1 June 2023
Weather-Health Alerting System guidance first published
The UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office run a Weather-Health Alerting System of heat and cold alerts, and its guidance page was first published on 1 June 2023.
2023 news
We cover news from public bodies and utility companies for UK households on power cuts, weather, water, health, safety and security. Each report includes the date and sources, with links to our guides.
June 2023
1 June 2023
Surge in visits to NHS website heat exhaustion advice during hot weather
Visits to the NHS website's heat exhaustion and heatstroke advice more than tripled in a week in June 2023, as a heat-health alert covering England was extended to 9am on Monday 19 June.
1 June 2023
Water supply interruption affected South East Water customers
The Consumer Council for Water and Ofwat have published joint research into how South East Water handled water supply interruptions that affected its customers in June 2023.
1 June 2023
Record water demand causes low pressure and no water for some Kent and Sussex customers
South East Water has announced temporary hosepipe restrictions for Kent and Sussex from 26 June 2023 after record demand left some customers with low pressure or no water.
1 June 2023
Record June heat drives record water demand and hosepipe ban
South East Water introduced a hosepipe ban for customers in Kent and Sussex after the hottest June on record pushed demand for water to record levels, the company has said.
May 2023
28 May 2023
Large wildfire begins at Cannich near Inverness
A large wildfire at Cannich near Inverness, which began on 28 May 2023 and was tackled by more than 30 firefighters, remained ongoing as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service issued a "very high"…
26 May 2023
Very high wildfire warning issued for East, Central and Southern Scotland
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a very high wildfire warning for East, Central and Southern Scotland, in place from 26 May until Monday 29 May 2023.
26 May 2023
RLSS UK issues water safety warning ahead of bank holiday after young people drown in warm weather
The Royal Life Saving Society UK has warned people to take care around water over the bank holiday weekend after a number of young people drowned during the warm weather that week.
25 May 2023
Recall notice updated to include AC adaptor model number
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has updated its April 2023 recall notice for a High-Power multi-function jump starter to add the model number of its AC adaptor, HR-1501000.
20 May 2023
Amber wildfire alert issued for Dorset and Wiltshire area
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service issued an Amber wildfire alert on 20 May 2023, running until 27 May and possibly longer, after a warm, dry Bank Holiday forecast.
18 May 2023
Public urged to Respect the Water as 2022 statistics show 226 accidental drownings in the UK
The National Water Safety Forum has published 2022 figures showing 226 accidental drownings in the UK, most at inland water, and is urging the public to Respect the Water as warmer weather begins.
10 May 2023
Beat the heat hot weather guidance first published
The UK Health Security Agency and the Centre for Climate and Health Security first published their Beat the heat hot weather resources on 10 May 2023, covering who is most at risk and how to keep…
9 May 2023
Class 1 Medicines Recall issued for all Emerade 500 and 300 micrograms auto-injectors
Pharmaswiss Česka republika s.r.o.
9 May 2023
MHRA recalls all batches of Emerade 500 and 300 micrograms auto-injectors over activation failure risk
The MHRA has recalled all batches of Emerade 500 and 300 micrograms adrenaline auto-injectors after some pens failed to activate, and patients are told to obtain two replacement pens in another brand.
9 May 2023
Flash flooding affects several Somerset villages
Flash flooding affected several Somerset villages on 9 May 2023, with a major incident declared in Queen Camel and dozens of properties and businesses reported affected across the county.
2 May 2023
Draft Bill published to implement Martyn's Law
The government published a draft Bill on 2 May 2023 to introduce proportionate security requirements for certain public venues, implementing Martyn's Law following the Manchester Arena attack.
1 May 2023
Hosepipe ban announced by South West Water
South West Water has announced a hosepipe ban, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering reports, setting out what households can and cannot do with a mains-connected hose.
1 May 2023
Recall notice issued for Multi-functional Portable Vehicle Power sold via eBay
A portable vehicle power unit sold on eBay as model HN-538 has been recalled because it presents a risk of electric shock and fire and fails to meet the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016.
April 2023
30 April 2023
Safety critical mitigations agreed with RCN before strike
NHS England secured further safety critical mitigations with the Royal College of Nursing covering neonatal and paediatric intensive care, adult intensive care and emergency departments ahead of the…
27 April 2023
Adverse Weather and Health Plan first published
The UK Health Security Agency first published the Adverse Weather and Health Plan on 27 April 2023, bringing the separate heatwave and cold weather plans for England into a single framework.