Lucy Thornton

Patients in Rotherham say the NHS AI receptionist EMMA struggles to understand broad Yorkshire accents and some speech impediments, prompting some to visit GP surgeries in person. Healthwatch Rotherham says elderly and vulnerable patients may find the system difficult to navigate, although it can reduce telephone queues. Developer QuantumLoopAI says EMMA supports multiple languages, does not make clinical decisions, transfers unclear calls to staff and has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with more than 90% of patients reporting improved service.

Kaddy Ceesay is warning families about the dangers of open water after her 16-year-old son, Muhammad Secka, drowned at Rother Valley Country Park during a May heatwave. Although he could swim, the water depth suddenly dropped, prompting her to stress that a drowning can happen to anyone. The report highlights the Mirror’s Save Lives for Sam water-safety campaign, supported by the RNLI and Royal Life Saving Society UK, and details further heatwave-related deaths: Musa Ahmed, Sameeha Rahman and Shelina Rahman in Essex, and 13-year-old Abdi Zubeir off Hornsea. Inquests into the deaths are ongoing or adjourned.

Nearly three-quarters of England, affecting about 45 million people, has been declared to be in drought after the driest July in 190 years and prolonged heat. Eleven regions are now in drought status, while eight water companies have imposed temporary use bans affecting more than 27 million customers. Low reservoir levels, declining river flows, early harvests, poor crop yields and increased use of winter livestock feed are raising concerns about farming, food security and the environment. Officials are urging households to reduce water use, pressing water companies to cut leaks, and considering additional support for farmers and new infrastructure, including reservoirs and water-transfer schemes.

More than 120 firefighters continued battling a New Forest wildfire near Ringwood for a third day after a van fire spread across around 140 football pitches of rare heathland. Drivers and families described abandoning vehicles, fleeing through smoke and escaping with police assistance, while at least 23 cars were reportedly left behind. Authorities warned that the blaze threatens rare species, biodiversity and grazing land, with recovery potentially taking decades. Fires were also being tackled in South Wales, Nottinghamshire and Peterborough as drought, temperatures of up to 36C and exceptional fire-risk conditions raised fears of further wildfires across England.

More than 150 families have urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to meet them before proposed SEND reforms shift more support into mainstream schools. Parents describe specialist placements being threatened, long delays for diagnoses and assessments, withdrawn or contested transport assistance, financial hardship and severe effects on children’s mental health. A Worcestershire councillor agrees that councils and schools are overwhelmed and underfunded, while Reform UK rejects claims that its councils are cutting SEND services. Kent County Council says transport support has been reorganized rather than withdrawn, and the Department for Education says its £4 billion reforms will retain EHCPs for children with complex needs and create 60,000 additional specialist places.

Linda Razzell's daughter Cat will ask the High Court to block the parole release of her father, Glyn Razzell, who was convicted of murdering Linda in 2002 and has never disclosed where her body was left. The Parole Board approved his release in January 2026 despite acknowledging his continuing possession of information about the remains, prompting the Justice Secretary to refer the decision for judicial review. Cat and campaigner Marie McCourt argue that the ruling undermines Helen's Law and prolongs the family's grief, while McCourt is urging the UK to adopt tougher measures similar to proposed reforms in Northern Ireland.

Hundreds of children gathered outside Sirius West school in Hull to remember a 13-year-old boy who drowned after getting into difficulty in the sea at Hornsea on Tuesday evening, shortly after lifeguards had finished for the day. A major search involving Humberside Police, HM Coastguard, ambulance and fire services recovered his body at about 4:30am on Wednesday. Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious and that a file would be prepared for the coroner. Friends released balloons and left tributes, while nearby Withernsea expressed solidarity with Hornsea and broader water-safety concerns were highlighted.

Nick Chater, 18, and his father Tom won archery gold at the British Transplant Games in Sheffield while appealing for a kidney donor. Nick has spent more than three years waiting for a second transplant and has undergone about 1,000 nights of dialysis, leaving his pilot training and return to the Falkland Islands on hold. His family members and friends were not compatible donors, so they are considering paired kidney exchange. The story also features donor families, including Mahmud Nawaz, whose late wife Sharon saved four lives, and Suvira and Sanjeev Madan, whose son Eashan’s donation saved three people. The families urge people to discuss their donation wishes with relatives, noting that family refusals resulted in hundreds of organs being lost and that ethnic-minority patients can face longer waits.

