Thunderstorm alert issued across UK as Met Office warns of 'lightning strikes and hail'

Extreme weather is UK’s ‘new normal’, says Met Office

Extremes of heat and rainfall are becoming the new normal in the UK, says the Met Office. Its State of the Climate report 2024 highlights how the UK is now about 1.24C warmer than from 1961 to 1990. The report also confirms for the first time that sea level rise in the UK is higher than the global average, increasing risks of coastal flooding and erosion. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Govt: Water system is broken

The system for regulating water companies should be overhauled and replaced with one body for England and one body for Wales, a landmark review of the sector has advised. The much-anticipated report from the Independent Water Commission, led by former Bank of England deputy governor Sir Jon Cunliffe, outlines 88 recommendations to the UK and Welsh governments. Water minister Emma Hardy says she cannot guarantee the government will implement all 88 recommendations. Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Ofwat "failed everybody", says Environment Secretary

Environment Secretary Steve Reed says the water regulator Ofwat has “clearly failed everybody,” citing record pollution levels and rising bills. Reed said the government is committed to halving sewage discharges into England and Wales’ waterways by 2030. He called for “a revolution in our water sector” and said a report from Sir John Cunliffe will guide urgent regulatory reform. Report by Etemadil. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn