Will schools close during extreme heat?

Some schools in affected areas have already announced early closures or full shutdowns during the hottest periods.

However, there is no legal maximum temperature for classrooms in the UK, and the government does not routinely advise schools to close due to heat. Instead, schools are expected to manage risks locally.

The Department for Education says attendance remains important, while teaching unions recommend indoor temperatures should ideally not exceed 26C.

Head teachers are responsible for risk assessments and may adjust school operations based on conditions, including pupil wellbeing and vulnerability. Any decision to close a school is typically made in consultation with governors or academy trusts.

How schools are responding to the heat

Schools are taking a range of measures to protect pupils during the heatwave, including:

• Relaxing uniform rules, allowing PE kits or lighter clothing
• Adjusting school start and finish times
• Moving lessons to cooler areas
• Reducing strenuous physical activity during PE lessons
• Improving ventilation and monitoring indoor air quality

UK health guidance also advises that windows may need to be closed later in the day if outside air becomes hotter than indoors. Fans are not recommended when temperatures exceed 35C.

How can parents help children stay cool?

Parents are being encouraged to support children with simple heat safety steps, such as:

• Wearing light, loose-fitting and light-coloured clothing
• Using sun protection and hats where appropriate
• Bringing and regularly drinking water
• Applying sunscreen before and during the school day if required

Can you keep your child off school due to heat?

If a school remains open, official guidance is that children should attend as normal.

The government says school attendance is essential for learning and development, and heat alone is not considered a valid reason to stay at home.

Do you have to work in a heatwave?

There is no legal maximum workplace temperature in the UK. However, employers must comply with health and safety laws and ensure working conditions are “reasonable” and safe.

Guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says employers should maintain comfortable temperatures and ensure access to fresh air and hydration.

Advisory body Acas states that, in most cases, employees are expected to follow their contracts and work with employers to manage heat-related risks.

Only in rare and extreme situations might workplace closure or refusal to work be considered appropriate.

What employers can do during extreme heat

Employers are encouraged to take practical steps, including:

• Allowing flexible working or remote work where possible
• Adjusting dress codes
• Increasing breaks and access to cold drinks
• Using fans or air conditioning where appropriate
• Moving staff to cooler areas of the workplace

For home workers, guidance includes keeping blinds closed during the day and improving airflow during cooler hours.

Outdoor and travel disruptions

Outdoor workers face higher risks during extreme heat. The HSE recommends rescheduling tasks, increasing rest breaks, providing shade, and ensuring constant access to water.

Transport disruption is also possible. High temperatures can affect rail lines and overhead power systems.

Network Rail has urged passengers to avoid non-essential travel during red warning periods. National Highways advises carrying extra water and avoiding travel during peak heat where possible.

The RAC has also warned drivers without air conditioning to reconsider non-essential journeys until conditions improve.

Living on a cramped 28-foot rowing boat with zero luxury, zero plumbing, and a relentless shifting schedule of two hours of rowing followed by two hours of sleep, the team expects to spend between 80 to 100 days at sea. They will navigate some of the globe’s most hostile marine environments, battling 40-foot swells, intense tropical heat, and absolute psychological isolation.

As part of their final technical preparations, the crew has successfully been putting their life-saving technical kit through its paces, including fine-tuning their watermaker desalinator system using real ocean water during preliminary open-water sea trials to ensure total self-sufficiency at sea.

Beyond breaking world records, the expedition is a vital platform for global brain health awareness, tackling the issue from the frontlines to the research labs through two chosen charities:

• Immediate Trauma Support: The crew is raising vital funds for Rock2Recovery, an organisation dedicated to saving lives by providing fast, non-clinical change management coaching to veterans, emergency services first responders, and their families dealing with the devastating effects of profound stress, PTSD, and mental health trauma.
• Pioneering Medical Research: The team is simultaneously backing Race Against Dementia (RAD), an organisation that drives global research by funding early-career scientists across leading institutions in the UK, US, Australia, South Africa, and Europe. With dementia currently standing as the leading cause of death in Australia, funding will directly support world-class researchers on the ground at The University of Sydney, Macquarie University (Sydney), Flinders University (Adelaide), and The University of Melbourne.

Crucially, the team is bringing a global audience along for the journey. Partnering with Learn Live, the crew will stream live video chats directly from the water into classrooms worldwide via an onboard Starlink system, capitalising on real-time data to inspire the next generation through STEM and geography.

With less than a week remaining until the optimal weather window opens for their departure, the team is operating with absolute focus and readiness.

Billy Taylor, crew member, commented:

*"We are incredibly excited to be entering the final countdown for the start line. The Indian Ocean is unpredictable and terrifying, but our team is ready. Testing our vital survival equipment and undertaking final sea trials brings us face-to-face with the reality of the next 90 days.

Our campaign is entirely about brain health and resilience. We are incredibly proud to be backing Rock2Recovery to ensure veterans and first responders get the immediate, critical trauma coaching they need to survive dark times. At the same time, we are supporting Race Against Dementia's incredible global network of scientists, including brilliant local researchers at Sydney, Macquarie, Flinders, and Melbourne universities. We are doing our final tweaks, dialling in our focus, and we cannot wait to push off."*

In recent weeks, coverage has been introduced in the tunnelled sections on the Bakerloo line between Queen’s Park and Edgware Road, plus on the Metropolitan line between Euston Square and King’s Cross St Pancras as well as between Barbican and Moorgate. The Circle and District lines have also gained coverage between Cannon Street and Monument, Sloane Square and Victoria, and Bayswater and Paddington.

All four major mobile network operators (Three UK, EE, Vodafone, and Virgin Media O2 (VMO2)) are taking part in the rollout, as part of the Mayor and TfL's commitment to bring mobile connectivity to the whole of London's transport network. Having access to high-speed mobile coverage means customers can stay connected as they travel around the Tube to shop, meet friends or visit the city’s many theatres, restaurants and bars. It also means that they can access real-time service updates and plan their journeys while travelling using TfL Go, London’s official travel app.

