Kamis, 08 Februari 2024

Schools closed as Met Office gives amber warning for heavy snow - live - The Independent

Related: Waves crash over runway at Shetland’s Sumburgh airport as 85mph winds batter UK

The Met Office has issued further weather warnings for Thursday with widespread snow and rain forecast across large parts of the country.

All schools in Flintshire have closed as locals prepare for the blast of cold weather, while commuters have been warned of risky driving conditions as temperatures plummet.

Amber warnings for snow have been issued for parts of northern England and north Wales, while a mixture of yellow rain and snow warnings will be in force across the four nations.

Up to 25cm of snow are forecast across high ground in the Peak District and the southern Pennines, with a warning in force from noon until 6pm on Thursday.

A separate warning for snow and ice will be in place between 8am and 3pm across north Wales and Shropshire, with 10-15cm widely expected in both areas.

Met Office chief meteorologist Kathryn Chalk said: “Make sure you’re staying tuned to the forecast and the Met Office warning page for any updates that we may issue. Before that, make sure that for your journey times you plan longer, especially in the snow.”

1707386722

Drivers warned to reduce speeds and use main roads

Chris Wood, from the AA, said: “If you need to travel, reduce your speed to account for the conditions and leave plenty of space behind other vehicles, and try to use main roads where possible as these are more likely to have been gritted.

“Allow extra time as it’s likely your journey will take longer than usual, and ensure you have plenty of fuel or electrical charge if driving an electric vehicle.

“The cold snap is likely to affect vehicle breakdown levels, with faults such as flat batteries and wiper faults.”

Holly Evans8 February 2024 10:05
1707385068

Snow mapped: Where will wintry showers hit UK this week

There are currently 11 weather warnings in place this week as heavy rain, snow and ice are all expected to descend upon the country. Up to 20cm of snow could settle on higher ground as a band of cold air pushes north on Thursday.

Take a look here to see where snow is set to hit in the coming days:

Holly Evans8 February 2024 09:37
1707383815

In pictures: Snow falls over the Peak District

<p>Commuters are facing risky driving conditions in the Peak District  </p>

Commuters are facing risky driving conditions in the Peak District

<p>Snow has fallen while a weather warning is expected to last throughout the day </p>

Snow has fallen while a weather warning is expected to last throughout the day

<p>People out enjoying the snow in Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, Peak District.</p>

People out enjoying the snow in Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, Peak District.

Holly Evans8 February 2024 09:16
1707382446

Amber weather warning has come into place for Wales.

An amber weather warning is now in place in Wales, which is due to last from 8am until 3pm.

The Met Office have warned that there is the possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures and power cuts.

Holly Evans8 February 2024 08:54
1707382129

All schools in one North Wales county close ahead of snowy weather

Several schools in north Wales have closed today as they prepare for snow and ice in the latest Artic blast to hit the UK.

Flintshire council warned that every school in the county would be closed under the amber weather warning, which includes 72 primary schools, two special needs schools and 11 secondary schools.

Six schools in Gwynedd have also announced that they will be closed on Thursday.

<p>Several schools have closed in anticipation of snow and ice  </p>

Several schools have closed in anticipation of snow and ice

Holly Evans8 February 2024 08:48
1707380227

Met Office warns snow could lead to poor driving conditions

Met Office meteorologist Amy Bokota said an easterly wind meant that places “inland and higher up” were likely to see the most snow.

She said it was “unlikely” that significant levels of snow would be on the ground for days, but added it could lead to difficult driving conditions on Thursday.

Ms Bokota said: “The snow could cause some pretty poor driving conditions for parts of the Pennines and Wales, particularly through the afternoon and early evening.”

The forecaster added that most places would see a return to milder conditions by the end of Thursday.

She said: “It will be quite a short-lived cold snap for much of the UK, but continuing on a little bit longer through parts of northern England and Scotland into the early hours of Friday and the start of the weekend.”

Holly Evans8 February 2024 08:17
1707375780

Snow to shift north at weekend

The snow risk will move north over the weekend, according to forecasters, but many areas will remain wet.

There are signs of a change to more settled weather for some next week.

<p>Map of yellow warning for Scotland on Saturday</p>

Map of yellow warning for Scotland on Saturday

Jane Dalton8 February 2024 07:03
1707373801

Arctic blast to bring 10 inches of snow as Met Office issues amber weather warning

The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning, the second most serious alert, for parts of England and Wales. Some yellow weather warnings for rain and snow will also be in effect across almost the entire country.

