Much of England is now officially in drought. Reservoir levels are being closely monitored by water companies, while farmers are reporting dry soils and poor crop conditions. Further restrictions such as grazing rules could soon come into effect.

Water is recognised as critical national infrastructure. However, drought does not only threaten our water supply. It also tests the resilience of the food system that depends on it.

For most of us, that reality becomes visible in the supermarket: standing in front of a shelf with no cucumbers, more expensive tomatoes or fewer fresh vegetables to choose from. These episodes have become increasingly familiar in recent years. We notice the empty shelves, accept the higher prices and move on.

But I keep wondering: why does this surprise so many people?

The UK carefully monitors many of the systems that underpin everyday life. We
publish inflation figures every month, NHS waiting lists every week and regularly report on water reservoir levels because these indicators tell us whether essential systems are becoming stronger or weaker. They provide an early indication that intervention may be needed before problems escalate. Food, however, is different. We tend to judge the resilience of our food system only after something has gone wrong.

That seems odd for something so fundamental. Food is every bit as essential as
healthcare, energy or water, yet we have no simple measure that tells us whether
Britain’s ability to produce and supply food is becoming more or less resilient over time.

Part of the problem is that we often confuse food security with food resilience.

Food security is about whether people have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food.

Food resilience is something different. It describes the ability of the food system to continue functioning when faced with disruption, whether from extreme weather,
geopolitical instability, disease outbreaks or volatile energy markets.

In nature, resilience is often defined as the capacity of a system to absorb disturbance while maintaining its core function. It seems remarkable that we routinely apply this thinking to natural ecosystems, yet rarely to the food systems on which society depends.

A country can appear food secure while quietly becoming less resilient. Increasing
reliance on imports, ageing production infrastructure, exposure to energy price
shocks or declining domestic investment may not affect consumers immediately – but
together they make the system increasingly vulnerable when disruption occurs.

The UK illustrates this well. Overall food self-sufficiency has remained at around
60% for many years, but only around 16% of the fruit consumed in the UK is grown domestically, while just over half of our vegetables are produced here. Fresh
produce therefore depends heavily on international supply chains that are becoming
more exposed to climate extremes and geopolitical uncertainty.

Recent work published by my team shows that 70% of Britain’s commercial greenhouses are now more than 40 years old. Much of the infrastructure responsible for producing fresh fruit and vegetables was built decades ago and is approaching the end of its design life, yet investment in
renewal has lagged behind many of our international competitors.

None of these statistics alone suggest an imminent crisis. Taken together, however,
they begin to tell us something about the condition of the system. We already accept this type of thinking in other sectors.

A doctor does not diagnose a patient using a single measurement but combines blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol and other indicators to assess overall health. Likewise, the economy is not judged using GDP alone; policymakers also consider inflation, unemployment and productivity.

A new index

Complex systems require multiple indicators. This is why I believe it is time to
consider introducing a UK food resilience index.

The idea is surprisingly straightforward. We already collect much of the information needed. Government departments monitor agricultural production, trade, weather, water resources and energy. Industry understands infrastructure, investment, production capacity and grower confidence. Researchers analyse climate risks, supply chains and food systems. The challenge is not a lack of data, but that these pieces remain disconnected.

The aviation industry offers another useful comparison. Airlines do not wait for an
engine to fail before deciding whether an aircraft is safe to fly. Thousands of
measurements are taken continuously. A slight increase in vibration or fuel
consumption does not mean an aircraft is unsafe today, but it may indicate that
maintenance will soon be needed. The objective is to identify developing
weaknesses long before they become failures. Our food system deserves the same
philosophy.

A food resilience index would not rely on a single statistic. Instead, it could bring together a basket of indicators that reflect the condition of the food system. Some would measure production capacity, such as domestic fruit and vegetable output, greenhouse infrastructure renewal and land remaining in commercial production.

Others would capture external exposure, including import dependency, diversity of
trading partners and energy costs. A third group could assess future resilience,
looking at investment in new infrastructure, adoption of technology, water availability, workforce capacity and business confidence across the sector.