The expanding coverage will also host the new Emergency Services Network (ESN) - which, when fully operational, will be able to give first responders immediate access to life-saving data, images and information in live situations and emergencies on the frontline.

As well as tunnelled sections, busy stations including Vauxhall, Temple, Nine Elms and Gloucester Road have all now gone live. Mobile coverage has also begun to be introduced at major stations like King's Cross St Pancras, Victoria and Paddington, which will go live in phases due to their size and complexity, focusing initially on ticket halls and platforms.

Hundreds of engineers are regularly working through the night to introduce mobile coverage to more sections of the Tube, delivering the project during the limited overnight engineering hours on the Tube network. The vast majority of the Northern, Bakerloo and Metropolitan lines will have coverage in the tunnels by the end of summer this year.

As well as delivering coverage on the Tube, TfL and Boldyn are also working to introduce coverage to sections of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) that are under-ground, as well as the Windrush line between Highbury & Islington and New Cross

The crew—comprising Billy Taylor, Lara Vafiadis, Susannah Cass, and Glyn Roberts—is aiming to smash two historic World Records: becoming the first mixed crew and the first women to ever successfully complete this specific continent-to-continent crossing by human power alone.

The line-up brings together distinct backgrounds from across the UK:

• Billy Taylor kicks off the crew line-up, bringing extensive ocean-rowing and maritime expertise to the team. Co-Owner of the Atlantic Dash Rowing Race
• Lara Vafiadis, representing Herefordshire and Worcestershire, brings proven ocean endurance to the water, having previously completed a solo Atlantic row in 2023.
• Susannah Cass is a University of Cambridge alumna with a passion for the natural world. She has completed two previous ocean crossings, becoming the first woman to row across the Atlantic from Europe to South America. Plus she's the proud owner of 3 Blue Peter Badges.
• Glyn Roberts hails proudly from the North East and is an ex-Royal Air Force officer, bringing critical military discipline, logistics and operational experience under high stress.

Living on a cramped 28-foot rowing boat with zero luxury or plumbing, the team expects to spend between 80 to 100 days at sea. They will navigate some of the world’s most hostile marine environments, battling 40-foot swells, intense tropical heat, and absolute isolation, whilst rowing a relentless schedule of two hours on, two hours off, 24 hours a day.

Lessons from the Ocean: Streaming Live into Classrooms

Crucially, the team is taking the next generation along for the ride. Partnering with Learn Live UK, an educational platform reaching over 3,000 schools, the crew will use their onboard satellite systems to host live video chats directly from the water into UK classrooms. This world-first educational link will engage thousands of students in real-world STEM lessons, geography, and ocean conservation, showing young people the true power of human resilience.

Vital Scientific Research at Sea

Beyond the extreme physical trial, the Brainwaves vessel will serve as an active platform for vital environmental and medical research. The crew will carry out onboard scientific data collection throughout the 5,500-mile crossing, including sampling for microplastic pollution to map ocean health, alongside tracking data to study how the human brain and body adapt to intense isolation, extreme trauma, and sleep deprivation.

A £500,000 Mission for Brain Health and Recovery

The overarching mission of the Brainwaves expedition is to raise a staggering £500,000 for two charities at the forefront of brain health and recovery:

• Race Against Dementia: Funding breakthrough global research to fast-track a cure for dementia.
• Rock2Recovery: Providing vital, fast-turnaround mental health support for veterans, first responders, and their families battling PTSD and severe anxiety.

With just days remaining before the boat leaves land, the expedition is making a final call to technology partners and corporate sponsors who want to join Evolution Capital on a global stage and back a historic British world-first.

Milburn warned that by 2031, as many as one in six people aged 16 to 24 — around 1.25 million young people — could be out of work, education or training.

Youth Job Market “More Out of Reach”

Speaking to the BBC, Milburn said younger generations are struggling to access even entry-level opportunities.

“The first rung on the career ladder is now more out of reach for this generation,” he said, pointing to what he described as a growing “shortage of opportunity.”

Official figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that between January and March 2026, around 1,012,000 young people aged 16-24 were classified as NEET — the highest figure recorded in more than 12 years.

The data also revealed a sharp rise in economically inactive young people, with approximately 613,000 not actively seeking or available for work. Young women accounted for a larger share of this group than young men.

Meanwhile, around 400,000 young people were officially unemployed and actively looking for jobs.

“Hundreds of Applications, No Response”

Milburn rejected claims that young people are unwilling to work, arguing that many are making huge efforts to secure employment.

“This generation is trying,” he said. “Many are sending out dozens, sometimes hundreds, of applications every month and hearing nothing back.”

He added that many parents and grandparents fear younger people are being left behind economically and socially.

“The old social contract — work hard and you’ll do better than the previous generation — has been broken for many young people,” he said.

Pandemic, Mental Health and Social Isolation

The report concluded that there is no single cause behind the growing crisis. Instead, factors including the Covid-19 pandemic, smartphone use, changing labour market conditions and worsening mental health have combined to create what Milburn described as a “perfect storm.”

The review highlighted rising levels of anxiety and ADHD among young people, with many reporting mental health challenges as a major barrier to work and training opportunities.

Milburn also warned of the emergence of a “bedroom generation” — young people spending increasing amounts of time isolated at home and disconnected from society.

One participant interviewed for the report described how pandemic lockdowns affected social development.

“We didn’t really get used to face-to-face interaction again,” they said. “Simple things like eye contact and communication became harder because we spent so much time behind screens.”

Government Promises Youth Employment Reforms

In response to the findings, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said the report exposed the scale of Britain’s youth unemployment challenge.

