China criticises UK nationalisation of British Steel
China's government has said it is 'strongly dissatisfied' with the decision to nationalise British Steel this week, 15 months after the UK government intervened to prevent the closure of its steelworks in Scunthorpe and the loss of 4,000 jobs. On Thursday, British Steel was brought under public ownership to protect 'the future of steel production', the government announced.
The Department for Business and Trade said the move was essential to maintain steel production at the company's site in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, to protect the company's future and UK supply chains. However, China's Ministry of Commerce (Mofcom) said the move dealt 'a severe blow to Chinese companies' confidence in investing in the UK'.
South East Water warns over survival
South East Water has warned that there is 'material uncertainty' over its survival, after a disastrous year in which the lossmaking company paid millions of pounds in fines and its chief executive was forced out. The water supplier to 2.4 million customers said it had sufficient funds to make it through to July 2027. However, 'shortly after' it will need 'new loan facilities in order to continue as a going concern,' the company said in its annual report published on Friday.
South East Water, which serves customers across Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire, added that 'discussions with lenders to provide funds are at an advanced stage and are expected to conclude over summer 2026' but were not legally committed.
Dover braces for EU border chaos as summer weekend looms
The start of the peak summer season is set to bring millions of drivers on to British roads, with concerns of traffic chaos as the port of Dover faces its biggest test yet of new EU border controls. The semi-functioning entry-exit system (EES) is credited, along with the heatwaves and fears about flights after the war in Iran, with helping push British domestic holidays to its highest levels since Covid halted international travel.
Motoring organisations expect this Friday to kick-off the busiest summer weekend for domestic leisure trips. The port of Dover is bracing for long tailbacks as thousands of holidaymakers join lorries at Britain's main Channel ferry crossing from 6am.
