Britain is bracing for another heat wave this week, but health chiefs are determined to face colder weather.
The new health minister is warning today that the NHS is facing a winter emergency and it will be “too late” to avert a crisis if action is delayed until a new prime minister is in office.
In his first interview since he took the jobSteve Barclay said hospitals face “very serious challenges that will hit the track in the fall”.
He said his department was in a “real sprint to be ready for September” and that decisions, including hiring more staff from abroad, could not wait for a new party leader. political correspondent Nick Gutteridge explains how the NHS faces threats on three fronts.
Known as one of Boris Johnson’s most loyal lieutenants, Barclay was one of those who hung out with him in No. 10 as the walls drew closer.
Tellingly, he don’t rule out the most extraordinary political comebacks for the man who will soon no longer be his boss.
Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss are under increasing pressure to explain how they will help households with the rising cost of living and the “financial time bomb” this fall.
Ms Truss is under fire from Mr Sunak’s allies for suggesting there would be no “handouts” – a comment one of her main supporters said it was misunderstood.
Associate Editor Camilla Tominey is organizing an unmissable event this week Telegraph hustings event with the two candidates. Sign Up in person or online.
Snake bans ridiculed for a whole bunch of exceptions
In Britain’s long, hot summer, millions of people have been banned from using garden hoses to wash cars or replenish gardens amid drought.
Still, the rules have been described as “crazy” after it was found that people with newly laid lawns could still use them to water their grass.
South East Water will enforce a garden hose ban from Friday, after a Southern Water ban went into effect last week.
Environmental correspondent Olivia Rudgard learned from a whole host of exceptions to the rulesthat experts have warned about will lead to confusion and inconsistencies.
And while the temperatures may make it seem like perfect barbecue weather, the public has been told that the risk of a fire is too great to cook outside after a garden fire in Essex spread to 15 homes.