Up to 10 inches of snow could fall in these regions:

Stuti Mishra8 February 2024 06:30
1707372180

How to help birds survive in snow

The RSPB has issued suggestions to householders on helping birds survive the snow.

Jane Dalton8 February 2024 06:03
1707370201

Snow and ice forecast for Thursday

Almost the entire country is under warnings for snow, ice and rain, with almost 10 inches of snow set to fall on higher ground.

Amber weather warnings for snow have been issued for parts of northern England and north Wales, while a mixture of yellow rain and snow warnings will be in force across the four nations.

Here's a map giving an overview of the amount of rainfall different regions can expect today.

<p>Met Office map shows snow and ice risk on Thursday</p>

Met Office map shows snow and ice risk on Thursday

Stuti Mishra8 February 2024 05:30

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2024-02-08 10:05:22Z
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Keir Starmer: Labour ditches £28bn green investment pledge - BBC

Sir Keir StarmerPA Media

Labour is ditching its policy of spending £28bn a year on its green investment plan in a major U-turn.

An official announcement will be made on Thursday.

Sources insist the party's Green Prosperity Plan, which includes creating a publicly-owned green power company, is not being dropped altogether.

But Labour will no longer commit to investing £28bn a year in green energy projects if it wins the next election.

Labour's position on the policy in recent weeks has been increasingly muddled, with some senior figures repeatedly refusing to use the £28bn figure when pressed in interviews, while others, including party leader Sir Keir Starmer, continued to do so.

It is expected Labour will argue that they have to focus on being seen as responsible stewards of the economy, rather than committing to a spending pledge that opponents regard as reckless.

It comes on the same day the EU's climate change service announced that global warming has exceeded 1.5C across an entire year for the first time.

Labour's plan to spend £28bn a year on green energy projects, like offshore wind farms and developing electric vehicles, was first announced by shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves in September 2021.

That pledge was watered down last June, with the £28bn target adjusted so that a Labour government would meet it about halfway through its first term rather than in its first year.

At the time Ms Reeves said the party needed to be "responsible" with the public finances, given the poor economic backdrop and rising cost of borrowing.

Since then there have been growing questions about whether the policy could be scaled back further.

In an interview last month, Sir Keir described the £28bn figure as "a confident ambition", which was subject to the party's fiscal rules.

These include that debt has to be falling as a share of the size of the economy in five years.

However, unlike some of his shadow ministers, he has continued to use the figure as recently as Tuesday.

The prime minister has repeatedly attacked Sir Keir over the policy, suggesting it will lead to higher taxes.

Privately Labour figures acknowledge a long-standing "brand weakness", as one source put it, when it comes to economic credibility.

So the decision has been taken to focus on attempting to reassure voters they can be trusted with the economy, rather than keeping the £28bn promise.

The move was criticised by left-wing campaign group Momentum and Unite, Labour's biggest union backer.

"This latest Starmer U-turn represents yet another capitulation to right-wing interests," a spokesperson said.

"Sadly, there is a huge gap emerging between the scale of the economic and environmental crises facing us, and the solutions being offered by a Labour leadership afraid of its own shadow."

Unite leader Sharon Graham said: "The Labour movement has to stand up to the Conservatives' false accusations of fiscal irresponsibility.

"There is a catastrophic crisis of investment in Britain's economic infrastructure."

Barry Gardiner - Labour MP and a former shadow environment secretary - told the BBC's Today programme: "It's economically illiterate, it's environmentally irresponsible and it's politically jejune."

He said he understood the desire to "minimise the attacks from the opposition" but warned his party against becoming "so bland that you stand for nothing".

Carla Denyer, co-leader of the Green Party, said: "This is a massive backward step - for the climate, for the economy and for good quality jobs.

"Both the security of our planet for future generations and the UK's future prosperity is dependent on greening our economy and that requires large scale investment."

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Laura Trott said: "This is a serious moment which confirms Labour have no plan for the UK, creating uncertainty for business and our economy.

"On the day that Labour are finalising their manifesto, Keir Starmer is torpedoing what he has claimed to be his central economic policy purely for short-term campaigning reasons."

Sir Keir had set a deadline of Thursday to finalise his party's draft general election manifesto.

It comes on the day the Conservatives claimed, via Treasury analysis, that part of the plan, to insulate homes, would cost double what Labour had claimed it would. Labour has rejected the analysis as "bogus".

