Norfolk Live, Norwich (2026)

30/07/2026

Tomorrow's weather forecast for Norfolk

30/07/2026

🏦 The Bank of England has held interest rates at 3.75% but warned inflation is still expected to rise again this year.

📈 Inflation fell to a 15-month low of 2.6% last month. However, it is expected to peak at about 3.2% in October and November, slightly lower than previous estimates, if the conflict in the Middle East continues and energy prices remain high.

💷 The Bank of England has a target of 2% inflation. But the outlook for the UK economy has improved and is now expected to grow 1.1% in 2026.

This is better than was predicted in April, when growth was expected to be 0.8% under the most benign projection, or 0.7% under the worst-case scenario.

Governor Andrew Bailey said: "Inflation has fallen faster than expected but the conflict in the Middle East continues to mean high and volatile energy prices. That will cause inflation to rise again this year.

"However, as the conflict unfolds, our job is to make sure any increase in inflation is temporary and that it comes back to our 2% target."

Six members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) committee, including Mr Bailey, voted to hold rates at 3.75%. The remaining three members wanted to increase the base rate to 4%.

It is the fifth time in a row where the base rate has been left unchanged, in a move that was widely expected by economists.

The base rate affects the interest that banks and lenders apply to mortgages, loans and saving accounts. It is also the main tool used by the Bank of England to control inflation, which is a measure of price rises.

When interest rates and the cost of borrowing are higher, people have less money to spend - this then means prices for goods and services tend to fall to encourage spending, which brings down inflation.

How does it affect my mortgage?

As the base rate has not changed, your mortgage repayments will also stay the same. But the impact of any future base rate decisions depends on the type of mortgage deal you have.

More than 30 lenders have increased their mortgage rates in recent weeks, according to Moneyfacts. Adam French, Head of Consumer Finance at Moneyfacts, said: "Unless the economic backdrop improves significantly, borrowers should not expect mortgage rates to fall much anytime soon.

"Anyone planning to take out a mortgage within the next six months should consider securing a deal sooner rather than later to protect themselves against further increases. If rates do fall before their mortgage completes, they can usually switch to a cheaper deal."

If you have a tracker mortgage, this follows the movement of the base rate, so this can go up or down when it is updated. If you have a standard variable rate (SVR) mortgage, then this also generally changes when the base rate is updated, though lenders do not have to pass on the cut or rise in full.

If you have a fixed rate mortgage, your payments are not affected by the base rate, as you have agreed to pay a fixed amount every month for a set period of time.

Your payments will only change when your fixed deal ends - at this point, you will normally roll on to your lender's standard variable rate unless you fix into another deal.

How does it affect my debt?

If your credit card is linked to the base rate, then you should not see any changes today. The average credit card purchase APR is around 36%, according to Moneyfacts.

But not all credit cards are explicitly linked to the base rate. Most credit cards have a variable rate, which means they can fluctuate over time, at the discretion of your lender.

Interest rates on personal loans and car financing are normally fixed. This means if you're in the middle of an agreement, this should not change even when the base rate is updated, as you have already agreed set repayments.

However, a change in the base rate can impact the rates that are applied to new agreements.

Charlie Evans, Money Expert at Compare the Market, said: “Many providers set their own rates independently of the Bank of England. This means you could still find a more affordable deal by comparing what’s available, depending on your credit score and the type of card you’re applying for.“

How does it affect my savings?

When the base rate is higher, banks and building societies generally offer better savings rates - but when it is expected to fall, saving rates normally start coming down.

If your savings rate is variable, it can change from time to time. If your money is locked away into a fixed-rate account, then your rate will not change for a set period of time.

MoneySavingExpert.com lists the best rates currently available. Revolut offers 5% for six months on up to £25,000 for new customers, made up of 2.9% variable plus a six month 2.1% bonus.

Cahoot also pays 5% on up to £3,000 for up to a year, though the rate is variable. Tembo offers 4.55% on up to £20,000, which is made up of 3% variable plus a one year 1.55% bonus.

In terms of ISAs, Trading 212 offers 4.51% for newbies, made up of 3.6% variable and a one-year 0.91% bonus.