The government announced plans to create 500,000 opportunities for young people through new youth employment reforms, including expanded apprenticeships, subsidised jobs and a Youth Jobs Grant programme for businesses.

However, opposition politicians criticised the government’s approach, arguing that current policies have made it even harder for young people to enter the workforce.

Closures essential for continued testing of the new Piccadilly line trains on the Underground network before they start entering service between December 2026 and June 2027

New trains will replace the existing fleet, which has been serving London since 1975, bringing significant customer benefits including improved reliability, efficiency and comfort

Closures will allow for upgrades to the Piccadilly line’s complex infrastructure, ahead of the arrival of the new trains

Piccadilly line part closures are mostly at weekends but some will also include weekdays, predominantly during summer holidays

Piccadilly line customers are advised to plan ahead using TfL’s real-time travel information tools including TfL Journey Planner and TfL Go

Transport for London (TfL) is advising Piccadilly line customers to plan ahead during upcoming closures, as vital upgrade work continues ahead of a brand-new fleet of trains beginning to enter service between December 2026 and June 2027. The new trains will bring significant benefits to customers including walk-through carriages, increased reliability and frequency, improved accessibility and CCTV.

These part-closures will allow TfL to carry out essential upgrades to the power supply, tracks, platforms, depots and sidings while continuing to test the new trains’ interaction with existing London Underground infrastructure, alongside assessments of their efficiency and performance.

The official resale platform operates within a controlled and secure environment, ensuring that all transactions take place exclusively through the official ticketing system. By using the official marketplace, fans are guaranteed valid tickets, secure payments, and refunds in the event that a ticket is successfully resold. The platform also offers full flexibility, as ticket holders may cancel their resale request at any time before the ticket is sold.

The official resale platform is the only authorized channel for ticket resale for the 2026 EuroLeague Final Four, tickets purchased via unauthorized sales channels may not be valid for admittance or may get cancelled.

Fans can access the resale platform at https://euroleaguef4tickets.com/ through their EuroLeagueID-linked ticketing account by selecting their booking in the “My Packages” section and submitting their tickets for resale. While tickets are listed for resale, they will not be available for modification. All listed tickets will appear on the official resale platform at https://euroleaguef4tickets.com/.

The Official Resale Platform for the 2026 EuroLeague Final Four Athens Presented by Etihad will remain open until Sunday, May 17, at 22:59 CEST, offering fans a secure and flexible way to manage their tickets if they are unable to attend.

During this first stage, and in line with the original sales phases, Final Four tickets may only be resold as full packages, including both Friday and Sunday games.

Fans who purchased VIP tickets will also have the option to list them on the resale platform until Tuesday, May 19 at 22:59 CEST.

Once a resale transaction is completed, the original ticket is automatically cancelled. The seller forfeits all rights of access to the event, and will receive a refund of 100% of the Price Unit (face value) of the Ticket originally purchased. within the applicable payment provider processing timeline. Any unsold tickets will automatically return to the original buyer once the first resale phase concludes.

For fans unable to attend the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Final and the EuroLeague Championship Game, the Official Resale Platform will open a second resale window on Friday, May 22, immediately following the conclusion of the second Semifinal, and remain open until Saturday, May 23, at 17:00 CEST. During this period, fans unable to attend Sunday’s games will have the opportunity to list their tickets for resale. , for half the value of the Final Four two-day package.

Further information is available at https://euroleaguef4tickets.com/

Euroleague Basketball would also like to remind all ticket holders that entry to the Telekom Arena will only be granted upon presentation of:

• A valid nominal ticket; and

• An official identification document matching the information submitted during registration.

In accordance with Greek legislation, fans presenting a ticket that does not correspond to the attending individual will be denied entry to the arena.

Please note that no changes to the regular ticket holder’s identity will be permitted after May 17 at 23:59 CEST nor will VIP identity modifications be allowed after May 19 at 23:59 CEST.

The total number of winners this year is 130. There are 44 overseas winners, with one winner from Saudi Arabia for the first time.

Outside of the UK the top four countries represented are the UAE (13), Ghana (5), Kuwait (4), and India (3).

The gender split of winners is 58% male and 42% female. In 2025, it was 63% male and 37% female. In 2024, it was 62% male and 38% female.

Mandy Gill, CISI executive director of global learning, left, said: “It’s an honour to congratulate every one of our 130 global award winners. We must always remember these fantastic achievements are never produced in isolation and we recognise and applaud the critical support our candidates receive from their community, friends, family, carers, firms and teachers.

“A special commendation and mention for all the women achievers, whom we are delighted to celebrate as part of our own commitment to the Women In Finance Charter. We look forward to supporting all of our achievers in their future careers and lifelong learning journeys.”

The live event was hosted by Hannah Prevett, associate business editor, The Sunday Times.

Firms with the highest number of winners are Fidelity Investment Management (5 prizes), JPMorganChase (5 prizes), Securities & Commodities Authority (5 prizes), Ghana Investment and Securities Institute (3 prizes), Reigate Grammar School (3 prizes), Solihull School (3 prizes), The Diversity Project (3 prizes).

UK regions represented are Birmingham (5), Bristol & Bath (3), East Midlands & Lincoln (4), Essex (1), Jersey (3), London (42), Manchester (1), Northern Home Counties (1), Scotland (4), South Coast (7), South East (3), Southern (6), Thames Valley (3), Wales (1) Yorkshire (2).

Below are links to some of our global achievers’ thoughts on receiving their awards, the challenges they faced combining work and study, and their revision tips.

UK winners

Keir Lloyd ACSI, investment manager in London

Winner: Level 7 Chartered Wealth Manager

Mel Latham CFP™ MCSI, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional in Worcester

Winner: Level 7 Diploma in Advanced Financial Planning

Mandy Gill, CISI executive director of global learning

Voters went to the polls on 7 May, electing more than 1,800 councillors across all 32 boroughs, alongside mayoral contests in several areas.

