Hand washing is crucial for protecting ourselves, our health, and those around us. It is vital for controlling bacteria and helping to limit the spread of viruses. Today is Global Handwashing day, which is designed to raise awareness about the importance of good hand hygiene and motivate people to use good handwashing techniques.

Overall YouGov/Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) consumer confidence index did not move in September. Household finance measures for the past 30 days (-0.5) and next 12 months (-3.3) fell Confidence in house prices rose in the short-term (+3.1), as did outlook (+0.9). Workers were more confident about their job security over September (+1.0), and more optimistic looking forward (+0.5)

The Retirement Expectation Gap – the gap between when Brits want to retire and when they actually think they will be able to – has widened in the last year, according to new research from Standard Life, as rising living costs, pension insecurity and ongoing financial pressures push expectation further from aspiration.

UK rural insurer NFU Mutual is urging people not to be complacent and to take action to prevent damage before Storm Amy brings dangerous winds to much of the UK this Friday and Saturday. The storm will bring gusts of up to 90mph in parts of Scotland and 70mph in the North of England, Northern Ireland and Wales, potentially wreaking havoc on properties and businesses and putting lives at risk.

40 local councillors from across England, Wales and Scotland have been shortlisted for the 2025 LGIU and CCLA Cllr Awards, the only national awards ceremony dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary work of councillors. Now in their 16th year in England and 8th year in Scotland, the Cllr Awards highlight the vital contribution of councillors, often the unsung heroes of local democracy.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) says the UK must tackle its status as the sick man of the G7 if it wants to grow the economy.    Businesses want to see a major shake-up of the UK’s approach to ill-health which is excluding people from work and hobbling the economy.

Brits are putting their health on pause, with new research revealing that the average UK adult waits 14 days before consulting a health professional about a common health issue1.

On the brink of becoming law, the Government last week rejected the majority of amendments put forward by the House of Lords, which would have mitigated the severity of some of the amendments. Property professionals, landlords and tenants are poised to navigate this once-in-a-generation overhaul of housing legislation.