Due to the festive bank holidays, most benefit payments will be paid earlier.
However, if you have not received your payment on the date expected, it will be processed as soon as possible.
Best Start Foods payments are not affected.
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DEFRA ANNOUNCES ANIMAL WELFARE REFORMS
In a pre-Christmas plea for goodwill, Dame Joanna Lumley and Animal Rising have joined forces to call on the Home Office and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood MP to urgently close down the beagle breeding facility known as MBR Acres and rehome all the dogs still there.
Rose Patterson, 36, Animal Rising Co-Director, from Harrogate and living in Hackney, said: “It is an honour to have a national treasure like Dame Joanna Lumley backing us, and thousands of others, in calling for the closure of MBR Acres and safe rehoming of the beautiful beagle puppies inside.
“It is utterly tragic that we use an animal that we also call ‘man’s best friend’ in horrific, painful, and needless experiments.
“It’s not the Victorian Era anymore; we don’t need to rely on using dogs in experimentation for reliable results. We have so many more options available to us that provide greater reliability, using better science.
“Shabana Mahmood needs to step up and make good on Labour’s manifesto promise to end animal testing as swiftly as possible.”
The animation details some of the procedures beagles undergo at MBR Acres, including “terminal blood sampling” that the facility is licensed to carry out.
This license allows MBR Acres to drain healthy dogs of blood and harvest their organs for other use. It moves on to depict the rescues, on two separate occasions, of dogs from the facility (with five puppies rescued in June 2022 and 18 more in December 2022).
Journal articles over recent years, including multiple in the British Medical Journal, have raised serious questions about the claims made by proponents of animal testing. Critics of animal testing point to drugs that passed testing in animals and later led to, sometimes, thousands of human death.
Nathan McGovern, 26, a defendant convicted in this week’s trial, said: “Not only is using innocent beagle puppies for animal testing cruel and painful, but it’s also just bad science.
“Non-animal methods are surging ahead in both reliability and cost. It’s plain that the future is here now, and we need to move with the times with the immediate shutdown of MBR Acres.
MBR has an absolutely atrocious track record when it comes to animal welfare, with both Italian and US facilities shutting down in recent years. In Italy, three senior employees even got prison sentences.”
Animal Rising is calling on concerned members of the public to sign their petition to shut down MBR Acres and rehome all the puppies there.
Sign the petition to save the beagles and shut down MBR Acres:
The UK government will launch its Animal Welfare Strategy today – Monday 22 December, setting out new plans to protect treasured pets and much-loved wildlife across the country.
These generational reforms will end the cruel practice of puppy farming, where breeding dogs are kept in appalling conditions, often overbred, and denied proper care. These inhumane practices often result in puppies suffering from long-term health issues.
The Strategy further enhances protections for dogs and wildlife, building on new laws that put an end to puppy smuggling.
Farm animals in England and Wales will be better protected from dog attacks thanks to new livestock worrying laws. Tougher penalties and greater police powers will help relieve the emotional and financial strain these attacks place on farming communities.
Legislation, regulations and current practices need to be reformed as they have not kept pace with the latest evidence, and there have been instances of individuals taking advantage of loopholes.
The Animal Welfare Strategy, launched today by the Environment Secretary, will help fix this and deliver the most ambitious welfare reforms in a generation – in line with our manifesto promise.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: “We’re a nation of animal lovers. This government is delivering the most ambitious animal welfare strategy in a generation.
“Visiting Battersea Dogs and Cats Home reminded me that millions of families welcome pets into their homes every year. Our strategy will raise welfare standards for animals in the home, on the farm and in the wild.
“We’ve already acted to improve zoo standards, end puppy smuggling and protect livestock from dog attacks. Now, we’re planning to ban caged hens, cruel snares, trail hunting, and curb low welfare dog breeding.”
The Animal Welfare Strategy sets out how the government will deliver:
Improved welfare for companion animals by:
Improved welfare for farmed animals by:
Protection for wild animals by:
The Animal Welfare Strategy builds on this government’s proven track record in delivering reforms for animals. This includes introducing new, world-leading standards for zoos earlier this year and supporting passage of the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act 2025 and the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act.
