Commuter rail strike talks resume as London braces for another disrupted week
Unions and operators return to the table after a weekend of cancelled services across the South East.
Housing starts dip as planning approvals lag behind targets
Builders cite slow local decisions and rising materials quotes.
Official figures showed a further dip in housing starts across England, with industry bodies blaming delayed planning committees and volatile timber and steel quotes.
Councils said resource cuts left fewer officers to process complex applications, while campaigners warned that rushing approvals without infrastructure plans would store up school and GP pressure.
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Heat-health advice updated as England faces another warm spell
Public health officials urge simple precautions for older adults and outdoor workers.
GP appointment backlogs ease in several northern trusts
Same-week slots improve, but evening cover remains patchy for working carers.