If you are looking to lock your cash away, GB Bank pays 4.92% for a one-year fix, or for a longer term, Investec offers 5% for a three-year fix and Atom Bank pays 5% on a five-year account.

Regular savings accounts offer the best rates, but these come with strict terms and conditions. You can normally only make small deposits each month and some accounts restrict how many withdrawals you can make.

Lloyds pays 8% fixed for one year but you can only deposit up to £250 each month, while Santander also offers 8%, though this is variable and on up to £200 a month.

Alice Haine, Head of Personal Finance at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: "Keeping interest rates on hold at 3.75% is positive news for savers as it means money held in cash can work harder for longer.

"Savings rates have been gradually drifting lower since peaking in the Autumn of 2023, but with inflation easing to 2.6% in June, savers can still secure inflation-busting returns of up to 5% on both easy-access and fixed options."

✍ Levi Wi******er

30/07/2026

With the global Premier Padel P1 tournament heading to London for the first time this August, it may be the time to give the racket sport a go.

Featuring the sport’s biggest stars, the tournament will take place over six days at Olympia, continuing to put it further on the map.

Sandy Farquharson, founder of The Padel School and former GB National Team padel player and coach, breaks down the sport and its rules just in time for the big event.

“Padel is often described as a combination between tennis and squash because the ball is similar to tennis and some of the techniques could be similar,” Farquharson explains.

“However, it’s enclosed by glass and fence so the wall comes into play here.”

He explains that it’s a sociable racket sport that people can pick up early and quite quickly.

“After coaching tennis for years, the technique there to serve is difficult and acts as a barrier to entry for people to learn,” he says. “Whereas with padel, you start with an underarm serve and you can really have a fun game in your first session.”

What are the rules for padel?

Padel is always played in doubles, Farquharson says, explaining that you play two against two.

In padel, each game starts at 0-0 (love). “The scoring system is like tennis – points progress as 15, 30, 40,” Farquharson says.

“You’ve got to put your hand through the loop of the racket – it’s part of the regulations and it’s also for safety,” he adds.

“Like tennis you’re allowed one bounce on the court. This means, if the ball bounces and hits the glass, it’s not allowed a second bounce on the court – it’s only allowed one bounce.

“You’re allowed to hit the ball against your own glass to go back to the other side but you can’t hit it against the fence.”

He explains that similar to tennis, you get two serves – if you miss the first, you can get a second.

“On that serve, you serve diagonally into the cross court box, like you would in tennis, but this time it’s underarm,” he says. “This means you’ve got to contact waist height or below on the serve.”

He adds: “If it bounces and hits the fence, that would be out on the serve. But after that, the point starts with that serve and you can bounce and hit the fence.”

If the court is calling out your name, Farquharson goes on to explain his top tips for beginners.

Appreciate it as its own sport

“Often ex-tennis players come and try to play tennis on a padel court or squash players come and they are firing the ball around the court,” Farquharson says.

“If you can learn the strategy, the control and the placement in padel, it’s really its own sport.

“My advice early on is to try and get lessons because people often play without having them,” he says.

“A lot of the players that come to my court have played for a year or two and they’ve never had a lesson. Therefore they’ve got a year or two of bad habits that you then have to try and change.

“It’s not so easy in padel to find qualified coaches and experienced coaches, but do the best you can.”

Try to improve and understand the game

“It’s a very tactical game – more tactical than tennis,” Farquharson says.

“Things like court position and shot selection are far more important than the the power and the speed at which you hit the ball. So learn those tactics as early as you can.”

Remember it’s a doubles game

“Be a good partner and treat your partner as you would want to be treated,” he says.

“That’s something we see at a recreational level – people getting annoyed or frustrated with their partner.

“They’re going to play worse if you get frustrated with them. Be sympathetic and supportive to your partner.

Communication is a big part of padel

“When you come to padel, learn to communicate with your partner – not only within the point of what’s happening with your opponents, but also in between points and talk about tactics and what you’re going to do,” Farquharson says.

“So try and get used to good communication as early as you can.”

What are padel misconceptions?

“I think there’s a misconception that the sport is easy, like it is easy all the way up,” Farquharson says.

