UK set for cold start to 2026 with amber health alert issued

Brits are being urged to prepare for a chilly start to the new year as multiple cold weather alerts have been issued.

An amber health warning is in place in the North East and North West from 8pm on Sunday to 12pm on 5 January 2026. Temperatures in these regions are expected to fall to around 3 to 5C in the day, but could be closer to -3C overnight, and -7C in parts of Scotland.

It comes as “wintry showers” are forecast across the north of England from New Year’s Day onwards, bringing a blustery and cold start to 2026.

Met Office’s Dan Stroud said: “We’re losing this sort of settled but chilly conditions, and bringing in something a little bit more showery with more wintry hazards in the forecast, particularly for the north of the country.”

The forecaster said the final days of 2025 will not be “particularly fantastic”, with temperatures of 7 to 8C, but things will take a turn as 2026 arrives.

There are currently no Met Office weather warnings in place. The cold health alerts, issued by the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA), mean the weather is “likely” to cause significant impacts across health and social care services, including a “rise in deaths” among those with health conditions or aged 65 or over.

The UKHSA said the UK may also see “impacts on younger people” and said there will likely be an “increase in demand for health services” across the regions.

Other impacts include “temperatures inside places like hospitals and care homes dropping below the levels recommended for assessing health risks” and “challenges keeping indoor temperatures at the recommended 18C leading to more risk to vulnerable people”, the UKHSA said.

It also warned of staffing issues due to external factors such as travel delays and said other sectors, such as transport and energy, could start to see the impacts.

The agency also issued a yellow cold health alert for the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London.

Temperatures are expected to fall to around 4 to 6C from New Year’s Day in areas where the yellow health alert is in place.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: “As the colder weather sets in it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.

“The forecasted temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.”

Child dies and another in hospital after Kent house fire

A child has died after a house fire in Kent while a second child was taken to hospital.

Emergency services were called to White Admiral Way in the village of Hamstreet, Ashford, shortly after midday on Sunday following reports of a fire.

Crews confirmed one child had died in the “intense” blaze, while firefighters rescued a second child from the semi-detached property.

In a statement, Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) said: “Sadly, one child died at the scene and another has been taken to hospital.”

A spokesperson added an investigation into the cause of the fire is currently ongoing.

People in the area were initially asked to close their windows and doors as crews worked through the afternoon to tackle the flames.

Ann Millington, chief executive of the fire service, said: “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with everyone affected by this tragic incident, especially the child’s loved ones.

“We understand this will be a distressing time for the local community and support is available at a welfare hub set up at Hamstreet Village Hall.”

KFRS said the incident has now been reduced, and local residents are now allowed to open windows.

Prisoner on Palestine hunger strike ‘losing the ability to speak’

One of the prisoners on hunger strike in support of Palestine Action has lost the ability to speak and another is unable to stand without passing out, campaigners have said as the protest entered its 56th day.

The eight activists initially went on hunger strike while awaiting trial for alleged break-ins or criminal damage, with four still maintaining their protest.

Heba Muraisi, who is being held in HMP New Hall in West Yorkshire, has said she feels “weaker as each day passes” in a statement released by the Prisoners for Palestine group. She also complained of “bruising on her arm” and a “constant body ache”.

“’I can no longer lie on my side as it hurts my face,” Ms Muraisi said, adding that she is losing the ability to “form sentences, and struggling to maintain conversation”.

Earlier this month two of the activists, Qesser Zuhrah and Amu Gib, paused their hunger strike at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey after 48 days due to deteriorating health. Both were admitted to hospital for treatment.

Those still refusing food are Teuta Hoxha, Ms Muraisi, Kamran Ahmed and Lewie Chiaramello, according to Prisoners for Palestine.

Four of the group, including Ms Muraisi, are accused of playing roles in the break-in at Israeli-linked defence technology company Elbit Systems UK on 19 November, 2024. They will go on trial in May next year at the earliest.

The other four are accused of breaking into RAF Brize Norton in June, where it is alleged that they sprayed red paint into two RAF Voyager planes causing millions of pounds worth of damage.

