Business

A hospital trust is planning on cutting its spend on agency staff by "at least" 30% as part of a bid to reduce costs.

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust (UHDB) has outlined a series of measures in a board meeting report to save £67m before the end of March 2026.

The union Unison said it would work with the trust to ensure any changes were "fair" as well as "safe" for the public and staff.

A UHDB report says: "Like all NHS trusts, we have been asked to reduce our costs, and we recognise the national drive to ensure the NHS is as efficient and good value for money for the taxpayer as possible."

In March, Ian Litchfield, interim chair of UHDB, said the 2025/26 financial year would be the most "difficult" period the trust had ever faced.

In the 2024/25 period, the trust saved £62.7 million, but the report prepared by UHDB said it would need to "go further" this year.

Measures being undertaken by UHDB include reducing spend on bank costs by 10%, cutting agency spend by "at least" 30% as well as reducing corporate costs by £3.3m.

Protecting vital services

Gareth Eales, Unison East Midlands head of health, said UHDB, like many NHS trusts, was facing "enormous" financial pressures after years of "underinvestment".

Mr Eales added: "High agency costs are a symptom of a deeper staffing crisis. The real solution lies in long-term investment to recruit, train and retain NHS staff, not short-term cuts that risk making the situation worse.

"The priority must be protecting the NHS workforce and the vital services local people depend on."

The report from UHDB says there is a "real focus" on the country's finances, and it is "understandable and right" that the NHS forms a part of those discussions.

It adds: "There is sometimes a misconception that cost reductions will have a detrimental impact on quality and safety, but we know that healthcare productivity actually increases when resources are effectively used to deliver high-quality care, which is ultimately better for our patients."

Water quality campaigners have staged a "paddle out protest" on Bristol Harbour to demand an overhaul of the water industry to cut sewage spills.

Organised by environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage, protestors gathered at Baltic Wharf with signs reading "species not faeces" and "waste in the water – otterly disgusting".

It was one of more than 40 similar protests around the UK calling for an end to raw sewage discharge into waterways, and clearer monitoring and transparency of spills.

Wessex Water said it was spending £3m a month to reduce the use of storm overflows, which it said discharged "mostly rainwater or groundwater" and were used "to protect properties from flooding".

One protestor said she just wanted to be able to swim in the waters around Bristol "without thinking I'm going to get ill".

Anna Steele-Perkins told BBC Bristol: "It's actually quite an anxious experience to swim around Bristol -I've got to keep my head above water and I've got a lot of friends who have got quite ill from doing it."

She added that she monitors sewage spills on the SAS app, but added: "I don't want to have to do that, I just want to be able to swim."

SAS Bristol member Karlie Evans said: "I'm a huge water user. I'm a rower, I paddle board, I surf, I swim. I just want to be able to use the water safely."

The protest coincides with the start of the official bathing season in England and Wales, which runs from 15 May to 30 September.

Water companies spilled raw sewage for a record 3.61m hours into sea and rivers in England in 2024, according to data from the Environment Agency.

Giles Bristow, chief executive at Surfers Against Sewage said: "Another year, another summer of swimming and surfing in sewage while our shameless water companies laugh all the way to the bank."

He added: "Our failing water industry has been trumpeting billions in investment to clean up their act, but we know that these fat cat bosses can't be trusted to keep their promises."

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed, said: "I share the public's anger about the appalling state our waterways have been left in after years of neglect."

He added: "The landmark Water Act is now law, meaning polluting water bosses face up to two years in prison and undeserved multi-million-pound bonuses will be banned."

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "Last year, nearly 92% of bathing waters met minimum standards, but we all want to see better bathing water quality.

"That's why we welcome the opportunity to improve their management through the incoming reforms and the re-opening of new site applications."

The water companies serving the region, Thames Water and Wessex Water, have been approached for comment.

A Thames Water spokesperson said the company will investing a record amount over the next five years to increase treatment capacity, reduce the number of discharges caused by storms and also tackle nutrient pollution.

The spokesperson said: "We are committed to seeing waterways thrive, but we can't do it alone.

"Farming, industry, road runoff, wildlife and increasingly extreme weather also play a role in river health."

They added: "We understand that all untreated discharges are unacceptable, even when they are permitted, the sewage system was historically designed to prevent sewage backing up into people's homes.

"Transparency is at the heart of what we do, and we were the first water company to publish a real time data map on our website, before it became legal requirement to do so."

A Wessex Water spokesperson said: "Storm overflows operate to protect properties from flooding and discharge mostly rainwater or groundwater, but we agree they are outdated and we're spending £3m every month on schemes to reduce how often this happens in our region.

"Our investment will massively increase in the coming years and must be supported by environmental policymaking that promotes better rainwater management at source."

The only riverside saltwater tidal swimming pool in England is reopening with a new £250,000 children's "splash pad" water play area.

The Strand Lido and Leisure Park, in Gillingham, Kent, will welcome families back for the summer on Saturday.

Now recognised as "historically significant" by Historic Pools of Britain, the leisure complex includes an outdoor leisure pool, six 25m lanes for swimming, a 300m lazy river, a café and play areas.