Related Topics

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2024-02-08 08:54:38Z
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Prince William speaks after King Charles cancer diagnosis – video - The Guardian

Speaking about his families' health problems in public for the first time, the heir to the throne thanked people for their 'kind messages of support' at a charity gala dinner. Prince William has made a return to royal duties after his father, King Charles III, announced his cancer diagnosis and his wife, Kate, was hospitalised for abdominal surgery. Charles, 75, is at his Sandringham estate in Norfolk, having received outpatient treatment in London on Monday. Since he is unable to undertake public-facing duties for the foreseeable future, Prince William, 41, becomes the leading member representing the monarchy in public.

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Weather warnings in UK: Heavy snow alert by Met Office with up to 25cm falling in Arctic blast - The Independent

Related: Waves crash over runway at Shetland’s Sumburgh airport as 85mph winds batter UK

The Met Office has issued further weather warnings for Thursday with widespread snow and rain forecast across large parts of the country.

Amber warnings for snow have been issued for parts of northern England and north Wales, while a mixture of yellow rain and snow warnings will be in force across the four nations.

Up to 25cm of snow are forecast across high ground in the Peak District and the southern Pennines, with a warning in force from noon until 6pm on Thursday.

A separate warning for snow and ice will be in place between 8am and 3pm across north Wales and Shropshire, with 10-15cm widely expected in both areas.

Met Office chief meteorologist Kathryn Chalk said: “Make sure you’re staying tuned to the forecast and the Met Office warning page for any updates that we may issue. Before that, make sure that for your journey times you plan longer, especially in the snow.

“Be sure to check your general car situation – if you have to travel check your tyres, the oil and your screen wash, and take longer on your journey time as well.”

1707380227

Met Office warns snow could lead to poor driving conditions

Met Office meteorologist Amy Bokota said an easterly wind meant that places “inland and higher up” were likely to see the most snow.

She said it was “unlikely” that significant levels of snow would be on the ground for days, but added it could lead to difficult driving conditions on Thursday.

Ms Bokota said: “The snow could cause some pretty poor driving conditions for parts of the Pennines and Wales, particularly through the afternoon and early evening.”

The forecaster added that most places would see a return to milder conditions by the end of Thursday.

She said: “It will be quite a short-lived cold snap for much of the UK, but continuing on a little bit longer through parts of northern England and Scotland into the early hours of Friday and the start of the weekend.”

Holly Evans8 February 2024 08:17
1707375780

Snow to shift north at weekend

The snow risk will move north over the weekend, according to forecasters, but many areas will remain wet.

There are signs of a change to more settled weather for some next week.

<p>Map of yellow warning for Scotland on Saturday</p>

Map of yellow warning for Scotland on Saturday

Jane Dalton8 February 2024 07:03
1707373801

Arctic blast to bring 10 inches of snow as Met Office issues amber weather warning

The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning, the second most serious alert, for parts of England and Wales. Some yellow weather warnings for rain and snow will also be in effect across almost the entire country.

Up to 10 inches of snow could fall in these regions:

Stuti Mishra8 February 2024 06:30
1707372180

How to help birds survive in snow

The RSPB has issued suggestions to householders on helping birds survive the snow.

Jane Dalton8 February 2024 06:03
1707370201

Snow and ice forecast for Thursday

Almost the entire country is under warnings for snow, ice and rain, with almost 10 inches of snow set to fall on higher ground.

Amber weather warnings for snow have been issued for parts of northern England and north Wales, while a mixture of yellow rain and snow warnings will be in force across the four nations.

Here's a map giving an overview of the amount of rainfall different regions can expect today.

<p>Met Office map shows snow and ice risk on Thursday</p>

Met Office map shows snow and ice risk on Thursday

Stuti Mishra8 February 2024 05:30
1707368401

South under heavy rain warning

Southern parts of England are currently under a yellow weather warning for heavy rains, which could bring travel disruption for early morning commuters.

The warning came into effect at 2am and will stay in place until 6am.The Met Office has warned of potential flooding in the area, making journey times longer.

Bus and train services will probably be affected due to spray and water logging.

The warning includes the entire southern region including Plymouth, Brighton, London and Cardiff.