Families affected by funeral director Robert Bush's crimes have condemned his written apology as cold, self-serving and lacking genuine remorse. Bush was sentenced to 20 years after admitting 67 offences, including preventing lawful burials and cremations and providing families with incorrect ashes. Police found around 35 bodies and more than 100 sets of ashes at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull. Relatives, including Jasmine Beverley and Stacey Foster, say the apology fails to acknowledge the specific harm caused and are calling for a public inquiry.

NHS workers, including Nigerian radiographers Paul Awah and Ifeanyi Obike, describe racist abuse and patients refusing treatment from non-white staff. NHS Staff Survey data show that 9.26% of staff experienced discrimination in 2025, a five-year high. The Society of Radiographers is calling for national recording and monitoring of racist incidents, with support from the Royal College of Nursing. NHS England says organizations must prevent and respond to racism, support affected staff and potentially refuse non-emergency care to abusive patients.

Research from the University of Edinburgh found that gestational diabetes diagnoses in England rose by about 60% between 2018 and 2022, reaching one in eight mothers. Rates were particularly high among Asian and Black women and those living in deprived areas, who also faced elevated risks of complications including preterm birth, emergency Caesarean sections and babies being smaller than expected. Experts warned that the trend is placing additional pressure on already challenged maternity services and stressed the importance of early detection, effective management and long-term monitoring because gestational diabetes increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease after pregnancy.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has backed The Mirror’s Save Lives for Sam water-safety campaign after about 40 people reportedly died in open-water incidents across the UK since May 24 during successive heatwaves. The campaign, launched in memory of 16-year-old Sam Haycock, calls for mandatory safety equipment at high-risk bodies of water, stronger penalties for damaging or stealing it, public-awareness measures, funded swimming education and an English Minister for Water Safety. Bereaved families, the Royal Life Saving Society UK and the RNLI welcomed Burnham’s support and urged the government to turn his commitments into action.

Funeral director Robert Bush was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to 67 offences involving the mishandling of bodies and ashes, fraudulent funeral plans, theft and the defrauding of nearly 200 families. Bodies and around half a tonne of ashes were recovered from his Hull funeral home and property, with dozens of families receiving the wrong remains or none at all. Victims' relatives condemned the sentence as inadequate, saying Bush could be released after about 10 years. Following the case, the UK Government pledged comprehensive regulation of the funeral sector.

Funeral director Robert Bush was sentenced to 20 years in prison at Hull Crown Court after breaching grieving families’ trust on an industrial scale, including mishandling bodies and ashes and exploiting funeral payments. Families described profound trauma, PTSD, suicide attempts and heartbreak during the five-day hearing. Bush showed little visible reaction to their statements, appearing attentive only when the court discussed the £3 million he had made. Relatives welcomed the dignity of the proceedings but some said the sentence was inadequate and that they had been failed again.

Funeral director Robert Bush was sentenced for 67 offences committed over 12 years, including storing bodies for months, returning the wrong ashes to families, giving one family an animal’s remains, selling questionable funeral plans and stealing charity donations. The Mirror reports that Bush presented himself as a compassionate undertaker while allegedly using money from bereaved customers to support an expensive motor-racing and motorcycle lifestyle. Victims described the profound betrayal and trauma caused by the neglect and mishandling of their loved ones. His defence counsel accepted that Bush prioritised himself and his family over customers, apologised for the deception and trauma, and acknowledged that he had lost his reputation. A proceeds-of-crime hearing is due to take place in Hull.

Robert Bush, the former owner of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull, has been sentenced to 20 years for 67 offences committed over 12 years. Police found dozens of bodies, including a stillborn baby, and hundreds of sets of ashes at the funeral home; investigators said remains were stored for long periods and ashes may have been mixed and falsely returned to grieving families. More than 300 victims have been identified, while a helpline received around 2,000 calls. Families condemned Bush's conduct and demanded a public inquiry and stronger regulation of the funeral industry. The sentencing judge said Bush had prioritised personal enrichment and treated the dead and their relatives with dishonesty, deception and heartlessness.

