# consumer affairs (news sources) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 1 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover consumer affairs. Page: Feed: --- ## [Iran-linked hackers blamed for cyber-attack that shut down UK power plant](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/23/iran-linked-hackers-blamed-cyber-attack-british-power-plant) _2026-08-23 · Ben Quinn Political correspondent · UK news | The Guardian_ Incident marks apparent escalation by Tehran in its in retaliation against UK over allowing US to use British bases Hackers linked to Iran have been blamed for a cyber-attack that caused a British power plant to be temporarily shut down. The incident involved a small-scale energy generator, according to the UK government and at no point was there there risk to the wider energy system. Continue… ## [‘The line’s running half-empty’: Llanwern steelworks feels the heat from cheap steel imports](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/aug/23/llanwern-steelworks-cheap-steel-imports) _2026-08-23 · Alex Daniel · UK news | The Guardian_ New quotas to protect UK firms and jobs appear to be having opposite effect in products such as galvanised steel At Tata Steel’s factory in Llanwern, south Wales, production lines that should be running full-time are now falling quiet for parts of the day, with workers being put on to maintenance and cleaning work while machines sit idle. There aren’t enough orders to keep them running all the… ## [‘These were brave officers’: tributes paid to police among seven killed in A66 crash](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/aug/23/tributes-paid-cleveland-police-killed-a66-crash-south-bank) _2026-08-23 · Mark Brown North of England correspondent · UK news | The Guardian_ Redcar MP says Teesside community is ‘reeling’ as PM offers condolences and asks public to avoid speculation Tributes are being paid to two police officers who died on Teesside when a car travelling the wrong way along the A66 crashed head-on into their vehicle, also killing five young men. PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, were killed when the marked armed response vehicle they were… ## [Mayors to get new powers over planning decisions under Burnham proposals](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/aug/23/burnham-expected-to-give-mayors-new-powers-over-local-planning-decisions) _2026-08-23 · Nadeem Badshah and Kiran Stacey · UK news | The Guardian_ Move would allow mayors to greenlight large-scale developments and have more say on national housing funding Andy Burnham will give mayors new powers to take control of local planning decisions and greenlight large-scale developments in proposals to be presented next week. The move will allow mayors to “call in” the decisions and direct councils to take them forward or refuse them. They will also… ## [‘Pretty shambolic’: new EU border checks cause stress for UK travellers](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/aug/23/new-eu-border-checks-ees-uk-travellers-visa-queues) _2026-08-23 · Jane Clinton and Rosie Peters-McDonald · UK news | The Guardian_ Britons report that EES digital entry and exit system has led to frustration, visa mix-ups and long queues On top of fears about extreme heat and possible jet fuel shortages , Britons planning summer holidays in the EU this year had another thing to worry about – long queues and waiting times caused by the bloc’s new border checks. The EU digital entry and exit system (EES) , which requires non-EU… ## [London’s low emission zone is working – so why are cities around the world so cautious about clean air?](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/23/london-low-emission-zone-working-other-cities-cautious-clean-air) _2026-08-23 · Fiona Harvey Environment editor · UK news | The Guardian_ Similar initiatives have been launched from Barcelona to Bogotá, but they have misinformation, political pressure and vested interests stacked against them Ten years ago, Alastair Harper was an advocate for young people’s health sitting in a stuffy meeting room in London planning an air pollution campaign. “My phone started buzzing,” he said. “I took the call, and then told the room I needed to… ## [UK orders reviews of franchising sector after Vodafone allegations](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/aug/23/uk-review-franchising-sector-vodafone-allegations-adrian-howe) _2026-08-23 · Simon Goodley · UK news | The Guardian_ Two studies will be used to shape government policy amid claims about a former franchisee who took his own life Ministers have commissioned a pair of in-depth reports into how franchising businesses are policed in the UK, as the government considers introducing new laws after high-profile allegations about conduct in the sector. The action follows a Guardian investigation last December , which… ## [First Bus bans under-16s in