Ms Hoxha, 29, who is being held in HMP Peterborough, has said that she is “no longer able to stand without blacking out” and enduring “dizzy spells” with “increasing levels of brain fog”, Prisoners for Palestine said. She is “virtually bedridden” as a result of the strike – her second this year.

Allegations that Ms Zuhrah was refused an ambulance sparked a protest outside HMP Bronzefield earlier this month attended by Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana. The Ministry of Justice has denied claims of mistreatment.

The remaining hunger strikers issued a new set of demands on Tuesday, including that Ms Muraisi be transferred back to HMP Bronzefield where she was first detained.

This came on top of a previous a series of demands which included an immediate bail and the ability to “send and receive “communications without restriction, surveillance, or interference from the prison administration”.

Lawyers representing the strikers have said they are facing potential death. On Monday, they initiated legal proceedings against the government, claiming they had abandoned their own prison safety policy framework. The strikers say they have sent multiple letters to Justice Secretary David Lammy without a response.

Lord Timpson, the minister of state for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, said: “We are very experienced at dealing with hunger strikes. Unfortunately, over the last five years we have averaged over 200 hunger strike incidents every year and the processes that we have are well-established and they work very well – with prisons working alongside our NHS partners every day, making sure our systems are robust and working – and they are.

“I am very clear. I don’t treat any prisoners differently to others. That is why we will not be meeting any prisoners or their representatives. We have a justice system that is based on the separation of powers, and the independent judiciary is the cornerstone of our system.”

A spokesperson for Prisoners for Palestine said: “Unlike the prison guards, who lock up the prisoners early to go home to their Christmas dinner, the hunger strikers don’t get a Christmas break. Just like the Christians in Gaza, who continue to suffer in the freezing cold at the hands of the settler-colonial entity.

“The hunger strikers say to us, don’t forget the people of Palestine over Christmas, and continue to demand a meeting with the British government on their behalf.”

An HMP Bronzefield spokesperson said: “We cannot provide information about specific individuals, however all prisoners are managed in line with policies and procedures governing the entire UK prison estate. This includes specialist multi-agency processes, led by the Government, to assess individual risks and security status.”

‘Devoted family man’ died days after being punched outside village pub

Tributes have been paid to a “devoted” grandfather who died days after being punched outside a village pub in Leicestershire.

David Darke, 66, sustained a serious head injury after an assault outside the Crown Inn in Appleby Magna on the evening of Sunday 21 December.

Leicestershire Police said the grandfather-of-three died at the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham almost a week later, on Saturday.

In a statement, Mr Darke’s family said: “Dave was a deeply loved father to three daughters and a proud grandfather to three boys.

“He was a much-loved brother and a dear friend. Dave will live on forever in our hearts, minds and souls.

“He was a strong, active, intelligent and kind person who was a friend to all. He was a devoted family man with a deep passion for life, the outdoors, nature and walking.

“His life was tragically cut short and he’s now reunited with his loving, caring parents. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.”

A 36-year-old man, who was initially arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH) and released on bail pending further enquiries, has been re-arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.

Senior investigating officer, detective inspector Kevin Hames, said: “The initial investigation resulted in us identifying several witnesses and examining CCTV from the area.

“Those enquiries will continue and the suspect will be re-interviewed by detectives.

“It is an extremely difficult time for Mr Darke’s family and specialist officers are supporting them. We would still encourage anyone who was in Church Street last Sunday evening and hasn’t yet spoken with officers to get in touch.

“We need to speak to as many people as possible who can help us piece together what happened that evening.”

You can pass on information by visiting this website or calling 101 and quoting reference 25*744889.

Russian submarine followed spy ship into British waters

A Russian submarine was deployed alongside a spy ship to map critical undersea infrastructure around Britain, it has emerged.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has declassified a photo of the incident, which saw a submarine shadowing the Yantar, officially described as a Russian research ship, as it reportedly surveyed the gas pipeline linking Britain and Ireland. It was not clear whether the escort was one of Russia’s own purpose-built sabotage submarines.