Each indicator could be standardised and combined into a single score, perhaps
between 0 and 100, much like composite indices already used to measure economic
performance, environmental quality or human development. More importantly, the
individual components would reveal why resilience was improving or declining.

A declining resilience score would signal an increasing risk of higher food prices, greater import dependence and more frequent supply disruptions. It would help governments target investment before problems become crises and help explain to consumers why food prices change long before shortages appear.

The current drought is a reminder that extreme weather will become more common. But droughts, heatwaves and floods are often the triggers rather than the underlying cause. Like a warning light on an aircraft dashboard, they expose weaknesses that have been developing quietly for years. Monitoring the resilience of our food system would not prevent every disruption, but it would help identify those weaknesses earlier, giving us a better chance of strengthening the system before the next drought, or any other shock, puts it to the test.

Cambridgeshire residents say they face ‘lines of HGVs’ coming past their homes when traffic is diverted

Cambridgeshire County Council is facing calls to restrict HGV traffic on rural roads as redirected lorries are reportedly “destroying the roads”.

Cllr Mark Goldsack, of Soham North and Isleham, said he was “very pleased” that repairs to the A142 Soham Road had been scheduled but they were not given enough notice.

Speaking at a county council meeting on Tuesday (July 28), the Conservative councillor said: “We were told there would be at least four weeks’ notice before we know what’s going on. That’s impossible, because there was 10 days between the actual original notice and the actual proposed start date.

“And the diversionary routes were… quite frankly, I think my eight-year-old granddaughter could have come up with better ideas.”

He said they should “totally avoid” using “peat-damaged Fenland roads” as diversions when major A roads are closed.

He said: “The local drivers know where the dips are, know where the bumps are and know where the problems are and drive accordingly. The other drivers, who are on diversionary routes, don’t.

“They go at excess speeds and they’re the ones that cause the problems and, exactly as the chairman said, where there’s water and there’s a bumpy road – the logical outcome often occurs.”

Josh Rutherford, head of asset management, said: “In an emergency situation the police would be able to divert onto the nearest possible viable route. If it was a highways diversion – then we would divert onto a road of the same class.”

Cllr Ian Gardener, of Alconbury and Kimbolton, asked if signs could be put up to divert HGVs away from rural roads that can’t handle their weight.

The Conservative councillor said every time the road is closed – a crash on Monday (July 27) on the A14 at Bythorn being the latest example – the huge lorries “come off the A14 and they’re on our rural roads”.

He said: “They are destroying the roads and it’s creating a much greater maintenance cost for the county council. To spend a few hundred pounds on a few signs might help the situation.

“I know drivers follow their satnavs and what have you, but if they were to see ‘not suitable for HGVs’, it might reduce some – I’m not saying it would reduce all, but I just think that might help and would alleviate the issues that I get with residents saying, ‘I’ve now got lines of HGVs coming past my house.’

“We really can’t keep on with it because it’s just destroying the roads and the rural roads never seem to get that much expenditure on them.”

Mr Rutherford said that “year-on-year” the amount spent on rural roads across the county is a “significant part of the highways maintenance budget”. He said: “I do appreciate that the rural road network is huge – there are a lot of roads out there and there is a lot that needs doing.”

He said he agreed with looking at a “more holistic approach to highway maintenance” as alternatives to just patching up potholes after the roads are already damaged.

Mr Rutherford said: “You know we’ve done that probably 50 times – the definition of insanity and everything else.”

It was unclear how many exactly had crossed the border. Spanish media estimated between 2,000 and 3,000 people entered Ceuta on Thursday, according to Reuters, but said that the Guardia Civil had not confirmed the figure.

As tensions rose, there were unconfirmed reports of clashes late on Thursday.

In Fnideq, a Moroccan town near the Ceuta border, Moroccan authorities fired water cannons at migrants in an attempt to deter them from crossing, witnesses told Reuters.

In Melilla, Spain’s second autonomous city in northern Africa, footage from local media and human rights organisations appeared to show clashes at the Beni Ansar border point.

The surge has prompted comparisons with May 2021, when around 8,000 people entered Ceuta over a matter of days, exacerbating diplomatic tensions with Morocco.

Ceuta and Melilla represent the European Union’s only land border with Africa.