Stoke-on-Trent travelling alone after 6pm after disorder](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/aug/23/first-bus-bans-under-16s-in-stoke-on-trent-travelling-alone-after-6pm-after-disorder) _2026-08-23 · Donna Ferguson · UK news | The Guardian_ Company says decision comes after spate of antisocial behaviour since free travel scheme was introduced For some, it is a quotidian nuisance that inevitably occurs when you are in the vicinity of teenagers. For others, it is an expression of modern-day lawlessness among young people. Whatever view you take, antisocial behaviour on public transport has become a hot debate – and with the… ## [Nine out of 10 unsolved murders in London linked to minority ethnic victims](https://www.theguardian.com/law/2026/aug/23/nine-out-of-10-unsolved-murders-in-london-linked-to-non-white-victims) _2026-08-23 · Vikram Dodd Police and crime corespondent · UK news | The Guardian_ Exclusive: Analysis risks deepening perception of ‘unequal protection under the law’, say campaigners Killers who take the lives of black people have a greater chance of getting away with their crimes than those who target white people, new research shows. Analysis of unsolved homicides in London between 2019 to 2023 reveals a stark disparity: minority ethnic British people represented 61.7% of… ## [Onshore windfarm applications hit 10-year high in England](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/23/onshore-windfarm-applications-10-year-high-england) _2026-08-23 · Jillian Ambrose and Alex Clark · UK news | The Guardian_ Surge in proposals follows Labour’s lifting of de facto ban, with about 45 plans submitted in the year to March Plans for new onshore windfarms in England have reached their highest annual level in a decade, after the government overturned the Conservatives’ de facto ban in 2015. About 45 applications for new onshore windfarms were submitted in the year to March,according to a Guardian analysis of… ## [Play Both Sides Of The Lie (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/DhD5xGUmxlnS) _2026-08-23 · **Sponsored**_ Two operatives, one manufactured war — uncover the Complete Truth after both campaigns. ## [Heathrow expansion ‘is threat to England’s largest surviving medieval barn’](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/23/heathrow-expansion-is-threat-to-englands-largest-surviving-medieval-barn) _2026-08-23 · Dalya Alberge · UK news | The Guardian_ Exclusive: campaigners warn 600-year-old New Barn at Harmondsworth could be ‘shaken to pieces’ by vibrations Six hundred years after it was built, England’s largest surviving medieval timber-framed barn could now be “shaken to pieces” by aircraft vibrations, campaigners warn. The public has until 1 September to submit objections to the Heathrow airport expansion, which could threaten the survival… ## [Meghan’s casting in The Gentlemen reportedly withdrawn](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/aug/22/meghan-markles-casting-in-the-gentlemen-reportedly-withdrawn-after-uk-backlash) _2026-08-22 · Nadeem Badshah · UK news | The Guardian_ Duchess of Sussex was believed to have been under consideration for season three of Guy Ritchie’s crime caper The Duchess of Sussex’s reported casting in Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen has been withdrawn, it was reported. Tina Brown, the former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair and the New Yorker, wrote on Saturday: “I learned this morning that the casting of Meghan Markle in season 3 of Guy Ritchie’s… ## [Badenoch says Reform defectors ‘some of the most dishonest people I have met’](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/aug/22/kemi-badenoch-says-reform-defectors-some-of-the-most-dishonest-people-i-have-met) _2026-08-22 · Geneva Abdul · UK news | The Guardian_ Tory leader rules out coalition with Farage’s party and says ‘drama queens’ who left will not be welcomed back Kemi Badenoch has called defectors who left for Reform “some of the most dishonest people” she has ever met, as she ruled out allowing “drama queens” to return to the party. Speaking at the Edinburgh festival fringe, the Conservative party leader again ruled out any prospect of an… ## [Thousands of sex offenders in England and Wales could get libido-suppressing drugs](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/aug/22/sex-offenders-libido-control-drugs-prisons-england-wales) _2026-08-22 · Rajeev Syal Home affairs editor · UK news | The Guardian_ Exclusive: Voluntary use of sex drive-suppressing medication to expand to 20 prisons and expert says it could be rolled out widely by late 2028 Chemical suppression: why the UK is exploring libido control drugs to treat sex offenders Drugs that help control the libidos of people who have committed sexual offences could be rolled out for thousands of male prisoners in England and Wales from… ## [Chemical suppression: why the UK