Extreme Heat & Wildfires Response: PM Andy Burnham will chair a COBR emergency meeting as the UK faces “extreme heat” warnings, drought and wildfire risk, with temperatures forecast up to 38C and ministers from Defra, Home Office and Health involved. Business Costs & Policy: Burnham tells the BBC he’ll push to lower the “cost of doing business”, including looking at business rates and rail fares, while warning of a “difficult financial outlook”. Water Supply Pressure: Southern Water has applied for a rare non-domestic drought order that could restrict businesses’ non-essential water use in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Manufacturing & Industry Growth: SBO expands UK and US metal additive manufacturing capacity, adding seven printers and more post-processing; Arada UK pitches stamp duty, planning and first-time buyer lending changes to restart housebuilding. Energy Investment: Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ Coalburn 1 (500MW/2-hour BESS) starts commercial operation in Scotland, boosting grid flexibility. SME Support: Chadwicks and Norwich Business School launch a value-focused programme for business owners. Retail & Jobs: John Lewis MD Peter Ruis quits ahead of a “really tough” period; Premier Investments shuts Peter Alexander stores in the UK citing challenging trading conditions. Markets & Money: Retail investors are returning to UK markets after years of low domestic participation. Health & Inequality: Northern Ireland cancer diagnoses rise nearly 9% over five years, with higher rates in deprived areas. Local Business Stories: Table tennis participation in North Wales tops 1,500 via a school-and-college pathway; a South Wales firm offers wheelie bin cleaning services.