Neil Shaw

McDonald's is launching a limited-edition menu in the UK and Ireland inspired by six gaming franchises associated with Microsoft: Halo, Fallout, Forza Horizon, Overwatch, World of Warcraft and Candy Crush. Items include themed McNuggets, dips, potato bites, a drink, McFlurry and Sugar Donut packaging. Through the McDonald's App, customers can also access daily deals, a gamified Side Missions experience and exclusive in-game rewards across the participating titles.

More than half of drivers over 65 surveyed said they would not expect to pass a driving test if required to retake it, with the theory test the main concern. Despite this lack of confidence, older drivers performed strongly in identifying road signs, with 93% to 98% correctly recognising several signs. The findings come as the UK Government considers mandatory eyesight tests for drivers aged 70 and over. First Response Finance motoring expert Jonathan Such said the results indicate that knowledge of updated rules may fade with time, rather than showing that older drivers are necessarily unsafe, and recommended refreshing the Highway Code.

More than one in 10 people aged 17–25 are reported to have fallen victim to ghost broking, in which fraudsters sell fake or invalid motor insurance through channels such as social media. Allianz UK says the number of young drivers involved in fraud or driving uninsured has risen, while the insurer handles thousands of misrepresented or deliberately altered policies annually. Allianz has launched a free quiz with driving instructor and influencer Francis Naokes to teach young drivers and parents how to identify warning signs, including unusually cheap premiums, bank-transfer demands, unofficial messaging channels, unverifiable documents and brokers without FCA registration. The insurer is also calling for insurance education to be added to the driving theory test.

HM Revenue and Customs will contact around one million low-paid workers from August 2026 about Low Earner’s Pension Payments correcting pension tax-relief disparities affecting some people in net pay workplace schemes. Eligibility will be assessed for each tax year from 2024/25, with many affected workers earning around the £12,570 Personal Allowance. Recipients do not need to apply in advance, but should check official HMRC correspondence and their Personal Tax Account. The campaign may also attract scammers, so people should verify messages through GOV.UK and never provide passwords, PINs or payments to release money.

Pensioners are being warned not to pay private companies hundreds or thousands of pounds to submit Attendance Allowance claims, because the benefit application is free through the UK Government. Some firms charge fixed fees or take a percentage of the first year’s award; one reported claimant paid £1,033 after receiving £110 a week. Experts advise checking fees in pounds, understanding how charges are calculated, reviewing completed forms before submission and seeking free help from organisations including Age UK, Citizens Advice and Turn2us. Applicants should accurately explain how their health conditions affect daily life, while remembering that paying a claims company does not guarantee approval.

Which? warns that criminals are increasingly manipulating victims into approving card payments while impersonating banks, police or financial regulators. Unlike authorised push payment bank transfers, which are generally covered by mandatory reimbursement rules introduced in October 2024, authorised card payments may be harder to recover when the money ultimately reaches a fraudster. Victims may have to rely on chargeback, Section 75 claims or complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Which? is calling for stronger defences and better industry data, while UK Finance and the Financial Conduct Authority urge consumers to reject unexpected calls, avoid sharing one-time passcodes and contact their bank through official channels.

Actress Lucy Davis has revealed that she has incurable stage-four breast cancer that has spread to her bones and is too advanced for chemotherapy. In response, radiation oncologist Jiri Kubes outlines breast cancer warning signs beyond lumps, including nipple inversion, changes in breast or nipple size and shape, discoloration, rashes and crusting. The article emphasizes regular breast checks and prompt medical consultation, noting that early diagnosis improves treatment prospects and that treatment options can include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery and hormone therapy.

Asda plans to outsource all in-store cleaning to Bidvest and NIC Services, affecting around 3,500 employees across England and Scotland. Workers are expected to transfer under TUPE protections, with the process scheduled for completion by 1 October and no redundancies planned. Asda says the change will improve cleanliness through new equipment and robotic technology, but the GMB union has condemned the move, warning that outsourcing could lead to reduced pay, worse conditions and job losses.

