Clacton By-Election: Nigel Farage has regained his parliamentary seat in Clacton, winning 22,239 votes and beating Count Binface, after a campaign he triggered over allegations of financial impropriety and amid claims of a “credible threat” around the count. UK Economy: The ONS says GDP grew 0.4% in Q2, with services and business investment helping, even as warnings persist about cost pressures. Heatwave & Wildfires: Britain hit 38.1C in west London, its hottest day of the year, as drought and wildfires damaged homes near Birmingham and fire crews battled blazes. DWP Support: The DWP confirmed key benefits and state pension payments will be brought forward to Friday 28 August ahead of the bank holiday, including Universal Credit and PIP. Courts & Privacy: The UK Court Service has banned Meta smart glasses from judicial buildings in England and Wales, with venues and courts citing privacy and rules against filming without permission. EV Skills Gap: A funding push for EV technician training is flagged as urgent, warning that a lack of skilled, certified workers could stall safe rollout. PFAS Disposal: Veolia says it has achieved up to 99.9999% destruction of targeted PFAS compounds in UK testing, supporting the wider push to tackle PFAS waste. Local Life: Birmingham and Solihull supermarkets are reported failing food hygiene ratings in multiple cases, while a fish-and-chip chain and a nursery seaside trip both made feel-good local headlines.