Heat & health: UKHSA amber heat health alerts cover most of England as temperatures push into the mid-30s, with workforce and health risks flagged alongside drought pressure. Drought & water use: Flash drought now affects much of England; London’s Secretary Angela Rayner urged people to stop washing cars while hosepipe restrictions bite. Wildfire pressure: Firefighters continue tackling major blazes including the New Forest, as hot, dry conditions raise the risk of a “new wildfire era”. Food security: Farmers warn the drought could trigger shortages and higher prices after wheat, dairy and vegetables hit multi-year highs. Transport & resilience: Network Rail is closing lines in North Wales for upgrades focused on drainage and flood-hit infrastructure to make routes more resilient. Circular economy: WRAP has unveiled a flexible plastics strategy under the UK Packaging Pact, while recycling debate turns on how much responsibility should fall on the public. Policy & trade: UK exporters are being told to prepare for new EU packaging rules that tighten reuse and recyclability requirements for transport packaging. Myth-busting: A claim attributed to the Met Office linking heatwave deaths to climate change was challenged as “fake news”, reigniting debate over how heat impacts are communicated.