Key results so far

• The Green Party won the Hackney mayoralty, marking a major breakthrough in a traditionally Labour-dominated borough.
• Reform UK took control of Havering, winning 39 of 55 seats and securing its first London council.
• The Conservatives regained Westminster from Labour, winning 32 seats to Labour’s 22.
• Wandsworth moved to no overall control, with the Conservatives emerging as the largest party.
• The Liberal Democrats held Richmond upon Thames and Sutton, but failed to take Merton.
• Labour held Hammersmith & Fulham and Ealing, but suffered wider losses across the capital.

A changing political landscape

The results point to a clear shift away from traditional two-party dominance in London. Labour entered the الانتخابات controlling 21 of the 32 boroughs, but early outcomes suggest that grip is weakening.

Reform UK’s surge—particularly in outer London boroughs like Havering—has been one of the most significant developments, while the Greens have made gains in inner-city areas.

The Conservatives, despite national challenges, have staged a partial recovery in key areas such as Westminster and parts of southwest London.

What happens next

Counting is continuing across several boroughs, with some results declared overnight and others expected later on Friday and into Saturday.

As final results come in, more councils could fall into no overall control, increasing the likelihood of coalitions and cross-party agreements.

Why it matters

These elections are being closely watched as a major test for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government, just two years after Labour’s general election victory.

Early results suggest growing voter volatility, with support spreading across multiple parties—including Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Greens, and Reform UK—pointing to a more complex and competitive political era in London.

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Four winners will receive annual Santander Cycles subscription, exhibition tickets and an official exhibition book. One overall winner will also have their photograph showcased at South Kensington Underground station. Twenty limited-edition Santander Cycles will display standout images from this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition

Santander Cycles partners with the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition to launch a vibrant new photography competition encouraging Londoners to capture the capital’s surprising pockets of wildlife. Building on the cycle hire scheme’s 15th‑anniversary celebrations and recent milestone of 150 million hires, the collaboration also introduces two special London Wildlife Side Quest nature-inspired cycling routes through London’s greenest spaces to the Natural History Museum, London. Timed to coincide with the exhibition’s run at the Natural History Museum, the initiative invites Londoners to explore the often-overlooked wildlife and green space woven through the city.

The photography competition will run via TfL’s daily Metro page, inviting cyclists and city explorers to submit their best wildlife images taken while out on their rides.

Entries can be submitted to WildlifeSideQuest@tfl.gov.uk for a chance to win.

Four winners will each receive:

A Santander Cycles annual subscription (worth £120)

A pair of tickets to Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition (worth £31)

The official exhibition book (worth £28)

One overall winner will receive the full prize package plus a unique opportunity to have their photograph displayed at South Kensington Underground station.

To celebrate the partnership, 20 specially wrapped Santander Cycles will hit the streets featuring striking mudguard designs showcasing 10 iconic images from this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.

London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Will Norman, said: "This competition is a great way for Londoners to discover the city’s surprising wildlife and explore its green spaces by bike. The new wildlife-themed side quest routes are designed to encourage people to take a detour from their usual journeys and explore more of London’s hidden gems, supporting the Mayor’s commitment to increasing cycling trips and building a greener London for everyone. With some great prizes up for grabs, I encourage all Londoners to get out on bikes, take some pictures and get to know London’s greener side."

David Eddington, Head of Cycle Hire at Transport for London, said: "We’re delighted to partner once again with Wildlife Photographer of the Year to bring a touch of nature to our Santander Cycles Side Quests routes. London is one of the greenest cities in the world, and these new nature inspired Side Quest routes offer a fantastic way to explore hidden natural gems while making the most of the Spring weather on our cycles."

Melissa Noakes, Head of Sponsorship and Events at Santander UK, said: "We’re incredibly proud to support initiatives that inspire Londoners to engage with the community and world around them through the Santander Cycles scheme. This photography challenge marks an exciting step in how we are encouraging people to experience London differently; bringing together sustainable travel and creativity, while discovering the hidden pockets of nature the city has to offer this Spring."

The partnership runs until the exhibition closes on 12 July 2026.

For more information on Santander Cycles Side Quest cycling routes visit - https://sidequests.london/

Designed by adidas, a long-standing FIFA Partner, the uniform features the FIFA World Cup 2026 visual identity and highlights the FIFA Volunteer Programme’s signature heart-shaped pattern, recognising volunteers as the heartbeat of the tournament. The vibrant colours match the incredible energy that volunteers bring to FIFA events.

Developed to meet the needs of volunteers while on shift in diverse climates across North America, the collection offers layering pieces and breathable materials to support volunteers at all times. The full volunteer kit contains multiple options to mix and match into an outfit, including sneakers, socks, a mid-layer jacket, T-shirts, shorts, joggers, a cap, a waist bag and a unique customising element – Host City-specific patches. Every volunteer will receive three of these patches, which are inspired by North America’s varsity jacket culture, allowing them to personalise their look while honouring the Host City that they represent.

“As we unveil the look of our biggest volunteer team yet, we celebrate the unmatched energy and dedication of the volunteers – who will not only help deliver the greatest sporting event on the planet, but will also ensure that every fan, player and guest is welcomed with warmth and a spirit of joy,” said Heimo Schirgi, Chief Operating Officer of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

“Across the 16 Host Cities and beyond, this extraordinary team will create memorable experiences for fans. It is only fitting that they be represented by a vibrant look that reflects the essential role they play, with special elements that honour local identity and a sense of belonging.”

