Today’s digest covers how home-care robots are being used across England, the death of Dame Esther Rantzen, a large fire on the edge of Birmingham and a legal challenge over NHS assessment waits. It also includes a debate about London’s place in Europe.
Robots are helping older people stay in their own homes
The BBC has visited Vera, 74, who is supported at home by a robot. Health tech company Cera says at least a thousand people across England now use these droids. If you have older relatives in the UK, this shows one way home care is changing.
Source: BBC London
Dame Esther Rantzen, founder of Childline, has died at 86
Broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen has died aged 86. She presented the BBC’s That’s Life for two decades and went on to found Childline. In recent years she campaigned for assisted dying. Her death matters beyond television, because many families in the UK know her through the children’s helpline she started.
Source: BBC News
Anton Du Beke pays tribute to his former dance partner
Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke has paid a moving tribute to Dame Esther Rantzen. He was her friend and her dance partner on the show 22 years ago.
Source: Manchester Evening News
Large scrapyard fire in Smethwick near Birmingham
More than 25 firefighters are dealing with a large scrapyard fire just off Booth Street in Smethwick, on the western edge of Birmingham. People have been told to avoid the area. If you live or travel nearby, expect disruption and keep windows closed if smoke reaches you.
Source: BirminghamLive
Charity challenges two-year minimum wait for ADHD and autism assessments
ADHD UK has sent a legal letter to West Yorkshire NHS integrated care board, which has made patients wait at least two years for ADHD and autism assessments. The charity says the policy is unlawful and will seek a judicial review if the board does not reverse it. The case could affect how other NHS areas handle long waits for these assessments.
Source: The Guardian
Andy Burnham’s plan to bring London closer to Europe
The Evening Standard reports on what it calls Andy Burnham’s “big gamble” to put London back at the heart of Europe after Brexit. Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform, told the paper that rejoining the European Union would bring an economic boom. For EU citizens living in London, the debate about the UK’s relationship with Europe remains a live one.
Source: Evening Standard
UK Today is a curated digest: we summarise and link, the reporting belongs to the publications named. Something wrong or missing? Tell us.
Sources
- BBC London: Meet the robot looking after Vera, 74, in her own home, accessed 1 October 2026 (archived copy)
- Manchester Evening News: Strictly Come Dancing star pays moving tribute to Dame Esther Rantzen 22 years after appearance on show, accessed 1 October 2026 (archived copy)
- BirminghamLive: Crews battle large Smethwick fire as 'avoid the area' warning issued, accessed 1 October 2026 (archived copy)
- BBC News: Veteran broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen dies aged 86, accessed 1 October 2026 (archived copy)
- The Guardian: Charity threatens legal action over two-year NHS wait for ADHD and autism assessments, accessed 1 October 2026
- Evening Standard: Andy Burnham's 'big gamble' to put London back at heart of Europe after Brexit blunder, accessed 1 October 2026 (archived copy)
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