A new report by Solar Power Europe shows that a surge in solar power has saved the EU €37.4 billion following rising gas prices caused by the war on Iran. Solar became the EU's largest single source of electricity in June, supplying 25% of the bloc's power. Despite renewable growth, Europe still faces challenges in reducing its reliance on gas due to fluctuations in hydro and wind generation.
Summary headline: How solar power saved the EU €37.4 billion amid fossil fuel price volatility
According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), a fraudster jailed for fabricating home insurance claims about stolen Lego sets has been named among last year's most high-profile insurance scammers. Figures show that while the number of detected fraudulent claims fell slightly to 93,900, the total value of fraudulent claims increased by 14% to £1.34bn, with an average value of £14,300 per claim.
Summary headline: Lego fraudster highlighted among high-profile insurance scammers as fraud values rise
Plans are progressing to establish a new medical school, potentially based at Teesside University by next September, aimed at offering healthcare career opportunities to students from less privileged backgrounds. Local medical professionals and students have welcomed the initiative, highlighting the importance of investing in local talent, though a board meeting report noted concerns that government funding for underprivileged students has not yet been secured.
Summary headline: Teesside medical school proposals aim to inspire local students and healthcare talent
Residents in Bedford have expressed frustration after a water leak on Manton Lane remained unfixed for weeks during a drought and hosepipe ban. Locals criticised the waste of water, describing the leak as a fountain or waterfall. Anglian Water stated that it was a complex repair requiring specialist equipment to be manufactured, and confirmed that a team was scheduled to begin the work.
Summary headline: Residents frustrated by unresolved roadside water leak in Bedford during drought
Stanwick Lakes nature reserve in Northamptonshire is preparing to fire up its newly built, full-scale replica Roman pottery kiln for the first time. Created alongside archaeologist Derek Roberts using local evidence from the Nene Valley, the project is part of the 'From Iron to Empire' initiative. Alongside the kiln launch, a new wooden jetty has been constructed at the site's Bronze Age boat yard, with both projects being showcased during a special Heritage Build Weekend featuring re-enactments, crafts, and bronze casting.
Summary headline: Stanwick Lakes prepares to fire replica Roman pottery kiln built by volunteers
Magistrates have issued three-month closure orders on two convenience stores in north Liverpool following investigations by Liverpool Council's Trading Standards teams. A shop on Utting Avenue was shut down over underage vape sales and illegal tobacco, while a similar order was issued for Old Swan Off Licence on Prescot Road. Both stores now face potential revocation of their premises licences.
Summary headline: Two Liverpool shops hit with three-month closure orders after Trading Standards investigations
A fleet of 193 fully electric double-decker buses for West Yorkshire's publicly controlled Weaver Network is currently being manufactured at a factory in Ballymena. Funded by a £100m Department for Transport grant, the buses will feature custom local fabrics and are set to operate in parts of Leeds and Kirklees from next year as part of the region's bus franchising rollout led by Mayor Tracy Brabin.
Summary headline: West Yorkshire's new Weaver Network electric buses take shape in factory
Documents obtained by investigative journalists suggest that the Stanlow oil refinery in Cheshire, operated by EET Fuels, broke pollution limits on numerous occasions during 2023 and 2024. The Environment Agency confirmed it is investigating permit breaches involving toxic chemicals and oil spills affecting local waterways and the Mersey Estuary, while EET Fuels stated it takes its environmental responsibilities seriously and has invested heavily in wastewater infrastructure.
A review of Jersey's taxi service regulations has begun, with Infrastructure Minister Deputy Jonathan Renouf describing the current system as 'overly complex' and lacking transparency. The review follows questions from Deputy Samantha Gleave regarding how rules might be simplified to reduce costs, improve flexibility, and support the night-time economy while ensuring drivers can still make a living.
Summary headline: Review launched into Jersey's complex taxi service regulations
An electric vehicle owner in Hull has spoken out about the difficulties of charging without a driveway, admitting he runs a cable across the pavement overnight despite it being illegal. Hull City Council stated that placing wires across a public highway without consent is prohibited due to potential trip hazards, though the authority is developing a cross-pavement charging policy and has received over £2.8m from the LEVI fund to improve residential charging infrastructure.