The government will work with interested parties to deliver the strategy by the end of 2030.
The Animal Welfare Strategy will be published today – Monday 22 December.
Thomas Schultz-Jagow, Director of Advocacy and Prevention at RSPCA, said: “The government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy is a significant step forward which has the potential to improve the lives of millions of animals.
“People in the UK love animals and they want to see governments leading the way to outlaw cruel practices which cause suffering such as a phase out of cages for laying hens and farrowing crates for pigs.
“As we need a radical rethink about the way we see and treat animals in this country, this strategy leads the way by showing a strong commitment to animal welfare. We look forward to continuing to work with the government to give all animals the protection they deserve.”
Sonul Badiani-Hamment, FOUR PAWS UK Country Director, said: “FOUR PAWS UK welcomes the publication of the Animal Welfare Strategy today and the commitments outlined which have the potential to transform the lives of millions of animals.
“Improving animal welfare is not only a moral and ethical imperative, but also essential to building a healthy and prosperous nation. By taking action to end the use of confinement systems in farming, banning trail hunting and tackling the scourge of puppy farming, the government can significantly reduce animal suffering in the UK.
“The priority now must be swift action to deliver on these commitments for animals, and FOUR PAWS UK stands ready to support the Government in doing so.”
Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of Dogs Trust, said: “We welcome the Government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy, particularly its commitment to delivering the measures set out in the recently passed Animal Welfare Bill, which will prevent the import of underage puppies, heavily pregnant dogs and dogs with mutilations.
“We are also pleased that the Government plans to consult on the regulation of rehoming centres. We have seen too many cases of neglect and fatalities involving dogs at the hands of unregulated individuals, and the public strongly supports mandatory licensing and regular inspections.
“We look forward to working with the Government to ensure the Strategy is implemented swiftly and effectively, so that all dogs are properly protected.”
Claire Bass, senior director of campaigns and public affairs at Humane World for Animals, said: “There are hundreds of millions of animals in the UK whose health and wellbeing depends on humans and we welcome this Strategy’s commitment to tackle some of the most indefensible and avoidable forms of suffering.
“The Government’s commitment towards phasing out farrowing crates for mother pigs is in tune with both welfare science and public opinion. Supporting farmers to give animals more of the freedom they need and deserve is a hugely commendable and popular goal.”
Anthony Field, Head of Compassion in World Farming UK, said: “Compassion in World Farming welcomes the UK Government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy as a landmark step forward in protecting farmed animals across Britain.
“By committing to phase out cages for laying hens and farrowing crates for pigs, over 7 million hens and 150,000 pigs will benefit annually.
“We are also delighted that the Government’s commitment to improve the welfare of tens of millions of pigs and fish at slaughter. The Government is raising the bar for farmed animal welfare.
“Compassion very much welcomes the Government’s leadership on this and looks forward to working with them to turn these commitments into the much-needed policy changes as soon as possible.”
Michael Webb, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Battersea, said: “Battersea welcomes the Government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy. The reforms laid out in the Strategy will address some of the key issues that we as a charity have been campaigning for over many years, including regulating the rescue sector, tackling bad breeding practices and putting an end to puppy smuggling.
“There is clearly still a lot of detail to work out, and the Strategy does not claim to tackle every problem animals face. However, Battersea is hopeful that it will be the catalyst for real, lasting change and ultimately make a brighter future for future for animals across the country.
“We look forward to working alongside the Government to ensure these promises are implemented effectively and ultimately safeguard the welfare of dogs and cats.”
Charlotte Di Cello, Chief Commercial Officer at Waitrose, comments: ““The Animal Welfare Strategy is an important step towards better lives for farmed animals. Shoppers want higher welfare standards and it is really good to know that some of the more inhumane methods of farming, such as fast-growing chickens, will be consigned to history in the UK.
“Waitrose has led the industry on higher welfare in partnership with British farmers: we stopped selling eggs from caged hens nearly 25 years ago; this year delivered the Better Chicken Commitment for all own-label chicken and all own-label pork will be free range by 2027.