An anti-submarine Merlin Mk2 helicopter could be seen from the photo tracking the Yantar in the Irish Sea from November last year; a British submarine also emerged from the surface nearby.

It is believed to be one of several operations where Russian submarines have accompanied the Yantar into waters close to the British Isles, according to The Sunday Times.

First sea lord general Sir Gwyn Jenkins said earlier this month that there had been a “30 per cent increase in Russian incursion in our waters” just over the last two years.

The activity is most visibly seen in the presence of spy ships like the Yantar operating near UK waters, he said, but warned: “It’s what’s going on under the waves that most concerns me.”

Just last week, Sir Gwyn warned that Russia was renewing its investment in its elite deep-sea submarine division, known as Gugi. The UK sanctioned the Russian military agency, which is leading the development of Russia’s underwater intelligence gathering operations, in June this year.

An MoD spokesperson said: “As the defence secretary has said, our message to President Putin is clear: we see you, we know what you are doing, and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country.

“We are acutely aware of the threat posed by Russia, which includes attempts to map undersea cables, networks, and pipelines belonging to both the UK and our allies, and we are tackling these threats head on.

“That is why the prime minister set out the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, including a commitment to increase spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP from April 2027, and an ambition to spend 3 per cent of GDP in the next parliament, as economic and fiscal conditions allow.

“In addition, we have introduced 900 new sanctions against individuals, entities and ships under the Russian regime, and accelerated the development and deployment of advanced anti-submarine technology.”

The government believes its Atlantic Bastion programme, which is integrating autonomous vessels, AI-enabled sensors, warships, and aircraft to safeguard critical undersea infrastructure against evolving challenges, will help to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and Nato to counter the threat of Russia’s evolving submarine force.

It’s about experience: Further Education teachers share what it takes

In the modern world, many of us are working longer than ever. Research based on ONS Labour Market data found that there are almost one million more workers aged 65 and above since the millennium and the state pension is set to rise to 67 by 2028 and 68 by the late 2030s. Subsequently, having multiple careers is becoming increasingly popular. And after decades working in a specific industry, sharing the work-based knowledge you have gained via teaching in further education is one of the most rewarding career shifts you can make.

Further Education teaching (defined as any education for people aged 16 and over who aren’t studying for a degree) allows you to switch up your working days and harness the skills and experience you have developed, all while helping shape the next generation of workers in your field.

To find out more about the role, from what it takes to the best parts of the job, we spoke to Further Education teachers who have switched from doing their day job to teaching it…

John Ryan, 51, from Weston Super Mare, worked for more than a decade on site in the construction industry, mainly in bricklaying and supervising roles, before an opportunity to become a Further Education assessor changed his path in his thirties. Travelling nationally to assess the work of new bricklayers in order to sign off their NVQs (National Vocational Qualification), the college John was associated with then started offering him some teaching work.

With no prior teaching qualifications, John completed these alongside his assessing and teaching roles with the fees picked up by the teaching college. “I liked the idea of passing on my knowledge and giving young people the skills and confidence to progress in a trade,” he says. “Teaching in Further Education felt like a natural next step because it would allow me to combine my practical background with coaching and mentoring.” There were practical draws too. “On site in the construction industry you are self-employed so you do not get holidays or sick pay. The stability of income and regular paid holidays was a big draw of Further Education teaching,” he adds.

Since his first assessing role 18 years ago, John has worked between assessing, teaching and jobs back on the construction site and now, he currently teaches bricklaying and groundwork full-time at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College.

John’s extensive site and supervisory experience has proved to be hugely valuable when it comes to teaching his students there. “I can explain not just the ‘how’ but also the ‘why’ behind industry standards,” he explains. “Learners often respond well to hearing about real jobs, site challenges, and the professional behaviours that employers expect. It makes the lessons more relatable and credible,” he shares.

“For example, I can share stories of accidents when teaching site safety, or explain how a mistake of a few millimetres on a construction site can cost you time to rectify, which in turn will cost you money,” he says. “These hands-on, real world experiences make the theory relatable and show learners the real value of getting it right.”