<p>Yellow weather warning for rain in effect in southern parts on Thursday morning </p>

Yellow weather warning for rain in effect in southern parts on Thursday morning

Stuti Mishra8 February 2024 05:00
1707367200

Watch: Moment woman shovelling show buried under avalanche from roof

Moment woman shovelling show buried under avalanche from roof

Watch the moment a woman who was shovelling snow in her garden was buried under an avalanche that fell from the roof. Surveillance camera footage from the home of Ms Xu, in the city of Changde, southern China’s Hunan province, showed her clearing snow on 4 February. As she worked in the yard, she was buried under a mass of snow that unexpectedly fell from the roof. Her relatives rushed to get her back on her feet after she was knocked to the floor. Ms Xu told local media that she felt pain in her lower back and spine from the fall, but was grateful she didn’t suffer any serious injuries.

Stuti Mishra8 February 2024 04:40
1707361380

Schools set to close

Schools across areas hit by snow are expected to close on Thursday.

In Flintshire, Wales, all schools are due to shut. Some are also expected to be shut in Powys, Welshpool and Llanfyllin.

Most schools in the Scottish Highlands closed on Wednesday.

Jane Dalton8 February 2024 03:03
1707357780

Where wintry showers will hit UK

Jane Dalton8 February 2024 02:03
1707354180

Health chiefs issue warning

The UK Health Security Agency has a cold-health alert in force for parts of England, which means the health and the social care sector could face higher demand if people suffer health problems caused by cold.

The alert covers the area from south of Birmingham to the Scottish Borders.

Jane Dalton8 February 2024 01:03

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Rabu, 07 Februari 2024

Prince William speaks publicly for first time since King Charles's cancer diagnosis - Sky News

Prince William has referenced the King's cancer diagnosis for the first time since the announcement by Buckingham Palace on Monday.

Arriving at a gala for the London Air Ambulance Service in central London, the Prince of Wales waved to people gathered outside the venue.

"We really appreciate everyone's kind messages, thank you," he said.

Inside, he was spotted talking to and laughing with Hollywood star Tom Cruise, who is also at the gala tonight.

Prince William was back at work supporting the King on Wednesday, when he hosted a Windsor Castle investiture ceremony.

The Prince of Wales seen laughing with Tom Cruise. Pic: PA
Image: The Prince of Wales seen laughing with Tom Cruise. Pic: PA

Buckingham Palace announced the King had been diagnosed with cancer in a statement on Monday.

Prince Harry had been told, like other senior royals, personally by the King about his diagnosis, and quickly boarded a flight from California, spending around 45 minutes at Clarence House on Tuesday before returning on Wednesday.

The King looked relaxed when, as he returned to Sandringham, he was seen in public on Tuesday for the first time since the diagnosis was announced.

Prince William attends the London Air Ambulance charity gala dinner. Pic: AP
Image: Pic: AP

His treatment as an outpatient started earlier this week and he has postponed all public-facing duties, although he is continuing with work on his red boxes of state papers.

His weekly private audience with the prime minister is planned to be held over the phone, rather than in person.

It is understood this is expected to revert to in-person meetings in two weeks.

William is expected to take on more public duties while his father focuses on treatment.

Read more from Sky News:
How will the King be treated?

Which types of cancer are most common for older men?

The gala dinner is raising funds for London's Air Ambulance Charity's Up Against Time appeal, which is seeking £15m to replace the service's helicopter fleet by the autumn.

William is a former air ambulance pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance and during the event will meet crew members, former patients and supporters before delivering a short speech.

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UK weather: Met Office issues two amber warnings for snow covering Wales and Peak District - Sky News

Two amber weather warnings for snow have been issued by the Met Office.

Both come into effect on Thursday, with the first covering north Wales and northwest Shropshire, and the other the Peak District and south Pennines.

The warning in Wales lasts from 8am until 3pm, while the one for the Peak District starts at 12pm on Thursday and continues until 6pm.

Find out the weather in your area

The amber warning for Wales and northwest Shropshire says snow and ice is "expected to cause disruption".

The Met Office says there is a "good chance that some rural communities could be temporarily cut off".

People are also warned that travel delays are likely on roads, with the possibility of some vehicles and passengers becoming stranded.

Disruption to rail services is also possible, with the potential for power cuts and mobile phone coverage dropping out.

The amber warning for the Peak District and the south Pennines also states that travel disruption can be expected.

Rural communities could be cut off, delays to rail services are likely and power cuts are possible.

An amber warning is the second most serious alert issued by the Met Office - with yellow being the least serious and red being the most.