is exploring libido control drugs to treat sex offenders](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/aug/22/chemical-suppression-why-the-uk-is-exploring-libido-control-drugs-to-treat-sex-offenders) _2026-08-22 · Rajeev Syal and Faisa Mohamed · UK news | The Guardian_ Treatment is already required by parole boards in several countries, but some feel the practice is unethical Thousands of sex offenders in England and Wales could get libido-suppressing drugs For some prisoners with problematic sexual arousal (PSA), “images of sex flood their minds” all of their waking hours, according to Prof Belinda Winder, a leading forensic psychologist who has evaluated the… ## [Abusers coercing or duping women to post explicit OnlyFans content, UK court cases reveal](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/aug/22/two-uk-men-convicted-explicit-content-onlyfans-without-consent) _2026-08-22 · Amelia Gentleman · UK news | The Guardian_ Separate criminal convictions come as domestic violence charities warn of tech-facilitated abuse and coercion Two men have been convicted this week in separate criminal cases that revealed they had posted explicit content on OnlyFans without the full consent of the women whose images were uploaded. In the first case, Alexander Tang, 37, took and uploaded 47 intimate images and four videos of a… ## [‘Penchant for bling’: can Sports Direct’s Mike Ashley take a bigger slice of luxury retail?](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/aug/22/mike-ashley-sports-direct-luxury-frasers-group-harvey-nichols-hugo-boss) _2026-08-22 · Sarah Butler · UK news | The Guardian_ Frasers billionaire bought Harvey Nichols and increased Hugo Boss stake despite tough times for high-end stores What billionaire doesn’t love to splash the cash on a luxury item? Some may buy watches or yachts, but Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley has been snapping up entire brands. Harvey Nichols is the latest bauble to drop into his shopping basket after his company bought the Knightsbridge… ## [‘Multiple’ people die in crash involving police vehicle and car in North Yorkshire](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/aug/22/people-die-in-crash-involving-police-vehicle-and-car-in-north-yorkshire) _2026-08-22 · Geneva Abdul · UK news | The Guardian_ A66 remains closed near Middlesbrough after 14 ambulances attend scene early on Saturday morning The police regulator has launched an investigation after ‘multiple people’ died in a collision involving a police vehicle near Middlesbrough. A number of people were killed in the crash on the A66 in South Bank, North Yorkshire, in the early hours of Saturday morning, according to local authorities.… ## [Former British and French diplomats urge action over Israel’s ‘erasure’ of Palestine](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/22/uk-france-diplomats-israel-palestine) _2026-08-22 · Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor · UK news | The Guardian_ In letter to Macron and Burnham, more than 100 senior figures accuse Israel of ethnic cleansing and call for measures including trade ban More than 100 French and British former diplomats have said Palestine is being erased in front of the world’s eyes and called for urgent action including trade and arms sales bans to press Israel to accept a Palestinian state. An unprecedented joint letter… ## [‘It brings me joy’: how young people are making CDs cool again](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/aug/22/young-people-buying-all-in-one-cd-players) _2026-08-22 · Lauren Cochrane · UK news | The Guardian_ Compact discs are back, with searches for players up 96% at John Lewis and popular models sold out online With more than 800 million people subscribing to a music streaming service, wireless speakers have become a familiar sight in homes. But expect to get reacquainted with a different object to play music soon: the CD player, once consigned to obsolescence, is back. John Lewis report that… ## [From any door to your door (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/ZjnBI4r0oCXd) _2026-08-22 · **Sponsored**_ Book rides, errands, deliveries, groceries and home help in one app ## [Unions worry Labour’s plan for zero-hours contracts may break manifesto pledge](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/aug/22/unions-worry-labours-plan-for-zero-hours-contracts-may-break-manifesto-pledge) _2026-08-22 · Heather Stewart Economics editor · UK news | The Guardian_ Leaders claim scaremongering from business figures may cause key legislation to become ‘meaningless’ Trades unions are warning Andy Burnham that Labour’s policy on cutting zero-hours contracts risks failing to live up to the party’s manifesto. Union leaders are seeking reassurances from the business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, amid what the TUC has condemned as “scaremongering” from