Coral Aspinall, 52, who became a full-time Further Education teacher 12 years ago, agrees. “My experience allows me to put my teaching into context,” she says. Coral started out her engineering career at 16 as an apprentice in a local engineering company. Following a BSc in Engineering and Business Management, she worked for many years in the engineering industry before enrolling on a part-time PGDE (Professional Graduate Diploma in Education) course for teaching. She’s now the Engineering Programme Leader at the Stockport campus of the Trafford and Stockport College Group. Here, they offer qualifications such as Level 2 Performing Engineering Operations as well as engineering-focused Level 3 T Levels and Level 3 Btec Awards. They also offer Level 3 apprenticeships across engineering including Technical Support, Engineering Fitter and Maintenance Management.

“Because I’ve been an engineering apprentice myself, I understand what the student needs to be successful in terms of skills, knowledge and behaviour,” she explains. “I also have contacts in the wider engineering community and understand what an employer is looking for in an apprentice, and can also share insights in terms of how the sector is shifting and evolving to help support their progress.”

Working for an extensive period of time in a field before passing on that knowledge gives teachers maturity and empathy which can be hugely helpful for students, especially those facing complex life situations.

Beyond the practical techniques, a big part of John’s role is helping learners build confidence, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills that employers look for. “Many of my learners have different challenges, so they value teachers who are approachable, who believe in them, and who prepare them for real opportunities in work or further study,” he says. For John, his previous work experience has allowed him to do this. “On site, I worked with people facing all sorts of pressures, from work to life issues, which taught me to be patient and supportive,” he explains.

Coral has had a similar experience. “I see my role as more than imparting knowledge; it is about preparing the young person for the next stage of their journey. The students trust me to have their best interests at heart; they come to me for advice on their next steps and how they can achieve their aspirations, and I’ll support them with both practical advice and words of encouragement.”

For Coral, teaching later in life allows her to draw from a mature perspective, and teach her students positive workplace behaviours alongside skills and knowledge. “Students thrive when they have clear unambiguous boundaries, so I’m firm around expectations in terms of timekeeping, attendance and attitude. This is particularly important to succeeding in the workplace as employers value these behaviours as much as, or even more than having specific expertise or know-how (which can generally be developed).”

If you’re looking for a fresh career option, and keen to share your skills with the next generation, Further Education teaching could be a really enriching new phase. Further Education covers a huge range of career sectors including construction, law, engineering, digital, hospitality, tourism, beauty and more. This includes BTECs (Business and Technology Education Council qualifications), T Levels, NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications) or City & Guilds Qualifications.

Teaching in a mixture of colleges (often General Further Education Colleges or Sixth Form Colleges) and Adult and Community Learning Centres as well as workplace and apprenticeship settings, further education teachers share their years of real world industry skills with a diverse mix of people from those straight out of school aged sixteen to those making career switches later in life.

You don’t always need an academic degree or prior teaching qualifications to start teaching in further education. You can undertake teacher training on the job, often funded by your employer, so you can start earning straight away.. Furthermore, it doesn’t mean you have to stop working in your chosen field. Further education offers hybrid opportunities – so you could teach part time alongside your other commitments. This means you could have the best of both worlds, where you are still working in your chosen industry and teaching alongside it at a time that suits your schedule. Find out if it’s the right move for you here.

If, like John and Coral, you see the appeal in sharing the knowledge and skills you’ve developed with the next generation, exploring the option of becoming a Further Education teacher can be a great next step. As John shares, the reward is always worth it: “It never gets old passing on my knowledge to people starting on their journey, knowing I have made a difference and getting a smile and thanks in return!”

Looking for a new role that’s rewarding, flexible and draws on your current career? Why not consider sharing your experience where it matters most – helping inspire the next generation of workers in the field you love? Visit Further Education to find out more

Government condemns freed activist’s ‘abhorrent’ social media posts

The Government has condemned an activist’s “abhorrent” social media posts, which have sparked a backlash following his return to the UK from detention in Egypt.

Alaa Abd El-Fattah, a British-Egyptian dual national, was detained in Egypt in September 2019. In December 2021, he was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of spreading false news.