“It’s easy to start, but if you find that your hobby suddenly turns into a passion and you want to get better, the game gets more and more difficult, more and more physical, more and more mental and more and more tactical as you get better at it.

“And that’s part of the challenge. So if you don’t get help with technique and tactics in your journey early, then you will plateau and you will find it more difficult later on.”

The Padel School offers digital memberships, coach education, academy partnerships and player development programmes to help grow the sport through world-class coaching and education.

✍ By Sara Keenan, PA

30/07/2026

⚠️Gamers might need to pay a fee or risk breaking UK law when using their consoles.

🎮Millions of people who use their PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo Switch in a certain way could risk being caught out by the authorities.

📺The TV Licence is a UK-wide requirement across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland under the Communications Act (2003) to watch or record live TV on any channel or device.

This includes gaming consoles like Sony's PlayStation and Microsoft's Xbox - which both have access to services like BBC iPlayer, Netflix or Disney+.

The Nintendo Switch has a limited number of video streaming apps. It cannot stream most major apps, but does have access to YouTube.

TV Licensing guidance states that a licence is not required to view "user-generated content, clips and videos on YouTube". But one is needed if people watch live television broadcasts or live-streamed TV programmes - including when doing so via a games console.

How much is a TV Licence in the UK?

A standard UK TV Licence costs £180 per year. People can choose to pay this all in one go or spread the cost monthly (from £15 a month) or in four quarterly payments (from £46.25) throughout the year, with a small £1.25 charge added to each payment.

By spreading the cost, TV Licensing will charge more than the flat one-off fee. The website states a monthly Direct Debit licence will start at £30 a month for the first six months and, from then on, TV owners will pay "around £15 a month" where the quarterly option will include an additional £1.25 charge for each payment.

Can I get a cheaper TV Licence?

People can get a discounted rate on their TV Licence in certain circumstances, though these are limited and must be applied for directly. They include:

Free: If you’re aged 74 and over and you, or your partner living at the same address, receive Pension Credit
£7.50 per month: If you live in a care home or sheltered accommodation
£60.95 per year: If you only watch on a black and white TV
£90 per year: If you’re blind (or severely sight impaired)
Students do not get a permanent discount, but they can apply for a refund to recover "any unused months at the end of the academic year".

What happens if I'm caught without a TV Licence?

The punishment for watching live TV or BBC iPlayer without a licence is prosecution and a maximum court fine of up to £1,000 - or up to £2,000 if you live in Guernsey. While £1,000 is the legal maximum, the actual average fine issued in court is usually much lower, often around £200.

You will usually be ordered to pay court costs and victim surcharges on top of your fine. If you are taken to court, fined, and then willfully refuse to pay that court-ordered fine, the court can impose a custodial sentence as a final resort for non-payment of court debts.

✍Andrew Nuttall

30/07/2026

Councillors have rejected plans to build another care home in a town after locals complained there were too many already.

Proposals to build the 66-bedroom, three-storey facility on the site of a former factory had prompted criticism that Diss was becoming “an old people’s town”.

The south Norfolk town already has seven nursing homes and another 23 residential care homes, with a quarter of the town aged 65 or over, compared to the UK average of 19pc.

LNT Care Developments, the largest care home provider in the UK, had said the proposed home would be a “much needed care facility” for Diss.

But the seven members of the Conservative-run South Norfolk Council’s development management committee unanimously refused planning consent for the project at a meeting on Wednesday (July 29).

The plans had sparked a strong response from locals and Diss Town Council opposed it, saying it had “grave concern at the current extensive range of facilities for older people in Diss”.

It added there was “concern that the economic and demographic profile of Diss is becoming unbalanced to an extent that will stifle the economic progress of the town”.

One member of the public who objected added: “Diss already accommodates several elderly care facilities.

“A development of this scale risks turning the town into an ageing community, potentially discouraging younger people and families from settling here.”

Another said: “I do like the idea but it feels like the town is being made into an old people’s town.”

Other objectors included one who warned: “Diss is tired. I cannot see how this will help commerce and business to give our youngsters reason to stay and thrive in Diss.”

