It’s 50 years since the intense heat of the 1976 drought hit the UK.

The country’s worst drought for 200 years, and one of the most severe ever, left reservoirs dry, cracked land, and melted tarmac on roads. For 15 consecutive days, temperatures hit 32°C in parts of the country. The record temperature for a June day was equalled, and still stands (for now).

What became known as the “drought of the century” resulted in the UK’s driest 16-month period for more than 200 years.

In that summer of 1976, people struggled to go to work on public transport in searing heat, wildfires sprang up in paper-dry woods and forests, farmers battled to save their harvests , and it was reported that 400 spectators were treated for heat exhaustion at Wimbledon in one day.

Weeks and weeks without rain led to national appeals to save water. An emergency powers bill, announced on July 3 1976, gave the government extra power to ration water use.

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In south-east Wales, Yorkshire and north Devon, people queued for water at standpipes in the street, while other areas experienced interruptions to their water supply. Meanwhile, food prices went up as farmers’ crops and garden vegetables died in the hot weather.

But the public of 1976 learned to cope with these unusual weather conditions, and per-person use of water dropped from an estimated 190 litres per day in 1972 to 95 litres in 1976. This was a generation with direct or family experience of the hardships of the second world war – including following government restrictions on food, clothing and fuel rationing, which finally ended in 1954.

Some of them had also experienced extreme weather in preceding decades, such as the significant droughts of 1949, 1955 and 1959 – as well as the “great freeze” of 1962-3, which caused an estimated 90,000 excess deaths.

These experiences, plus a public that was generally more trusting of government policy, meant compliance with restrictions was high.

What would happen today?

The environment, the economy and society have all changed since 1976. But drought risk is increasing.

The UK’s population has grown from 56.2 million in 1971 to 69.5 million in 2025. By 2021, one in six residents of England and Wales were born outside the UK, an increase of 2.5 million since 2011.

In 1976, 78% of the UK population lived in urban areas, increasing to 83% by 2024 – or from 43.7 million in 1976 to 57.6 million in 2024. This is also a population that experiences less time spent in nature than previous generations.

But compared with 1976, the UK is now more likely to experience higher summer temperatures, protracted heatwaves and drier soils.

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Our array of washing machines, dishwashers, power showers, pressure washers and paddling pools means we have come to expect water to be in our taps, regardless of what is happening to the weather and environment or our rivers.

When taps do not run, there is considerable frustration and anger, as has been experienced in the South East Water region during 2025 and ’26. Importantly for any government struggling to deal with a drought, trust in privatised water companies is low. This follows legal cases over sewage spills, worries about declining water quality, and perceptions of failing regulation.

During the UK’s 2018 heatwave, trust and willingness to act was seen to be dependent on the belief that water companies were also doing their part to reduce water consumption. But a 2023 survey by Ofwat on customer trust in these companies found 47% of respondents felt their water provider put the interests of its shareholders and owners first. Trust fell to the lowest level in a decade.

Around 60% of households now have a water meter, compared with none in 1976. But while smart meters are good at identifying leaks and tracking water use, reports suggest many consumers do not yet check them regularly to reduce use.

Another challenge is how to reach the public with updates and requests to reduce water use. Communicating about a drought is very different to 1976, when news channels were limited to BBC TV and radio, ITV and independent radio and print newspapers.

News is now widely consumed through social media as well as other media channels. But misinformation also spreads quickly through social media.

How can the UK prepare?

In preparing for the next major drought, the first and fundamental change required is to stop thinking of the UK as a wet country. London, with 690mm of annual rainfall, is drier than Rome’s 878mm and Paris’s 720 mm.

We, as consumers, should also start to think about how we do or don’t value water in our everyday actions. It’s important that households understand, and reduce, how much water each uses. If nothing changes, by 2055, the nation will need up to an additional 5 billion litres of water per day.

A 2020 survey found that 46% of respondents believed their household used less than 20 litres a day, while 17% said they consumed between 20 and 39 litres a day, and 15% thought they used 40 to 59 litres. The reality is between 135 and 150 litres per person, per day.

The biggest challenge for any current government and the water sector generally is likely to be gaining public trust in heeding national requests to save water.

