Taxi drivers and crop growers are among large sections of people legally allowed to ignore hosepipe bans in their areas.

Millions of Britons are living under hosepipe bans as fears grow of drought in the worst-affected areas.

The heatwave that has hit the UK this year has broken records, including eight days at or above 34C in a year. And last month was the hottest on record for England.

Anglian Water, which serves most of the East of England, brought in a ban on Saturday for its more than 5 million customers.

Much of Kent, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are also under hosepipe bans, as are large areas of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Surrey.

There are also bans in mid-Devon and parts of East Devon, and some parts of London and Essex. Cambridge Water has introduced one for the first time in three decades.

Under the rules, most customers may not fill up swimming or paddling pools, or water their garden or clean their car. Anyone breaching an official ban can be fined up to £1,000.

But there are many exceptions, often based on additional needs or using water to protect people or animals.

Water companies typically exempt people on their priority-services register who cannot adjust because of a health condition or disability, Blue Badge holders and people who need to protect human health or safety.

Using water for animal welfare, including pets, livestock and fish is also allowed.

These are other exemptions given by South West Water:

Gardeners may also water trees, hedges and saplings planted in the previous planting season, where a watering can is not feasible; turf laid within 28 days; plants for 14 days after purchase, and food crops grown at home or at a private allotment, where using a watering can is not feasible.

A pool, paddling pool or hot tub may be filled with a hosepipe if it is needed for medical or veterinary treatment or animal welfare; it’s for medical or therapeutic use; it’s under construction and needs to be filled as part of construction.

If a pond or pool is used as part of a recognised religious practice it’s also exempt.

Hosepipes may be used if the water comes from a butt.

Anyone cleaning a home’s exterior, such as windows, paths, patios and driveways, may use a hosepipe if part of a professional service or business.

Car owners may use a hosepipe if they use a low water-use appliance such as a pressure washer; to clean a vehicle as part of a private business, for example a car wash; the vehicle is used for public services, business purposes or transporting goods, or if the vehicle is a taxi, commercial vehicle or goods vehicle.

Caravan or motorhome owners may use hosepipes to fill a tank if needed for essential washing, cooking and sanitation.

On boats, a hosepipe may be used by anyone cleaning it as part of a business or professional service; anyone cleaning it to prevent the spread of non-native species or to remove graffiti or if the boat is used for commercial activity or public services.

Commercial growers of crops, fruit, vegetables and plants cultivated for sale are exempt from the ban, as are national plant collections and temporary flower or garden displays that are public.

An irrigation system that drips or trickles, with a time- and pressure-reducing valve and that delivers water directly to soil may be used.

Sports pitches are exempt provided watering is done outside the peak hours of 8am-10am and 5pm-9pm.

Even where exceptions apply, people are still asked to be careful with water “to help safeguard essential supplies”.

Under current law, the State Pension age is due to rise from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046.

However, it’s been shown that new Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) documents assume the increase will instead happen between 2037 and 2039 as part of the Government’s current policy position for its economic forecasts.

If that timetable were ultimately adopted, the increase would come around seven years earlier than current legislation provides.

Who could be affected?

An earlier increase could affect around five million people, particularly those who are currently aged between 49 and 55.

Instead of becoming eligible for their State Pension at 67, they could have to wait until they turn 68.

For many people, that would mean working for another year or relying on other sources of income before becoming eligible for the State Pension.

Why is an earlier rise being discussed?

The OBR says delaying the increase would add significantly to Government spending.

Its latest documents state: “If the state pension age were to rise to 68 in 2044-45 in line with legislation, rather than the Government’s stated policy that the rise to 68 will happen in 2037-39, this would cost an average additional £6 billion in today’s terms in each of the years the state pension age rise is delayed.”

Ministers say no decision has been made

Despite the OBR’s assumption, ministers have stressed that the Government has not announced any change to the law.

Responding to reports about the OBR documents, Pensions Minister Torsten Bell said on X that the reports were ‘just wrong’. He added: “We have not announced any change of policy – and certainly not this specific one. There is currently a review of the State Pension age underway – that is simply because legislation (the 2014 Act) requires the Secretary of State to conduct such reviews on a fairly regular basis.”

He also referred to previous changes to the State Pension age, saying: “If you want to see what we’ve actually said – not least about the 2011 disaster of raising the State Pension age in a rush that gave some people only 5yrs notice – you can read the (long) evidence I gave to the Select Committee recently.”

This story is just wrong https://t.co/RJkBkgcf98

— Torsten Bell (@TorstenBell) July 14, 2026

Experts urge caution

The prospect of bringing forward the increase has prompted concern from experts, who warn many older people are already struggling to remain in work until they reach State Pension age.