business… ## [Battery fires at recycling centres are costing UK £1bn a year, figures show](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/22/lithium-battery-fires-waste-recycling-centres-vapes-uk) _2026-08-22 · Matthew Weaver · UK news | The Guardian_ Experts say fires caused by wrongly discarded lithium batteries, such as those in vapes, are putting lives at risk Fires at recycling centres caused by wrongly discarded lithium batteries such as those found in vapes are occurring at the rate of more than 10 a week, according to new figures. Experts say the sheer volume of battery fires now occurring at waste facilities has reached a crisis that… ## [‘We fear lessons will not be learned’: Chloe Moffat’s parents on their fight to hold Treasury to account](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/aug/22/chloe-moffat-parents-treasury-death) _2026-08-22 · Helena Horton · UK news | The Guardian_ Couple considering suing for wrongful death after coroner found disciplinary process materially contributed to suicide When a coroner ruled this month that the Treasury “materially contributed” to Chloe Moffat’s death , her parents breathed out in bittersweet relief. For a year, David and Anne Moffat had been forced to become detectives in the worst case any parent could have to solve: why their… ## [Premium bonds: more chance of win as NS&I ups prize fund rate again](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/aug/22/premium-bonds-chance-odds-win-nsi-ups-prize-fund) _2026-08-22 · Rupert Jones · UK news | The Guardian_ Savings bank estimates there will be 308,000 more prizes available in September draw than the month before Premium bond holders will have more chances of winning prizes after changes announced this week. From September there will be more prizes up for grabs for the 22 million people who hold the government-backed savings bonds. Continue reading... ## [Girl, 6, dies three days after Shoreham sea incident that killed parents and sister](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/aug/21/girl-six-dies-three-days-after-being-pulled-from-sea-off-sussex-coast) _2026-08-21 · Harry Cockburn · UK news | The Guardian_ Saja El-Khawas had been in critical condition after being pulled from sea in West Sussex A six-year-old girl has died in hospital three days after being pulled from the sea off Shoreham in West Sussex, in an incident that also killed her mother, father and sister. Saja El-Khawas died on Friday after the deaths of her sister Sara El-Khawas, 14, and her parents Hassan El-Khawas, 55, and Zeina Alayn,… ## [Deselected candidate claims Lib Dems’ religious discrimination cost him £790,000](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/aug/21/deselected-candidate-claims-lib-dems-religious-discrimination-cost-him-790000) _2026-08-21 · Aletha Adu Political correspondent · UK news | The Guardian_ David Campanale seeks damages after what he says was organised campaign against his faith in Sutton and Cheam How much is a career in politics worth? The Liberal Democrats, despite admitting claims of religious discrimination, say about £22,800. A former Lib Dem candidate claims £790,000. It is a question before the Central London county court after David Campanale argued that discrimination… ## [Britain’s railway prepares for more extreme weather as intense El Niño develops](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/21/britains-railway-prepares-for-more-extreme-weather-as-intense-el-nino-develops) _2026-08-21 · Priya Bharadia · UK news | The Guardian_ Experts say more must be done to adapt to changing climate, after two trains derailed within 24 hours during a recent heatwave Railway companies are racing to prepare for another brutal summer next year, as a developing El Niño could see 2027 break more heat-related records. Britain’s railway system has already been under stress from extreme heat this summer, with several operators reducing… ## [MPs ‘failing to learn lesson’ over freebies after accepting £400,000 of hospitality](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/aug/21/mps-failing-to-learn-lesson-over-freebies-after-accepting-400000-of-hospitality) _2026-08-21 · Rowena Mason Whitehall editor · UK news | The Guardian_ MPs receive Harry Styles concert tickets worth £858, Chelsea flower show tickets worth £1,839, and £3,432 of hospitality at Brit awards MPs have been accused of failing to learn their lesson over freebies after taking almost £400,000 of hospitality to concerts, sport matches and other events this year, with Louise Haigh, Lucy Powell and Wes Streeting among those accepting tickets. Despite the… ## [Firebombs thrown at supercars outside Birmingham wedding venue](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/aug/21/firebombs-supercars-birmingham-wedding-venue) _2026-08-21 · Matthew Weaver · UK news | The Guardian_ Police investigating after two cars set alight in attack caught on