As fans travel throughout the three host nations, the volunteer uniform will serve as a unifying visual symbol reflecting both the spirit of the volunteers and the unforgettable experience delivered at the FIFA World Cup. Beyond enabling easy identification, the kit will also stand as a lasting keepsake of this historic tournament.

More than one million people applied to become part of the largest FIFA Volunteer Programme yet, which will consist of nearly 50,000 volunteers. Reflecting football’s global diversity, the volunteer team unites individuals aged 18 to over 80 from around the world. From students to retirees, and from first-timers to returnees, volunteers will play a vital role in helping to create memorable experiences for anyone attending the tournament. For many, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be at the heart of football’s biggest moments and to leave a legacy in the community.

Within this broader transformation, Turkey is emerging as a notable beneficiary, positioning itself as a growing hub in cross-border medical services and aesthetic medicine.

Turkey’s expansion in medical tourism

Turkey has developed into one of the largest global destinations for medical tourism, particularly in aesthetic procedures and elective healthcare services.

Official and industry data indicate:

• Over 1.5 million international patients annually

• More than $2 billion in sector revenue

• Consistently high global rankings in aesthetic procedures, according to ISAPS

Patients are increasingly arriving from Europe, the Middle East and other regions, reflecting Turkey’s expanding geographic reach in healthcare services.

Industry participants say the shift is no longer driven solely by cost advantages, but by Turkey’s positioning in higher-volume clinical delivery and integrated patient services.

Structural drivers behind growth

Turkey’s rise in the sector is being shaped by several structural factors:

Cost-quality dynamics
The country is moving beyond its traditional image as a lower-cost alternative, instead offering higher-volume clinical capacity combined with competitive pricing structures.

Medical specialization at scale
High patient volumes have contributed to increased procedural experience among clinicians, particularly in aesthetic surgery, strengthening operational specialization in major institutions.

Geographic positioning
Located at the intersection of Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Turkey functions as a natural access point for cross-border healthcare demand.

Integrated service models
Providers are increasingly combining surgery, recovery, hospitality and wellness services, creating end-to-end healthcare experiences rather than isolated medical procedures.

Shift toward experience-based healthcare

The sector is increasingly characterised by demand for what industry participants describe as “ health + hospitality + longevity ” models, where treatment is integrated with accommodation, recovery and lifestyle services.

Analysts say this reflects a broader behavioural shift in consumer spending, where health-related expenditure is increasingly treated as long-term personal investment rather than discretionary spending.

Esteworld Health Group

Within Turkey’s private healthcare ecosystem, Esteworld Health Group represents one of the established operators in aesthetic medicine and medical tourism.

ESTEWORLD HEALTH GROUP
Founded: 1994

Sector: Aesthetic Medicine, Plastic Surgery, Medical Tourism, Longevity & Wellness

• 5 hospitals (including one upcoming facility)

• 1,200 employees

• 70 physicians and medical specialists

• 28,000 – 30,000 patients annually (2024)

• Approximately £24 – 26 million GBP in annual service volume

• Patients from 35 countries

Key source markets include:

• Netherlands

• France

• Germany

• Italy

• United Kingdom (strategic priority market)

• United States

• Canada

• Australia

• Selected Asian markets

The company operates within the growing segment of cross-border aesthetic medicine, where healthcare delivery is increasingly integrated with hospitality, recovery services and patient experience design.

Esteworld is also developing what it describes as “Wellworld”, a concept focused on extending care models toward longer-term wellness and structured longevity services.

Industry outlook

The global health and longevity sector is expected to continue expanding, supported by rising demand for elective medical procedures, ageing populations, and increased consumer spending on wellness-related services.

Data from the Global Wellness Institute places the global wellness economy at $5.6 trillion, while research from McKinsey & Company highlights a structural shift toward health-related consumption being treated as essential self-investment.

Turkey’s healthcare sector, supported by state and industry data, continues to attract growing international demand, with medical tourism positioned as a key export category.

Industry participants say the longer-term trend reflects a redistribution of healthcare demand toward countries that can combine clinical capacity, cost efficiency and integrated service models.

A Leading Healthcare Group now in London
Delivering high standard medical care since 1994, now welcoming patients in London, with decades of experience and a strong focus on patient safety and comfort.

Contact London Team

T: 020 3337 6262

W: +44 7717 096567

Address: Covent Garden, London UK

Book a free consultation with London Team

Email: hello@esteworld.com
Social Media-Instagram: @esteworld_gb

Renowned for his powerful sound and immersive performances, ARGY will present a unique, ad hoc show created exclusively for the event. The performance will fuse his signature musical style with a striking creative concept inspired by the connection between Greek mythology and a futuristic aesthetic—bringing together the past and the future in a visually and sonically captivating experience.

Driven by the rhythm and intensity of ARGY’s music, the show will unfold as a narrative journey. Through this story—rooted in mythological themes and reimagined through a modern lens—the official Final Four logo will be dramatically revealed. The performance will culminate in a tribute to the four semifinalist teams, honoring their achievement in reaching European basketball’s most prestigious stage.

Known for high-energy performances at leading festivals, the Greek artist ARGY first rose to prominence with his 2005 underground hit Love Dose. After years of international touring and artistic evolution, he reshaped his sound with Ketuvim, gaining recognition within the Afterlife collective and achieving viral success with Tataki. His creative vision expanded with the release of New World in 2024 and NEWORLD II in 2026, a cinematic, emotionally driven project blending science fiction and mysticism, which has generated hundreds of millions of streams and produced Gold-certified tracks like Aria and Sierra.

ARGY’s performance promises to deliver an unforgettable opening moment—uniting culture, music, and basketball in a revolutionary live experience.

