A new national food strategy was launched at Bradford’s £31m Darley Street Market, focusing on improving public health, food security, and sustainability in the UK’s food sector. The ‘Good Food Cycle’ strategy aims to reduce obesity, promote healthier eating, and address the environmental impact of food production.

The strategy sets out key priorities for transforming the food industry, including enhancing the availability of healthier, sustainable food options, supporting innovation and productivity in the food sector, and creating more opportunities for people to access nutritious, affordable food.

Minister for Food Security, Daniel Zeichner, highlighted the importance of providing more diverse and healthier food choices. He pointed out that areas with limited access to healthy options often rely heavily on fast food, restricting residents’ ability to make healthier choices.

The strategy was developed following extensive consultations with stakeholders and aims to foster a food system that supports both public health and environmental goals. By focusing on sustainable food sales and better food choices, the strategy hopes to create long-term growth and resilience for the food sector.

Great British Energy has unveiled a £10 million funding initiative aimed at reducing energy bills for community facilities across the UK. The funding, part of the government’s clean energy mission, will support a range of public buildings, including libraries, fire stations, care homes, and leisure centres, to cut energy costs and boost local economies.

The initiative will see mayoral authorities receive grants for clean energy projects, including rooftop solar installations on care homes in Merseyside, leisure centres in Yorkshire, and community buildings across Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire. The projects are expected to generate £35 million in lifetime savings, enhance energy security, and create local employment opportunities.

In addition to solar panels, the grants will fund energy storage batteries and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, with a focus on enabling communities to store renewable energy and utilize it efficiently. The funding builds on Great British Energy’s ongoing efforts to reduce energy costs for public services, with solar panels already installed on 11 schools and plans to expand to 200 schools and hospitals.

The initiative aligns with the government’s broader mission to deliver cleaner, more affordable energy by 2030, contributing to long-term energy security and creating lasting economic benefits for communities.

Drought conditions are worsening across England, with the National Drought Group (NDG) urging water companies to increase efforts to manage water supplies. Areas in the West and East Midlands, along with Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, East Anglia, and Thames Valley, are now under drought status. With rainfall at just 80% of usual levels in June, reservoirs are at critical levels, with national storage at 75.6% and Yorkshire’s dropping to 53.8%. Multiple hosepipe bans are already in place, and further restrictions are expected if dry weather persists.

Water companies have been called to accelerate leak repairs and operational adjustments. The Environment Agency is closely monitoring water levels and collaborating with water providers to protect both communities and the environment. As wildfires, dry habitats, and threats to wildlife continue, authorities are preparing for an extended dry period, with the risk of more stringent water use measures ahead.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has dismissed proposals to franchise local bus services, reinforcing his stance against raising taxes to fund changes to the region’s transport network.

The mayor’s refusal comes after Middlesbrough Council passed a motion calling for an end to bus deregulation. This system currently allows private companies to control bus routes, timetables, and fares, which has led to concerns over service quality. Labour councillor David Branson, who introduced the motion, argued that ending deregulation would give local authorities the power to improve services, particularly for vulnerable communities like Stainton and Thornton, where residents face difficulty accessing key locations like James Cook hospital.

In response, Houchen criticised the franchising proposal, stating it could lead to the transfer of significant taxpayer funds to large private companies. He also questioned the financial viability of the plan, emphasising that the region’s recent £1bn transport funding allocation could only be used for infrastructure, not operating services.

While Houchen remains open to alternative proposals, he remains opposed to any model that would result in higher taxes for local residents.