Potatoes may last up to three times longer when stored in a refrigerator at 3–5°C rather than in a dark cupboard, although many British fridges are reportedly too warm. The guidance recommends keeping potatoes dry in a breathable paper bag or mesh net, avoiding sealed plastic packaging, and placing an apple nearby to help slow sprouting. Green or heavily sprouted potatoes may contain solanine and should be discarded or trimmed generously. The advice is presented as a way to reduce food waste and household spending during hot weather.

A.Vogel is recalling 30g packs of Rapunzel bioSnacky Das Original Red Clover Seeds for Sprouts and Seedlings after STEC E. coli was found in the product. The recall covers England, Wales and Scotland and applies to batch 11293 with a best-before date of December 2028. Consumers are advised not to grow or consume the seeds and to return them for a full refund. Symptoms can include severe or bloody diarrhoea and abdominal pain, with the potentially fatal kidney condition haemolytic uremic syndrome among the complications. Anyone experiencing symptoms should stay away from work, school or nursery until symptom-free for at least 48 hours.

Dogs may react unusually to the United Kingdom’s partial solar eclipse on Wednesday, including freezing, pacing, whining, seeking reassurance, herding owners indoors, becoming energetic or chasing shifting shadows. Vet Linda Simon says these behaviours are normal responses to sudden changes in light and recommends using a calm voice, maintaining familiar routines and providing a comfortable place for dogs until daylight returns.

Veterinarian Dr Charlotte Inness warns UK dog and cat owners that nearly invisible harvest mites and lungworm larvae may become more prevalent in late summer. Harvest mites can cause intense itching and may be associated with Seasonal Canine Illness, while lungworm carried by slugs and snails can lead to clotting problems, internal bleeding and death. Owners are advised to check pets daily around the paws, armpits, groin and ears, use lungworm-specific veterinary preventatives, maintain gardens and outdoor items, avoid toxic home remedies such as garlic and concentrated essential oils, and seek prompt veterinary advice when symptoms appear.

Learner drivers at 60 British test centres faced median waits of at least 17.3 weeks in June, with Forfar recording the longest wait at 29.7 weeks. The nationwide long-standing measure was 20.9 weeks, far above the 5.8-week level before the pandemic, and the government’s target to reduce waits to seven weeks by the end of 2025 was missed. The DVSA says it recognizes the frustration, has added almost 280,000 tests since June 2025, and is recruiting and training examiners, including military personnel, while reforming the booking system. The RAC Foundation welcomed the new centre-level data but said the delays remain far longer than the agency’s ultimate goal.

Analysis of 120 years of Office for National Statistics data identifies traditional British names at risk of disappearing because very few babies are being given them. Names highlighted include Leigh, Maurice, Percy, Claude, Winifred, Millicent, Freda, Rosina and Bessie, while Cecil became officially extinct in 2024. The article also notes the emergence of Athena and Yahya in England and Wales’s top 100 names and contrasts declining names with resurgent vintage choices such as Florence and Arthur.

Experts are warning people in the UK ahead of the August 12 solar eclipse that looking directly at the sun without proper protection for even a few seconds can cause permanent vision damage. Photokeratitis may produce painful, temporary symptoms, while solar retinopathy can damage the retina without pain and lead to irreversible sight loss. Dr Stephen Hannan of Optical Express recommends certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses, properly fitted solar filters for optical equipment, or indirect viewing methods such as a pinhole projector, and advises keeping protection on throughout the event and seeking an optometrist's help if vision changes occur.

Supermarket shoppers are warned to pay closer attention to parent-and-child, disabled parking, CCTV, parking restriction, trolley and no-alcohol signs. Misusing designated bays or breaching private car-park rules can lead to charges commonly ranging from £60 to £100, while disabled-bay violations on public roads may result in council penalties of up to £70. CCTV and trolley notices generally do not carry direct fines but communicate surveillance, trolley-management and site-use rules.