“Our new welfare rating label has been welcomed and we are hopeful the strategy will be a springboard to a mandatory scheme in the future to boost transparency and more conscious choice for shoppers.”
Emma Slawinski, chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “The bans already in place in Wales and Scotland marked a pivotal step in acknowledging the unnecessary suffering caused by these indiscriminate and cruel devices, so the government’s announcement that it will implement a ban on the use of snares in England is very welcome indeed.
“Snares pose a constant danger in the countryside, and not just for the animals these traps are laid to catch. The League has compiled case studies over many years where animals such as badgers, hares, and even pet dogs and cats have been caught and killed by snares, often discovered by members of the public left horrified by what they have seen.
“These traps are blunt instruments of cruelty, often used for no other reason than to protect millions of game birds which are later shot just for fun, and have no place in a country committed to taking a progressive approach to animal welfare.
“We commend the government for taking robust steps to ensure we will become such a country by outlawing snares.”
The team at Amazon’s Dunfermline fulfilment centre is celebrating a major career milestone for one of its team, as European Sustainability Senior Project Manager Hugh MacKenzie marks 20 years with Amazon.
Based in Coaltown of Balgonie near Glenrothes, Hugh joined Amazon in October 2005 as an Outbound Area Manager at the company’s previous Glenrothes site. Coming from a successful 20-year career in the electronics industry, Hugh brought with him a wealth of experience in leadership, process improvement, and innovation.
“Amazon was still very much similar to a start-up in the UK when I joined,” Hugh recalls. “Everything was evolving quickly, and if you had an idea, you could make it happen. That freedom to innovate has kept me excited to come to work every day for the past two decades.”
Over the years, Hugh has held a variety of leadership roles, helping to launch and transform several fulfilment sites across the UK. His career journey has included roles in outbound, inbound, reverse logistics, process improvement, health and safety, and sustainability.
One of Hugh’s proudest achievements came during the transformation of Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dunfermline, where he played a key role in converting the building from non-sortable to sortable
“That project was incredibly rewarding,” he says. “We installed outbound and inbound lines, conveyors, pick tower, dock sorter and automation that helped Amazon in Dunfermline transform to a sortable operation as part of their journey. Seeing that come to life was up there in the highlights of my career.”
Hugh’s passion for problem-solving and continuous improvement led him into the world of sustainability, where he now drives initiatives across Amazon’s European operations. His journey began when he took on the challenge of improving recycling and waste segregation at his site. This was a project that soon evolved into a regional leadership role.
“When I first started looking at sustainability, the systems were in their infancy. We’ve made huge progress since then,” he says. “Now sustainability is part of our culture, process and how we think about our impact.”
Reflecting on his 20 years at Amazon, Hugh says it’s the constant learning and variety that have kept him motivated: “Amazon never stands still. Every role I’ve taken has taught me something new.
“I like to keep busy, and Amazon is the place for that – I’ve remained engaged, motivated, curious and driven for 20 years. It’s been an amazing journey and continues to be amazing.”
Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, added: “Hugh is an outstanding leader whose adaptability and curiosity have made a lasting impact on our operations and sustainability programmes.
“His 20-year career is a fantastic example of how far you can go when you embrace new challenges and keep raising the bar. We’re proud to celebrate this milestone with him.”
Amazon Dunfermline has been a key part of the company’s UK operations since it opened in 2011. The fulfilment centre has created thousands of jobs in the Fife area and continues to play a vital role in delivering for customers across Scotland and beyond.
The team in Dunfermline is also active in the local community, supporting charities and organisations including Fife Gingerbread, Fife Women’s Aid, and local schools. Employees regularly volunteer their time through Amazon’s community programmes, and the site has contributed thousands of pounds in donations to support education, health, and social care initiatives across the region.
Community donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities where it operates. Amazon co-founded The Big House Multibank in Fife with former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to support families in need. The Multibank network has now donated more than 12 million surplus goods to over 800,000 families across Scotland, Wales, Greater Manchester, London, Tees Valley and Birmingham. This year, the Multibank will send 1 million orders to families across the UK.
Amazon has supported more than one million students across the UK with free STEM education programmes through Amazon Future Engineer and helps community organisations transport meals and other essentials to families in need through its pro bono logistics programme, Amazon Local Good.