Bereaved wife Lucy Davenport urges Prime Minister Andy Burnham not to delay assisted-dying legislation until palliative care is improved, saying her husband Tom suffered a horrific death despite receiving high-quality hospice care. Other campaigners describe traumatic or unsafe deaths linked to motor neurone disease, Huntington’s disease and multiple sclerosis, arguing that palliative care cannot address every case and that terminally ill people should have greater control over the end of their lives. The testimonies challenge Burnham’s emphasis on fixing palliative and social care first and call for both better care and a legal assisted-dying option.

Labour MP Lauren Edwards is proceeding with the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales with six months or less to live to request medical assistance to die. She argues that improving palliative and social care should happen alongside, rather than before, assisted-dying legislation, citing cases in which existing care failed to relieve severe suffering. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the debate should wait until palliative and social care are fixed, but Edwards says he cannot formally block the bill and plans to bring it to a second reading on September 11. She is urging the House of Lords to refine and pass the legislation, while identifying the Parliament Act as a last-resort safeguard if peers delay it again.

A judge said banks should consider helping families recover money lost through fraudulent funeral plans sold by Robert Bush, who operated Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull. Bush defrauded 226 people and retained more than £500,000 over nearly 12 years, while police also found bodies and a foetus at the premises and investigated false claims involving ashes. Victims described financial hardship, distress and a loss of trust, particularly where payments were made in cash and banks refused refunds. Bush has pleaded guilty to 67 offences, including fraud, theft, fraudulent trading and preventing lawful burials, and is due to be sentenced.

Legacy Independent Funeral Directors owner Robert Bush is awaiting sentencing at Hull Crown Court after pleading guilty to 67 offences, including preventing lawful burial, fraud, fraudulent trading and theft. Victims described him as initially charming and professional before discovering that families had received incorrect ashes, including animal remains, while police found unidentified ashes and bodies in poor conditions at the Hull premises. The court heard that more than £3.3 million entered Legacy and Bush’s personal accounts between 2017 and 2024, with about £1.7 million transferred to Bush personally. His five-day sentencing hearing includes more than 100 victim impact statements.

Police discovered 35 bodies and ashes belonging to more than 100 people stored in squalid, undignified conditions at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull. Owner Robert Bush admitted 67 offences, including failures to provide proper burials, giving families strangers’ ashes and defrauding around 200 families of more than £550,000 through pre-paid funeral plans. The evidence emerged after funeral directors Gary Pickering and Steve Emmerson alerted police while Bush was abroad. Victims described lasting distress and uncertainty over the fate of their loved ones, while Bush is due to be sentenced at Hull Crown Court.

Police interview footage shows Robert Bush, the former owner of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull, laughing as he described the funeral industry as highly unregulated. Officers found 35 bodies and ashes at his businesses, with some families allegedly receiving fake ashes or none at all. Bush pleaded guilty to 67 offences and attributed the misconduct to debt, cash-flow problems and poor decisions, while families reported severe psychological harm and called for urgent regulatory reform. He is due to be sentenced after also complaining during his arrest about being treated as though he were an international criminal.

Robert Bush, former owner of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull, is awaiting sentence after pleading guilty to 67 offences, including preventing lawful burials, fraud, fraudulent trading and theft. The court heard that he spent more than £42,000 on holidays, £21,000 on motorcycle racing and over £17,000 on home improvements while families’ loved ones were allegedly left in chaotic and undignified conditions. Police found 35 bodies, ashes and personal belongings at the funeral home, with evidence of inadequate identification and bodies in varying states of decomposition. Prosecutors are seeking a sentence in the 20-to-25-year range, while Bush’s defence acknowledged that he prioritised himself and his family over grieving customers. The judge also demanded explanations for why missing cremation documentation did not trigger regulatory action.

Four bereaved mothers describe the trauma caused by Legacy Independent Funeral Directors owner Robert Bush, who allegedly returned incorrect ashes, failed to cremate some babies and stored one child’s body at the Hull premises for two years. Lucy Ness was told that the ashes given to her included animal remains and adult ashes, while other families received ashes belonging to different people. The mothers say the legal treatment of babies lost before 24 weeks fails to recognise their dignity and are calling for urgent regulation of the funeral industry and changes to the law. Bush faces sentencing after being charged with fraud by misrepresentation.