The dispute comes at a time when the debate over elderly and social care has been reignited by prime minister Andy Burnham’s vow to solve the issue.

And Jo Kemp, representing the developer, tried to convince councillors there is demand for another facility in the town.

She said there is an “identified housing need” in the area, with more than 156 en-suite care beds needed in the area.

Just days before the meeting, 15 letters of support for the scheme had been sent to the district council.

Some echoed the issue of demand while others said it would prevent hospital admissions.

However, councillors stuck with the officers’ recommendation of refusal.

Graham Minshull, Conservative councillor for the town, said while he welcomed development of the land the building would be “too big and obtrusive”.

“The main problem is the size and massing,” he added.

He said there were already 12 to 14 care homes in the Diss area, taking into account facilities with fewer than half a dozen residents each.

He also highlighted that a care home in Nelson Road was approved by the council in 2021, but had not yet been built.

He added: “Speaking to the land agent for that, he tells me they have not managed to achieve the numbers required to actually build out that site, hence why it is still sitting vacant today and they haven’t actually built it.

“Is there a need for something like this?”

David Bills, Conservative councillor for Hethersett, added the overlooking of the properties is one of the major problems of the scheme.

“It’s the right property, but in the wrong place,” he said.

The plans were unanimously rejected by councillors.

The Norfolk Feather Factory was a long-established employer in Diss, with a history spanning close to nine decades.

Based at its Park Road premises from 1993, the site specialised in the manufacture of high-end bedding and feather-filled products.

In its later years, the business faced a series of setbacks, including disruption to supply chains, outbreaks of avian influenza and the wider impact of the Covid pandemic.

These pressures contributed to its eventual closure in October 2022, following an earlier announcement in April 2021.

The factory, often recognised by the distinctive smell associated with duck feathers, formed a familiar part of Diss’s industrial character.

Since its closure, part of the site has been redeveloped and is now occupied by a nearby supermarket.

✍Original copy by Ben Robinson, Local Democracy Reporter

30/07/2026

🔆The summer holidays are here, and that means many families will be taking to the car for a motoring adventure.

🛻It could be a trip to the continent, or a UK-based adventure to the coast or into the countryside.

👪Wherever you’re heading, keeping things as stress-free as possible can help to make the whole experience a lot more enjoyable.

How do you go about doing that, though? While elements such as traffic and mechanical issues can often be out of your control, there are some things you can do to help make driving during the summer holidays easier. Let’s take a look.

Make your mechanical checks beforehand

A great place to start is simply with the car itself. Doing a few mechanical checks before setting off can help to avoid a potential breakdown later on and will also give you a better understanding of your car overall.

So check the vehicle’s oil levels and top them up if they’re low, and it’s a good idea to make sure that your car has the right amount of coolant, too. If you need help on how to do this, consult your car’s handbook or, if you’re unsure, speak to a trained professional.

You should also check that your car’s tyres are properly inflated and have the correct tread depth, with the legal minimum in the UK being 1.6mm. If you’re using a roofbox or cycle carrier, ensure they’re mounted correctly. If you’re using a rear-mounted carrier, then ensure that your car’s number plate isn’t obscured. You could risk a fine if it is.

Have breakdown cover sorted

You can never plan for a mechanical breakdown, but you can make sure that you’ve got cover in place. Having breakdown assistance on hand will mean that you’ve got support should something go wrong and many will assist you with the next stage of your journey, too.

There are plenty of providers to choose from, and it’s easy to compare cover and prices online.

Plan ahead – and download your maps

A little planning goes a long way, particularly when it comes to the summer holidays. Taking a look at pinch points prone to traffic, as well as areas where planned works are expected to take place, can help to take some of the stress away from a long journey and make the whole experience smoother.

If you’re heading into a more rural area, then it could be a good idea to download your maps directly to your phone. Most mapping services – such as Google Maps – allow you to download your maps when you’re connected to Wi-Fi and then use them even if you don’t have a signal. You won’t get live traffic updates, but it’ll mean you’ll always have the right route to follow.

Avoid peak travel times

It’s easier said than done, but avoiding peak travel times will allow you to dodge most of the traffic. Key flash points include the typical ‘rush’ periods around 8am and between 4pm and 6pm. If you can, travel outside of these windows and things can be a lot easier.