Amazon partners with Comic Relief and is the official home of the charity’s iconic Red Nose. Together with its employees, customers, and partners, Amazon has raised over £4.8 million to fund projects that support people across the UK, and around the world.
Christmas dinner might be a time-honoured tradition, but even the most seasoned home cooks can sprinkle a little extra magic over the feast with a few clever twists.
This year, kitchen experts at Prestige are encouraging hosts to think beyond the basics and try out some fun, unexpected touches that boost flavour, texture and festive flair, all without adding any extra stress to the big day.
“Christmas dinner doesn’t need to be complicated; it just needs a few clever touches. Things like a herb-butter injection for the turkey or giving your roasties an ice-water dunk might sound unusual, but they make such a difference to flavour and texture,” said Liv Reed.
“I love these kinds of hacks because they’re fun, a bit unexpected, and they make you feel like you’ve got a few chef secrets up your sleeve. It’s all about enjoying the process and adding those little twists that make the meal feel extra special.”
Analysing TripAdvisor ratings, festive mentions in TripAdvisor reviews, average snowfall in December and the distance to the closest cosy pub, the team at GO Outdoors have highlighted the best places to head out to for a festive walk:
The UK’s Best Christmas Walks:
| Rank | Location | Area | Country | TripAdvisor Rating /5 | Reviews Mentioning Festive Keywords | Snowfall in December (cm) | Miles to Closest Pub | Overall Score /10 |
| 1 | Barmouth Beach | Barmouth | Wales | 4.7 | 28.6% | 1.5 | 0.2 | 9.09 |
| 2 | Glastonbury Tor | Somerset | England | 4.7 | 29.3% | 0.8 | 0.5 | 8.46 |
| 3 | Bournemouth Beach | Bournemouth | England | 4.5 | 35.5% | 0.5 | 0.4 | 8.04 |
| 4 | Arthur’s Seat | Edinburgh | Scotland | 4.7 | 18.0% | 1.7 | 0.5 | 7.94 |
| 5 | Calton Hill | Edinburgh | Scotland | 4.6 | 16.6% | 1.7 | 0.2 | 7.84 |
| 6 | Camber Sands | Camber | England | 4.3 | 30.5% | 0.6 | 0.2 | 7.83 |
| 7 | Filey Beach | North Yorkshire | England | 4.7 | 29.0% | 0.0 | 0.2 | 7.63 |
| 8 | Fistral Beach | Cornwall | England | 4.6 | 32.3% | 0.0 | 0.2 | 7.52 |
| 9 | Brighton Beach | Brighton | England | 4.1 | 30.4% | 0.3 | 0.1 | 7.42 |
| 10 | Dovedale | Ashbourne | England | 4.5 | 28.9% | 3.4 | 1.5 | 7.41 |
Barmouth Beach has been crowned the UK’s best Christmas walk, scoring an impressive 9.09 out of 10.
Located in southern Snowdonia, the beach has a Christmassy feel in winter, with 29% of reviews highlighting festive elements. With a seafront path, it’s a great spot for both family outings and peaceful solo walks. December can bring occasional light snowfall, and with a pub only 0.2 miles away, there’s a convenient spot to warm up after your walk.
Glastonbury Tor takes second place with a Christmas score of 8.46 out of 10.
The route is a steady, manageable climb that ends with wide views of Somerset. Although the incline requires a bit of effort, most walkers will find it comfortable, making it suitable for most abilities. With 29% of reviews mentioning festive terms, it’s a great choice for a December outing, and with a pub only 0.5 miles away, it’s easy to round off the walk with a warm drink or meal.
Bournemouth Beach comes in third with a Christmas score of 8.04 out of 10.
It stands out for its festive atmosphere, receiving the highest percentage of reviews mentioning festive charm among the top 10 walks. The long sandy shore and wide promenade make it perfect for a leisurely winter stroll. Occasional light snowfall in December can add a touch of magic, giving the beach an especially Christmassy feel.
