Probation chief says he’s ‘not fully confident’ service will cope with early prisoner releases – UK politics live
Martin Jones expresses concern scheme will increase pressure on probation service as Burnham addresses controversy over PC Harper’s killers Good morning. Andy Burnham is chairing a meeting of the government’s Cobra emergency committee this afternoon to discuss the heatwave and the climate crisis. About time too, some people will say. One of them is Zack Polanski , the Green party leader, who has been calling for this and who posted this on social media in response. Good. Now we need action. Tax
Prime minister Andy Burnham has urged “all retailers big and small” to withdraw the sale of disposable barbecues in order to prevent more wildfires this summer, as he warned extreme heat conditions “could be with us for some weeks yet”.
His comments came after chairing a meeting of the Government’s emergency Cobra committee in response to the prolonged spell of exceptionally hot and dry weather.
Most major UK supermarkets have suspended sales of disposable barbecues in recent weeks in line with voluntary guidance from the NFCC.
England and Wales have already seen as many wildfires this year as in the whole of 2025.
Some 1,017 wildfires have been recorded in England and Wales this year, according to data shared by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), the same as last year’s record-breaking total.
Coverage from 5 sources
- Probation chief says he’s ‘not fully confident’ service will cope with early prisoner releases – UK politics liveGuardian - World · Andrew Sparrow · Aug 12, 2026, 8:58 AM
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- Cooper warns NHS must prepare for regular heatwaves as Burnham holds emergency Cobra meeting – UK politics liveGuardian - World · Andrew Sparrow · Aug 12, 2026, 5:11 PM
- Burnham urges retailers to stop selling disposable barbecues after emergency Cobra meeting – UK politics live
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