It can sometimes pay to take a more meandering route, too, rather than using key junctions which can often be prone to congestion.

Pack an emergency kit

Even if you’ve got breakdown cover, you could be sitting at the roadside for a little while if your car suffers a mechanical issue. When travelling with the family, think about taking an emergency kit with you. This could include some warm blankets, a fully charged power bank to top up your smartphone, and additional snacks.

With the hot weather currently affecting the UK, making sure you’ve got plenty of water to hand is essential.

Take regular breaks

Tiredness can be a real danger when you’re on the road and while it can be tempting to push on in order to get the family to their destination, a quick 10- or 20-minute nap can make all of the difference safety-wise.

If you’re feeling tired, make sure that you stop and give yourself a break.

Plan in ‘fun’ stops

Travelling with kids can be made a little easier if you plan in some ‘fun’ stops along the way. It could be a break at a nature reserve, a family farm on the route or even a large park.

An opportunity to stretch the whole family’s legs can ensure that the trip goes more smoothly as a whole.

✍ By Jack Evans, PA Motoring Reporter

30/07/2026

❓To sleep with a fan on or not? That’s the big question on everyone’s mind right now as we endure yet another heatwave.

🫠The sweltering conditions can make it extremely difficult to get a good night’s sleep, making the temptation to leave the fan on all night hard to resist.

🗣We spoke to James Wilson, also known as The Sleep Geek, resident sleep expert at Bensons For Beds, who highlighted the benefits and potential drawbacks of sleeping with a fan on overnight, and came up with some solutions to help solve this common debate.

Pros:

Helps with temperature regulation

“Temperature is so important for sleep because your body’s core temperature needs to drop a little bit to fall asleep,” explains Wilson.

“Therefore, the two most important things you need to fall asleep is to be relaxed and to be cool. If you are hot and stressed then it’s really difficult to sleep.”

He says a fan can help solve both of these problems.

“The psychological benefit is that it helps you relax because you feel like you’re doing something helpful,” says Wilson.

“The physiological benefit is that if you’ve got sweat on your body, having fan air running across your body will move that sweat on and that allows the body to breathe better.

“So, although that air is not cold-like air conditioning, it’s stopping your immediate sleeping environment from getting too hot.”

He adds that putting a bowl of ice in front of the fan can make the room feel cooler for a short while.

“However, this does add a bit of moisture to the room, so if it’s really humid don’t do this,” says Wilson.

Cons:

Dry eyes and airways

“Having a fan on all night can make everything very dry,” says Wilson. “People often wake up with dry eyes, a dry nose, a dry throat and a dry mouth.”

Stirs up allergens

“If there are allergens in your bedroom, such as dust, a fan will move them around which can be problematic for people with existing respiratory issues or allergies,” says Wilson.

Muscle stiffness

“If you put a fan directly on your face and lay in one position all night, you will probably wake up with a stiff neck and shoulder, and you might wake up feeling worse than you would have done if you didn’t have the fan on in the first place,” says Wilson.

Noise

People have different views on the noise of fans.

“Some people find the sound of a fan really relaxing and sleep-inducing. However, some people might feel like they want to throw the fan out of the window,” says Wilson. “This becomes a problem when two people sleeping next to each other have different views on this.”

Sensory differences

Wilson says that electric fans often trigger a strong “love it or hate it” Marmite reaction for neurodivergent people due to sensory processing differences.

“Some people who are neurodivergent find that fan air is really off-putting and makes them feel really uncomfortable,” says the sleep expert.

“In addition, some women find that when perimenopause starts they get really sensitive to fans.

“Therefore, sleeping with a fan might have worked last year, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be helpful this year.”

Here are some suggestions on how to counteract some of these drawbacks…

Point it away from you

“Instead of having the fan right next to you and pointing directly at you, I would recommend putting it across the bedroom away from you,” advises Wilson.

Put a timer on

“You might want to consider having a fan on before you go to bed, and then turn it off before you go to sleep,” suggests Wilson.

