Latest news with #Weybridge
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Increasing risk of animal diseases prompts dire warning for UK
A National Audit Office (NAO) report warns the UK Government is not prepared for the increasing risk of animal diseases and would struggle to manage a major outbreak, potentially costing billions. The report highlights that long-term resilience is undermined by focussing on frequent outbreaks without a long-term strategy. Contingency plans are outdated – for example, the foot and mouth strategy has not been updated since 2011. Only 5 per cent of live animal imports undergo physical checks, raising the risk of exotic diseases, and there is a shortage of vets at the Animal and Plant Health Agency, along with a high risk of failure at the Weybridge animal science lab. The NAO found that Defra acknowledges a "very high" risk of being unable to respond effectively to an outbreak but lacks a long-term strategy and action plan to improve resilience.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
UK ‘not ready' for major animal disease outbreak
Britain is not prepared to handle a major outbreak of disease in animals like bird flu, foot and mouth or African swine fever, the government's spending watchdog has warned. The UK would be 'unable to respond effectively' to an animal outbreak, which could cost the UK economy billions in lost livestock and pose a significant risk to human health, according to a new report from the National Audit Office (NAO). The report examines the readiness of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and has found significant shortcomings in its contingency planning. There is a 'very high risk' of Weybridge, the government's biosecure containment labs responsible for testing animal diseases, being unable to cope with the demands of testing and tracing in the event of a major outbreak, it said, noting that the issue 'has worsened' in recent years. DEFRA rated the likelihood of such a failure at 25 out of 25, the maximum rating that can be given. 'The site is in poor condition, with ageing buildings that need major repair and replacement, and a lack of capacity to carry out research and testing,' the report says. While a £2.8 billion redevelopment programme at Weybridge was now underway, the main new laboratory facilities will not be delivered for another 10 years, it added. Plans for how outbreaks of several major diseases including bird flu, which has already killed more than seven million birds in Britain since 2020, have not been updated in more than a decade. The government came under similar criticism during the Covid inquiry after it was revealed the UK did not have an up-to-date pandemic plan or strategy. The last one was published in 2011 and has not been revised since. The risk of 'exotic' animal diseases entering the country is also rising, partly because only five per cent of live animal imports are being physically checked at the border – far below the target of 100 per cent set by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), an arm of DEFRA, which was meant to be reached last year. Adding to the concern, around 20 per cent of veterinary positions at APHA are currently unfilled, further weakening the UK's ability to respond swiftly to a crisis. DEFRA also lacks a comprehensive livestock tracing system, which is 'crucial to responding quickly and effectively to contain an outbreak,' the report says. The systems currently in place are 'fragmented' and 'run on outdated legacy systems,' including a cattle tracing platform which was set up in 1998 and has 'significant reliability issues'. During recent outbreaks of H5N1 bird flu, APHA and local authorities had to distribute flyers in areas where the infection was present and send out teams to find farms at risk of contracting the virus, because the government agency did not have a complete list of poultry farms and bird keepers. The government department has also failed to test its response capabilities in any meaningful way, according to the watchdog. Exercises to test outbreak contingency plans have been increasingly 'table-top' exercises – meaning they are conducted online rather than in the field – which would better simulate a real outbreak scenario. As it stands, a major animal disease outbreak would cost the UK economy hundreds of millions, or even billions, of pounds. The NAO cited the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak, which resulted in an estimated £13.8 billion in economic losses. 'A long-term strategy and action plan are urgently needed, to protect national economic resilience as well as food security, human health and rural communities,' said Gareth Davies, head of the NAO. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chairman of the parliamentary Committee of Public Accounts, said: 'Despite some good work to identify new threats, Government's preparations for a future major outbreak are being hampered by a lack of capacity, skills and long-term strategy. 'The government's failure to carry out checks on animal imports is also threatening biosecurity at the border. Resilience to a severe outbreak has not been tested in recent years, but the threat remains ever increasing as our livestock become more susceptible to disease. 'Without changes to the current operating system, there is a very real risk that the Government would not be able to respond effectively.'
