Water Crisis Update: Thames Water says its hosepipe ban in Oxfordshire will be lifted “as soon as conditions allow” after showers arrive this week, but warns there’s been no significant rainfall for around eight weeks. Drought-to-Flood Risk: The Met Office warns heavy downpours could trigger surface water flooding in drought-hit areas, with “storm moments” as baked ground struggles to absorb rain. Bills and Infrastructure: Ofwat gives provisional approval for five water firms to raise bills from 2027-2030, including Thames Water, citing investment to improve supplies and remove PFAS/“forever chemicals”. Wildfire Heat Legacy: A new debate is growing around solar geoengineering, with one piece arguing solar radiation modification could cut heat deaths but raises health trade-offs. Energy Demand Pressure: National Grid outlines major upgrades in north-west London to connect data centres, including new 132kV and 400kV infrastructure. Local Planning Fight: Clearstone’s proposed AI data centre in rural Kent faces backlash over farmland loss and water pressure, with a petition nearing 1,300 signatures. Food Safety: The FSA refreshes Northern Ireland’s shellfish classification list for August 2026, updating how bivalves are treated before sale.