UK weather: New hosepipe ban begins - after Reform's Tice says changing climate will mean better wine

Reform UK's second-in-command has said people should stop being "doom and gloom" about global warming because it'll be good for English wine.

Richard Tice was speaking hours before a new hosepipe ban came into force for 1.4 million people after weeks of scorching temperatures and no rain.

Forecasters are expecting conditions to finally start changing after a summer of multiple heatwaves, but drought conditions have proved devastating for the country's agriculture, rivers and natural environment.

It's thought there will not be enough rain to reverse the impact of the drought until the autumn.

Speaking on Monday, Mr Tice acknowledged climate change is "real" but said of the hot weather: "If it means that English wine and sparkling wine get better and better, fantastic."

Nigel Farage's second-in-command said there's no evidence net zero policies will make a difference.

"Climate change has always happened; it always will," he said. "Maybe the smarter thing to do is to adapt to it; rather than think arrogantly, you can stop it.

"I'm old enough to remember 1976 – this feels a bit the same. That was 50 years ago."

The summer of 1976 was also the last time Wessex Water put a hosepipe ban in place. The company's customers across Bath, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire today join millions of other Britons who have already faced a ban.

Announcing the temporary restriction, the firm cited increased demand during the dry weather but also longer-term weather forecasts that mean resources must be protected for customers and the environment.

Rain is on the way, but it won't be enough

The Met Office has said parts of the country can expect much more normal temperatures and rainfall this week.

Showers are expected today in the north, particularly in the North West, and in the South West by the evening.

This will then likely spread east across the South, bringing the first spell of widespread rain for weeks.

The Met Office's deputy chief forecaster Mike Silverstone said Thursday will be a day of "heavy showers". Where the ground has been made particularly dry and hard by drought, there could be some surface water flooding.

While the rain may bring some welcome relief to parched land, desperate gardeners, and firefighters tackling wildfires, widespread impact from the drought will persist.

Some areas have not seen any rain at all for more than two months – Wisley in Surrey, for example, has been waiting more than 61 days.

In the meantime, Britons are still being warned about the threat of wildfires. Downing Street has defended sending an emergency alert to millions of phones on Friday evening, saying it was still an "emergency situation".

The National Fire Chiefs Council said 1,132 wildfires have now been recorded across England and Wales in 2026 – a record high for the amount between January and this time of year.

The long wait for new reservoirs

Besides "better wine", Britain's changing climate will also see greater investment in water infrastructure.

The government announced nine new reservoirs last year, though the first aren't expected until 2036.

One that was previously under construction before the announcement, Havant Thicket in Portsmouth, will be the first reservoir for more than 30 years when it opens in 2031.

Mr Tice argued desalination plants, such as those used in the Middle East, where he splits his time with the UK, are another option.

The Thames Gateway plant in Beckton, east London, is the only one in the country. It has only been used a handful of times since it was first opened around 15 years ago.

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