Lifestyle & Society · Oct 23, 2026
The Met Office named Storm Austen as it brought heavy rain and damaging gusts to southern England and parts of Wales on October 23, 2026, prompting seafront closures, travel disruption and thousands of power cuts as communities scrambled to protect homes and local services.
Lifestyle & Society · Oct 20, 2026
The Met Office named the first storm of the 2026 to 2027 season on October 20, warning of gusts up to 70 mph and travel disruption during the October half term. Families and councils face a squeeze as schools, transport operators and coastal communities prepare for heavy rain and strong winds.
Lifestyle & Society · Oct 17, 2026
Councils across England are announcing closures or limited hours for public toilets, citing rising maintenance and staffing costs. Volunteers, campaign groups and town councils are stepping in to keep facilities open, highlighting the social and public health consequences for older people, parents and disabled residents.