Heatwave predicted

Britain is famous for being wet and cold – but not this summer.

A heatwave is forecast for the next few days and temperatures in the South of England may reach 32C.

Health experts are warning people to try to stay cool, and say temperatures may not drop below 20C, even at night. Old people, babies and others with health problems may be at risk.

There is now a ban on using hosepipes to water the garden in the North-West of England, which is traditionally one of the wettest parts of the UK.

Queen saves money

Members of the Royal Family may appear in public less to save money.

The British government is preparing to reduce spending on most areas by up to 25 - 40 per cent. These cuts in funding will include money given to the Royal Family.

The Queen’s staff say this could mean the number of official visits will be reduced. This would not happen until after 2012. During that year, there will be many celebrations as the Queen will have been in power for 60 years.

Government minister apologises

This week the Government announced that it would not carry on with plans to rebuild 700 schools in the UK. It published a list of all the schools affected. It explained  which ones would get new buildings and which ones wouldn’t.

The trouble is that the list was wrong. Twenty of the schools on the list to get a new building then found out that they wouldn’t. Now the Education Minister has had to say sorry in Parliament and to local government leaders.

Wimbledon final

The Wimbledon tennis tournament finished at the weekend. There had been lots of hopes that Andy Murray, the Scottish player, would be in the final but he was knocked out by Rafael Nadal, who went on to win.

Now any British hopes of winning major sporting events are for Lewis Hamilton or Jensen Button to win the Formula One drivers’ championship. The British Grand Prix is being held this weekend at Silverstone.

by Susan Young
susan@englishuk.com