But the most excitement will be around the new £248,283 children's water feature, which uses 30 sensor-activated waterjets in a beach-themed play area.

Councillor Nina Gurung, the council's portfolio holder for heritage, culture and leisure, previously said: "We are proud to have invested in this exciting project to improve the already great offering and add a brand new fun feature for our children and families to enjoy both this summer and for years to come."

The Strand opened in 1896 and the refurbishment was funded by money given to Medway Council by housing developers, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reports.

The refurbishment was done using £248,283 of section 106 money, which is made up of contributions from housing developers to Medway Council.

The leisure complex is now open each weekend until the end of summer and every day during the school summer holidays.

An Isle of Man bomb disposal specialist who was killed while volunteering in Ukraine has been described as a "hero" who saved "countless lives".

Chris Garrett died after he was involved in an incident near Izyum, in the east of the country, on Tuesday.

The 40-year-old, who had been working to clear mines and train Ukrainian troops since 2014, had co-founded a humanitarian and mine clearance charity called Prevail Together with his partner Courtney Pollock.

Board member Shaun Pinner said Mr Garrett's "legacy will carry on" through the charity's work and he would be "like a talisman" for the organisation.

He praised Mr Garrett, who was known as "Swampy" to his friends and leaves behind a young daughter, for his record clearing some 5,000 to 6,000 tonnes of land mines throughout his time in the war-torn country.

He was a "very disciplined and motivated person" who "loved talking to people and making new friends", Mr Pinner said.

The death was "like losing a family member", he added.

"He was doing one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. He will be immensely missed."

Originally from the Manx town of Peel, Mr Garrett had previously volunteered in Burma.

In Ukraine he also helped in civilian evacuations and the procurement of humanitarian supplies.

Karolina Davison from the Manx Support for Ukraine charity said Mr Garrett was "a hero" and one of the most "humble and selfless" people she had known.

It was "a big loss" and he would "always be remembered", she said.

A statement issued by the charity's board of trustees said Mr Garrett's "unwavering courage, deep humility, and relentless drive embodied the very spirit of humanitarian service".

"Chris's legacy will endure in every life saved, in every mine cleared, and in every act of humanitarian compassion inspired by his example. Rest easy, Swampy," they said.

"You showed us how to lead with heart and we'll honour that everyday."

Isle of Man Chief Minister Alfred Cannan said he was "shocked and deeply saddened by the news" and Mr Garrett's "heroic, selfless and tireless work" had "undoubtedly saved many lives and eased suffering".

The new mayor of the Manx capital is hoping to work with businesses to "increase footfall" in the city centre.

Steven Crellin, who was unanimously elected and will serve in the role for a year, was sworn in at a ceremony on Wednesday.

He takes over from Natalie Byron-Teare, who held the position for two years. She declared Mr Crellin would serve the residents with "great determination and passion".

Accepting the role, Mr Crellin said: "I am truly honoured to serve, and I will do so with pride, determination and an unwavering commitment to making Douglas an even better place to live, work, and thrive."

The new mayor said he was "honoured and humbled" to have be given the role, and spoke of an "abiding optimism", urging council and community to "shape a future" that was "inclusive, vibrant and full of opportunity".

Crellin, who had previously held the position of deputy mayor, described that experience as "invaluable", allowing him an "overview of how everything is put together, and how events are organised".

He said his theme, as mayor, was community and business, adding: "I can't wait to get going".

The mayor has selected three chosen charities for the coming year: Hospice Isle of Man, Riding for the Disabled and Dot's Dream Foundation.

Councillor Peter Washington was elected to serve as his deputy.

It follows last week's appointment of Devon Watson as council leader for Douglas.

From farmers showing their prize animals, or businesses showing off their latest ranges of machinery, the Royal Cornwall Show celebrates everything related to farming. Farmers, competitors, organisers, exhibitors and businesses have shared what makes the event special for them.

The Royal Cornwall Show has roots that go back to 1793 when the Cornwall Agricultural Society was formed and a ploughing match was held near Truro.

These days it is the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association, and since 1960 the event has been based in Wadebridge.

Between Thursday and Saturday, about 120,000 are expected to attend this year to see some of the abundance of displays, from animals to food, floristry to forestry.

Ian Hodge, who has a dairy farm next door to the 95-acre showground, is one of the stewards in the countryside area and has been attending since the 1970s.

He followed in the footsteps of his father who started stewarding in 1968 and did it for 40 years.

"My brother is a steward, my father in law is a steward, and my brother in law is a steward so we do quite a bit to help," he said.

"[My father] was chief steward of the main entrances and met all the royals – he loved it."

In that time he said he has only missed one day, in 1978, when his mother made him stay at home because he was unwell.

"I remember being mad that I had to go and spend the day with Nan… I made a miraculous recovery and away I went the next day," he said.

Mr Hodge said the event was a chance "to see everyone in the farming community coming together" from across the county and beyond.

"It's truly agricultural, unlike some of the others which have tended to move away from that… it is certainly in the top four or five shows in the country as being very agricultural, but it does cater for other things as well," he said.

His daughter Bea, 24, is chairwoman of the Wadebridge Young Farmers club and has been on site for several days preparing for the club's display, having won last year with the club's Dad's Army themed entry.