Snow fell on Lenham in Kent in January. Pic: PA
Image: Drivers in the North West are being warned to plan ahead (Lenham in Kent last week)

A yellow warning is in place for a large part of England and northern Wales on Thursday.

The warning, which covers the Midlands and parts of northern England including Leeds, York and Carlisle, is in place between 6am and 6pm.

It warns that a period of snowfall could bring disruption and that some rural communities might be cut off.

Travel delays and power cuts are also possible.

The alerts for Thursday comes as yellow warnings are in place for northern Scotland today.

Snow and ice is expected to bring difficult driving conditions and potential disruption to rail networks.

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Dentists to get £20k incentive as part of plan to combat NHS shortfalls - BBC

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Dentists who set up practice in areas of England with poor access to NHS care will be offered a £20,000 bonus.

The government has also announced higher payments for dentists who take on new patients and teeth-cleaning in schools as part of a plan to expand levels of dental care.

The plans have been criticised as not going far enough by dental leaders and Labour.

The British Dentistry Association said this is "rearranging the deckchairs".

The £20,000 "golden hello" payment will be available to up to 240 dentists, about 1% of the workforce, with the aim of getting more people to work for three years in the so-called dental deserts where there is the poorest access to NHS care.

The government hopes increasing the standard payments dentists get for carrying out NHS work will tempt more away from the more lucrative private market.

Dentists have argued the money they are paid by the government to provide NHS dental care is not enough to cover their costs, especially in cases where people need complex procedures.

'Burning issue'

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins told the BBC the government has listened to the profession by increasing the standard payments for NHS work.

"I know how hard it can be to secure an NHS dental appointment."

The government is aiming for 1.5 million more treatments to be given over the next 12 months because of the plans.

British Dental Association (BDA) leader Shawn Charlwood said: "This 'recovery plan' is not worthy of the title. It won't halt the exodus from the workforce or offer hope to millions struggling to access care.

"Nothing here makes this service fit for the future. The crisis will remain a burning issue in communities across this country until we get real change."

A dentist's patient
Getty Images

The measures announced by the government also include:

  • An extra £15 for dentists on top of the standard payment of £28 for seeing a patient who has not visited a dentist for two years
  • An increase of up to £50 per patient needing complex work
  • Dental teams visiting schools and nurseries to provide fluoride varnish treatments and supported teeth-brushing
  • Mobile dental services in rural and coastal areas with poor dental coverage
  • Expansion of water fluoridation to new parts of the country to help prevent tooth decay

To support the proposal, an extra £200m will be invested on top of the £3bn currently spent each year.

However, the BDA said spending on dentistry had dropped by £1bn since 2010 once inflation was taken into account.

Stephen Davies, 67, from Lancashire, is one of many people who has struggled to access NHS dentistry.

He says he has had to resort to emergency dental work to have teeth extractions.

"Where I live there are people walking around with no teeth. I notice it amongst my friends. There's a whole generation of people with no teeth because they can't get a dentist."

Number of NHS dental treatments in England below pre-pandemic levels

Labour's shadow health secretary Wes Streeting told BBC Breakfast the government's proposals are "temporary measures they hope can buy them time until after the election".

"Not all of the problems in the NHS are about money, but with dentistry a lot of is about money. Last year there was a £400m underspend in the NHS dentistry budget. Can you believe it? With people struggling to get access to dentists and contract reform so desperately needed."

The party has previously announced its own policy of supervised teeth-brushing for three-to-five-year-olds and Mr Streeting said it would reform the contract system for dentists immediately if it wins an election.

Dental surgeon Dr Sami Butt told Radio 4's Today programme the payment would be an insufficient measure without wider reforms, describing it as a "temporary filling - and not a very good one".

Louise Ansari, head of Healthwatch England, said there were "major access issues", which the rising cost of living had also impacted.

She said the plan was a "good start", but in the long term more radical solutions were needed.

Last year 32.5 million treatments were carried out - but that is still fewer than before the pandemic.

Dentist training posts are in the process of being increased, but that will take some years to start making a significant difference.

The state of NHS dentistry was recently thrust into the spotlight when hundreds of people queued outside a new dental practice in Bristol to register as NHS patients.

And a BBC investigation in 2022 found nine in 10 NHS dental practices across the UK were not accepting new adult patients for treatment on the NHS.

It found the lack of NHS appointments had led people to drive hundreds of miles in search of treatment, pull out their own teeth without anaesthesia, or resort to making their own improvised dentures.

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