Andrew Nuttall

Forgetting to bring a reusable shopping bag can add substantially to annual household spending, with replacement bags costing between 40p and £1.50 at major UK supermarkets. Research from thimbl.com estimates that regular shoppers could spend up to £78 a year, while smaller price differences may still cost £21 to £33.80 annually. Keeping spare foldable bags in cars, by doors or in handbags is recommended as a simple way to reduce costs.

A new homeowner says an adjoining neighbour’s large accumulation of dog excrement has created a severe odour, preventing use of their garden and raising health concerns. Advice includes approaching the landlord or housing provider, reporting the issue to the local council as a potential statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and contacting the RSPCA if the dog may be neglected. The UK Land Registry can be used to identify the property owner.

A doctor warns that sudden personality or behaviour changes—such as confusion, aggression or acting unusually—can be an early sign of heatstroke because dangerous overheating is affecting the brain. Heatstroke is a medical emergency when body temperature reaches 40°C or higher. People should call emergency services immediately, move the affected person out of the sun, cool them rapidly with ice or cold cloths, and avoid giving drinks if they are disoriented or unable to follow instructions.

Nutrition expert Verónica Chazín says milk may maintain hydration longer than plain water because its protein, carbohydrates and minerals are retained by the body. Coconut water and isotonic drinks are also identified as useful options, while the NHS continues to recommend water, lower-fat milk and unsweetened plant-based drinks. The advice stresses drinking regularly during hot weather, eating water-rich foods with sufficient protein, limiting heavy meals and avoiding alcohol, while noting that milk is unsuitable for infants, people with lactose intolerance and those with milk-protein allergies.

Dr Nicole James says an Instagram account used AI to alter clips from her dermatology and haircare videos, making her appear older while retaining her words, setting and medical advice. The account allegedly attracted more than 20,000 followers and one video reached a million views before directing viewers to buy hair oil through Amazon. James says the account exploited trust she built within the Black community, and that reports to Instagram produced no action. She warns that increasingly convincing AI impersonation could damage creators' reputations and highlights the lack of effective legal protections against unauthorized use of a person's likeness.

Halifax is transitioning its branding and customer accounts to Lloyds, prompting warnings for customers to stay alert for scams exploiting the change. Halifax has begun inviting users to switch to the Lloyds app, with account migration occurring in phases through 2027. Customers are reminded that neither Halifax nor Lloyds will request sensitive information, urge money transfers, or ask for verification through external links, all highlighted as key scam indicators. The rebrand aims to streamline services while keeping account features unchanged during the transition.