CCTV Firebombs were thrown at supercars outside a wedding venue in Birmingham, setting two alight and prompting guests to sprint out of the building. West Midlands police said they were investigating the incident, which happened in the Sparkbrook area of Birmingham at around 8.30pm on Wednesday. Continue reading... ## [‘Shameful’: UK, Australia and Canada criticise Israel over Gaza aid convoy killings decision](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/21/uk-australia-canada-criticise-israel-gaza-aid-convoy-killings-decision) _2026-08-21 · Jason Burke · UK news | The Guardian_ Joint statement issued after IDF said it will not pursue criminal investigations into April 2024 strike that killed seven humanitarian workers Britain, Australia and Canada have called the decision of the Israeli military authorities not to open a criminal investigation into the April 2024 airstrikes that hit a convoy of aid vehicles in Gaza “shameful”. The strikes killed seven humanitarian… ## [Stream Torrents and IPTV Instantly (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/Tq8w4zXXr6ZS) _2026-08-21 · **Sponsored**_ Search, index, and play music, movies, books, and live TV in your browser. ## [Palestine Action ‘Barclays five’ will not be sentenced as terrorists](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/aug/21/palestine-action-barclays-five-will-not-be-sentenced-as-terrorists) _2026-08-21 · Raphael Boyd · UK news | The Guardian_ Activists who targeted bank in Burnley were found guilty in June of causing damage exceeding £200,000 Five Palestine Action activists who vandalised a Barclays branch in Burnley will not be sentenced as terrorists, a judge has ruled. Dubbed the Barclays five, Brendon O’Hagan, 28; Amanda Kelly, 31; Hmeera Atiqnisar, 31; Mohammed Malik, 28; and Alma Yaniv, 70, were all found guilty in June of… ## [Airbus bows to remote working demands after series of strikes](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/aug/21/airbus-bows-remote-working-strikes) _2026-08-21 · Kalyeena Makortoff and agencies · UK news | The Guardian_ Aeroplane maker said to have watered down plans to restrict working from home to one day a week Airbus has bowed to employee demands on remote working, after a series of strikes over its chief executive’s return-to-the office orders. The world’s largest aeroplane maker is said to have watered down plans to restrict remote working to one day a week from September. At present, staff are able to work… ## [‘We’re not remotely prepared’: Labour MPs fear party has gone soft on climate crisis](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/21/labour-mps-fear-party-gone-soft-climate-crisis-andy-burnham) _2026-08-21 · Aletha Adu and Kiran Stacey · UK news | The Guardian_ Polls suggest growing scepticism around net zero, with politicians uncertain how to proceed UK politics live – latest updates Britain has experienced a summer of record-breaking wildfires, deadly heat and drought, with almost 2,900 heat-associated deaths recorded in England during May and June alone. Homes have been destroyed by fires in the West Midlands , and deadly wildfires have swept across… ## [Meghan as the next Bond? Five roles that almost certainly don’t lie behind UK return](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/aug/21/meghan-markle-james-bond-five-roles-may-lie-behind-uk-return) _2026-08-21 · Esther Addley · UK news | The Guardian_ Reports say Duke and Duchess of Sussex may have returned to Britain due to ‘top secret’ acting role for Meghan – we try to guess what it might be In 2022, two years after she and Prince Harry bolted to California in an unhappy exit from the royal family, the Duchess of Sussex was asked if she could foresee a return to acting. “No, I’m done,” she told Variety magazine . “I guess never say never,… ## [Burnham to chair growth meeting call at No 10 North – UK politics live](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/aug/21/andy-burnham-growth-labour-john-healey-uk-politics-latest-news-updates) _2026-08-21 · Tom Ambrose · UK news | The Guardian_ PM will work alongside chancellor John Healey, Lou Haigh, Angela Rayner and Sally Jameson with regional mayors expected to be involved The head of the foreign affairs select committee has urged the government to introduce a ban on goods from the occupied West Bank amid rising settler violence. Emily Thornberry said a ban would help shore up the change of a two-state solution for Israel and… ## [Proposed London datacentre will have annual carbon footprint of 27,000 flights to New York](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/aug/21/proposed-london-datacentre-will-have-annual-carbon-footprint-of-27000-flights-to-new-york) _2026-08-21 · Matthew Pearce · UK news | The Guardian_ Exclusive: Planning documents show datacentre in north Ockendon will be incompatible with UK net zero targets A “hyperscale” datacentre in outer London