The winning vehicle was crowned after judging by motoring writer, Keith Bluemel, owner of Maranello Concessionaires Archive, Tony Willis, motoring content creator, Thomas Howarth and motoring photographer,Freddie Atkins. More than 30 leading classic car dealers vied for the coveted prize, while offering visitors the rare opportunity to acquire any of the entries on display. Vehicles presented included those from Furlonger, Hilton & Moss, Joe Macari Performance Cars, Fiskens, Tom Hartley, Dylan Miles and Howard Wise.

As is tradition at Salon Privé London, a judging team of In-Pensioners from the Royal Hospital Chelsea awarded the Pensioners’ Trophy to a 1949 Jaguar XK120 OTS shown by Car Iconics, while Joe Macari’s 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Competizione was presented with the People’s Choice Trophy.

The event brought together collectors, enthusiasts and luxury shopping for a programme spanning hypercar displays, new debuts and the return of the prized Concours de Vente. Across the lawns, visitors experienced a curated line-up of hypercars, supercars and specialist builds, including showcases from Koenigsegg and Aston Martin, Encor Design, Analogue Automotive, Fiat Abarth, and Austin Motor Company.

Friday’s GATINEAU Ladies’ Day delivered one of the standout moments of the event, combining fashion and social atmosphere with automotive design. The Best Hat Competition returned as a centrepiece, with Suzan Reeves awarded the coveted prize for her stunning headpiece by milliner Lisa Von Hallwyl. She received a year’s supply of Gatineau skincare worth £1,000, alongside Pommery Champagne and a selectionof luxury prizes.

Andrew Bagley, Chairman and co-founder at Salon Privé, said: “Salon Privé London continues to build real momentum, and this year’s event has been a strong reflection of that. To welcome so many guests across the three days, alongside such a high calibre of vehicles, partners and exhibitors, shows the strength of the concept in the capital.

“From the success of the Concours de Vente to the buzzing atmosphere on Ladies’ Day, it is clear there is a genuine appetite for an event that brings together automotive excellence with a broader lifestyle experience, and we are excited to keep growing that in the years ahead.”

Salon Privé London will be swiftly followed by its sister flagship event at Blenheim Palace, which returns to the Oxfordshire UNESCO site 2 – 6 September 2026. Since 2005, Salon Privé has set the standard for luxury automotive and lifestyle events, attracting ultra‑high‑net‑worth collectors, city professionals and tastemakers from across the world.

For more information, visit www.salonprivelondon.com

Full list of Salon Privé London Concours de Vente winners:

Class 1 Winner: 1965 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL, Bruce Greetham Classic Benz

Class 2 Winner: 2005 Ferrari 575 Superamerica HGTC, Joe Macari Performance Cars

Class 3 Winner and Prix d’Honneur: 1970 Monteverdi 375L, Alan Carrington Classic Cars

Class 4 Winner: 1976 BMW Motorsport 3.5 CSL Werks Gp 5, Dylan Miles

Pensioners’ Trophy: 1949 Jaguar XK120 OTS, Car Iconics

People’s Choice: 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Competizione, Joe Macari Performance Cars

Salon Privé

Salon Privé is one of the UK’s most prestigious automotive event brands, hosted annually at Blenheim Palace and the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Blending world-class motoring with the elegance of a classic English garden party, Salon Privé showcases luxury car debuts, supercars and hypercars, fine dining, premium hospitality and a curated retail village. Salon Privé London delivers a uniquely immersive automotive lifestyle experience in the heart of the capital, attracting collectors, enthusiasts and luxury consumers alike.

Other TfL services including Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground and Trams will be running normally however they are likely to be very busy

The vast majority of buses will be running normally throughout these strikes, but seven bus routes operated by Stagecoach will be affected by separate strike action between 05:00 on Friday 24 April and 05:00 on Saturday 25 April. Other buses will run as usual

TfL is advising customers to check services before they travel on the day by visiting tfl.gov.uk/strikes

Transport for London (TfL) is asking customers to check before they travel ahead of planned strike action on London Underground by RMT union Tube drivers. TfL is working hard to resolve the dispute, with dialogue with the union ongoing, and will operate as many services as possible should strikes go ahead. TfL is urging the union to call off their action and continue to work together on proposals to pilot a four-day week for train operators.

Strike action affecting the London Underground has been called between Tuesday 21 April and Friday 24 April. Should the strikes go ahead, there is expected to be some service on most lines, but with significant disruption. The level of service on each line will vary across the London Underground network. On these days, all other London Underground staff will be working, and other TfL services including Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground and Trams will be running normally however they are likely to be very busy. The vast majority of buses will be running normally throughout these strikes, but seven routes operated by Stagecoach will be affected by a separate strike between 05:00 Friday 24 April and 05:00 Saturday 25 April. Other buses will run as usual.

This strike action, the first in a series of planned strikes between April and June, will begin at 12:00 on Tuesday 21 April, with a normal service expected until mid-morning. The action will finish at 12:00 on Friday 24 April and customers should expect disruption into the afternoon and early evening. Customers are advised to check their travel daily on TfL Go.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises an individual’s long-term commitment to volunteering and the Special Recognition Award is for individuals who have given exceptional service to others, particularly over the past year. Volunteers were presented with certificates and medals.

Cllr Gina Needs, Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Enforcement at Enfield Council, said: “Our local community is stronger because of our incredible volunteers who work tirelessly and give their time to help others.

“I would like to say a big thank you to every volunteer who works to make our borough a more supportive, and welcoming place.

“Our award winners’ dedication truly makes a difference, and we are proud to hold our annual event to thank, celebrate and recognise their achievements.

“I would encourage our residents to look into becoming a volunteer and to find out more about the current opportunities available in Enfield, so we can help to make the borough a better place to live.”

The winners were chosen from nominations made by residents, voluntary organisations and community groups.

The awards were launched in December 2021 to recognise and to celebrate volunteering effort and commitment.

Enfield Voluntary Action works closely with Enfield Council to help people and community groups access the knowledge, skills and resources to make a real impact in the borough.