Summary headline: Hull EV driver describes on-street charging access as a postcode lottery
Three Rivers District Council is installing permanent fencing and carrying out remediation works at Rickmansworth Aquadrome in Hertfordshire to protect visitors from buried asbestos. Small sections of the wet woodland and picnic area will be permanently closed off to the public following surveys that revealed asbestos materials at the site, which originated from gravel removal in the 1920s.
Summary headline: Permanent fencing to be installed at Rickmansworth Aquadrome to protect visitors from buried asbestos
Pat and Dave Hughes, a couple living at St Joseph's Hospice in Thornton, Sefton, have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary after 60 years of marriage. Married in October 1966, the couple share a large family and received a personal message from the King and Queen Camilla. They noted that their only major disagreement stems from supporting opposing Merseyside football clubs, Liverpool and Everton.
Summary headline: Couple celebrate diamond wedding anniversary after 60 years divided by football
Ten mental health trusts have been reported to the Care Quality Commission by NHS England following issues with patient consent procedures when using camera and infrared monitoring technology, such as Oxevision. The matter emerged during the Lampard Inquiry, which is investigating deaths in Essex mental health units.
Summary headline: Ten NHS trusts referred to regulator over patient monitoring consent issues
Residents in Colchester are being given a final opportunity to provide feedback on a draft local plan outlining where 22,000 new homes should be built between 2026 and 2043 to meet government targets.
Summary headline: Colchester residents invited to shape new 22,000-homes local plan
Residents in Ninefields, Waltham Abbey, have raised concerns about speeding drivers after a car crashed into a house, causing it to partially collapse. A man inside the property was rescued by firefighters via a ladder. Essex Highways data shows six collisions on the road in the last five years. An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drink or drugs, and has since been released on police bail.
Summary headline: Residents in Waltham Abbey say drivers are 'dicing with death' after a car crashes into a house
A survivor of severe domestic abuse from Manchester has spoken out after her former partner, Elliot Allen Bulman, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Nicole endured physical, sexual, and psychological violence during her pregnancy and after the birth of her child before managing to escape with the help of her family and police intervention.
Summary headline: Abuser jailed for 15 years as survivor says she can 'breathe again'
Over 100 scooter and motorbike riders, including officers from Lancashire Police, gathered at Meadow Croft Care Home in Garstang after staff launched an appeal to help a resident living with dementia reconnect with his memories of the mod and biking community.
Summary headline: Bikers gather at Lancashire care home to grant resident's mod wish
Derby City Council is re-evaluating proposals to introduce an extra council tax premium on empty properties and second homes to encourage owners to sell or occupy them. A previous consultation in 2024 was halted due to an administrative error, prompting a new 12-week consultation to run from Friday until New Year's Eve. If approved, owners of properties unoccupied for at least one year would face a 100% premium from April 2027, followed by a similar premium for second homes the following year.
Summary headline: Derby City Council to reconsider extra council tax on empty homes and second properties
Alison Klufio, a matron at the Royal London Hospital, has been awarded the Protector of Play Award 2026 by the children's charity Starlight for her work in reducing distress and trauma among young patients. Klufio championed trauma-informed care and made training for it mandatory for nursing staff after a suggestion by health play specialist Katie Friend. The approach has helped patients like eight-year-old Tabeer and six-year-old Sylvie cope with medical procedures and needles.
Summary headline: Royal London Hospital matron awarded for reducing children's hospital fear
Experts and university data indicate that care proceedings for babies in England have risen by 64% over the past two decades, with one in 118 infants affected. While some cases involve clear-cut abuse, experts warn that many babies in 'grey area' cases of neglect might not have needed to enter care or face permanent separation through adoption if early support had been available. Over 90% of adoptions go ahead without parents' written consent. New Family Court guidance is expected to reduce short-notice care hearings for newborns, while government and local initiatives explore enhanced early intervention.