would generate more than 1m tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, equivalent to the carbon footprint of 27,000 flights from London to New York, planning documents show. The East Havering Data Centre Campus (EHDCC) in north Ockendon would be one of the… ## [We would like to speak to people who have been homeless in England about what helped them off the streets](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/aug/21/we-would-like-to-speak-to-people-who-have-been-homeless-in-england-about-what-helped-them-off-the-streets) _2026-08-21 · Guardian community team · UK news | The Guardian_ Was it a government initiative or help from a charity? Or perhaps the support of friends and/or family? Andy Burnham has called on local leaders to offer all rough sleepers in England a route off the streets by Christmas , as he pledges another £100m to end street homelessness. The prime minister has promised he will mount a Covid-style campaign to get everyone off the streets this winter, arguing… ## [See the Light: Tracey Emin and Steve McQueen illuminate Durham gallery’s revival](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2026/aug/21/durham-art-gallery-opens-with-works-by-tracey-emin-and-steve-mcqueen) _2026-08-21 · Mark Brown North of England correspondent · UK news | The Guardian_ Art of international significance planned for £17m redevelopment of museum whose closure sparked uproar Works by Tracey Emin, Steve McQueen and Olafur Eliasson have gone on display at a new contemporary art gallery and museum in north-east England which aims to show works of international significance. The Light is a £17m redevelopment of a museum in Durham that closed 10 years ago to local… ## [Retail sales in Great Britain fall despite heatwave increasing food and drink demand](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/aug/21/retail-sales-in-great-britain-fall-despite-heatwave-increasing-food-and-drink-demand) _2026-08-21 · Kalyeena Makortoff · UK news | The Guardian_ Volume of goods sold in stores and online dropped 0.5% in July, ONS says Business live – latest updates Retail sales across Great Britain weakened last month despite the men’s football World Cup and record temperatures boosting the demand for food and drink. The Office for National Statistics said the volume of goods sold in stores and online fell 0.5% in July. That is down from 0.7% rise in June… ## [Footage shows clash with French police on beach as dinghy tries to leave for UK](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/aug/21/footage-french-police-clashing-people-beach-small-boats) _2026-08-21 · Rajeev Syal Home affairs editor · UK news | The Guardian_ Film emerges as France says it has stopped 185 small boat ‘events’ in three months since new £660m deal with UK Footage has captured the moment French police officers clashed with people on a beach in northern France as the authorities tried to intercept a dinghy attempting to reach the UK. Men wearing lifejackets appear to throw objects at the police to try to keep them away from their dinghy.… ## [UK reports unexpected deficit of £1.8bn as John Healey prepares for first budget](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/aug/21/uk-unexpected-deficit-john-healey-prepares-for-first-budget) _2026-08-21 · Heather Stewart Economics editor · UK news | The Guardian_ July data shows total public debt was £2.98tn, or 94% of GDP – up £96bn on a year earlier Business live – latest updates The UK government ran a larger than expected £1.8bn deficit in July, underlining the challenges facing the chancellor, John Healey, as he draws up his first budget. City economists had expected a shortfall of zero for July, a month when Treasury receipts tend to be swollen by… ## [UK men with heart disease at higher risk of developing and dying from cancer](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/aug/21/uk-men-heart-disease-higher-cancer-risk) _2026-08-21 · Andrew Gregory Health editor · UK news | The Guardian_ Decade-long study finds stark gender difference in outcomes of people with heart disease Millions of men with heart disease have a higher risk of developing and dying from cancer, according to a decades-long study. The biggest drivers behind male cases were smoking, obesity and drinking too much alcohol, researchers said, with the link most pronounced in lung and oesophageal cancers. Continue… ## [Back on track: can Burnham fix the north’s woeful rail services?](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/aug/21/back-on-track-can-burnham-fix-the-norths-woeful-rail-services) _2026-08-21 · Gwyn Topham Transport correspondent · UK news | The Guardian_ From a new high-speed line to better intercity links, the PM has a chance to tackle problems he criticised as Manchester mayor For passenger rail travel, the north of England was the future, once. But since that first train from Darlington to Stockton in 1825, many