His imprisonment was branded a breach of international law by UN investigators, and Mr Abd El-Fattah was released after being pardoned by Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi.

He returned to the UK on Boxing Day.

However, posts have since emerged dating back to 2010 in which the activist appears to call for violence towards “Zionists” and the police.

They appear to be from Mr Abd El-Fattah’s X account, but could not be verified.

Sir Keir Starmer has faced criticism for celebrating the activist’s return. The prime minister said on Friday that he was “delighted” that Mr El-Fattah had been reunited with his loved ones in the UK.

“[They] must be feeling profound relief,” Sir Keir wrote on X.

“I want to pay tribute to Alaa’s family, and to all those that have worked and campaigned for this moment.”

Sir Keir was not aware of social media posts at the time, it is understood, and a No 10 source rejected the idea that welcoming Mr Abd El-Fattah’s return was an endorsement of his political views.

In an updated statement on Sunday, a Foreign Office spokesperson said: “Mr El-Fattah is a British citizen.

“It has been a long-standing priority under successive governments to work for his release from detention, and to see him reunited with his family in the UK.

“The Government condemns Mr El-Fattah’s historic tweets and considers them to be abhorrent.”

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said they had raised concerns with the Government and that there was an “urgent need” to find out whether Mr Abd El-Fattah still held the views expressed online.

They said: “The social media history that has emerged from Alaa abd El-Fattah is of profound concern.

“His previous extremist and violent rhetoric aimed at ‘Zionists’ and white people in general is threatening to British Jews and the wider public.

“The cross-party campaign for such a person, and the warm welcome issued by the Government, demonstrate a broken system with an astonishing lack of due diligence by the authorities.”

Meanwhile, the Jewish Leadership Council voiced concerns about the safety of Jewish communities in the wake of recent antisemitic attacks in Manchester and at Australia’s Bondi Beach.

The council said: “We are appalled by the effusive welcome Alaa Abd El-Fattah has received from the UK Government.

“The Prime Minister recently reiterated his determination to root out antisemitism from our country but has now shared his delight that someone who has advocated for killing Zionists has arrived in the UK.

“We know from Heaton Park, Manchester, and Bondi Beach that there are those who hear such words as a call to action.

“The Government has celebrated Mr Abd El-Fattah’s arrival as a victory, British Jews will see it as yet another reminder of the danger we face.”

Former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith, who had lobbied for Mr Abd El-Fattah’s release, urged the police to investigate his comments.

“I do… regret signing the letter calling for the release of Alaa Abd el-Fattah, given his views, that have since come to light, are utterly abhorrent.

“Had I known of these, I would not have signed the letter. I urge the police to investigate the nature of these extremist comments,” he posted on X.

Mr Abd El-Fattah was a leading voice in Egypt’s 2011 Arab Spring uprising and went on hunger strikes behind bars.

In 2014, the blogger’s posts on Twitter cost him a nomination for the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize.

The group backing him withdrew the nomination for the human rights award, saying they had discovered a tweet from 2012 in which he called for the murder of Israelis.

Meanwhile, shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said the prime minister’s remarks constituted a “personal, public endorsement”.

“Given Mr Abd El-Fattah’s record of extremist statements about violence, Jews and the police, it was a serious error of judgment,” he wrote.

In a letter to Sir Keir, Mr Jenrick asked him to clarify whether he knew about Mr Abd El-Fattah’s statements before he posted that he was “delighted” at his release.

“Do you condemn them without qualification, including the endorsement of killing Israelis and ‘Zionists’ and the calls to kill police and burn Downing Street?”

He asked if the prime minister would “correct the record” and withdraw the “unalloyed endorsement”.

“Nobody should be imprisoned arbitrarily, nor for peaceful dissent. But neither should the prime minister place the authority of his office behind someone whose own words cross into the language of racism and bloodshed,” he said.

Market forces, not militancy, are pushing teachers towards strikes

The general secretary of the main teachers’ union, the NASUWT, Matt Wrack, is, it is fair to say, a man of the left – unafraid to challenge the status quo, not least within the Labour Party. A former head of the Fire Brigades Union and president of the TUC, Mr Wrack is relatively new to the role, and indeed to the world of education, yet he already looks set to prove a formidable advocate for his members’ interests.