New policy proposals for infrastructure investment, improved regulation, greater fairness and enhanced environmental resilience aim to reset confidence in the water sector as a whole. But as water bills rise to pay for this investment, and if issues around water quality and sewage pollution continue, it may not reset the balance of public trust.

Nonetheless, we should all also start to value water more, and use less, in order to adapt to a climate where intense droughts are an increasing risk in the UK.

The popular ITV soaps are often moved, extended or sometimes axed from the schedule due to sport.

They have already been hit with several schedule changes so far in recent weeks due to the competition, and the week ahead will be the same again.

Here’s what the changes are and which episodes the latest TV schedule shakeup affects.

What are the Emmerdale and Corrie schedule changes next week?

Monday (June 22) will see Emmerdale and Corrie air with extended times at 8pm and 9pm respectively, being an hour long each rather than their usual half-hour episodes.

On Tuesday (June 23), both ITV soaps will air at a later time, due to the match between Portugal and Uzbekistan.

Emmerdale will be on from 9pm to 9.30pm, with Coronation Street following from 9.30pm to 10pm.

Neither soap will be on ITV on Wednesday evening (June 24), with Switzerland and Canada taking up the slot that evening.

On Thursday (June 25), both soaps will once again be extended to hour-long episodes, with Emmerdale on at 8pm and then Corrie at 9pm.

Neither soap will air on Friday evening (June 26) due to the World Cup game between Norway and France.

Despite the changes, Emmerdale and Corrie fans will get their two-and-a-half hours of each soap this week, just in a different format.

Emmerdale star to return as new character 9 years later

Emmerdale fans will see a previous Emmerdale star make her return to the show nine years since she was last seen.

Pippa Fulton has previously been seen in the Dales in two different roles in 2014 and 2017.

Now, she is back on the ITV soap once more, this time as a new villainous character.

She will be involved in a story with Lewis Barton (played by Bradley Riches), who will be taken hostage whilst he is on the way to the airport.

The kidnapper will be revealed to be a woman named Kylie (Fulton).

Kylie will abduct Lewis while he’s on his way to the airport, being bundled into the back of a van by masked assailants.

His danger is relayed via text to his brother Ross Barton (Michael Parr), informing him of the kidnapping.

The message warns Lewis is in danger unless his father returns a ‘Penny’ to the kidnapper.

Pippa first appeared in 2014, enjoying a one-night stand with Ross, before returning in 2014 as a customer at Dales business, Take A Vow in 2017.

The actress rose to fame in 2002 on the BBC talent show Fame Academy, where she reached the fourth week of the competition.

She has also appeared in Coronation Street as Aurora, the friend of Steve McDonald’s date.

Do you prefer Emmerdale or Coronation Street? Let us know in the comments.

BANGKOK (AP) — World shares were mixed Friday and U.S. futures declined as optimism over the U.S.-Iran deal to end their war was dimmed by the postponement of high-stakes talks on reopening negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program and getting oil moving through the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. markets will be closed Friday for Juneteenth.

Planned talks in Switzerland between Iran and the United States over their efforts to reach a permanent end to war were delayed, while Israel’s military said its forces struck targets throughout southern Lebanon overnight as Hezbollah reported intense fighting in the area.

“Both sides are trying to show some good faith,” Bas van Geffen of RaboResearch said in a commentary. “But even if the water appears calmer, there is still a strong undertow. The agreement remains fragile on multiple fronts.”

Germany’s DAX rose 0.2% to 25,079.30, while the CAC 40 in Paris was nearly unchanged at 8,467.75. Britain’s FTSE 100 shed 0.2% to 10,376.64.

The futures for the S&P500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average were down 0.2%.

Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 wavered between gains and losses but closed 0.3% higher at a new record of 71,250.06. The government reported that consumer prices excluding volatile fresh foods was unchanged, but analysts said it would likely pick up in coming months despite higher fuel costs.

Higher inflation was a factor driving the Bank of Japan to raise its benchmark interest rate earlier this week to a three-decade high of 1% as it gradually adjusts its policies after years of near-zero or negative rates.

In South Korea, the Kospi lost 0.1% to 9,052.42, just shy of its record set a day earlier. The S&P/ASX 200 in Australia declined 0.9% to 8,828.70, while India’s Sensex lost 0.8%.