Robert Bush, the former owner of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull, has pleaded guilty to 67 offences, including preventing lawful burial, fraud, fraudulent trading and theft. During his sentencing hearing, Jasmine Beverley and other bereaved families described the anguish caused by the discovery of bodies and ashes at the funeral home, including her stillborn son Sunny-Beverley Conlin, who was found nearly two years after his funeral. The investigation began after a casual worker told directors of Evergreen Funeral Directors that bodies had allegedly been kept at Legacy for years. Police recovered 35 bodies and ashes from the premises in March 2024, and Bush’s sentencing is expected to continue until Friday.

Funeral director Robert Bush is being sentenced at Hull Crown Court for more than 65 offences involving over 300 victims and grieving families. Police found 31 bodies, including a stillborn baby, at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors after discovering that remains had been left for months or years and that families had often received the wrong ashes. Bush also admitted fraud involving funeral plans and theft from charities. Victims described severe trauma, PTSD, nightmares, suicidal thoughts and a lasting loss of trust, while several mothers said they still do not know what happened to their babies' remains. Sentencing is expected to continue for several days, with potentially hundreds of victim impact statements.

At Hull Crown Court, victims of fraudulent funeral director Robert Bush delivered emotional impact statements describing guilt, PTSD, suicidal feelings and the lasting trauma caused by mishandled funerals and remains. Bush appeared largely unmoved and avoided eye contact, prompting families to say he showed self-pity rather than remorse. The court heard how victims struggled to trust others and felt unable to fulfil their relatives’ final wishes, while the judge reassured them that Bush’s actions were not their responsibility.

Funeral director Robert Bush is being sentenced at Hull Crown Court after pleading guilty to 67 offences committed over 12 years. Police found 31 bodies, including a stillborn baby whose remains had been left in an envelope on the floor for almost two years, at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull. Bush gave families incorrect ashes, failed to provide lawful and decent burials, fraudulently sold funeral plans and withheld donations intended for charities. Prosecutors said more than £3 million was paid into his accounts and that customers were defrauded of over £500,000. More than 100 bereaved relatives are expected to provide victim impact statements describing severe and lasting trauma.

Jess Duggan, a 44-year-old mother from Lewes with metastatic breast cancer, has raised more than £50,000 through crowdfunding to privately obtain Enhertu after being told she had around six weeks to live. The money covers roughly five treatments and associated nursing, pharmacy and oncology costs, allowing her to receive her first infusion and spend more time with her children. Duggan and Breast Cancer Now criticize the NHS funding system, noting that Enhertu is available in Scotland and several European countries but has been rejected in England, Wales and Northern Ireland because NICE previously deemed it too expensive for its benefits. NICE says discussions with the manufacturer and NHS England have resumed following a higher cost-effectiveness threshold introduced under a US-UK trade arrangement, while the Department of Health and Social Care says approval decisions remain independent. The case has intensified calls for urgent NHS access to the life-extending treatment.

Eddie Needham, the grandfather of missing toddler Ben Needham, has died aged 77 on the eve of the 35th anniversary of Ben’s disappearance from Kos in 1991. Eddie’s daughter Kerry said he remained convinced that Ben had been abducted rather than killed in an accidental digger incident, and that he died still burdened by guilt over persuading the family to move to Greece. Kerry says she is now more determined to uncover what happened, while Eddie’s recollections highlight alleged shortcomings in the original police search.

Police arrested a 28‑year‑old man in Rotherham on suspicion of murdering former minister Ann Widdecombe at her Devon home. CCTV footage showing the suspect placing a wooden stick in a car is being examined, while forensics searched his property. Authorities stated there is no evidence of political or terrorism links and are not seeking additional suspects. Widdecombe was killed shortly before a scheduled TV appearance, and her body was found the following day. Senior police officials urged the public to avoid speculation, and political figures, including members of Reform UK, attended memorial services near her home.

