 

‘I am coming on today with a very specific message,’ a bleary eyed Guthrie, 54, began.

‘It has been months since our mom was taken from us.

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‘Our family is in agony,’ she continued.

‘We are in a nightmare that will not end. Nothing about or situation has changed. We have done our part. We will never stop looking for her.

‘We will always ache for her and feel that hole in our hearts.’

Guthrie went on to acknowledge how ‘the world can be a cruel and unforgiving place’ before offering the surprise praise.

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Today star Savannah Guthrie appeared to address suspects in her mother’s kidnapping case on Monday, saying in a self-filmed social media video: ‘I know you have tried to do things the right way’

Savannah Guthrie has issued a fresh plea to suspects in her mother Nancy’s kidnapping case

‘So I’m asking you, begging you, to do the right thing now. Make the right choice. Help us find her. Tell us where to look for her.

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‘I truly believe it is never too late to do the right thing. Help us bring this situation to an end,’ Guthrie said.

‘For all of us, no matter where we’ve been and what we have done, I believe there is always a way home. Please make the right choice.’

The message was noticeably different from one offered to Today viewers late last month, when Guthrie addressed reports that contents of a ransom note the family received early on in the search, in February. 

The note in question – which is believed to be authentic – said Nancy died of heart failure shortly after being taken. She was abducted from her home in Tucson, Arizona, during the early hours of February 1, cops said.

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‘We beg you now to return our mother to us, so that we can celebrate with her,’ Guthrie told viewers at the time, speaking to them directly.

‘This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay,’ she added.

Guthrie concluded that her family ‘cannot be at peace, no matter how much I try to come out here every day and smile and find that joy’ as the investigation currently stands. 

Nancy was taken from her home in Tucson, Arizona, pictured, in the early hours of February 1

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‘And so please, if you’re watching, no matter how small the reward is there, you can tell us. It can be anonymous. Please do the right thing for us, for our family, for our children,’ she asked. 

The message appeared to acknowledge how Nancy may no longer be alive but the possibility she could still be afforded a Christian burial. 

Early last month, Guthrie posted an image that appeared to depict the ascension of Jesus Christ. Captioned were the words ‘Bring her home.’  

The family is offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to Nancy’s recovery. 

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There are no suspects, according to local police and the FBI.

Extra government funding has been made available to the Clyde climate forest for additional planting

Hundreds of new trees are to be planted in Burnbank, Blantyre and Rutherglen following a funding boost for the Clyde climate forest project.

The initiative and similar planting projects in Fife, Lothians and Forth are sharing an additional £1 million from the Scottish Government to support their work in planting and protecting existing woodlands in communities with the fewest trees and greatest climate vulnerability.

Clyde climate forest, which covers the eight council areas of the Glasgow city region, has now identified the three South Lanarkshire areas among 16 “urban target neighbourhoods” where new planting will take place to increase low amounts of tree canopy cover and address risks including “flash flooding and urban overheating”.

The additional funding will also be used to pilot a new project to engage rural communities in understanding local climate impacts, beginning with work over the next year to identify sites and carry out tree planting at Douglas Water and Rigside.

Councillor Robert Brown, who chairs South Lanarkshire’s community and enterprise resources committee, said: “Through the 1000 Trees campaign, the Clyde climate forest aims to plant at least 1000 new urban trees in each of the selected communities, and I am delighted that so far 6276 trees have been planted in South Lanarkshire’s target neighbourhoods.

“This new funding will help our plans to push ahead in this transformative work that will bring many social, health and environmental benefits, including capturing carbon, protecting the environment, increasing biodiversity, improving access to nature and supporting local communities to become more climate-resilient.”

The Clyde Climate forest initiative, which includes both South and neighbouring North Lanarkshire, has planted nearly five million trees across the Glasgow city region over the past five years.

It was established in 2021 and has since been followed by similar projects across Scotland, aiming to plant 35 million trees by 2035 with the backing of almost £13m in Scottish Government funding.

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The hottest conditions are forecasted for Wednesday when Monmouth is expected to reach 28C. Newport and Chepstow, along with Wrexham, are also expected to be among the hottest places in the country this week

Another heatwave could hit Wales this week with temperatures expected to reach 28C in parts of the country on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Forecasters say temperatures will reach around 26C by 4pm on Tuesday, marking the start of a spell of hot weather which is expected to intensify on Wednesday before remaining very warm into next week.

The hottest conditions are forecasted for Wednesday when Monmouth is expected to reach 28C. Newport and Chepstow, along with Wrexham, are also expected to be among the hottest places in the country this week.

The Met Office defines a heatwave in Wales as three consecutive days with maximum temperatures of at least 25C, with the threshold varying across different parts of the UK to reflect regional climates.

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There could well be a heatwave in Wales this week, but it’ll likely be isolated to the east or south east of the country.

Eastern parts of Wales are expected to bear the brunt of the heat. Much of mid Wales is forecast to see highs in the mid 20s, while western coastal areas will remain noticeably cooler, generally in the low 20s.

Although temperatures are expected to ease slightly on Thursday, parts of the east of Wales are still forecast to remain at around 24 or 25C, which could tip us into heatwave territory.

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Conditions will continue to be warm from Friday and remain so until around Wednesday next week, which is when temperatures are expected to return to more typical summer temperatures in the low 20s across much of Wales.