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Eamonn Holmes' girlfriend warns ‘I don't forget' after ‘year of hell' for Ruth Langsford's love rival
Beth Allcock Published: Invalid Date, EAMONN Holmes' new girlfriend has opened up on her "year of hell" amid the broadcaster's divorce from ex wife Ruth Langsford. Marriage counsellor Katie Alexander, 43, who started dating the GB News anchor last year, also warned she "doesn't forget" in a candid message posted on Instagram Stories. 7 7 7 7 It came after the lovebirds shared a cute selection of snaps following a happy day at the park this weekend. Katie has taken to her account to admit 2024 had been "the year of hell" with "lies about me and death threats from people who have never met me." She added: "Not only did my mental health suffer but also my childrens' did. "One thing I don't do it forget. "But a huge thank you to my friends and family who know me, and the truth, and have supported me through the past year." Her stark admission comes as Eamonn, 65, is in the midst of a divorce from ex Ruth Langsford, also 65, and a battle over their £3.6million home. The divorcing Loose Women star has been granted a severance of joint tenancy of the six-bed pile they bought in 2014. The move, revealed in public documents, means that if Ruth were to die her share of the house in Weybridge, Surrey, would not go to her former spouse Eamonn, with whom she shares son Jack. GOING STRONG Meanwhile, Katie's relationship with Eamonn appears to be going from strength to strength. Fresh twist in Eamonn Holmes & Ruth Langsford's divorce as celeb pair battle over £3.6m home Earlier this month, Katie broke her silence on speculation the pair were engaged. After recently flashing her pearly white smile, The Sun was also first to report how Eamonn is "smitten" with his new partner. A source told The Sun on Sunday: 'Eamonn is smitten with Katie's appearance. 'She looks immaculate on his arm and he's a very proud man.' Ruth and Eamonn's relationship timeline Before the shock split announcement, Ruth and Eamonn seemed like one of the strongest couples on UK TV – even with their signature bickering style. Here's how their romance played out... 1997 - The couple first meet after being introduced by mutual friends, two years after Eamonn splits from his first wife, Gabrielle, with whom he has three children. 1997-2002 - To be respectful to Gabrielle, the couple kept their relationship out of the limelight. Ruth told Daily Mail: "I thought it spoke volumes about the sort of man he was, the sort of father he was and the integrity he had. It made me love him more, not less." 2002 - Ruth and Eamonn welcome their son, Jack, to the family. 2005 - Eamonn finalises his divorce with Gabrielle. 2006 - The pair begin to host Friday episodes of This Morning together. 2010 - Eamonn proposes to Ruth while at the Cheltenham Races, after asking Ruth's mother for her hand. June 2010 - Eamonn and Ruth marry at Elvetham Hall, Hampshire. 2016 - Eamonn undergoes a double hip replacement in the first of many health battles. June 2019 - On This Morning, Ruth and Eamonn say the secret to their happy marriage. Eamonn credits "compromise, consideration and lots of conjugal," while Ruth said it was "laughter and an equal marriage". November 2020 - Ruth and Eamonn are replaced on their regular Friday slot by Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary in a 'show shake-up'. December 202 1 - After a year of being moved to the bank holiday presenting slot, both Eamonn and Ruth left This Morning. January 2022 - Eamonn debuted on GB News, while Ruth stayed with ITV in her long-standing role on Loose Women. September 2022 - Eamonn undergoes spinal surgery after years of back issues including a trapped sciatic nerve. November 2022 - Eamonn falls down the stairs of his Surrey home with Ruth and breaks his shoulder, requiring a new operation. September 2023 - Eamonn has a spine and neck stretching procedure as part of his year-long recovery. May 2024 - Ruth and Eamonn announce they have split after 14 years of marriage and a 27-year relationship. September 2024 - Eamonn was spotted on a luxury holiday in Barcelona with his new girlfriend Katie Alexander. Ruth calls in a 'fierce' divorce lawyer. HEALTH WOE Katie's admission came after a tough week for her man. Eamonn sparked fears among his followers after he posted a heartbreaking update on his health to social media. He vowed to "redouble my efforts" to walk again after being confined to a wheelchair. In his bittersweet caption alongside a snap showing him looking svelte from 2022 he wrote: Great picture popped up from 3 years but it's made me sad - I could walk." The telly favourite added: "Got to redouble my efforts." Eamonn's wellbeing was also a cause for concern after he opened up on the horror injuries he suffered while falling off a chair during his GB News Breakfast Show slot. The Belfast-born journalist had a double hip replacement in 2016 yet has been suffering from chronic pain since a follow-up spinal operation in September 2022. 7 7 7