Markets in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Taiwan were closed for the Dragon Boat festival.

On Thursday, stocks rose on Wall Street, erasing most of their losses from a day earlier to notch weekly gains thanks to big advances for heavyweight technology companies. The decline on Wednesday was driven by anticipation that the Federal Reserve will likely raise interest rates this year in an effort to fight inflation.

The S&P 500 rose 1.1% and the Dow industrials added 0.1%. The Nasdaq composite surged 1.9%.

On the losing end, SpaceX fell for the second straight day since its big debut on the U.S. stock market last week. The Elon Musk-led rocket maker and AI company was down 3.6% following a 4.9% loss Wednesday.

Oil prices wavered after the United States and Iran signed an agreement to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil tanker traffic. Brent crude, the international standard, spent most of the day lower before settling 0.4% higher at $79.85 per barrel. U.S. benchmark crude fell 0.2% to $75.85 per barrel.

Early Friday, Brent crude was down 0.4% at $79.50 per barrel. U.S. benchmark crude was flat at $75.85 per barrel.

Prices for crude oil are still above roughly $70 per barrel from before the war, but are well below the $100-plus price from a few weeks ago.

Rising energy costs have been putting more pressure on already hot inflation. The average price of gasoline in the U.S. has dipped below $4 a gallon, but is still 25% higher than a year ago. Prices have been rising for a wide range of goods because of higher shipping costs.

The Federal Reserve kept is key interest rate unchanged this week but hotter inflation means it will likely raise rates by the end of the year. Lower interest rates make borrowing easier for businesses and households, spurring growth, but they also tend to stoke inflation.

In other dealings early Friday, the U.S. dollar fell to 161.31 Japanese yen from 161.38 yen. The euro was unchanged at $1.1458.

How I tested the best sensitive skin face sunscreens

The 15 best face sunscreens for sensitive skin to shop now

Should the sun add insult to injury for your dry skin, this Eucerin sunscreen will keep you plenty moisturised under its glare. It’s loaded with hyaluronic acid, which helps to keep your face looking plump and fresh, and won’t leave a white cast. It’s a little thicker than other options, though, so it’s not ideal for those with skin on the oilier side.

Rating:4/5.

Like the Eucerin formula, this scent-free sunscreen applies fairly thick, but it melts into your skin almost immediately. Unlike other pump bottles, this one doesn’t get stuck and has no problem dosing out the perfect amount. As well as being vegan and cruelty-free – and of course filtering out UVA and UVB rays – Green People’s formula also contains key antioxidants to support your skin texture.

Rating:4/5.

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As someone who often gets a rash on her face, I’m a big fan of SOS’ face and body serum for cooling and soothing my skin. This sunscreen feels just as gentle on the face, and while it’s quite oily-feeling on first application, it is barely noticeable on the skin within seconds.

Rating: 4.5/5.

Fresh pharmacy brand Avène has been my go-to for dry, rash-prone skin for most of my life. Shoutout to its Cicalfate range for getting me through some rough years of extremely visible neck eczema. So it’s no surprise, really, that this sunscreen leaves your skin feeling nourished and doesn’t break you out. Be warned, though, some reviewers say it has a slight tinted tinge on darker skin tones.

Rating: 4/5.

Honestly, I’m a sucker for anything cute. I love this round pink packaging, which homes a sweet-smelling watermelon sunscreen. Admittedly, it’s not for everyone, and I was at first suspicious of using a scented sunscreen on sensitive skin, but I haven’t had any problems with it. In fact, it leaves my skin looking glowy (as the brand name suggests) and it’s easy to pick up and chuck in my bag.

Rating: 4.5/5.

This tiny stick is in the running for my favourite sunscreen on the list. Not only is it minuscule – it’s only slightly bigger than an AirPods case – but it’s so invisible, you can barely tell you’ve applied something to your face. While that might be a little offputting for some users, I love that I can just do a quick swipe while I’m out and about without having to think about getting my dirty hands all up in my face. I find that it even mattifies my skin a little, which is much needed when I start sweating profusely the second a hint of moisture hits the air. TBC on how much the product stretches, but I’ll definitely be repurchasing.

Rating: 5/5.