Rising drowning deaths during a UK heatwave have prompted urgent warnings from bereaved families, rescuers and local officials. Simon Haycock, whose teenage son Sam died in a reservoir, called the spike in fatalities deeply disturbing and urged parents to speak to their children about water safety as incidents continue to increase. Emergency services in Greater Manchester, Derbyshire, Lincoln and North Wales responded to multiple recent tragedies involving teenagers and young adults. Campaigners are pushing for 'Sam’s Law', a proposed water safety bill, and urging government and councils to take immediate action as the national death toll surpasses 30 in recent months.

U.S. forces carried out roughly 140 strikes against Iranian military targets after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard attacked a Cyprus‑flagged container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Tehran to close the waterway. CENTCOM stated the strikes aimed to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten civilian vessels and followed two earlier rounds of attacks this week. Iran reportedly responded with strikes on Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE, while warning it would keep the strait closed until U.S. operations cease. The U.S. said commercial transit continues and highlighted its role in safeguarding shipping in the region since May.

A mother recounts the death of her eight-year-old son who drowned in the River Arrow during a family outing, prompting her to support a national water safety campaign. She describes the rescue attempts, hospital efforts, and the emotional toll on the family, including the bravery of her daughter and the support from emergency responders. Campaigners and safety organisations call for urgent government action to address rising drownings, including compulsory water safety lessons, improved equipment at high‑risk areas, and a dedicated minister for water safety.

A nine-year-old British boy, Walter Keeler, used the ‘float to live’ technique taught through the RLSS UK Rookie Lifeguard programme to stay safe after being accidentally left in choppy open water during a boat trip off the Turkish Riviera. His parents watched from the boat in panic as it pulled away with around 20 swimmers still in the sea. Walter remained calm, floated on his back and conserved energy until the vessel returned. His actions and training were praised by RLSS UK, and he has since received a bravery commendation. The incident highlights the importance of water safety education, particularly ahead of summer travel.

A lifelong Ipswich Town fan transformed his health after joining Slimming World, losing nearly 17 stone and regaining the mobility and energy to play football with his grandchildren. Motivated by a serious leg infection and years of declining health, he adopted new eating habits and increased daily activity, resulting in improved wellbeing and renewed family engagement. His consultant praised his determination, and his lifestyle changes have given him greater confidence and a stronger connection with his family.

A third UK heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach 35°C, has heightened concerns about water safety following dozens of drownings during earlier hot spells. Safety organizations including the RNLI and RLSS UK urge parents to discuss cold water shock risks and safe swimming practices, supporting the Mirror’s Save Lives for Sam campaign. Health authorities issued amber heat alerts warning of increased danger to vulnerable groups and potential rises in water-related incidents. Climate change is cited as driving more frequent and intense heatwaves, with polling for Greenpeace revealing significant impacts on households, health, work, and infrastructure. Environmental advocates call for major polluters to help fund adaptation measures as the UK remains unprepared for escalating climate threats.

Widespread wildfires across Spain, France, Greece and Portugal have forced mass evacuations as extreme heat and dry conditions intensify the crisis. Emergency services across the region are battling fast‑spreading flames, with French and Spanish authorities reporting rapidly worsening fire activity. Officials warn that upcoming heatwaves could trigger additional outbreaks, and travellers are urged to ensure their phones can receive emergency alerts. Thousands of firefighters and aircraft are deployed, portions of the Tour de France route have been closed to spectators, and UK authorities caution that continued hot, dry weather could also heighten wildfire risks domestically.

Experts warn that England’s late‑night World Cup match against Mexico could trigger one of the year’s worst nationwide hangovers, with up to 4.8 million workers expected to arrive late or take the day off. Psychologists advise hydrating, eating cysteine‑rich foods such as eggs and broccoli, and avoiding further alcohol or quick‑fix remedies, while employment lawyers caution employers not to assume absences are misconduct. Economists note that lost productivity could temporarily dent national output, and surveys show many fans plan to change work hours or call in sick after the match.

Veterans expelled from the UK Armed Forces under the former ban on homosexuality are being urged to apply for compensation before the December 12 deadline under the LGBT Veterans Financial Recognition Scheme. Lee Buss-Blair and the Royal British Legion highlight the emotional and professional harm caused by the policy, in place until 2000, and call for eligible veterans to seek support in filing claims of up to £50,000. The article details Buss-Blair’s experiences of dismissal, later reconnection with the military community, and the broader injustices documented in the Etherton Report, along with government actions including a formal apology, restoration of honours and establishment of a memorial.