To find out more about volunteering opportunities in Enfield visit: https://www.volunteerenfield.org.uk/

Transport for London (TfL) marks the 10th anniversary of The Sarah Hope Line, the flagship customer incident support service that offers compassionate, practical support to anyone affected by a fatal, life-changing, or traumatic incident on TfL’s transport network.

Alongside TfL's steadfast and ongoing commitment to improving safety it is vital that support is available to victims and their loved ones if safety incidents occur. The Sarah Hope Line was set up in 2016 by TfL in partnership with Sarah Hope MBE, after she tragically lost her mother and sustained lifechanging injuries alongside her daughter in a devastating collision with a bus in 2007. Over the last 10 years, the Sarah Hope Line has provided vital, tailored support to more than 600 individuals and families.

To mark the milestone anniversary, TfL, the Mayor of London and Sarah Hope MBE hosted a commemorative event on 16 February. This brought together those who have been supported by The Sarah Hope Line with those who have shaped and championed the service over the past decade, including its founder, Sarah Hope MBE, who joined attendees in reflecting on the profound impact the Sarah Hope Line has had across the capital, and the difference it will continue to make in the years ahead.

TfL Image - TfL staff at Sarah Hope Line

Anyone who contacts The Sarah Hope Line receives tailored support according to their circumstances. This can include trauma counselling, guidance towards specialist charities and organisations, help with travel costs, assistance with funeral expenses and arrangements, and short-term accommodation. The team also regularly supports individuals affected by incidents that occurred years earlier, but who are only now ready to seek help.

The introduction of The Sarah Hope Line formed a key part of TfL’s wider commitments to Vision Zero to eliminate deaths and serious injuries from London’s transport system. As part of this work, TfL and the Mayor of London committed to collaborating closely with regulators, operators and other stakeholders to thoroughly investigate serious incidents and ensure lessons are learned and shared.

Sarah Hope MBE, founder of the Sarah Hope Line, said: "For ten years, the Sarah Hope Line has stood beside people on the hardest days of their lives, offering kindness, compassion and practical help when it’s needed most. Every call reminds us that behind every incident is a real person and a family who deserve to be heard and supported — and it gives us hope that together we can build a safer, kinder future. I ask everyone to play their part: stand with us, speak up for reducing danger, and help make London’s streets safer for all."

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "The aftermath of a serious incident on our transport network is harrowing, and it’s vital that everyone affected gets professional help when they need it

"The Sarah Hope Line has provided vital support to Londoners affected by serious incidents on our transport network over the past decade, and I want to thank Sarah for her strong campaigning which made this service a reality.

"This service is a key part of our commitment to eliminate deaths and serious injuries from the capital’s transport system, as we continue building a safer and better London for all."

S&D MEPs Lina Gálvez, chair of the European Parliament’s committee on women’s rights and gender equality, and Heléne Fritzon, S&D vice-president responsible for Feminist Europe, are travelling to the United States as part of an official European Parliament mission to participate in the CSW and defend gender equality worldwide.

In 2026, President Donald Trump has withdrawn the United States not only from UN Women but also from more than 60 UN organisations, including those central to gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights. The United States – once a cornerstone of multilateral cooperation – is now undermining it, defunding key bodies, and weakening the global fight against violence and discrimination targeting women and girls.

For the S&D Group, the message is unequivocal: Europe cannot stand by while women’s rights are traded for nationalist politics. As Washington turns its back on global equality, Europe must fill the leadership vacuum.
Lina Gálvez, chair of the FEMM committee and EP rapporteur on the resolution for the 70th CSW, said:

“Donald Trump’s withdrawal from international organisations defending women’s rights is not just a diplomatic decision – it is a political attack on the global system that protects women and girls. It emboldens those who want to roll back rights, silence survivors and normalise discrimination.

“Europe must not respond with caution or silence. If the United States makes it impossible to hold the CSW in New York, the European Union must immediately offer to host it. We cannot allow the world’s most important forum on women’s rights to become collateral damage of far-right ideology.

“Gender equality is not a side issue – it is the foundation of democracy. There is no freedom, no justice and no prosperity without women’s rights. If others abdicate responsibility, Europe must lead.”
Heléne Fritzon, S&D vice-president responsible for Feminist Europe, added:

“What we are witnessing is a deliberate and organised backlash. Authoritarian leaders and far-right movements are attacking sexual and reproductive rights, dismantling gender equality and starving women’s organisations of funding. This is about power – about pushing women back into silence and dependence.

“The theme of this year’s CSW – access to justice for all women and girls – goes to the core of the problem. Around the world, perpetrators too often escape accountability because they are powerful, wealthy or politically connected. Meanwhile, victims are questioned, discredited or ignored. That is not justice – it is inequality before the law.
“We are going to New York with an uncompromising message: justice systems must protect survivors, not perpetrators. Funding for women’s organisations must be strengthened, not cut. And there must be zero tolerance for all forms of violence against women. Europe will not be neutral in the face of misogyny and authoritarianism. We will stand up and fight for gender equality.”

A gender-neutral toilet and an accessible toilet, both with baby changing facilities, are now available at Morden where the former ticket office was situated. Morden is the first London Underground station to benefit from new toilets following the Mayor’s commitment, as well as the first station on the southernmost section of the Northern line’s Morden branch to offer facilities. It has been prioritised due to it being a terminus.

Accessible toilet facilities opened last year at Clapton, Seven Sisters and White Hart Lane London Overground stations as part of the programme. New accessible toilets will be installed next at New Cross Gate and then Acton Central London Overground stations. Work is currently underway at Amersham Underground station, where major refurbishment works will convert existing customer toilets into fully accessible facilities. Further new accessible toilets will be installed at Colindale, Leyton, Northolt and West Ham Underground stations, as well as at Surrey Quays London Overground station as part of wider station enhancement works.

