Can you cancel holidays in extreme heat and wildfires? Simon Calder explains
Spain 's national weather agency has issued a special warning, forecasting highs of up to 42C in the country's southern regions in the coming days as of Monday (30 June).
Meanwhile in the UK, Wimbledon was set for its hottest opening day on record and could even see the highest temperature ever recorded during the tournament.
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The Sun
30 minutes ago
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Heathrow could SUE National Grid after fault that caused fire was identified seven years ago
HEATHROW may sue the National Grid after a probe found a fault causing the huge substation fire was identified seven years ago. The blaze in March halted flights for 24 hours — affecting 270,000 passengers and costing the airport millions. A probe by the National Energy System Operator found faulty fire safety equipment and moisture in electrical parts flagged in 2018 were not addressed, and maintenance was delayed again in 2022. The North Hyde substation fire was caused by 'catastrophic failure' in a transformer, triggered by moisture entering electrical components. Heathrow's network was not designed to recover quickly. The airport said it was making improvements. Energy watchdog Ofgem has now launched a probe into the National Grid, which could result in fines. Heathrow said: 'A combination of outdated regulation, inadequate safety mechanisms and National Grid's failure to maintain infrastructure led to this catastrophic power outage.' National Grid said it had 'taken action'. called the findings 'concerning' and promised action to prevent similar incidents. Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, handled over 83.9million passengers in 2024. 1
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Oxford plots £2-a-night 'tourist tax' for overnight visitors staying in a hotel or college room
Oxford is plotting a £2-a-night tax on overnight visitors staying in a hotel or college room in a bid to swell council coffers. Guests would be charged for each night they spend in the historic city under new plans that officials estimate could raise £2.5 million every year in tax receipts. Funds racked up by the levy would go towards 'improving' Oxford for both residents and tourists, councilors at a scrutiny committee meeting on Tuesday heard. Self-catering accommodation and AirBnbs would be exempt from collecting the tax as they are not included in the business rate database, the Telegraph reports. Diana Fawcett, Oxford council's city centre manager, said: 'It's not really just about our tourists – it's about anybody who uses the city. 'So whether you live here, whether you work here, whether you're a student here, as well as a tourist, we want to improve that experience.' Council bosses calculate that the ancient university city received 32 million visitors last year, fuelling 40,000 jobs. By introducing a 'tourist tax', Oxford would be following in the footsteps of Manchester, which has implemented an accommodation business improvement district charge of £1 a night. Liverpool, meanwhile, levies a similar tax of £2 a night. Oxford City Council has been approached for comment. It's the latest in a string of controversial policy ideas mooted in the area, following hot on the heels of proposals to impose a congestion charge - in the local authority's latest move in the 'war on motorists'. Such a levy would be the first of its kind intoduced in Britain for more than two decades. Under the proposed 'temporary' scheme, motorists would be slapped with a £5 fee every time they travel into the city centre. Locals have warned that the plans would cripple businesses in Oxford, which have already been hit by a controversial low traffic neighbourhood scheme in the city. If enforced, Oxford would be just the third city in the UK to introduce a congestion charge - after London and Durham in the early 2000s. The plans were proposed by Oxfordshire County Council in June and could be introduced as early as this autumn. The scheme would be enforced using automatic number plate recognition - with charging cameras placed on six major roads that lead into the city centre. Oxford residents with a permit would be exempt from the £5 charge but anyone travelling into the city for work, tourism or shopping would have to pay. Oxford City Council, a separate local authority, has also criticised the scheme. Council leader Susan Brown said she was concerned that the scheme would allow wealthier people 'to buy access to our streets'. Oxford, which has a historic centre made up of a number of narrow medieval streets, has previously been named one of the most congested cities in the UK.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
York park and ride times to start earlier and finish later
Bus services to and from York's park and ride sites are set to start earlier and finish later, it has been Monday to Saturday, the first bus will leave the park and ride at 05:30 and the last bus back from the city centre will depart at 22: Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith said the new timetable, which is due to begin on 20 July, would benefit everyone from shift workers to visitors enjoying the city's extension is being funded by York's Bus Service Improvement Plan, supported by the Department for Transport. 'City has really changed' Currently, the first buses leave the sites at 07:00 from Monday to Saturday and return at about 20: mayor said he had been waiting for the hours to be extended for "so long"."We all see that York has really changed, we have a lot more offerings on an evening. "Speaking to so many customers and visitors to our city, who are having to leave concerts and restaurants early, having these extended hours will allow them to enjoy the city all year round," he added. Councillor Kate Ravilious, from City of York Council, added: "The six park and ride sites cover every corner of York and with up to three children traveling free with a paying adult, offers an excellent alternative to driving in to York. "They also make an invaluable contribution to reducing congestion across our city." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
