Elaine Blackburne

Motorists are warned that parking on or touching a marked bay line can breach car-park terms requiring vehicles to be parked “wholly within the bay.” A Hartlepool driver received a £100 charge after her tyre touched the line, with Viking Solutions stating that vehicles on bay markings are not within the bay. Gateshead and Luton councils similarly warn that incorrectly positioned vehicles may receive penalties, although charges can be reduced for prompt payment. Drivers are advised to check the specific terms displayed in each car park.

Parents must register births within 42 days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, while Scotland allows 21 days. Registration is free and can be completed at a local register office or, where available, at the hospital. Parents may need identification and details about the baby and themselves. Prosecution for missing the deadline is rare but can result in a fine of up to £1,000, while late registration may complicate claims for Child Benefit and applications for passports, National Insurance numbers and school enrolment.

People aged three or over who receive Personal Independence Payment because they cannot walk more than 50 metres, scoring at least eight points under the mobility component, automatically qualify for a Blue Badge, subject to applying through their local council. Automatic eligibility also applies to several other groups, including recipients of higher-rate mobility DLA, people who are registered blind, certain war pensioners and qualifying disabled service personnel. Others may qualify after an individual assessment based on walking difficulties, safety risks, severe journey-planning problems or other disabilities. Applications are made through the relevant authority, may take 12 weeks or more, and can be reviewed if refused.

Disabled Motoring UK is asking disabled motorists and people accompanying them to report experiences of disabled parking bays at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl during its August Baywatch survey. The campaign highlights misuse of accessible bays, misconceptions about invisible disabilities and inconsistent enforcement, warning supermarkets that poor accessibility may drive away disabled customers. DMUK cites 3.07 million Blue Badges in England as of March 2025 and estimates that businesses lose £501 million a month through inaccessibility.

UK health officials report nearly 400 weekly antibiotic-resistant infections in 2024, driven primarily by E. coli and accompanied by rising fatalities. Data from UKHSA shows a 9.3% annual increase in resistant bacteraemia and widening disparities between deprived and affluent communities. Authorities warn of escalating public health risks and emphasize responsible antibiotic use, improved prevention, and accelerated development of new treatments. Government and health agencies are advancing national efforts, including surveillance, research, and innovative funding models, to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.