July has been 3C above average across the UK, according to provisional Met Office data, and with more than a month of summer left, the UK has already faced more days above 30C than ever before.

The prolonged spell of hot, dry weather comes as parts of Wales continue to experience exceptionally dry conditions following one of the driest Julys on record, increasing concerns over drought and wildfire risk.

Firefighters have spent days tackling a major blaze covering around 220 hectares of bracken and gorse at Blaenavon, while North Wales has also seen several large moorland fires as drought conditions tighten their grip on the region.

The combination of persistent heat, very low rainfall and dry vegetation has prompted repeated warnings from fire services for people to avoid lighting barbecues or campfires in the countryside.

Last week, Natural Resources Wales announced that parts of Wales are now in drought, saying that all of the country is experiencing prolonged dry conditions.

NRW said on Thursday that record-low river flows, back-to-back heatwaves and widespread wildfires have prompted the declaration of drought status in north Wales and the Upper Severn, causing problems for fish, wildlife and crops.

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By FRANCINE WOLFISZ, NEWS REPORTER

Published: 18:54 BST, 27 July 2026 | Updated: 19:40 BST, 27 July 2026

Nigel Farage has called for Zack Polanski to be arrested after the Green Party leader shared a photograph of a man wearing a T-shirt ‘planning his decapitation’.

Mr Polanski, 43, shared the image of the unknown bearded man, wearing sunglasses, a rainbow-striped hat and making the ‘peace’ symbol, to his 713,000 followers on Instagram earlier today.

The man’s black top showed a guillotine with the slogan: ‘We’re only making plans for Nigel.’

It is thought the shirt references a 1979 song title by English rock band XTC, but the addition of a guillotine suggests a darker statement.

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Mr Farage tonight called for the Green leader to be arrested.

The Daily Mail understands Reform UK is in the process of reporting Mr Polanski to police, while Alex Wilson, Reform UK leader on the London Assembly, will be raising a complaint to the Greater London Assembly.

Just hours after it appeared, Mr Polanski removed the post, with a Green party spokesman stating he does not ‘support’ this ‘dangerous message’. 

However, the original post is tonight being shared widely on social media.

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Mr Farage, 62, retweeted the image on X, writing: ‘This is what Zack Polanski has just posted on his Instagram. 

‘If I was to post anything as inciteful then I would expect to be arrested, and so should Polanski.’ 

Nigel Farage has called for Zack Polanski to be arrested after the Green Party leader shared a photograph of a man wearing a T-shirt ‘planning his decapitation’

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Daily Mail understands Reform UK is in the process of reporting Mr Polanski to police over the post, which has since been removed

The party told The Daily Mail the post was ‘staggering’ given that it appeared just days after the brutal killing of Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe in her own home

Zack Polanski has deleted the post, which the Green Party said was part of a ‘collaboration’

Reform shadow home secretary Zia Yusuf told the Daily Mail the post was ‘staggering’ given that it appeared just days after the brutal killing of Reform UK spokesman Ann Widdecombe in her own home. 

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He said: ‘Zack Polanski has posted to his 713k Instagram followers a photo of a man in a T-shirt depicting the beheading of Nigel Farage.

‘To do this just two weeks after our friend Ann was murdered is staggering. This is incitement to murder.

‘It should be treated as such by the police.’

Lord Walney, the government’s former adviser on political violence, called the post ‘sickening’.

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He told the Daily Mail: ‘There must be serious consequences for Zack Polanski after he shared material implying the assassination of another politician. 

‘This would be sickening and unacceptable at any time but it is even more serious in the present environment in which a senior Reform member has been brutally killed. 

‘The Green Party must be barred from participating alongside mainstream parties if it fails to take action against its leader.’ 

A Green Party spokesman said the post had now been deleted and had appeared as part of a social media ‘collaboration’.

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They said: ‘After attending a public event, Zack accepted a request to collaborate on a post with several images. 

‘Once this image was brought to his attention he immediately unshared the post. He unequivocally does not support this type of dangerous message.’

DC Rachel Fletcher is alleged to have made “sexist, inappropriate and offensive” comments about men between February and December 2023 while on duty for Northumbria Police.

The officer is also accused of making a comment about transgender women in or around January 2024 which is alleged to have been “transphobic, inappropriate and/or offensive”.

No details of the alleged comments have been confirmed.

It is alleged that, if proven, the actions would amount to gross misconduct.

A misconduct hearing is due to take place for three days from Wednesday (July 29) at the Old Magistrates Court in Houghton-le-Spring.

The discovery was made during a joint visit today, Monday, July 27 by Bolton North Neighbourhood Team officers and Bolton Council Trading Standards to a shop on Blackburn Road.

The visit was prompted by reports of illicit cigarettes and nitrous oxide being sold in the area.

Enquiries remain ongoing and anybody with information can contact the force.

Nitrous oxide canisters were recovered (Image: GMP)

A spokesperson said: “Nitrous oxide seized following concerns from the community.

“Today officers from the Bolton North Neighbourhood Team have conducted a joint visit with Bolton Council’s Trading Standards to a shop on Blackburn Road in Astley Bridge.

“This visit is acting on concerns from the community about the sale of illicit cigarettes and nitrous oxide in the area.

“During the operation, a quantity of nitrous oxide canisters were recovered from a nearby flat and enquiries are ongoing.”