Spanish authorities have increased security around the enclaves in recent years through increased surveillance, barrier reinforcement, and improved bilateral relations with Morocco, but people continue to attempt to cross.

A full day of dance classics will wrap up this year’s series of concerts, with the festival beginning at noon on Sunday.

The event will feature an array of talented performers, each ready to provide an entertaining experience.

The internationally renowned Judge Jules Live will headline the festival, bringing his signature club anthems to the audience with the extra flair of a live band.

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Before Judge Jules takes the stage, concert-goers can look forward to performances from South Tyneside favourites Phats and Small and SFA, as well as the ever-energetic Ultrabeat, known for their feel-good classics.

Sweet Female Attitude will kick-start the musical programme at 1:25pm, followed by Ultrabeat at 2.30pm, and Judge Jules at 3.40pm.

There has been a change to this year’s ticketing policy – all tickets are now paid for, meaning there is no early priority entrance.

When trying to make more sustainable clothing choices, many consumers follow a simple rule: choose natural fibres over synthetic ones. Cotton instead of polyester. Wool instead of acrylic. Linen instead of nylon.

The logic seems straightforward. Natural fibres originate from plants or animals, while synthetic fibres are largely derived from fossil fuels. If a fibre comes from nature, it must surely be the more environmentally friendly option.

But our new review of research examining textile chemistry, fibre type and environmental consequences suggests the reality is far more complicated.

What matters is not simply where a fibre comes from, but what happens to it throughout its journey from the raw material to a finished garment. Many consumers imagine a cotton T-shirt as little more than processed plant material. Yet cotton is a water-intensive crop and, in many parts of the world, relies heavily on pesticides and fertilisers. Even after harvesting, the story doesn’t end. Before reaching the shop floor, textiles often undergo extensive chemical processing.

Fibres may be bleached, dyed, softened, strengthened or waterproofed. Some are treated to make them flame retardant or resistant to creasing, staining and microbial growth. These treatments help create the products consumers have come to expect, improving appearance, durability and performance. But they also influence how textiles behave throughout their life cycle. This affects how they degrade, what they release into the environment and how easily they can be recycled.

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More than fibre type

Certifications for sustainable textiles often focus on the environmental consequences of sourcing the raw fibre itself. Cotton requires land and water. Polyester relies on fossil resources. Wool raises questions about livestock emissions and land use. These are important considerations, but they tell only part of the story.

In collaboration with colleagues at the sustainable textiles and apparel research group at the University of Manchester, we have published a systematic review that highlights how a garment’s environmental cost depends not only on the fibre itself – but also on the chemicals used throughout production and the ways in which those materials behave during use, reuse and disposal.

Our latest research shows that chemicals introduced during cultivation, fibre production, dyeing, finishing and performance enhancement can affect how textiles behave in the environment, including how they degrade, what they release and how easily they can be recycled.

For example, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (Pfas), often referred to as “forever chemicals”, are used to give textiles water- and stain-resistant properties but are highly persistent in the environment. Formaldehyde-based finishes improve crease resistance.

Other chemicals, including some phthalates (used to make some coatings and plastics more flexible), bisphenols (used in some plastic and textile coating manufacture), heavy metals and dye compounds, have also been associated with environmental or human health concerns depending on how they are used and managed throughout a product’s life cycle.

This complexity is often invisible to consumers. Two garments made from the same fibre may have very different environmental footprints depending on how they were processed and finished.

Public and policy discussions about textile pollution have largely focused on synthetic microplastics. Yet our review of the evidence suggests the picture is more complex. Natural fibres such as cotton and wool, together with regenerated cellulose fibres such as viscose and lyocell (derived from wood pulp), have also been widely detected in rivers, oceans and rain or cloud particles.

This does not mean natural fibres are necessarily more harmful than synthetic alternatives. Rather, it highlights that pollution cannot be understood simply by looking at fibre origin.

As textiles are worn, washed and eventually discarded, both fibres and the chemicals applied to them can be released into the environment. They may enter rivers and oceans through wastewater, accumulate in soils through the application of sewage sludge, or become airborne as dust and fibre fragments. Understanding how fibres and the chemicals they carry move through the environment is now an active area of research for scientists around the world and one that is reshaping how we think about the true environmental footprint of our clothes.

