The Daily Mail’s interactive map shows the areas which have had the highest and lowest rates of bowel cancer diagnoses per 100,000 people across the country.
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England risks constructing a new generation of “death trap” buildings that can fatally overheat unless the government tightens standards and prioritises climate safeguards, planning experts have said.
Fears are growing about the plight of vulnerable people in heatwaves, with research this week suggesting that 2,700 people had died in the May and June heatwaves in England and Wales. Yet only about half of local plans being drawn up by councils and local authorities require new buildings to have a cooling or ventilation strategy to prevent overheating, according to findings from the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA).
While nearly all English councils say they intend to include green infrastructure in new housing developments – such as trees that can cool streets or provision of access to waterways – only about a quarter of them use a recognised tool that would ensure this.
“This is a matter of life and death,” said Celia Davis, interim director of operations at the TCPA. “We need to avoid building death traps.”
She warned that although many local authorities had high aims for dealing with heat, this was not always borne out in practice. “There is a gap between what they say they want and what they achieve,” she said.
The RTPI report, entitled Local Plans and the Climate Crisis, used AI to assess local plans from English councils, including those already adopted and those still under consideration. While the authors acknowledged that the use of AI was “experimental” in such a report and had the potential to result in some inaccuracies, the RTPI said it was confident that the method gave a broadly reliable picture.
Earlier this year, ministers unveiled the “future homes standard”, a new set of regulations that will govern how houses are built from 2028, and which includes provisions for keeping homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer. But the standard will not apply to buildings such as schools, hospitals and care homes. The rules, which do not require new homes to have the louvres and shutters recommended by experts to block out heat, may also be insufficient to stop overheating, planning experts told the Guardian.
“The future homes standard is not enough because you also have to consider the surrounding area,” said Dan Slade, head of research and practice at the RTPI. “If there are not enough trees or shading or green space, that will affect the heat these homes experience.”
Slade also pointed out that “permitted development rights” also allowed for dwellings to be built from converted offices without the regulations that apply to other homes. “Many of these are glass boxes that can easily overheat,” he said. A survey in London found 14% of such homes, of which there are about 120,000 already, had no windows that could be opened.
The Woodland Trust charity, in a separate report published on Tuesday, also called for more trees to be grown near housing in the UK for their cooling effect. It found more than 11 million people in the UK are living in areas where less than 10% of land gets shade from trees, with people on low incomes worst affected. England has one of the lowest tree canopy levels in Europe, according to the report, with the average tree cover at 17.5%. Only a third of people in English towns and cities enjoy tree cover at the minimum recommended levels.
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The RTPI report did not consider whether air conditioning should be provided. It found that while 99% of local plans included green infrastructure, only 27% used a “green space factor”. This is a tool, regarded by RTPI as best practice, that planners can use to ensure building developments include enough green space and use it correctly.
A government spokesperson said: “Our national building regulations and planning policy mean all newly built homes and their surroundings must minimise unwanted heat, regardless of local plans – the future homes standard is designed to address energy efficiency.
“We are reviewing the relevant building regulation to assess whether we can apply overheating rules to homes converted from commercial buildings.”
Native to Tanzania and named after the country’s famous volcano Mount Kilimanjaro, the diet is rich in fermented foods, grains, vegetables and beans.
It comes after residents in Dinas Powys launched a campaign to prevent the closure of the only remaining counter in the Vale of Glamorgan village.
The Post Office, situated inside the Morrisons Daily store on Castle Drive, is set to close as part of a national move by the supermarket to close hundreds of its smaller outlets.
Councillor Chris Franks said: “There was a great response to the petition to save our Post Office in Dinas Powys.
“We collected pages of signatures in a short time on Saturday morning.
“People were very concerned about the serious risk of the loss of counter service, with the nearest alternative being Penarth.”
The plight of the Postal Services in Dinas will be raised at the full Vale council meeting tonight.
Councillor Marianne Cowpe is asking if the council will support residents’ fight to save the remaining Post Office in the community. She states that Dinas Powys used to have three Post Offices, but in a community of 9,000 residents, the last surviving office is likely to close.
The nearby alternatives in Penarth or Sully would pose difficulties for residents who rely on the service for everyday transactions, including pensions, benefits, banking, parcels and licensing checks.
Concerns are particularly focused on older residents and those without access to private transport.
Plaid Cymru councillors have written to Post Office management seeking formal confirmation of the closure and details of any public consultation.
They have also requested an urgent meeting to discuss alternatives such as a mobile Post Office, a hosted counter or a new permanent site in Dinas Powys.
Petition forms have been distributed throughout the village, including at Dinas Powys library, which is also opening specially on Tuesday evening between 6.45pm and 7.45pm for residents to sign.
Additional signing events have taken place outside the Morrisons store, through door-to-door canvassing, and with further sessions planned for nearby Llandough.
Malcolm Phillips, a local campaigner, said: “We have been amazed with the response we have had in support of our campaign and our thanks go out to you.”