have felt short-changed. As one angry passenger put it, 200 years later: “What is it about the rail industry which makes them think… ## [Rewilded land remains green amid drought-stricken English countryside, images show](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/21/somerset-rewilding-holnicote-estate-wetlands-rivers-resilience) _2026-08-21 · Sandra Laville · UK news | The Guardian_ National Trust’s Holnicote estate says restored wetlands and rivers offer proof of resilience to drought, wildfires and flooding Aerial footage of an estate in Somerset has revealed the benefits of rewilding land in the face of extreme weather brought about by the climate crisis. The area of the National Trust’s Holnicote estate where rivers have been returned to their natural courses and wetlands… ## [Burnham announces plans to clean up illegal waste dumps – UK politics live](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/aug/20/andy-burnham-illegal-waste-dumps-labour-reform-conservatives-latest-news-updates) _2026-08-20 · Tom Ambrose · UK news | The Guardian_ The prime minister has promised a crackdown on criminal gangs making money from dumping waste A former archbishop of Canterbury has accused Nigel Farage of misusing the UK’s Christianity “to channel anti-Muslim feeling” and said he also had “some awkward questions” for the far-right activist Tommy Robinson . Dr Rowan Williams , who was the archbishop of Canterbury for 10 years until 2012, said… ## [GCSE results: hundreds of thousands of pupils across England, Wales and Northern Ireland receive grades – latest updates](https://www.theguardian.com/education/live/2026/aug/20/gcse-results-exams-schools-education-england-wales-northern-ireland-live-latest-updates) _2026-08-20 · Taz Ali (now) and Mabel Banfield-Nwachi (earlier) · UK news | The Guardian_ Education secretary says the government is looking at changing the resits policy in England Compulsory GCSE resits in England harm teenagers’ mental wellbeing, study finds Myles McGinley, managing director of the Cambridge OCR exam board, said more pupils are taking GCSE business studies than in previous years, describing this generation of young people as “increasingly entrepreneurial”. He said… ## [Sales of trainers dive as cost of living pressures hit JD Sports performance](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/aug/20/trainers-sales-dive-cost-of-living-inflation-jd-sports) _2026-08-20 · Kalyeena Makortoff · UK news | The Guardian_ Inflation deterring shoppers from spending, especially in the US, says sportswear fashion chain Sports fashion retailer JD has slashed its profit forecasts as cost-of-living pressures, fuelled by the US war on Iran, weighed on sales of trainers. JD Sports, which sells a range of sports brands including Nike and Adidas, said widespread inflation had hit shoppers’ wallets, resulting in falling sales… ## [GCSE results: almost one in four boys in England get top grades in maths](https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/aug/20/gcse-results-almost-one-in-four-boys-in-england-get-top-grades-in-maths) _2026-08-20 · Richard Adams and Sally Weale · UK news | The Guardian_ Overall results slightly better than last year, with share receiving grades 7, 8 and 9 rising by 0.1 of a percentage point to 23.1% GCSE results – latest updates Almost one in four boys in England received top grades in maths while results in English improved across the board, helping to propel improved GCSE results for this year’s cohort of 16-year-olds. The stronger performances in maths helped… ## [Prince Harry and Meghan moving back to Britain this month](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/aug/19/prince-harry-and-meghan-moving-back-to-britain-this-month) _2026-08-20 · Caroline Davies and Nadeem Badshah · UK news | The Guardian_ Duke and Duchess of Sussex intend to relocate from US, with children to start British school in September Harry and Meghan: the key moments, conflicts and controversies since their US move The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are planning to return to live in Britain, six years after leaving for the US, it is understood. The couple and their two children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet,… ## [Travelodge boss quits amid fallout over hotel chain’s security failings](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/aug/20/travelodge-boss-quits-amid-fallout-over-hotel-chains-security-failings) _2026-08-20 · Kalyeena Makortoff · UK news | The Guardian_ Joanna Boydell steps down after widespread criticism over company’s handling of guest safety issues The boss of Travelodge has resigned after widespread criticism of her handling of security failings at the hotel chain, including a shocking case where a domestic abuser was given a key to a woman’s room before assaulting her. In a brief company statement on Thursday, Travelodge said Joanna Boydell…