Matt Lee

The most popular baby names for 2025 highlight regional differences across Cambridgeshire, where George is the top boys’ name and Poppy leads for girls. Nationally, Muhammad, Noah and Leo were the most common boys’ names, while Olivia, Lily and Amelia topped the girls’ list. Several names entered or dropped from the UK top 100, with significant rises for Ada, Maeve and Charlotte among girls and Roman, Harry and Finley among boys. The Office for National Statistics data also shows that many of Cambridgeshire’s favourites, including Olivia, Amelia and George, rank highly across England and Wales.

HMP Whitemoor, a high‑security Cambridgeshire prison known as 'Britain's Alcatraz', has held several notorious criminals, including Dennis Nilsen, Paul Magee and Michael Steele. Inspection findings reported significant cleanliness and maintenance issues, with inmates criticising dirty conditions despite keeping their own cells tidy. The Ministry of Justice outlined major investments aimed at improving prison infrastructure, rehabilitation opportunities and staffing, while ongoing training, education and work placements continue to support prisoner rehabilitation.

A second hosepipe ban has been introduced across Cambridgeshire as Anglian Water responds to exceptionally high water demand driven by prolonged dry weather, record temperatures and three heatwaves. Rivers and reservoirs are at notably low levels, prompting the company to impose its first ban in over a decade, following a similar restriction already enacted by Cambridge Water. The ban begins on July 11 and limits non-essential water use, with exceptions to protect vulnerable people and jobs. Anglian Water urges residents to conserve water to maintain supply and safeguard the region’s environment.