Clean the bedroom and the fan

“If the fan has been kept in a cupboard and you bring it into the bedroom it will probably start blowing dust around the room, so make sure that it is clean,” advises Wilson.

“Keeping your bedroom and sleep environment clean can also be helpful for people with allergies.”

Keep hydrated

“Have a glass of water by your bedside table to help you stay hydrated,” advises Wilson.

Reach a compromise with your sleeping partner

“If you can’t decide whether to have a fan in the bedroom or not, you need to have a compassionate discussion with your partner about how to solve this,” recommends Wilson. “For example, you could suggest putting the fan across the bed rather than directly next to the bed, or you could put it on the side of the bed of the person who prefers the fan.”

Sometimes a compromise needs to be made.

“Sometimes you’ve got to work out if would you rather get six hours’ of sleep and wake up with a dry mouth, or get three hours’ sleep where you have been tossing and turning all night,” says Wilson.

Experiment

“Try different things,” recommends Wilson. “Every house is different, so experiment and find what works for you. If your body’s telling you it helps, and you’re sleeping better, keep doing it. If it’s not improving your sleep, then stop doing it.

“Remember that the rain will hopefully be here sometime in the next couple of weeks, and we’ll go back to the British winter before you know it.”

✍By Camilla Foster, PA

30/07/2026

🗣 The Department for Education has issued a response to calls for more than 300,000 teaching assistants to be given a pay rise to £20,000.

A petition on the Parliament wesbite has soared to more than 26,000 signatures - and now the Department for Education has given a response and explained it is looking at setting ‘new minimums’ for school support staff.❗

The campaign calls for reform, saying they are having to deal with far greater challenges and display much improved skills, not least because of the rise in number of children with Special Educational Needs. The number of children with special educational needs (SEN) in UK schools (specifically England) is rising rapidly, with over 1.8 million pupils—more than one in five schoolchildren—now receiving SEN support or holding an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

The petition has hit 26,000 signatures very quickly - and if it gets to 100,000 signups it will be considered for a Parliamentary debate at which the government will have to defend its position, putting pressure on it to outline any plans to change.

The petition calls on the DfE to: “Up Teaching Assistants’ pay to a minimum of £20,000 a year (term time) to reflect the amount of work they do. It’s not just displays and marking. It’s challenging behaviour, teaching, marking, first aid, displays, emotional coaching and supporting children with SEN.

“We believe that Teaching Assistants’ job roles have changed massively over the years. It used to be that we were in to do photocopying, displays and some marking. We feel that now, many TAs must deal with a lot of children with SEN on a daily basis, without reflective pay for that. We mark, we teach, we problem solve, we deal with sick children, we work with small groups of children, we do multiple interventions, we read daily, we coach children on how to manage emotions.”

In new response the Department for Education said it is going to set up a new body for school support staff to look at pay and conditions. It also said it would look at setting minimum pay rates across the UK and was also investing in skills. The DfE said: “The Government is establishing the School Support Staff Negotiating Body to negotiate minimum standards for pay and conditions for our vital school support staff, including Teaching Assistants.

“Teaching Assistants (TAs) play an important role in supporting children to achieve and thrive in schools. That is why the Government is establishing the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB). Establishing the SSSNB was a manifesto commitment and is an important part of delivering both the government’s Plan to Make Work Pay and Opportunity Mission.

“The Employment Rights Act 2025 provides for the establishment of the SSSNB. The SSSNB will be a new statutory body specifically for school support staff. Its purpose is to bring employers and employee representatives together to negotiate minimum standards for pay and conditions for school support staff, including TAs, in all state-funded schools in England. It will also advise on training and career progression for school support staff.

“Where new minimums are set, those currently below them will see their terms improved, while those already on more favourable terms will retain them. No member of support staff will therefore see a reduction in pay, terms or conditions as a result of these reforms. At the same time, employers will retain the flexibility to offer more than the statutory minimum, enabling them to respond to local needs and labour market conditions.”

The DfE said it is also investing £200 million in a new SEND training offer to upskill staff in every school, college and nursery - this will include training for teaching assistants and support them to feel confident supporting pupils with SEND.

To sign the petition and read the full DfE response go to https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/769319

✍ Ben Hurst

Norfolk Live

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