MP Stephen Doughty has raised concerns with UK ministers and the Post Office, stating that he is “deeply concerned” about the impact of the closure.
The Post Office has indicated it will consider alternatives for maintaining services, including relocating the counter to a new premises.
Campaigners say a peaceful protest outside the Morrisons store is being considered for this weekend.
They are encouraging residents to continue signing and promoting the petition to show the strength of feeling in the community.
Lifespan is simply the number of years we live.
Healthspan, however, refers to the number of years we remain healthy, active, independent, cognitively sharp, and physically capable
St Joseph’s RC Primary School in Penarth received the national recognition for its work fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for refugees and asylum seekers.
The award celebrates schools that go above and beyond in creating a culture of understanding, empathy, and support for those seeking sanctuary.
Following a rigorous assessment, the School of Sanctuary panel commended St Joseph’s for embedding these values throughout daily life.
In their feedback, assessors said: “You don’t just teach welcome, you live it every single day.
“St Joseph’s is an exemplary beacon of kindness, inclusion, and solidarity.”
The panel praised the school’s inspirational approach to diversity, equality, and global citizenship, describing its ethos as “beautifully woven into the very fabric of school life.”
They also highlighted its commitment to continuous professional learning, including Anti-Racism Action Research, and praised the innovative work of the Diversity Group and Chaplaincy Group.
Laura Taylor, headteacher of St Joseph’s RC Primary School, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been recognised as a School of Sanctuary.
“This award reflects the commitment of our entire school community—our wonderful pupils, dedicated staff, supportive families, governors and parish—to living out our mission every day.
“We believe every child should feel welcomed, valued and loved, and we strive to nurture young people who understand that they can make a positive difference in the world.
“We are incredibly proud that the panel recognised not only what we teach, but how we live our values each day.”
The assessment report highlighted the school’s rich curriculum and hands-on partnerships with refugee organisations such as the Trinity Centre and Oasis Cardiff.
It also celebrated events including Refugee Week, International Migrants Day, and Show Racism the Red Card.
Pupil-led projects have included assemblies, fundraising, environmental and inclusion audits, and classroom activities promoting empathy and cultural understanding.
The award is described by the school as a milestone in its ongoing commitment to Catholic Social Teaching, social justice, and preparing pupils to make a positive impact on the world around them.
Scientists from the University of Oxford will begin injecting willing adults in the UK with a jab they hope will build immunity against the deadly virus.
The court found an inconsistency in Ryan’s evidence over whether he had grabbed or only touched Ms Gordon’s wrists. He told the court he had been misled by police.
His lawyers argued that the Crown Court judge who declined to refer the case had wrongly drawn an adverse inference from his police interview.
Rejecting that argument, the two High Court judges said the Crown Court’s task had been to weigh the competing accounts given by Gordon and Ryan.
They said: “In doing so, it was entitled to rely on the inconsistency between Mr Ryan’s account in interview, which coincided with Ms Gordon’s allegation that he had grabbed her wrists, and the account he gave in evidence.
“The essential reasoning of the court was that it believed Ms Gordon, who had been sober at the time and who was a consistent and compelling witness, and they disbelieved Mr Ryan who had been drunk at the time and had been inconsistent.”
The judges found no error in the decision not to refer the case to the High Court. Ryan will now return to court to be sentenced.
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The award-winning Cadstock, now in its 16th year, returned to Victoria Park in Barry last weekend.
Audiences gathered in the sunshine to enjoy a packed line-up of performers at the park’s historic bandstand.
The free event is designed to bring people together through music.
A social media post by Cadstock after the festival reads: “The bandstand has gone quiet, the park is clear, and we are floating in that post-festival bubble of pure joy.
“To every single person who came down, danced, sang, and brought the energy, thank you! You create an absolutely unbelievable atmosphere that bounces right back off the bands and turns into something indescribable every single year.
“On behalf of the Cadstock committee and everyone who helped behind the scenes, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We love you, Cadstockers.”
This year’s programme featured a mix of well-known local acts, community choirs, and cover band favourites.
Audience members of all ages enjoyed an inclusive atmosphere with something for everyone on stage.
The event proves popular every year, but this year found itself helped by exceptional weather and a heatwave throughout the weekend with clear skies all round. While some snags may have arisen because of abnormally high temperatures, the organisers persevered through and made the most of the extraordinary conditions.
Youngsters attending Cadstock are also able to make their own festival experience thanks to a family zone that offers a range of games, refreshments, bouncy castles, and face painting. These extra activities gives younger visitors a safe and fun introduction to live music.
They aim to keep the festival accessible and open to all, holding fast to a long-standing ethos of being the biggest and best free music festival in Cardiff and the Vale.
The festival relies on the contributions of volunteers to stay true to its community-focused roots.
Organisers say the event stands as a testament to what can be achieved when people come together to celebrate culture, creativity, and connection in a shared space.
While many of us spend all day looking down at them, they’re easy to ignore. Dermatologists speaking to the Daily Mail have revealed the five subtle nail changes you should never ignore.