Latest news with #Brits
Daily Mirror
11 minutes ago
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
BREAKING: Environment Agency declares UK drought as millions hit with hosepipe bans
A drought has been declared in the UK as millions of Brits face hosepipe bans. The Environment Agency - which aims to help protect the UK environment - has warned England faces widespread drought conditions by September. As it stands, there are five additional regions that could be declared drought zones, it says.
New Statesman
28 minutes ago
- Politics
- New Statesman
Britain's shattered trust
Photo byWestminster loves a good piece of polling research, and the latest offering from More In Common – dramatically entitled Shattered Britain – has captured imaginations as Parliament limps towards the summer recess. There is loads in the report to pore over and squabble about – not least the quiz segmenting the British public into seven strata of voter, from Progressive Activists and Rooted Patriots to Dissenting Disruptors and Sceptical Scrollers (which is, incidentally, a great name for a Nineties indie band). The arguments about how these fit into traditional notions of both class and party politics will go on for days. Key to the analysis is not what separates Brits, but what unites us. And somewhat terrifyingly, that unifying theme seems to be a sense of mistrust. A staggering 87 per cent of people trust politicians not very much or not at all, with net negative trust among all seven groups. This tallies with the latest annual British Social Attitudes survey, published last month, which found that 'Just 12 per cent trust governments to put the interests of the nation above those of their own party just about always or most of the time, a record low'. This lack of trust cuts across a range of different policy areas. On the economy, for example, the cost of living crisis is a key voter concern, with half the public believing it will never get better. This pessimism is understandable, given we have now had 17 years of post-crash politicians telling us that better times (or, if you prefer, sunlit uplands) are just around the corner, if we can only batten down the hatches and make 'tough choices' now. On immigration, a decade and a half of governments promising to bring numbers down while doing the opposite has had a corrosive effect. More In Common's director Luke Tryl has some thoughts on why the issue of small boats crossing the Channel is so potent: it symbolises governments that have lost control. The inability of a country to enforce its own borders will be disturbing in and of itself to many voters – but even to people who are less concerned about the issue itself, it is symptomatic of a state that is struggling to function. MPs, by the way, are not blind to this accusation. Conservatives used to lament that ministers would pull a lever to enact change only to find that nothing happened. Labour MPs had little sympathy – but now they've been in power for a year, you'll increasingly hear them say exactly the same. Twice now, from MPs of different parties, I've been told that if you pull a lever it could well come off in your hand. On everything from reforming welfare to resolving public sector pay disputes, cutting NHS waiting lists to building new homes, investing in infrastructure to stopping the boats, a sense of stasis pervades. Try to kick the Whitehall machine into gear, I was told, and the machine has a tendency to kick back. The public, quite reasonably, is not in the mood for excuses. Back in October, barely 100 days since Labour got into power, I sat in on a focus group of people in Sittingbourne, Essex, who had voted for Boris Johnson in 2019 and Keir Starmer in 2024. I was taken aback (as were the organisers) by just how quickly patience with the new government had evaporated – but in a way it made sense. These people had been promised that their lives would get better while things instead got markedly worse for over a decade. They were tired of giving the politicians who had disappointed them the benefit of the doubt. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe This exhaustion helps explain why Labour has been so unsuccessful in blaming their present challenges on the last government, as David Cameron and George Osborne managed to do effectively for years with their line that 'Labour crashed the economy.' It also goes some way to explaining the rise of Reform – or rather why the criticism that Reform is not a serious party with serious policies is failing to land. (If you're curious about what attack lines Labour could use against Nigel Farage that might actually work, check out the latest NS podcast where polling analyst Steve Akehurst shares his latest research on exactly this topic.) 'The sense that Britain is broken, and that none of the traditional parties or institutions can fix it, is leading more people to think that we need to roll the dice on something new,' reads the Shattered Britain report. Polling from last month ahead of the Spending Review, also by More In Common, found a similar sentiment in the increasing willingness to gamble – to hell with the consequences. As I wrote at the time: 'While 46 per cent of people believe Reform would indeed be a risk to the economy (compared to 29 per cent who don't), almost as many (40 per cent) believe the risk is worth it as 'Reform can't be worse than the other parties when it comes to managing the economy'.' It's unclear how politicians from mainstream parties can possibly respond to all this, given the scale of the challenge and how rapidly the public expects solutions. But tucked away at the very end of the report is the line that 'Britain's political map is fundamentally changing as frustration with the status quo is leading to traditional two-party loyalties collapsing into a volatile multi-party system'. We can debate whether the fact that the last election was the most disproportional ever in terms of how the number of votes related to the number the seats, and whether this is a driver or a symptom of the decline in trust in politics (are voters abandoning traditional parties because they feel let down, or do they feel let down because their votes for non-traditional parties aren't properly counted?). But it's hardly a sign of a democracy in good health. The pithily named voter segments don't just suggest a realignment in politics, but a degree of fragmentation that is difficult to map onto a two-party system. Does 'difficult' in fact mean 'impossible'? Something for MPs to chew over as they prepare for their summer holidays. This piece first appeared in the Morning Call newsletter; receive it every morning by subscribing on Substack here [See also: The OBR is always wrong] Related
Leader Live
an hour ago
- Climate
- Leader Live
Brits going to Spain this month issued heatwave alert
The Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has issued severe weather alerts across key holiday hotspots, including Andalusia, Murcia, and the Balearic Islands. These warnings include red and orange alerts for heat, as well as one for the Saharan dust haze in parts of eastern Spain and the islands. The severe weather alerts are affecting key holiday hotspots, including Andalusia, Murcia, and the Balearic Islands. (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Jessie Chambers, a travel specialist at Global Work and Travel, has shared essential tips on the things you should not do during the Spanish heatwave flagged by the AEMET. The expert warns UK travellers coming to Spain that a sudden temperature drop can "shock your system". She has, instead, recommended cooling down gradually, using lukewarm water and cooling cloths. While they can be a useful tool, fans can also circulate hot air once the room temperature exceeds 35C. These should be combined with cold water bottles, mist sprays, or damp sheets for better results. Digesting heavy foods can sometimes raise your body temperature. Travellers should try eating light, water-rich snacks like fruit, salad and yoghurt. Plastic bottles may leach chemicals in extreme heat, and devices left on sun loungers can overheat quickly or become damaged. Surfaces can reach "scorching" temperatures and cause burns. The expert has called on Brits to always wear sandals or flip-flops, even for short distances. Should you open or close your windows during a heatwave? Expert settles debate What are Met Office and UKHSA cold-health and heat-health alerts? Foreign Office reveals all the countries UK holidaymakers should avoid Sleeping in extreme heat can increase your risk of heat exhaustion. If your room doesn't have AC, take your nap in the morning, not the afternoon, Jessie Chambers has advised. Evenings can still hover above 30C, especially inland. To combat this, she had told tourists to avoid long walks after dark unless essential, and to keep water with them at all times.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Tom Holland and Margot Robbie tipped to be next Hollywood legends by UK fans
To celebrate 10 years of Meerkat movies the UK has received it's own 'Hollywood landmark' and it's been signed off by the real deal Tom Holland, Margot Robbie and Zendaya are tipped to be the next big Hollywood legends, according to a survey of Brits. English actress Florence Pugh, known for her roles in Dune: Part Two and Oppenheimer, and Willy Wonka's Timothée Chalamet also made it into the top five. The study was commissioned by Compare the Market, which found that the majority of Brits believe the UK should have its own iconic film landmark. To kickstart the idea and celebrate 10 years of movies, the price comparison app has erected a massive replica of Los Angeles' famous 'Hollywood' sign – in Hollywood, Worcestershire. A spokesperson said: "For 10 years, we've been helping the nation beat the midweek slump and make saving simples with 2-for-1 cinema tickets on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. And what better way to celebrate than by bringing a little slice of Hollywood to the UK's own Hollywood? "The public's response, and even the message from Hollywood itself, shows how much people still love the magic of the movies." Cinema nostalgia is increasing, especially among younger audiences, with 51 percent of 25-34 year olds saying recent cult movie sequels have boosted their sense of nostalgia for the cinema. Around two thirds of the same age group go to the cinema more now than they used to. The research revealed that 48 percent of Brits go through their weeks on 'autopilot' - with 55 percent desperate for midweek entertainment, not just weekends. Four in 10 rarely go out and do anything on worknights. Similarly, many are now 'actively looking' for ways to break up their midweek routine. Steve Nissen, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, commented: "It's not every day you see the Hollywood sign pop up halfway across the world - let alone in another place called Hollywood. "We're thrilled to see our iconic sign reimagined in Worcestershire and proud to share a little piece of Hollywood with our friends in the UK." TOP 10 ACTORS WHO BRITS THINK WILL BECOME HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS Tom Holland Margot Robbie Zendaya Florence Pugh Timothee Chalamet Austin Butler Sydney Sweeney Anya-Taylor Joy Ayo Edebiri Jacob Elordi
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Tourists flying to popular holiday spot to be fined for taking seatbelts off too early
Passengers who don't follow the rules will face costly consequences UK holidaymakers are being warned they could be hit with a steep fine for breaking an uncommon airplane rule. Tourists travelling to Turkey over the summer are being reminded of the strict seat belt rules which are now being enforced in the country. Last year, around 4.4 million Brits holidayed in Turkey, marking a significant rise of 16.6 percent compared to 2023. The tourism numbers are expected to continue to rise this year, despite the country currently experiencing soaring temperatures, with extreme weather conditions causing devastating wildfires in several areas. A curfew is also currently in force in Marmaris, where venues need to switch off music by midnight. Recently authorities have been clamping down on businesses which are flouting the rules. And now the country have introduced yet another rule for tourists to follow. Eager flyers who wish to be the first to disembark the plane could be fined. Passengers who hurry to collect their cabin luggage before the seatbelt sign has been turned off will now be hit with a £53 fine. The Turkish Civil Aviation Authority announced in May that it would start imposing sanctions on those who unfasten their seatbelts and vacate their seats before the aircraft has fully stopped. "According to the regulation, airlines are obliged to remind passengers to fasten their seatbelts during and after landing until they reach the parking position and to explicitly point out that any infringement will be reported to the aviation authority, and a fine will be imposed," the aviation authority declared, according to the Mirror. In addition, new regulations are set to clamp down on passengers who rush to the front of the plane once the seat belt light is turned off. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Turkey's aviation regulator, stated that individuals who "move to the aisle after the seat belt light goes off before the passengers in the front seats exit" could face fines. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Turkish Airlines, the country's flagship carrier, has updated its in-flight announcements to inform passengers about the penalties for unfastening seat belts too early. The airline cautions that rule-breakers will be reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and may receive an "administrative fine" according to "applicable legal regulations". Whether other airlines will introduce similar warnings for flights landing in Turkey remains uncertain. The new policy hasn't been universally welcomed, with some online voicing concerns that it might lead to longer waits during disembarkation. One disgruntled individual remarked: "There are umpteen reasons why I have been put off flying - for good," adding, "This is just another one of them." Another speculated: "I suspect airlines will start charging us to board first and leave first, just like they do with everything else."
