The cost of upgrading Great Britain's electricity networks through the 2030s has increased by 50% to almost £90bn, according to the National Energy System Operator (Neso). This investment is crucial for connecting low-carbon energy and meeting rising demand, aligning with the UK government's 2030 clean power targets.
UK families, including those with newborn babies, are booking air-conditioned hotel rooms to escape the ongoing heatwave, leading to a significant surge in demand. The UK hotel industry saw a 34% revenue increase in late June, with many establishments operating at or near capacity.
Former world champion Lizzie Deignan has been appointed as a sporting director for Great Britain's cycling team, focusing on supporting the road squad through to the LA 2028 Olympic Games. Deignan, a 2012 Olympic silver medalist and 2015 world champion, expressed excitement about working with the team and helping riders achieve maximum performance.
Great Britain's National Energy System Operator (Neso) issued a second electricity supply alert this week, asking generators for extra power on Friday evening due to high demand from air conditioning and reduced generation capacity caused by Europe's heatwave.
Ofgem has provisionally approved 16 long-duration electricity storage projects, including three new pumped storage hydropower facilities in Northern Scotland, marking the first such projects in Great Britain in over 40 years, aiming to reduce reliance on energy imports.
Great Britain's energy regulator has provisionally approved three new major hydropower projects, the first in over 40 years, to be built in Scotland. These projects, alongside other energy storage solutions, aim to reduce reliance on energy imports and volatile fossil fuel markets.
Britain's grid operator, Neso, is expected to pay millions to secure extra electricity on Wednesday evening due to extreme heat straining the energy system. High demand from air conditioning and low wind generation prompted the payment to avoid a rare summer power supply crunch.
Record heatwaves across Europe are driving up electricity prices to multi-year highs due to increased demand for cooling and power plant outages. Great Britain is importing electricity at significantly higher costs, while Germany and France also face soaring market prices.
UK retail sales volumes rose 1.2% in May, exceeding analyst forecasts, driven by record hot weather boosting sales of fans and paddling pools, alongside strong online purchases and promotions. Supermarkets saw a slight decline.
UK retail sales volume rose 1.2% in May, exceeding analyst forecasts, due to record hot weather boosting sales of fans and pools, strong online performance, and promotions. Supermarkets were the only sector to decline.
A national passenger survey reveals less than half of Great Britain's rail commuters believe their train fare offers value for money. CrossCountry passengers reported the lowest satisfaction, particularly regarding delay management, despite overall journey numbers reaching a record high.
The UK government is continuing its nationalisation of major rail operators, with Govia Thameslink becoming the eleventh to return to public ownership. This move aims to make railways more reliable and affordable, ending a privatised system criticized for fragmentation and profit focus. A new state-controlled company, Great British Railways, is set to manage infrastructure and services.
French riot police, deployed under a UK-France deal, are authorised to use water cannon, CS gas, and batons against asylum seekers in northern France. The £660m deal aims to prevent small boat launches, but refugee charities condemn the potential use of water cannon as "sickening" and inhumane.
Police in Northern Ireland have fired plastic bullets and received reinforcements from Great Britain to quell race riots. The violence, targeting minority ethnic people, has led to injuries and arrests, with officials condemning the racist thuggery.
GLP-1 weight-loss drug users in Great Britain are saving an average of £418 annually on groceries, with household use nearly tripling in two years to 1.9 million adults. The drugs are impacting food consumption and forcing retailers to adapt.
The UK's National Energy System Operator (Neso) has offered grid connections to over 700 clean energy projects, clearing a two-year backlog and enabling nearly 60% of schemes needed for 2030 targets. Reforms prioritize "shovel-ready" projects, boosting investor certainty and aiming to lower energy bills.
Ovo Energy will pay over £10m after Ofgem found inadequate monitoring of vulnerable customers with prepayment meters posed a risk of harm. The settlement includes £7m to Ofgem's redress fund and £3.4m in credit/debt relief for customers, plus £1.1m for rural Scottish customers.
Jonas Vingegaard has achieved a cycling Grand Slam by winning the Giro d'Italia, joining an elite group of champions. The Dane overcame life-threatening injuries from a 2024 crash to secure his fourth Grand Tour victory.
Great Britain's Max Burgin won the 800m at the Diamond League meeting in Rabat, Morocco, in 1:42.98. Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi of Kenya was second, while Algeria's Slimane Moula finished third. Other notable results included Matthew Hudson-Smith second in the 400m and Soufiane El Bakkali winning the 3,000m steeplechase.
The UK's energy price cap will increase by 13% to £1,862/year from July to September, driven by soaring global energy prices amid the war in Iran, affecting average households with a £221 annual rise.
Great Britain's Katie Boulter secured a tough 6-4 4-6 6-4 victory over American wildcard Akasha Urhobo in the first round of the French Open. Boulter, who has historically struggled on clay, advanced to the second round at Roland Garros for the second time in her career.
Millions in Great Britain face rising energy bills as costs are forecast to increase by nearly 13% from summer. Ministers are urged to provide targeted support, with campaigners expressing disappointment over the lack of immediate action on domestic energy costs.
Great Britain has been relegated from the top division of the World Championship after a decisive 6-0 defeat against Latvia in Zurich. Despite a strong start, GB failed to convert chances, while Latvia secured their win with goals from Dzierkals, Smirnovs, Balcers, Tralmaks, Egle, and Krastenbergs.
UK retail sales volume fell 1.3% in April, the steepest monthly decline in a year, as motorists cut fuel purchases by over 10% after stocking up in March due to the Iran war. Excluding fuel, sales dropped 0.4%.