UK petrol prices have risen by more than 6.5p per litre since the start of July, while diesel has increased by 9p, driven by elevated oil prices following renewed conflict involving Iran and the United States. The RAC forecasts petrol could reach 160p per litre and diesel 180p by the end of the week, with diesel rising faster because of the UK’s reliance on imports and increased US demand. The organization says prices may remain high unless oil prices fall consistently over several weeks and recommends using its myRAC app to locate cheaper fuel.

Lidl GB is launching Wellness Wednesdays through Lidl Plus, offering 10% off a product from its Live Well range every Wednesday from 30 July to 2 September 2026. The promotion accompanies seven £1 Planet Plate recipes created with chef Miguel Barclay, designed around the Planetary Health Diet and affordable ingredients such as beans, lentils, wholegrains, fruit and vegetables. Lidl says the initiative responds to research showing that many consumers view healthy eating as expensive and sometimes choose less healthy food because it costs less.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK Government faces major decisions over council tax reform, citing disparities in which households pay more despite living in less valuable homes than those in London. He defended previous reform efforts associated with Rachel Reeves but said any changes would need to comply with Labour's 2024 manifesto. Number 10 denied reports that the Government was considering replacing council tax and stamp duty with an annual charge based on property or land values. Labour backbenchers, including Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash, are pressing for wholesale reform, arguing that the current system unfairly penalizes households in areas such as Hartlepool.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has indicated that benefit support could become conditional on claimants taking up employment and other opportunities, while stressing that young people and those needing mental health support should receive better assistance rather than simply being blamed. The government is seeking to reduce a rising welfare bill, with Personal Independence Payment claims exceeding four million and projected spending surpassing £41 billion by the end of the decade. Burnham also promised rapid, substantial social care reform to reduce pressure on the NHS, though he would not commit to a timetable. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch demanded that any reform protect people who have saved for care and be funded without tax rises or additional borrowing.

Double-glazing salesman Toby Yarrow says he has earned about £1,740 over two years by identifying vacant homes for Empty Property Hunters, which pays £20 for a confirmed lead and 1% if it buys the property. A dead pigeon helped him spot his first abandoned house. Yarrow spends the income on kebabs but also values the prospect of helping convert derelict properties into homes amid England’s housing shortage. He shared tips including looking for neglected entrances, asking neighbours, searching online complaints and submitting photographic evidence.

Centrica, the owner of British Gas, plans to eliminate around 1,300 jobs over two years, including 500 customer-operations roles and additional offshore support and group-function positions. The cuts would reduce its customer-operations workforce by about 14% and reflect a shift toward digital customer support, which is used by around 90% of customers. Centrica says it will continue recruiting engineers and hiring 500 apprentices this year to meet demand in other areas.

Under the UK’s rolling 40-year vehicle tax exemption, cars built in 1985 became eligible for historic vehicle status and free Vehicle Excise Duty from 1 April 2026. Because reclassification is not automatic, thousands of owners may still be paying tax unnecessarily. Heritage Car Insurance identified more than 8,330 unreclassified vehicles across ten popular models, with the Land Rover Ninety, Volkswagen Transporter/Caravelle T3 and Austin Mini Mayfair among the most numerous. Owners must apply to the DVLA for reclassification, which can also provide exemption from the MOT requirement.

Vet nurse Leah Callaghan identifies Labradors, French Bulldogs, German Shepherds, Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds and Border Collies as breeds whose diets may require particular attention when using highly processed kibble or canned food. She cites risks involving weight gain, digestive sensitivities, skin problems, pancreatic insufficiency and differing activity levels, while emphasizing that individual needs vary. Puppies are also highlighted because high-heat processing may reduce the availability of nutrients such as lysine during development. Lower-temperature fresh food is presented as one possible alternative, though owners are advised to prioritize complete, balanced nutrition and consult veterinary professionals.