Dr Carole Easton OBE, Chief Executive of the Centre for Ageing Better, said: “It is extremely worrying if the Treasury is thinking of making the next rise in state pension age in just over a decade’s time.

“The government needs to be very careful about making this change.

“During the rise to 66, it doubled the poverty rates for 64-year-olds.

“A recent parliamentary committee report warned the impact is likely to be even bigger now for the current rise to 67.”

She said it was difficult to see the case for accelerating the timetable: “Other than the substantial savings the Treasury will make from making people wait longer for their State Pension, it is hard to see what evidence could be used to justify introducing the next rise sooner.”

Can everyone work until 68?

Dr Easton said many people already face significant barriers to working later in life.

She said: “Working until you are 68 is very far from the norm. Only one in five people currently do so.

“It is not viable for everyone to work this long for a range of reasons – health, ageism, caring responsibilities, inflexible employers freezing many people out of work.”

She also highlighted differences in healthy life expectancy across the country.

“There are places in this country where the healthy life expectancy is more than a decade below the current state pension age.

“Progress on this issue has stalled, we cannot just assume we are all going to be living longer and healthier lives.”

Recommended reading:

What happens next?

No legislation has yet been introduced to bring forward the increase in the State Pension age.

The Government is carrying out the latest statutory review of the State Pension age, which is required under existing legislation.

Once that review concludes, ministers will decide whether to recommend changes to the timetable before any proposal is put before Parliament.

For now, the legal position remains that the State Pension age will rise to 68 between 2044 and 2046, unless Parliament approves a change.

Speaking in an interview with Gary Lineker for Goalhanger, Burnham acknowledged that the Government faces difficult decisions over the public finances but pointed to Labour’s existing manifesto commitments, which rule out increases to the three main taxes paid by households.

While he declined to rule out changes to other taxes in the future, he suggested any decisions would come only after reviewing the state of the nation’s finances.

Income tax, VAT and National Insurance remain protected

Burnham has committed himself to Labour’s fiscal rules and indicated there is still room to make decisions within the party’s manifesto commitments.

That means Labour’s pledge not to increase income tax, VAT or National Insurance remains in place.

However, he did not rule out asking some people to contribute more through other parts of the tax system.

He said: “I’m not going to rule things out right now. I do believe we need a greater sense of fairness and people feeling that things are being done in the right way and a fair way.

“But at the same time, you know, I don’t want to sort of be perceived as somebody who’s coming in with grudges and agendas and, you know, going to just immediately find or demonise one group or create a new way of dividing people.”

He warned that balancing the country’s finances would not be easy.

He said: “Decisions to be taken in time, they’re going to be difficult. I’m not going to shy away from that. You know, we are going to have to work quite hard to make sure, you know, we can pay our way.

“And at some point that might be having to ask for a little more. But, you know, those decisions are not for now. They’re for another day.”

His comments leave open the possibility of changes to taxes outside Labour’s manifesto commitments, although no new measures have been announced.

Recommended reading:

Burnham promises to be ‘upfront’ with Donald Trump

Burnham also discussed how he would handle relations with US President Donald Trump.

He said he would respect the office while being honest where the two leaders disagree.

Burnham said: “I’ll just meet him where where he’s at.

“I like to think I’ve got some personality myself and I’ll just, you know, I’ll deal with him very upfront in the same way.”

He also joked about Trump’s previous description of Manchester as “some town”, saying: “You know what Mancs are like, Gary, that won’t have gone down fantastically well in the city I used to represent.”

Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK’s “cast-iron” support for Ukraine will continue, as he makes a final trip to the country as prime minister.

He will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the capital Kyiv later on Thursday, ahead of Andy Burnham’s installation as Labour leader and PM.

In comments ahead of his trip, Sir Keir said the “fortitude” of the Ukrainian people since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 had “preserved the security of Europe”.

In his statement, Sir Keir highlighted Britain’s contribution to the Ukrainian war effort during his two years in Downing Street.

Today is Sir Keir’s last day as leader of the Labour Party, with Andy Burnham set to be declared leader on Friday, before meeting the King to be formally invited to form a new government as prime minister on Monday.

Sir Keir has overseen the signing of a 100-year partnership between the two countries, aimed at fostering closer defence and trade ties, and has led efforts to establish a future peacekeeping force.

“When I became prime minister, I knew the UK must not simply stand with Ukraine in the moment, but help build the foundations of its long-term security and success,” he said.

He said the UK had invested more in defence, as well as “leading the way in the war fighting technologies of the future”.

Sir Keir added: “And we have brought others with us on that journey. As we showed at the G7 and Nato summits, in recent weeks, the UK and its allies are absolutely united against Russian aggression.”