There is nothing wrong with that – it is, after all, what he was elected to do – and it may mean that the country is reminded of the vital role teachers play in the material and cultural wellbeing of the nation. It may also, however, mean trouble in schools next year.

Indeed, Mr Wrack all but acknowledges as much in his interview with The Independent: “I think that teachers at our union, undoubtedly, by our conference next April, it’s inevitable there will be a discussion about industrial action. I think at least it will come up as an option for people to consider.”

As it happens, Mr Wrack has a strong case. Ironically, it rests less on socialist principles or egalitarianism than on brutal market realities. Britain, a country that relies on human capital as much as any other kind to pay its way in the world, is short of teachers. Demand is high, especially in maths, science and computing; supply is insufficient. That means pay is set too low. It is an argument drawn from Adam Smith rather than Karl Marx – and it is the most persuasive one Mr Wrack has.

While so much attention has been focused by all the main parties on the “growth” project and, post-Brexit, stagnant investment in plant, machinery, infrastructure and innovation, far less has been said about making the next generation of Britons globally competitive. Given Britain’s poor demographics, it is more essential than ever to ensure that a highly productive cohort of younger workers is able to support an increasing number of ageing retirees, many of whom will require extensive health and social care. Meeting these economic imbalances and international challenges will require building on the genuine improvements in school standards achieved by the last government – but doing so with a newly energised and more resilient teaching profession.

There is no escaping the centrality of pay and conditions to attracting talented people into teaching – and retaining them. AI is not yet able to supplant teachers, and nor will it be for some time. Mr Wrack and his counterparts in the other teaching unions will know that it is not just salaries that matter, but classroom discipline and the resources needed to do the job properly.

The National Foundation for Educational Research reports that some 90 per cent of teachers considering leaving the profession in 2024 cited high workload as a factor, while pupil behaviour has become one of the fastest-growing contributors to stress since the pandemic.

Workloads – including marking, class preparation and ever-expanding bureaucratic demands – now eat into weekends as never before. Teachers are encouraged to instil civic values such as tolerance, only to find themselves caught in the crossfire of culture wars. How, for example, should multiculturalism or gender be discussed with the young? There is no longer any clear consensus, leaving teachers in an invidious position. And while accountability and transparency are essential, Ofsted can be a blunt instrument. If pay (including pensions) were higher, such pressures might be tolerable; as it is, they stretch professional commitment beyond breaking point.

Long-term teacher shortages remain acute in the secondary sector, particularly in Stem subjects. It should be intolerable that school staff with no formal qualifications in science are pressed into masquerading as physics teachers. Yet it is retention, even more than recruitment, where the crisis now appears most severe. According to the School Workforce Census, one in five teachers in primary and secondary schools leave the profession within two years of qualifying, rising to more than a quarter after just three years.

There are simply better-paid and more amenable options available to people in their twenties. It is dispiriting to see young teachers with a genuine sense of vocation forced out of the classroom because they cannot afford the lives their contemporaries can – and because prospects for future improvement remain so poor. The 5.5 per cent pay award recommended by the teachers’ pay review body and agreed by ministers helped restore starting salaries to roughly 2010 levels, but it falls well short of correcting the disparity between supply and demand.

This exposes a significant weakness in the government’s strategy. The education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has made some progress towards Labour’s manifesto pledge to recruit 6,500 more teachers, though the Commons public accounts committee has criticised the plan as “vague” and “uncosted”. Keeping good people and experienced teachers in the profession into their sixties, however, remains the greater challenge. AI may, in time, help by relieving teachers of routine tasks and boosting productivity – and, potentially, salaries too. Mr Wrack would be wise to embrace that prospect rather than resist it.

Soon enough, then, teachers may follow doctors and take strike action in pursuit of better pay and conditions. It will be framed as a confrontation between unions and the government, or as Mr Wrack versus Ms Phillipson. In truth, it is also a debate about how much the country is prepared to invest in its children – and in those who teach them.