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If you’re not sure about whether you want a thick or a light formula, this Q&A option is the perfect in between. The pump bottle is small enough to fit in your hand luggage, and it delivers a non-greasy sunscreen that is suitable for combination, oily, and dry skin alike. Should you feel dubious towards face moisturisers that claim to contain SPF, this is an ideal formula to wear under makeup as it also hydrates your face and (supposedly) boost collagen, so you look plump and fresh.

Rating: 4.5/5.

When they say silky, they mean silky. There’s really no other way to describe the texture of this cream, which slips and slides over your skin when it’s first applied, before drying to feel glossy and somehow matte. It won’t pill or leave a white cast, making it great to wearing under makeup. You might end up feeling shiny half way through the day, though.

Rating: 4/5.

Forking out £20 on a face sunscreen isn’t everyone’s prerogative, and that’s okay. I’ve relied on this Boots number to keep me burn-free on holidays for years. It has a nice sheen to it, is small enough to fit in your carry-on and, more importantly, won’t break you out.

Rating:3.5/5.

“Years ago, I went to a dermatologist to find out once and for all which products could save my “problem” skin. She recommended La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios SPF 50, which I’ve never parted from since. It’s super-lightweight, it doesn’t make me break out, it sinks in quickly, and (most importantly) it consistently safeguards my very sun-sensitive skin. Its fragrance-free formula and broad-spectrum coverage means it’s ideal for anyone who wants high-strength protection with zero irritation — and who doesn’t?“ – HuffPost lifestyle writer, Amy Glover.

Rating: 5/5.

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For even more of a budget option, this Superdrug ‘face fluid’ is half the price of the Boots formula, for the same volume. It’s slightly more greasy when it hits your skin, but sinks in quickly. It does pill quite easily, though, so may be best reserved for when you’re bare-faced on a beach.

Rating: 3/5.

Call me vain, but I love how my skin looks with this sunscreen on. Plump, hydrated, and glowy as hell. The formula feels creamy when you put it on, so you know the areas you’ve applied it to (that’s none of my business to remember off the top of my head). Fine, K beauty knows its stuff.

Rating: 5/5.

Yet another example of K beauty killing it, this spreadable formula is almost completely transparent. If you tend to get any unwanted redness with SPF, that’ll completely disappear with this sunscreen, which is packed with green tea extract to reduce just that. It’s also blended with PDRN (AKA salmon DNA) to improve your skin elasticity and centella to soothe irritation. Once again, full marks.

Rating: 5/5.

Unfortunately after testing these products I’m going to have to take back my initial suspicion of Korean skincare. This dewy serum is designed to sit under moisturiser, and truly makes my skin look like I’ve had some kind of injectable done immediately after putting it on. Of all the formulas on this list, this one makes the best combo for face makeup.

Rating: 4.5/5.

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Maybe I’m lazy, but anything that comes in a stick formula is automatically irresistible. Or maybe it’s just that every time I think about trying to put sunscreen on at the beach, I have a full-body reaction. Attitude has created a mineral sunscreen stick that would be great for kids and adults alike, thanks to providing UVB and UVA protection and going on in less than a few seconds. It feels a little waxy on the skin, but not in an awful way, and it means you can trust it’s there.

Rating: 4.5/5.

Iran has insisted that a ceasefire in Lebanon is necessary for talks to continue, according to a Hezbollah MP.

Israel and Lebanese militia Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire, according to a US official.

The two countries are said to have agreed to a truce which the official said came into effect at 2pm UK time (4pm local time) today.

There has not yet been any confirmation from Israel or Hezbollah on the ceasefire.

Previous ceasefires between both sides, struck at multiple points during the war, have not lasted, however.

A comprehensive ceasefire was supposed to apply from today “on all fronts” of the Iran war, including Lebanon, according to the framework deal struck by the US and Iran.

However Israel has attacked areas in Lebanon’s south overnight, saying it killed “dozens of Hezbollah terrorists”.

Lebanese officials said that women and children were among those killed.

Benjamin Netanyahu framed this as a response to Hezbollah attacks that killed four Israeli soldiers.

This morning Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported at least 16 people were killed in Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon as Hezbollah reported intense fighting in the area.

Meanwhile, Israel said four of its soldiers had been killed in fighting in southern Lebanon, including a lieutenant colonel.

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