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By RUTH STAINER, REPORTER

Published: 08:34 BST, 16 July 2026 | Updated: 09:35 BST, 16 July 2026

Kim Borthwick, 36, from Glasgow says she would have made a “really good granny” but sadly it is “too late”.

A mum with incurable brain cancer “doesn’t know if she’ll live long enough to see her young sons start school”. Kim Borthwick was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour in January 2026, just a week after she began experiencing symptoms.

The 36-year-old from Glasgow had just enjoyed Christmas with her husband, Ross, and four-year-old twin boys, Max and Freddie, when she came down with a headache.

She initially thought she had just overdone it but the pain became “unbearable” before her hand started tingling, she lost feeling down one side, and began vomiting.

Following several GP visits, Kim was referred to A&E for an urgent CT scan. She was soon afterwards diagnosed with a glioblastoma – a type of highly aggressive brain tumour – and told she might need surgery that evening.

Kim says NHS staff saved her life and gave her more time with her sons. However, she is realistic about what’s next, given that if she makes it to her 40th birthday, she will be among the longest-surviving 10 per cent of people diagnosed with her type of cancer.

“I don’t know if I’ll see them start school,” she said.

“You take those little moments for granted until you realise they could be taken away.

“My diagnosis has given me the clarity to enjoy every moment I have with my boys.”

“It’s too late for me but I want to make a difference for those who come after me.

“I know I would have made a really good granny.”

Kim said her experience has also brought home the lack of attention and resource given to tackling brain cancer, where survival rates in the UK have not changed for decades.

She said this felt like an “injustice” given survival rates for many other cancers have improved “dramatically” over the same period.

She has joined the Brain Cancer Justice (BCJ) campaign group, which is urging politicians to provide greater support and funding for rare cancers.

The group is also calling for a dedicated minister for rare cancers to ensure continuity in research, funding and policy.

She explained: “I have a fire in my belly to effect change for people diagnosed with brain cancer in Scotland.

“It is difficult to accept, but it’s unlikely I will benefit from these changes.

“I can’t accept this diagnosis knowing we could be doing so much more in Scotland to support people with brain cancer.

“There’s been no change to outcomes for people diagnosed with brain cancer in 30 years, and brain tumours remain the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40. To me, that is scandalous.”

She pointed to the fact patients in other G8 countries routinely receive surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy as standard treatment, along with treatment using the Optune device, which slows the growth of cancer cells.

She said this combination is not routinely available in Scotland, leaving many families having to navigate treatment options, clinical trials and additional support on their own.

Kim also pointed out tumour samples in Scotland are not routinely “fresh-frozen” during surgery, which she said means patients in Scotland become ineligible for clinical trials and emerging genomic treatments that require preserved tissue samples.

“These aren’t cures,” she said. “Nobody is pretending they are. But they give people more time with the people they love and, ultimately, that’s what matters.”

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In a horrifying case of life imitating art, Emmerdale’s Bradley Riches has found himself the victim of a grim robbery, not long after his alter-ego, Lewis Barton, dealt with having his treasured café burgled.

Taking to Instagram, Bradley shared the news that his coffee truck had been stolen, alongside a selfie.

‘Always sharing the highs and the lows on here,’ he began the caption.

‘This week started so perfectly. I got back from the Heartstopper premiere after having the best time… only to come home and find out I’d been robbed.

‘My car is gone, but what breaks my heart the most is that my coffee truck has been taken too. Two things I’ve worked so incredibly hard for, gone just like that.🥹

‘I’m absolutely heartbroken. To the person who took them, I hope you have a really bad day.’

The comment section was flooded with supportive messages: Tip Toe star Iz Hesketh said: ‘Baby I’m so sorry this happened to you’, while fellow Emmerdale star, Isabel Hodgins, who plays Victoria Sugden added: ‘I hope they are caught!!!’

@punkygirl8301 said: ‘I’m so so sorry this happened to you!! I really hope the authorities can find your things and return them! And I’d wish something different for them but will politely keep that to myself!’

@bradleyscene2023 followed up with: ‘I’m so sorry to hear this, Bradley. My heart honestly sank reading your post. I hope your car and your coffee truck are found soon. Wishing you lots of strength and hoping things get better soon.’

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@kayleightmfl added: ‘Oh honey I’m so sorry. What an awful thing for someone to do. At least you weren’t home when it happened and you and the hubs are safe. How terribly violated you both must feel. Sending love’

The official Instagram page for Bradley’s bar and café updated its bio to read: currently stolen, with Bradley also uploading a picture of the truck and an update to the page’s feed:

‘As you may have seen, our trailer, along with our car, has been stolen’ he began the caption.

‘We’re absolutely devastated. After everything we’ve put into building our little business, it’s incredibly upsetting to see it taken away like this.

