Drought declared in England & Heathrow fee hike
Drought conditions have been officially declared across more than half of England following record-low rainfall and high temperatures, while air passengers face a future increase in travel costs.
If you live in affected areas, you should prepare for potential water usage restrictions as authorities manage the impact of the drought on national supplies. While specific local measures vary by water provider, residents are encouraged to monitor local council announcements for guidance on water conservation.
In addition to environmental changes, passengers flying from Heathrow Airport will see a small increase in costs starting in 2028. The UK regulator has approved a charge of approximately 15 pence extra per passenger to help fund the early stages of the airport's expansion project.
Beyond these updates, the government has appointed Chris McDonald as the new science minister to oversee research and development policy. Meanwhile, the Royal Navy continues its training programme for Ukrainian sailors at Portsmouth Naval Base as part of ongoing international support efforts.
For more information on these developments, including updates on regional water restrictions and further government appointments, please check the News section of our app.