Large parts of the UK face thunderstorms and heavy rain today, as a yellow weather warning is in place, with some big sporting events already disrupted.
The Met Office is forecasting torrential downpours for several regions which could lead to flash flooding.
The yellow alert for thunderstorms – in force from 9am to midnight – covers a widespread area from London to northwest Scotland, and up to 50mm of rain could be seen in the northern part of the Midlands.
People who use public transport have been warned “where flooding or lightning strikes occur” there is a chance of delays and cancellations to rail and bus services, while motorists could face difficult driving conditions and road closures.
“Flooding of homes and businesses could happen quickly,” the Met Office said, including power cuts, adding: “Fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible, causing a danger to life.”
Wimbledon and the third Ashes test match at Headingley in Leeds have both been disrupted by the weather.
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Spells of rain are also expected next week across parts of the UK and dampening play at Wimbledon.
Weather experts have suggested the top temperature today will be 30C (86F) or 31C (87.8F) in East Anglia.
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It comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a yellow heat-health warning until 9am on Sunday for London, the South East, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, and Yorkshire and the Humber.
People with pre-existing health conditions and the elderly have been advised to be mindful of the humid and muggy weather.
However, thundery downpours on Saturday evening are expected to cool conditions down.
Grahame Madge of the Met Office said the thunderstorms would be “spectacular” as they would run down the “spine” of England.
He said: “There will potentially be quite spectacular thunderstorms on Saturday running along the spine of England. Then we have a return to fresher conditions once that cold front has moved through.”
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0:58
Hundreds of fish die after hot weather
Mr Madge added: “The temperatures are high 20s and potentially 30C which would reach the threshold for a heatwave, but we haven’t got the duration.”
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: “The forecasted high temperatures are expected to be short lived, but could primarily impact those over the age of 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions.
“If you have friends, family or neighbours who are more vulnerable, it is important to check in on them and ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice.”
Assisted dying could become legal in England and Wales after the bill was backed by MPs in a historic vote.
Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill received 330 yes votes compared to 275 noes at its second reading in the House of Commons – a majority of 55.
The bill would allow adults who are terminally ill with just six months left to live to request medical assistance to end their lives.
Today’s result means the legislation will now progress to the committee stage for scrutiny, with the Lords also to be given opportunities to express their views on the measure before it potentially becomes law.
MPs were given a free vote – meaning they could side with their conscience and not along party lines, with the government staying neutral on the matter.
The division list showed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer backed the proposal, as did Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
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3:02
MPs debate assisted dying
The vote came after a five-hour debate in the chamber, which drew emotional arguments on both sides.
Conservative former minister Andrew Mitchell revealed he changed his mind on assisted dying after finding himself with “tears pouring down my face” on hearing the stories of constituents whose loved ones had died “in great pain and great indignity”.
On the other side of the argument, veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott said assisted dying could result in sick people “feeling like a burden” on society, adding: ” I can imagine myself saying that in particular circumstances.”
She warned: “If this bill passes, we will have the NHS as a fully-funded 100% suicide service but palliative care will only be funded at 30% at best.”
Bill about ‘choice and dignity’
Opening the debate on the topic, Labour backbencher Ms Leadbeater said the bill was about giving dying people “choice, autonomy, and dignity” – saying the current law was “failing” them.
She has insisted her bill contains “the most robust safeguards” of any assisted dying legislation in the word.
This includes two independent doctors having to approve the decision, followed by a high-court judge, with the person having to administer the drugs themselves.
The legislation also includes a maximum 14-year prison sentence for anyone who coerces someone into requesting assisted dying or taking the medicine.
Speaking to Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby after the vote, an emotional Ms Leadbeater said she was “incredibly proud” of the result and parliament must now “take on board everything that’s been discussed in the chamber”, including the state of palliative care and the rights of disabled people.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Heidi Alexander has been appointed the new transport secretary after Louise Haigh stepped down.
The Swindon South MP had been serving as a justice minister until her promotion today, and worked as Sadiq Khan’s deputy transport mayor between 2018-2021.
Ms Haigh resigned after Sky News revealed she pleaded guilty to an offence related to incorrectly telling police that a work mobile phone was stolen in 2013.
In a letter to the prime minister, she described the incident as a “mistake” but said that “whatever the facts of the matter, this issue will inevitably be a distraction from delivering on the work of this government”.
She called the incident a “genuine mistake from which I did not make any gain”.
The Tories have said it raises questions about what exactly Sir Keir knew when he appointed her to his shadow cabinet in opposition.
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Responding to her resignation letter, the prime minister thanked Ms Haigh for “all you have done to deliver this government’s ambitious transport agenda” and said: “I know you still have a huge contribution to make in the future.”
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
A 16-year-old girl has been charged with the murder of a man in King’s Cross.
The teenager, from Brixton, south London, will appear at magistrates’ court later today charged with the murder of Anthony Marks, 51, in August this year.
Mr Marks was assaulted on Cromer Street on Saturday 10 August.
A 17-year-old boy has previously been charged and remanded in custody to face trial next year.
Police are keen to hear from any witnesses who may not have come forward yet, as well as Mr Marks’s next of kin, who still remain unidentified.