Water Crisis: Thames Water has imposed a hosepipe ban for about 16 million customers across London and the South East, starting 12.01am Thursday, July 23, as demand runs ~10% above normal in the Thames Valley and ~7% above normal in London. Cost of Living: New PM Andy Burnham says VAT on domestic electricity bills will be cut to zero from October 1, saving the average household about £45 a year, but funding is under fire after questions over scrapping the digital ID scheme. Household Bills & Finance: Fixed mortgage rates jumped again, with the typical two-year fixed rate rising to 5.54% and the five-year to 5.57%—a sharp reminder of how fast lenders react to market jitters. Consumer Rights: The FCA update on the car finance compensation scheme leaves millions “in limbo” as legal challenges drag on, with the Upper Tribunal due to hear cases later this year/early 2027. Health & Safety: MHRA has authorised a lower-carbon “green” version of the Clenil Modulite inhaler, cutting device carbon footprint by 90% while keeping the medicine the same. Retail & Everyday Deals: Tesco confirmed 16 items now in its Meal Deal after adding Costa Express iced drinks, including multiple iced latte/cappuccino/mocha options. Tech & Data: Craneware says hackers stole a “significant volume” of customer and employee data, with an ongoing investigation into what was taken. Cyber Threats: A Business Reporter piece flags rising cyber fraud and evolving rules for critical infrastructure, pushing for stronger resilience beyond basic compliance.