Midlife refurbishments of existing toilet facilities - which can include new fixtures, fittings, flooring and tiles for a cleaner and more modern environment - were recently completed at High Barnet Underground station and Willesden Junction London Overground station. Refurbishment works are now underway at Penge West and Crystal Palace London Overground stations, with further locations due to start work soon, including Stanmore and Watford Underground stations as well as Bush Hill Park and Enfield Town London Overground stations. A further 37 locations on the TfL network have had an LED lighting upgrade in their toilets, for improved energy efficiency and ambiance.

Emma Strain, TfL’s Customer Director, said: “We know that for many people, not being able to access a toilet can be the difference between going out on the network or not, which can have a disruptive and devastating impact on their lives. The opening of these new toilets at Morden is a significant milestone in our work to increase and improve provision on our network, building on our programme of improved facilities at Tube stations across the capital, and ties into our commitment to make our wider network as fair, accessible and inclusive as possible.”

Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, said: "Toilet provision is critical for many Londoners and visitors, and can even determine whether somebody travels on public transport at all, so I’m pleased to see this new toilet at Morden station and many more facilities in the pipeline. The Mayor and I are committed to making our transport network as accessible as possible, and we're investing £3 million every year over five years to improve and increase accessible toilet facilities - the largest investment in toilets the network has ever seen - as we continue building a fairer and better London for everyone."

John McGeachy, Campaigns Manager, Age UK London: “London’s transport network should be accessible for everyone and that can’t happen without better provision of toilets. These new toilets at Morden station are very welcome. Many people using Morden station are travelling to or from central London and having toilets at Morden station will make those journeys that bit more comfortable. There may also be some people that start using this stretch of the Northern line where previously they avoided it. Good public transport can make a huge difference to people’s lives and any work to reduce barriers is vital. We hope that this momentum continues with more toilets on the network in 2026 alongside work to increase awareness about the locations of toilets.”

Cllr Eleanor Stringer, Deputy Leader of Merton Council and Cabinet Member for Civic Pride and Climate Change, said: “It’s fantastic that, after years of campaigning from the council and the local community, TfL are now opening new toilets at Morden station. This is a huge boost for making our transport network and town centre more accessible for everyone - especially older people, those with disabilities, and women and children. We look forward to continuing to work with TfL and the Mayor to improve transport accessibility in London.”

There are currently toilets available at 155 locations on the TfL transport network, with an additional 40 toilets within stations on the network that are not managed by TfL. TfL has created a handy Toilet Tube Map, which shows all the toilet facilities across the TfL network, including baby changing facilities and those that are wheelchair accessible.

All toilets across the TfL network are cleaned regularly. Customers can report anything in relation to toilets to any member of station staff and TfL is also developing a toilet best practice design guide to ensure that any new or upgraded toilets meet relevant standards and regulations, and are easy to maintain and less prone to abuse.

The Mayor of London’s commitments directly reinforce TfL’s customer inclusion strategy ‘Equity in Motion’ which launched two years ago, committing to more than 80 actions to make London’s transport network as fair, accessible and inclusive as possible. Actions that TfL has already delivered as part of this include improvements to lift and escalator designs, new Disability Equality Training for frontline London Underground staff that was developed with experts who have lived experience, and a new priority seat design that makes priority seating easier to identify on new DLR and Piccadilly line trains and refurbished Central, Waterloo & City line and Elizabeth line trains.

Key points

• Labour is rolling out Best Start free breakfast clubs to save working families up to £450 and set children up to start the day ready to learn
• 500 more schools to offer clubs from April, achieving Labour’s Plan for Change
• Half a million pupils in England’s most disadvantaged communities to benefit this year

It represents a campaign win for Enfield Labour, whose leader, Cllr Ergin Erbil, and MPs, Kate Osamor, Bambos Charalambous and Feryal Clark, wrote to all eligible local schools to encourage them to apply to join the scheme.

The clubs come alongside a high number of measures driven forward by Labour to cut the cost of living for families in Enfield, including expanding free school meals, rolling out 30 hours of government funded childcare, bringing down school uniform costs, and securing the future of Best Start holiday clubs.

Achieving promises made to working parents in Labour’s manifesto, all primary aged children attending these nine schools will be able to access a free breakfast and at least 30 minutes of free childcare every day, helping to support parents getting into work.

Universal Best Start free breakfast clubs are key to Labour’s Plan for Change, breaking down barriers to opportunity by making sure every child starts the school day ready to learn. Research shows the clubs have a lasting impact on children’s behaviour, attendance and attainment.

The scheme also plays a key role in Labour’s mission to tackle child poverty. The government is on track to secure the biggest reduction in child poverty within a single 5 year term, with targeted support reaching half a million children in England’s most disadvantaged communities and ensuring every child starts the day ready to learn.

Cllr Ergin Erbil, the leader of Enfield’s Labour council, said:

“One of my top priorities is to tackle the cost of living in Enfield. Free Breakfast Clubs are just one of the ways that we’re supporting local families to save money. 30 hours a week free childcare, the limit on how many branded items of uniform schools can charge for that’s coming in this September and more children than ever before able to get Free School Meals.

In our manifesto, we will set out how Enfield Labour will continue to further help families with the cost of living, and give every child in Enfield the best start in life when we win the elections in May.

Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, said:

“Free breakfast clubs sit right at the heart of Labour’s Plan for Change, breaking the link between background and success for families all over the country.

“Breakfast clubs can have a transformative impact on the lives of millions of children, feeding hungry tummies and fuelling hungry minds so every child begins the day ready to learn.

“Alongside our plans to roll out school based nurseries and get thousands more children school ready, this government is delivering the reforms needed to give every child, wherever they grow up, the best start in life.”