Browsing: UK Heatwave

Friday is heating up across the UK, with a new heatwave in full swing, temperatures are set to creep into the 30s this weekend. Health alerts have been issued for many parts of the country, with the sweltering conditions expected to linger into the start of next week.

The week ends with a big political win for the prime minister after getting his migrant deal with France over the line. The one in, one out deal, though criticised by the opposition parties, will reduce illegal crossings to the UK. The deal is set to come into effect within weeks, and is a nice distraction for Starmer after weeks of chaos over policy.


In some tough news for the chancellor, the UK economy shrank unexpectedly in May, according to the latest official figures, contracting for the second month in a row. It’s a blow for Chancellor Rachel Reeves, with the government having made boosting economic growth its key priority.

Wimbledon and the Lionesses dominate the sports pages, with all Brits out of the Championship and the Lionesses set to face Wales in a must-win match on Sunday!

Starmer guts welfare reform to avert defeat in Commons | Wednesday’s newspapers
Wednesday’s newspaper front pages lead with the prime minister’s further concessions on his controversial welfare reforms. The late changes came ahead of the House of Commons vote to avoid an embarrassing defeat. The bill passed by 335 votes to 260.

The UK heatwave and Wimbledon find space on the front pages as tennis stars sizzled in the record-breaking temperatures.

The sports papers look ahead to this summer’s Women’s Euros as the Lionesses prepare to defend their crown.

Wednesday’s UK news continues to be dominated by the government’s welfare bill after ministers made last-minute concessions to avoid a possible defeat.

The bill passed by 335 votes to 260 – but 49 Labour MPs still voted against the government, while 18 others abstained.

The headlines react to the news that yesterday was the UK’s hottest day of the year so far as Britain battles a second heatwave of the summer. St James’s Park in London saw England’s hottest temperature reach 34.7C. Temperatures are set to cool down across the UK on Wednesday.

The UK’s second heatwave of the year is set to peak this Monday with temperatures hitting over 34C. The heatwave is affecting much of the country, with major events such as Glastonbury and Wimbledon issuing warnings that could see people being forced to leave early.

The headlines continue to cover the controversy at Glastonbury after punk duo Bob Vylan’s chants of “death, death to the IDF” during the duo’s performance. The performance, along with Irish band Kneecap, will not be available to stream online.

Wimbledon kicks off today, with the headlines reporting on the record number of British tennis players in the world-famous tournament.

There is some continued coverage of the prime minister’s U-turn on the benefits row. The PM backed down from his harsh welfare reforms, making some huge concessions to appease the Labour backbenchers who were mounting a rebellion.

Labour rebels win as Starmer backs down over benefit cuts – UK second heatwave this weekend – Pound hits four-year high | What Happened Today
Friday’s headlines are dominated by the embarrassing U-turn from the prime minister over benefit cuts. More than 120 Labour MPs were mounting a rebellion over Starmer’s heavy cuts to welfare, which the government’s assessment said could end up pushing 250,000 people into poverty, including children. The PM’s desire to slash the ballooning welfare bill is a bid to save around £5bn a year. But it had caused massive upset as the most vulnerable were facing losing key benefits, including disabled people.

The government confirmed the climbdown will mean those currently receiving PIP or the health elements of Universal Credit will continue to do so, and instead, the planned cuts will only hit future claimants.

The vote will proceed as planned on Tuesday in the Commons and is expected to pass.

Amber health alerts have been issued for parts of England as temperatures are set to rise above 30C, in the second UK heatwave in June this year – don’t forget your sunscreen!

Elsewhere, the news that the pound briefly hit its highest level against the dollar for almost four years after markets were unnerved by a report that Trump could bring forward the naming of a new head of the US central bank.