Peter Davison

Wiltshire firefighters defended the UK Government’s nationwide wildfire emergency alert after critics, including Jacob Rees-Mogg, called it an unnecessary “nanny state” intervention and questioned whether it met the danger-to-life threshold. The Fire Brigades Union Dorset and Wiltshire said the warning was justified by an unprecedented wildfire risk, with 1,000 fires recorded in 2026 and crews already being deployed for prolonged incidents. The union urged the government to increase funding, staffing, vehicles, specialist equipment and training to address worsening wildfire and extreme-weather emergencies.

Wiltshire Council’s Children’s Select Committee heard that external residential placements for children in care had caused a £3.8 million budget overspend, with weekly costs averaging £6,200 against a budgeted £3,800. Independent fostering placements added a further £1 million overspend. Councillors attributed the pressure to high placement costs, including the impact of Ofsted registration requirements for homes caring for 17- and 18-year-olds. Cabinet member Jon Hubbard said kinship care, reunification with parents where safe, and council-run children’s homes were helping contain costs, while emphasizing that family-based care was preferable. Former cabinet member Laura Mayes criticized excessive profits among some private providers and called for government action, particularly concerning private equity involvement in the children’s care market.

Proposed rules would require planning permission for new vape shops, tighten their legal definition, restrict outlets near schools and give councils more power to reject new betting shops and 24-hour adult gaming centres. Police and councils could also close premises suspected of links to organised crime for up to 12 months. Wiltshire Council leader Ian Thorn welcomed the proposals, saying they could help combat illegal tobacco and vape sales, prevent problematic businesses from becoming established and support legitimate high-street traders, while noting that the powers remain subject to legislation.