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‘The theft has been reported to the police, who have been fantastic, but unfortunately they’ve been unable to locate either vehicle at its last known location.

‘We’re asking everyone in the Leeds and Bradford area to please keep an eye out.

‘Even the smallest piece of information could make a huge difference. If you think you’ve seen the trailer, the car, or anything that you think might be connected, please send us a private message as soon as possible. We’d be so grateful.

‘Thank you so much for all of your support and kind messages already, it really does mean everything to us.’

On-screen, Bradley’s character Lewis was sickened to realise his beloved café had been burgled, with suspicion immediately falling on the recently returned Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill), who’d not long revealed to Lewis that he was, in fact, his biological father.

With Kev’s incredibly colourful history including a number of robberies, Lewis was instantly convinced that daddy dearest had committed the crime.

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In reality, though, Lewis’ brother Ross Barton (Michael Parr) and his business partner-cum-bestie, Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler) orchestrated the event to drive a wedge between father and son.

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Which? has released its list of the best seaside towns in the UK for 2026, with Filey Beach making the list, ranking above both Scarborough and Whitby.

Each beach was ranked on a range of factors, with Filey Beach receiving four stars for value for money, its beach, the seafront, and the scenery.

With the summer holidays coming up, you might want to take a trip out to Filey for a family day out or long weekend.

The beach is perfect for kids with lots to do and explore. (Image: Getty)

Why did Filey rank above Scarborough and Whitby?

Filey features a sandy beach that is ideal for long walks, building sandcastles, flying kites, and even horse riding and at low tide, there will be plenty of rock pools exposed for you to explore.

One reviewer on Tripadvisor said: “Filey has a lovely clean beach that you can walk down.

“The children love the rock pools and collecting shells.

“The promenade is great too with plenty to do and the Beach Hut on Coble Landing sells fantastic waffles.”

For those wanting to explore the area more, there are many walking and cycling trails, including the Cleveland Way National Trail, where you will find scenic views of the coastline.

There are also lots of activities you can do, from walking around the Filey Museum to visiting the animals at Filey Zoo.

For those wanting to do some shopping, there are lots of independent boutiques, gift shops for any seaside souvenirs, and food stores where you can get locally sourced products to take home with you.

If you need something to eat during your trip, there are a few fish and chip shops, including Inghams and C J’s, or you might prefer to enjoy a sit-down meal at the Boat Shed or the Glass House at Charlottes.

Do you agree that Filey is a better seaside town than Whitby and Scarborough? Let us know in the comments.

The fitness craze has continued to grow in popularity on social media since it was first hosted in Cardiff in 2025

A popular exercise craze which has seen thousands of fitness fanatics descend on the Welsh capital is set to return to Cardiff for the third year running.

The Principality Stadium will host Hyrox from May 20 to May 29, 2027, as the fitness event extends its stay in the iconic sporting venue once again.

Hyrox is a global indoor fitness and endurance event that consists of eight 1km runs interspersed with eight exercise stations – a 1,000m SkiErg, a 50m sled push, a 50m sled pull, 80m burpee broad jumps, 1,000m row, 200m farmers carry, 100m sandbag lunges and 100 wall balls.

Those taking part can compete on their own or with a partner – either in a mixed or same sex team. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here

Since it was first created in 2017 by Christian Toetzke and Olympian Moritz Fürste, Hyrox has taken the online world by storm with fitness enthusiasts sharing their experiences of taking part in the event. Over a million people expected take part in one of the races, held all over the world, this year.

Those taking part can compete on their own or with a partner – either in a mixed or same sex team.

Thanks to the pull of social media and fitness influencers pushing the endurance and strength-based event, Hyrox lovers travel across the country and abroad to compete against one another and pick up unique race badges to adorn their backpacks.

Next year the event will be in the capital for 10 days, up on its six-day stay 2026.

Tickets for Hyrox events regularly sell out in minutes, so fitness enthusiasts hoping to participate in the event will need to be quick to ensure they’re stood on the start line in the spring. The Hyrox website states ticket sales will start “soon”.

Announcing the return of the event to the Welsh capital, organisers wrote: “HYROX returns to the Principality Stadium to close out the 2026/27 season. A finish-line atmosphere worthy of the stage, all inside one of the UK’s most iconic sporting venues.

As the season draws to a close, every second counts – whether you’re chasing a PB or tackling your first finish. Cardiff sets the stage. You bring the performance. Give it your all, Cardiff!”

Good morning and welcome to our live blog.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it is currently responding to what it described as a “large industrial fire” at Llantrisant Recycling Centre.

Crews have been on the scene since 2.05am this morning. A number of resources are being deployed, including eight fire appliances, four water bowsers, an aerial ladder platform, and a range of specialist equipment. Drones are also in use.