A widow returned to her son’s grave in Hannover 50 years after his death, a trip funded by the Royal British Legion that gave her long‑sought closure. She described past anguish over being unable to repatriate his body and the additional trauma of a stillbirth during the same Army posting. The visit eased her anger toward the Army’s handling of the tragedies and convinced her that her son should remain buried in Germany. The Royal British Legion supported the request, calling the case deeply moving and emblematic of its mission to help the Armed Forces community.

Investigators will take a new DNA sample from Michael Stone as part of an effort to re-examine forensic evidence in the 1996 Russell family murders. Advances in male DNA isolation techniques may allow previously untested or contaminated items, including tapings from the victims and a rediscovered boot lace, to be reanalyzed. Stone’s legal team argues that new testing could identify DNA from another man and support claims of wrongful conviction, referencing similar breakthroughs in other cases. Serial killer Levi Bellfield has previously issued and retracted confessions, though the CCRC has deemed them unreliable. Results of the updated DNA-17 and Y-STR tests could determine whether another suspect should be pursued.

The funeral of 11-year-old Mackenzie Swift drew large crowds in Mexborough, where family, classmates and community members honoured him with a procession of cars and bikes and tributes celebrating his personality and interests. Mackenzie drowned in the River Don during a heatwave, prompting his parents to support a water safety campaign aimed at preventing further tragedies. Mourners highlighted his kindness and the deep impact he had on those around him, while his family urged children to stay out of open water. An inquest into his death is scheduled for February.

TikTok UK is donating £400,000 in advertising credits to the RNLI and RLSS UK to expand water safety messaging targeting young people ahead of summer. The initiative was inspired by the Mirror’s Save Lives for Sam campaign, launched after a rise in drowning fatalities. Families, campaigners and charity officials welcome the partnership as a major opportunity to reach at-risk teens with practical guidance on staying safe around open water. Charities will use the support to promote lifesaving advice and expand educational campaigns, while calls continue for government action, including compulsory water safety lessons and policy reforms.

Kerry Needham has launched a government petition calling for a fully funded, centralised support team for families of missing children, citing decades of uncertainty following the disappearance of her son Ben in 1991. She urges the public to sign and share the petition, which could trigger a parliamentary debate if it reaches 100,000 signatures. South Yorkshire Police have ended their investigation, with Greek authorities now leading inquiries, while Kerry continues to campaign and raise awareness, including releasing an age‑progressed image of Ben.

A mother whose 17-year-old son drowned in a rip current in Bournemouth calls for the creation of a UK water safety minister, highlighting rising drownings and describing the incident that took her son’s life. She recounts Joe Abbess’ final moments and the chaos on the beach as multiple swimmers were caught in the current, including another child who died. Since the tragedy, she has worked with national lifesaving and rescue organizations and her MP to push for improved education and recognition of drowning as a public health emergency, urging the government to take action to prevent further deaths.

The Prime Minister endorsed a national water safety campaign following 19 water-related deaths during a heatwave, prompting the Royal Life Saving Society UK to urge the government to convene an urgent roundtable and establish an action plan before summer. The campaign, driven by families affected by child drownings, calls for stronger safety measures including public awareness efforts, school lessons, safety equipment and new legislation. Labour MP Lee Pitcher and supporters argue swift adoption of Sam’s Law is necessary as temperatures rise and drowning risks increase.

Keir Starmer backed the Mirror’s Save Lives for Sam campaign following a spike in water‑related deaths during a heatwave, calling the fatalities deeply concerning and pledging government support for improved water safety measures. The campaign urges mandatory safety equipment at high‑risk water sites, compulsory school lessons on water survival, a national awareness campaign, and the creation of a Minister for Water Safety. Families of victims, campaigners and several safety organisations support immediate adoption of Sam’s Law, while new data from the Royal Life Saving Society UK shows most child drownings could have been prevented through better safety measures and supervision.