The challenge for recycling

Chemical complexity makes it harder to create a more circular textile system – one that aims to design out waste by keeping materials in use through reuse, repair and recycling. Complex mixtures of fibres, dyes and chemical finishes make it more difficult to sort, recycle and recover textiles into high-quality new products.

As governments and industry invest in more circular textile systems, understanding the chemical history of textiles is becoming increasingly important. A recycled cotton fibre, for example, may still carry dyes, finishes or performance treatments that affect how it can be safely reused or recycled. Yet this information is often incomplete or unavailable, making it difficult for recyclers, manufacturers and retailers to know exactly what materials they are handling.

This is one reason why policymakers are introducing measures such as digital product passports. Although textile specifc requirements are still being developed, these passports will store information about a product’s materials, repairability and environmental characteristics throughout its life cycle. Alongside greater transparency about the chemicals used in textile production, initiatives that enable greater transparency can support safer recycling, reduce waste and help create a more circular textile industry.

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Beyond natural v synthetic

Our findings do not suggest that consumers should avoid natural fibres. Nor do they suggest that synthetic fibres are the answer.

There is no perfect fibre.

Researchers in Finland have argued the need to move beyond simplistic sustainability narratives. Consumers can make more informed choices by buying fewer, higher-quality garments. They can use products for a longer time, repair and reuse clothing where possible, and support brands that are transparent about the materials and chemicals they use.

Certification schemes such as Oeko-Tex (which means the fabric has been tested for harmful substances and found to be below specific levels) or bluesign (which means the textile has been manufactured using responsible chemical management and environmental practices) can also provide useful reassurance.

The most sustainable textile is not necessarily the one made from a natural fibre. It is the one designed, manufactured, used and managed responsibly throughout its entire life cycle.

To build a genuinely sustainable textile industry, we need to stop asking whether a fibre is natural or synthetic and start asking what has happened to it along the way … and where it will end up.

Ten international climbers led by a renowned Nepal-born mountaineer were missing after an avalanche struck Broad Peak, one of the world’s highest mountains in northern Pakistan.

The Alpine Club of Pakistan received initial reports that the avalanche struck the team led by Nirmal Purja and the climbers have been out of communication since then, club vice president Karrar Haidri said in a statement late Thursday.

The expedition includes five Nepalese climbers, Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi of Hunza, Omani climber Nathira, American climber Mallory Geis, a Chinese climber identified as Wang, and another foreign climber, Mr Haidri said.

The club’s president, Maj Gen Irfan Arshad, and its senior leaders were in contact with government officials to facilitate an immediate search-and-rescue operation.

The club said every effort was being made to mobilise helicopters and other rescue resources quickly, subject to weather and operational conditions.

Nirmal Purja, whom the club identified by a second name, Nims Dai, is a Nepal-born British citizen who scaled the world’s 14 highest peaks in 189 days in 2019, holding a record for the fastest climb until a Norwegian woman and her Nepali Sherpa guide set a new record in 2023. Purja’s climbs were made into a popular Netflix documentary, “14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible.”

The 8,047-metre (26,401ft) Broad Peak in the Karakoram range is the world’s 12th highest mountain. Pakistan is home to several top mountain peaks and climbers flock from all over the world to attempt to scale the summits.

“The Alpine Club of Pakistan is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with all concerned stakeholders,” the statement said. It added that the club stands in solidarity with the climbers’ families and the international mountaineering community.

Dr Zohaib Arshad has reported the alleged racist attack on Grahams Road in Falkirk to police.

A respected Falkirk vet has told of the terrifying moment he was left covered in blood after a racist assault in broad daylight as terrified children looked on.

Businessman Dr Zohaib Arshad, 39, suffered a deep head wound after he was assaulted on Grahams Road in Falkirk on the evening of July 20. The father-of-two said what began as a routine visit to his takeaway quickly descended into a terrifying ordeal after three men targeted him with racist abuse before launching a violent attack.

