Ben Hurst

From October 2026, the Department for Work and Pensions will be able to ask courts to disqualify persistent benefit-fraud debtors from driving for up to two years when they owe at least £1,000 and other recovery methods have failed. The measure cannot be used against people currently receiving DWP benefits or those with an essential need to drive, such as for work or caring responsibilities, and bans are initially suspended if affordable repayment terms are maintained. The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025 also gives the DWP powers to recover money directly from bank accounts. The government says the crackdown could contribute to £14.6 billion in savings over five years, while urging debtors to repay or arrange payment plans before enforcement begins.

The NHS has launched its largest-ever meningitis B catch-up campaign, with 89,261 first doses administered and more than 135,000 appointments booked within two weeks. The programme targets young people born between September 2007 and August 2008, as well as older people starting university or residential further education for the first time this autumn. Around one million people may be eligible, and two doses at least 28 days apart are required for strongest protection. NHS leaders, the health minister, the UK Health Security Agency and pharmacy representatives urged eligible people to book both doses before the new academic year, citing the heightened meningitis risk among first-year university students.

Which? has updated guidance on England’s household food waste caddy scheme, listing accepted items such as meat, fish, dairy, bread, pet food, fruit and vegetable peelings, and tea bags. Packaging, large quantities of liquid, most garden waste and compostable plastics are prohibited. The weekly collections, introduced under the government’s Simpler Recycling reforms, have been delayed in many councils because of vehicle shortages, funding pressures and existing waste contracts. Food collected by councils including Lichfield District and Bradford is processed through anaerobic digestion to produce biogas and nutrient-rich fertiliser.

The UK Government plans to give mayors and other strategic authorities in England powers to introduce an overnight visitor levy from April 2027. UKHospitality warns that the charge could add up to £100 to family holidays and contribute to 33,000 job losses, while the Tourism Alliance says inconsistent local systems could burden businesses. The industry is urging ministers to adopt a “holiday bonus” that would allocate central tax revenues to local authorities based on visitor numbers instead. The government’s consultation is ongoing, with a response expected before further policy details are set out.

Authorities and anti-piracy groups have intensified action against illegal streaming services in the UK and Ireland. Six search warrants in Birkenhead and Prenton led to four arrests in an investigation into services allegedly supplying thousands of customers, while FACT and Sky issued cease-and-desist warnings to 10 suspected resellers across seven Irish counties. Separately, a Wrexham pub licensee was fined £4,529.55 for showing Sky Sports without a valid commercial viewing agreement. FACT and Sky warned that resellers and businesses could face civil or criminal proceedings, while emphasizing risks to viewers including fraud, malware and misuse of personal information.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber heat-health alerts for parts of England as temperatures could reach 35°C in the South East. An estimated 2,877 heat-associated deaths occurred during heat events in May and June 2026, with further deaths from July’s heatwave not included. In response to growing concern about worker safety, the Health and Safety Executive is expected to launch a consultation on changes to workplace temperature guidance later this year. Unions are calling for legally defined maximum temperatures of 30°C for indoor work, or 27°C for strenuous work, while a parliamentary petition seeks a 25°C limit. Health agencies and the Alzheimer’s Society have urged people to stay hydrated, avoid peak heat and support vulnerable individuals.

The UK Government is trialling new approaches to fit notes in four areas of England, backed by £3 million in the first year. Depending on the area, patients will either receive an initial GP fit note before referral or go directly to services staffed by clinical and non-clinical practitioners, including work and health coaches. The pilots aim to replace repeated fit-note renewals with personalised support to help people return to work and reduce GP administration. The BMA and Royal College of General Practitioners support testing the models but demand proper training, clinical oversight, evaluation, funding and safeguards against additional pressure on general practice. The Government plans to use the findings to introduce legislation reforming the fit-note system.

Andy Burnham is facing calls to raise the UK’s frozen £12,570 personal tax allowance, including a request from a pensioner for it to increase to £15,000. Institute for Fiscal Studies economist Jonathan Cribb said the government must decide whether to raise the threshold for everyone or introduce a higher allowance for pensioners, warning that the state pension is due to exceed the current tax-free limit. Frozen thresholds have increased the number of basic-, higher- and additional-rate taxpayers, while raising the allowance to £16,000 could cost about £35 billion and restoring inflation-linked increases would reduce annual Treasury revenue by roughly £9 billion.

The UK government has confirmed that children aged 5 to 15 will be able to travel free on participating bus services across England from August 1 through the end of the month, potentially benefiting 7.5 million children and helping families reduce holiday travel costs. The scheme forms part of the Great British Summer Savings programme and complements free travel for under-fives. Transport minister Simon Lightwood said the government would keep open the possibility of extending the initiative, while the £3 adult bus fare cap is due to continue until March 2027. The government also plans a new £2 cap on many bus fares from January 2027, backed by £400 million in funding, alongside broader investment in bus services.

Marks and Spencer initiated a precautionary recall of its Truffle Gouda after the Food Standards Agency warned it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Customers are advised not to eat the affected product and to return it for a refund. The NHS recommends avoiding contact with others for 48 hours after symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea. The article outlines listeria risks, vulnerable groups, and the potential severity of the illness.

Police chiefs criticised the late timing of the UK Government’s decision to allow pubs to stay open until 5am for England’s World Cup match against Mexico, warning it strains police resources and may increase alcohol-related incidents. The Government defended the timing, citing England’s confirmed progression. Major pub chains, including Greene King, Marston’s, Stonegate, Fuller’s and limited Wetherspoons locations, announced extended opening hours, anticipating strong demand and significant additional pint sales. Industry groups encouraged responsible drinking as fans gather for the early-morning kickoff.