New data from the Royal Life Saving Society UK shows that nearly 90% of child drownings in England could have been prevented, with high-risk groups including Black children, boys, children in deprived communities, and those known to social care. Officials and advocates urge the UK Government to implement evidence‑based drowning prevention measures, strengthen public health approaches, and accompany efforts to increase open‑water recreation with stronger safety policies. Recommendations include revising the Public Health Water Taskforce’s remit, addressing inequalities, and appointing a minister dedicated to water safety.

A teenage girl, Palwasha Akbar, drowned in the River Wharfe during her birthday outing, prompting her grieving family to call for improved safety measures at the site. Her father described the accident as devastating and urged greater vigilance around deep water. The incident occurred during a heatwave that saw multiple water-related deaths, reinforcing calls from families, charities and MP Julian Smith for national parks to strengthen safety responsibilities. Charitable fundraising in Palwasha’s name is underway, and campaigners continue to push for action through the Mirror’s Save Lives for Sam initiative.

The parents of 11-year-old Mackenzie Swift, who drowned during a May heatwave in South Yorkshire, urge families to keep children out of open water and support the Mirror’s ‘Save Lives for Sam’ water safety campaign. They describe the events leading to Mackenzie’s death, the search efforts, and the emotional aftermath while calling for greater public awareness and accessible safety measures near rivers. Friends and supporters are helping the family honour Mackenzie’s memory through fundraising, community tributes and a children’s water safety book aimed at preventing future tragedies.

Charlie Webber describes the profound impact of losing his brother Barnaby in the 2023 Nottingham attacks, recalling how the news abruptly transformed his life at age 15. Now 18, he channels his grief into supporting the Barnaby Webber Foundation and attending hearings related to the Nottingham inquiry alongside his family and those of other victims. Struggling through exams and the aftermath of the attacker’s manslaughter verdict, he has redirected anger into advocacy while preparing for university. He reflects on cherished memories of his brother and the lasting emotional consequences for his family as they continue seeking accountability.

A son recounts how his father Gareth Jones drowned within 54 seconds while trying to rescue the family dog from the sea in Hove during winter conditions, prompting him to support the Mirror’s public safety campaign. CCTV footage revealed Gareth was overwhelmed by a sudden deep drop and strong waves, despite being fit and a capable swimmer. Emergency services and volunteers later recovered both Gareth and the dog. Robbie Jones has since become an advocate for water safety, urging the public not to enter dangerous waters after pets or people and to call emergency services instead. Safety experts emphasize that untrained rescue attempts often create multiple casualties.

A terminally ill mother urges approval of the breast cancer drug Enhertu on the NHS, arguing it could have extended her life long enough to share key milestones with her children. The treatment is available in Scotland and across Europe but remains inaccessible in the rest of the UK due to past cost‑effectiveness rulings. Breast Cancer Now calls for urgent agreement between Daiichi Sankyo, AstraZeneca, NHS England and NICE following new NHS spending limits that allow reconsideration. NICE confirms discussions have resumed under a new threshold for medicine approvals.

A Labour MP urges public support for a national drowning‑prevention campaign after 19 people died during a recent heatwave. Motivated by the death of 16‑year‑old Sam Haycock, he calls for full adoption of Sam’s Law, which mandates accessible water‑safety equipment and education. Partnering with safety organizations and Olympic athletes, he presses the government to launch public awareness efforts before summer to prevent further deaths.

Concerns are rising that children who missed swimming lessons during the Covid period face elevated drowning risks due to reduced water safety proficiency. Swimming attainment in England fell significantly during pandemic pool closures, leaving many young people without essential skills as they enter a higher‑risk age group. Campaigner Debbie Anne Turnbull, who lost her son Chris to a drowning accident, warns that the effects may persist across generations without targeted intervention. Experts from Swim England and supporting MPs stress the need for urgent catch‑up education and broader water safety awareness. A coalition of organisations backs efforts to improve training and prevent further avoidable deaths.

A man from Glasgow who was warned he might not reach 30 has celebrated the milestone after losing nearly 17 stone through Slimming World. Following a collapse at his first weigh-in, he changed his diet, increased activity, and received consistent group support that helped reverse conditions including prediabetes and sleep apnoea. His consultant highlighted the importance of supportive groups, particularly for men, as his transformation reshaped his health, confidence and daily life.