The veterinary surgeon said they asked when he was going to “go back” to his country before moments later, grabbing him and repeatedly smashing his head against a wall. Dr Arshad recalled blood pouring down his face until he could barely see, while he was punched several times and threatened with a knife.

The attack is said to have unfolded in front of around 30 witnesses, including young children. Speaking about the ordeal, the former Alba party candidate told the Record about how scared he was.

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He said: “Blood was everywhere, it was all over the wall. I couldn’t see because there was that much dripping into my eyes.

“One was threatening to kill me and stab me with a knife. He kept saying, ‘Do you want me to take the knife out?’

“There were young girls aged about six around as I was being beaten. I was so scared. I have young kids myself and I couldn’t imagine them witnessing that.”

The assault left him requiring five stitches above his eye. A photograph taken afterwards shows his face drenched in blood with a large cut above his eyebrow.

Dr Arshad claims police were called immediately but did not arrive for around 45 minutes. He said one of the alleged attackers remained nearby for around half an hour.

Dr Arshad said: “If the police turned up sooner, they could have caught these racists.”

The businessman had travelled to central France the following day to visit his children, who have been spending the summer with their grandparents, but says he has remained there because he was too frightened to return as quickly as planned.

He said: “I didn’t feel safe going back home straight away. I have never been in such a rough situation like that before.

“I was so scared when he threatened to take out a knife. I have young kids and I didn’t want them growing up without a father.”

Dr Arshad, who previously stood as an Alba candidate in the 2022 Falkirk Council elections and the 2024 General Election, said he never imagined he would be “attacked because of the colour of his skin”. He noted that his family are now living in fear.

He said: “My kids are terrified. They see me bruised and ask if they are going to be attacked when they return to Scotland for school. I have to reassure them that they are safe.”

Dr Arshad has spoken out of the attack following a far-right protest held at Glasgow Green on Saturday, July 25. Ugly scenes broke out at the demonstration attended by around 1700 people organised by the Unite the Clans group at 11am on Saturday after protestors clashed with a counter-demo arranged by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) and Women Against The Far Right.

Police Scotland have so far arrested 15 people with incidents of disorder. Dr Arshad says he was invited to speak at the counter-demonstration but was unable to attend due to being in France.

The scenes follow months of anti-immigration demos in Falkirk. Protests have repeatedly been held outside the Hotel Cladhan on Kemper Avenue, which is being used to house asylum seekers.

In June, Daily Record reported how mum-of-seven Sarah McCabe was left terrified after balaclava-clad anti-immigrant protesters surrounded her car in Falkirk town centre, banged on the vehicle and shouted abuse as she tried to drive home. Another driver, Cherise Williamson, said masked protesters blocked the road before surrounding her vehicle and accusing her of supporting rapists.

The demonstrations followed the attempted murder of Stephen Ogilvie in Belfast and formed part of a wave of anti-immigration protests that spread across Scotland.

Dr Arshad has spoken on how he believes rising anti-immigration tensions are fuelling attacks on minority ethnic communities.

He said: “The growing mobs of racists is really worrying. It doesn’t feel safe for people of colour walking around in certain places in Falkirk.”

He said he now plans to meet with local mosques to reassure worried members of the Muslim community and has sought support from politicians. SNP MSP for Falkirk East and Linlithgow Martyn Day condemned the alleged attack.

He told the Record: “This was a shocking and cowardly racist assault, and I utterly condemn it. Sadly, this is not the first racist attack in the Falkirk district that has been brought to my attention.

“The rising number of racist incidents is no longer an isolated local concern but a serious national problem across Scotland. We must stand firm that racism, intimidation and violence have no place in our communities.

“Scotland’s migrant and minority ethnic communities make an immense contribution to our economy, public services and civic life, and they deserve to live and work here in safety.”

Mr Day raised Dr Arshad’s case in a motion before the Scottish Parliament on July 28. The motion highlighted that 3,990 charges relating to race crime were reported in Scotland during 2025-26, an increase of 17 per cent on the previous year and the highest figure recorded since 2013-14.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 8.10pm on Monday, 20 July, 2026 police received a report of a disturbance and a man having been assaulted in the Grahams Road area of Falkirk.

“The victim did not require hospital treatment and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”