BBC News
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Brooklands tribute to Weybridge man who died in Donington crash
The chief executive of Brooklands Museum has paid tribute to the former vice chairman of its Members organisation, who died in a racing crash on Grimwade, 72, died in a crash at Donington Park circuit on 24 May while competing at the Vintage Motorsport Patterson hailed Mr Grimwade, from Weybridge, as a "wonderful character and a wonderful man".National governing body Motorsport UK said it "sends its sincerest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Julian, as well as the Vintage Sports Car Club". Speaking on Radio Surrey, Mr Patterson said: "He was very passionate about his pre-war cars and about Brooklands."It's truly a tragic loss to us all in the community - not just at Brooklands but across the wider historic car community as well."He was just a true gentleman who always had time for anyone."Mr Grimwade is credited by Brooklands as being one of the founders of the Members organisation as it is today and served as its vice chairman until 2023.A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said it was notified of a single vehicle collision at a licensed track day at Donington Park on 24 force added: "The driver of the vehicle – a man in his 70s – was taken to hospital where he was later pronounced deceased."Enquiries are ongoing on behalf of the coroner, it added, but no criminal investigation is taking UK said it would also conduct into the governing body the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) also issued a statement on X, following the Donington Park death which it said was one of three fatal motorsport incidents, including one in Scotland and a third in Denmark.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Divorce drama deepens for Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford as £3.6m home at centre of battle
Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes' divorce has taken another turn, with lawyers now involved over the pair's former marital home. Langsford is understood to have been granted a severance of joint tenancy on their £3.6 million six-bedroom property in Weybridge, Surrey. The legal move means Holmes would no longer have a claim on Langsford's share of the home, which the couple purchased together in 2014, according to The Sun. Sarah Dwight, of the Law Society, explained: 'One of the first things divorce lawyers do is to give their clients the option to sever the joint tenancy, so they can leave their share of the house to whoever they want. 'This move protects Ruth in that if she were to die, she can leave her wealth to whoever she wants, rather than Eamonn getting everything.' The decision marks the latest development in the high-profile split between the former This Morning hosts, both 65, who met in 1997 and share a son, Jack, born in 2002. Holmes is reported to have told friends his relationship with Langsford is 'very, very tricky'. Holmes' new girlfriend Katie Alexander shared their first photos together on Instagram amid the broadcaster's health struggles. The GB News presenter, 65, began dating the relationship counsellor, 43, following the end of his 14-year marriage. Alexander posted a reel of a recent loved-up day out with the former This Morning host on Instagram, which was set to The Levellers' song, What A Beautiful Day. She posed for cosy selfies with Holmes, who was in a wheelchair, and her dog Dottie in the clip, which was captioned: 'Lovely weather... lovely company.' Meanwhile, Holmes has been facing a slew of health struggles recently. On Wednesday morning, he fell off his chair while presenting a live segment on GB News. While the camera was trained on commentator Charlie Rowley, a crash could be heard off-screen as Holmes' co-host Ellie Costello exclaimed: 'Oh my gosh!' As Rowley looked stunned and went to help Holmes, the veteran host was heard saying: 'I'm fine, I'm fine. Carry on, carry on.'
