Local News
Sadiq Khan issues high pollution alert as 40C heat looms over the capital
A "high" air pollution alert has been triggered for the capital as the Met Office warns of record-breaking 40C heat — with Hackney's new Green administration pledging to act "early" and "ambitiously" on toxic air
Local messages
More than one million homes in London need retrofitting due to increasing temperatures
The city’s properties are particularly vulnerable to heat due to the urban heat island (UHI) effect, a phenomenon where higher temperatures are experienced in built-up areas due to the heat-absorptive properties of buildings and roads.
More than 20 Hackney schools close early in heatwave
Headteachers across the borough have shortened the school day or shut entirely to protect pupils and staff. Parents are urged to check directly with schools
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Last phase of Britannia Project on hold as council contractor enters administration
The final stage of a major regeneration project in Hackney has stalled after the lead contractor fell into administration following a High Court ruling.
London Councils vows to continue funding Freedom Pass after pressure from campaigners
Concerns were initially raised after a meeting in which discussions took place to restrict the free travel to buses only
City Hall vows to drive down EV costs for Londoners as TfL unveils first of 25 major charging hubs at stations
But only once the zero-emission machines become widely adopted
No permission yet, but tickets already on sale for Victoria Park festival
Tower Hamlets Council is offering its residents free VIP tickets to August's All Points East festival in Victoria Park, while still considering a six-year planning application that would close large parts of the park for up to 75 days a year
Council pays £200 to Hackney woman after two-year delay wiping benefit debt
A watchdog has rebuked Hackney Council for taking two years to write off a resident’s benefit debt and recovering over £1,000 from her while her appeal was ongoing
Green party leader Zack Polanski cleared by ethics inquiry as Hackney link draws fresh scrutiny
The Greater London Authority's monitoring officer has found that the Green party leader, who lives in the borough with Hackney Downs councillor Alastair Binnie-Lubbock, did not breach the code of conduct over council tax on his east London houseboat
‘Frankenchicken’ protest against Pret A Manger dodges Shoreditch for Bishopsgate
Anima International's £1 million campaign against Pret A Manger's chicken welfare record was due to land outside the sandwich chain's Shoreditch High Street branch on Tuesday
Green councillors demand reinstatement of Cllr Puech keffiyeh photo
Five councillors say Cllr Brenda Puech and Mayor Zoë Garbett were not consulted before officers took down the portrait following a complaint from UK Lawyers for Israel
Greens accused of ‘lying to parents’ as Hackney nursery fees set to rise
A 3.8 per cent increase for families earning up to £70,000 will come into effect from the start of the autumn term
Tenant spent a year in flat rated ‘10 out of 10’ for rats – Peabody accused of failing her
A mental health nurse in key worker accommodation says the housing association passed her case between pest controllers, plumbers, builders and its own maintenance teams across more than 50 appointments — while rat urine ran through the seams of her wet-room floor
Full list of NatWest branches closing this week as high street bank turns to digital
Another round of high street bank closures is underway as NatWest continues to close branches.
East London youth dance group in scramble for funding before major event
The East London Youth Dance Company (ELYDC), based in Stratford, has been selected to represent London at the U.Dance National Festival in Glasgow but will have to withdraw if the required funding is not raised.
Refugee Week 2026: Mayor Garbett rebukes Labour’s ‘inflammatory rhetoric’ on migration
Hackney's new Green mayor sets out her stall against the national government's tightening immigration regime and pledges to build on the borough's three-year Sanctuary designation
Fellows Courts residents urge Mayor Garbett to act over ‘atrocious’ conditions in ‘dehumanising’ estate block
Frustrated social housing residents call on the new Mayor to address longstanding leaks, filth, and disrepairs
Sir Keir Starmer confirms when the social media ban for under 16s comes into effect
A social media ban for under 16s will come into place next year.
Starmer confirms social media ban for under-16s in 'big moment' for the UK
Sir Keir Starmer announced the restriction in a Downing Street press conference as he warned social media was having an impact on children’s happiness and mental health.
What apps will be banned? Starmer announces social media ban for under-16s
Sir Keir Starmer has announced that under-16s will no longer be able to use social media.