New UK cost of living crisis looms with soaring energy bills forecast to lift inflation

Latest reading on Wednesday likely to frame scale of challenge for new PM to ease pressures on households amid Iran war fallout

Polls open in Clacton, where Farage spent more than £10,000 in byelection against Count Binface – as it happened

The Reform UK leader resigned as the MP for Clacton at the start of July and forced a byelection

UK economy shows surprising resilience – but that may not last

Weaker growth, rising energy costs and persistent inflation mean Britain could face tougher times in the autumn

Just 20 of 6,600 Defra staff working on climate adaptation amid drought and wildfires

Exclusive: England ‘desperately unprepared’ for effects of crisis including water shortages and heatwaves

UK heatwaves may have cost economy £4.4bn in lost output so far this year, analysis finds

Verdant thinktank says cost could top £25bn a year by 2030 and calls for maximum temperature for working and urban redesign to cool down cities

A question for Burnham as he tours the country: how to reduce the magnetic pull of London?

As someone who has specialised in regional policy, I know the task is huge – not least because there is no plan to ensure prosperity throughout England, says journalist Peter Hetherington

From ticket booking fees to shrinkflation, six other ways Burnham could cut cost of living

The prime minister is promising to crack down on ‘rip-off’ business practices

Thames Water’s £1m payout to finance chief is ‘unacceptable’, says government department

Utility firm’s payment criticised by Defra and campaign groups, with some urging Andy Burnham to nationalise it

UK manufacturers face rising hacking risk as survey shows 30% were hit last year

Big companies describe being under constant threat but only half have a plan in place to respond to an attack

Cut £175 from energy bills for low-income homes, says thinktank

Resolution Foundation proposes £2bn emergency scheme to help people facing higher costs this winter

Burnham vows crackdown on ‘rip-off’ business practices to ease cost of living

First of PM’s ‘everyday fixes’ to be banning fake discounts and making it easier to cancel unwanted subscriptions

London mayor orders council to drop plan to ban new pubs and bars in Soho and West End

Exclusive: Sadiq Khan urges Westminster council to adopt ‘positive vision of economic growth’ of nightlife

Britain is paying the price for failing to invest in its young people

Alan Milburn has outlined a generation cut adrift by austerity. We must grasp the nettle and rebuild a preventive state

Andy Burnham to tour Britain in effort to reconnect government with public

PM expected to announce policies to tackle cost of living and indicate intent to help improve country’s high streets

Union calls for robust review of OBR over fears it holds back economic growth

TUC will urge John Healey to order ‘root and branch’ assessment of watchdog amid claims its forecasts downplay investment benefits