Natalie Wolfenden, Author and outdoor enthusiast at GO Outdoors, said: “A Christmas walk is a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors during the colder months, and the UK offers plenty of festive destinations to explore. Whether you’re heading to Somerset or Edinburgh, a little preparation can make your outing even more enjoyable.
“Plan your route well in advance and make sure it’s suitable for everyone taking part. With the colder weather, it’s best to choose paths you’re confident with, as this will make it easier for you to relax and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
“Dressing in warm, breathable layers with an insulated coat will help you stay comfortable, and supportive footwear is essential for any slippery or uneven terrain. If temperatures are set to drop particularly low, a hat and gloves can make a big difference to how long you’re able to stay outside comfortably.
“Finally, on the day of your walk, be sure to check the latest weather forecast before heading out, and be ready to change your plans if conditions take a turn.
“Staying flexible will help ensure a more enjoyable Christmas outing!”
The scheme – successfully trialled in three council areas – protects public money by stopping it being wasted on unsafe housing through Rent Repayment Orders.
These legal orders clamp down on landlords who operate properties without the required licence, ignore improvement notices, or leave their houses in mouldy, dire conditions, and will now be expanded to a further 38 local authorities in England – helping to drive up living standards across the country. The scheme gives councils streamlined access to Universal Credit data which is crucial for completing Rent Repayment Order applications.
One of the trial areas – Camden, North London – is using the data sharing to recover nearly £100,000 in housing support and make a fraud referral, taking taxpayer cash out of the pockets of rogue landlords and back into the public purse.
Following successful results, the scheme – led by the Department for Work and Pensions and supported by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – is now being expanded. This includes areas such as Enfield, where nearly 30,000 households receiving housing support are set to be better protected for the future.
This comes alongside expanded provisions under the Renters’ Rights Act allowing local authorities to seek Rent Repayment Orders for up to 24 months of rent – double the previous 12-month limit.
Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms said: Thanks to this pilot, private renters in receipt of housing support will have stronger protections against landlords who fail to meet public standards.
!No one should live in unsafe or unsuitable housing. We are giving local authorities the tools they need to deter bad housing practice, and ensuring better value for money by upholding safe standards.”
Councillor Richard Olszewksi, Leader of Camden Council, said: “Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. With more than a third of households in Camden privately renting, it’s vital that we ensure landlords are meeting important safety and management standards for residents.
“This pilot helps us take further action against rogue landlords and regain the public money they wrongly pocketed. We’re investing this into more enforcement action and improving private sector housing conditions for everyone across the borough.”
Living in a decent, safe home is fundamental to health and work, and vulnerable renters who live in unsuitable accommodation are limited in their ability to take on work.
Enforcing better standards will drive up living standards through incentivising better practice in the future, as well as protecting taxpayer cash.
Justice for Tenants said: “This pilot has shown that we can deter criminality in the private rented sector and help fund housing enforcement services by making those who break the law shoulder more of the cost.
“This pilot is a massive win for all law-abiding landlords, tenants receiving public funds, the NHS, and every taxpayer in the country.”
Hourglass, the only UK-wide charity focused on ending the abuse of older people, says the Government’s newly published Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy is a long-awaited step forward – but warns it does not yet set out how abuse in later life will be recognised and tackled in practice.
The Strategy sets an ambition to halve VAWG over the next decade and focuses strongly on preventing abuse early, improving education and stopping perpetrators. Hourglass welcomes that direction – but says the delivery story is still largely written around younger victims, meaning older victim-survivors risk being left behind.
Richard Robinson, CEO of Hourglass, said: “We welcome the fact the Government has set out a ten-year strategy and a clear ambition to reduce violence and abuse.
“But if the goal is to halve VAWG, it cannot ignore the fastest-growing part of our population – older people – and the very different ways abuse shows up in later life.”
What Hourglass welcomes
Hourglass is concerned that the Strategy:
Hourglass explains that this is important as abuse in later life can include domestic abuse, coercive control, sexual abuse and economic abuse – often made worse by disability, dementia, dependency, isolation and barriers to disclosure.
Older victim-survivors may not describe themselves as victims at all, and they may be less able to leave safely without the right support in place.
Hourglass’s own service data shows the scale and the difference:
Hourglass joins many in the VAWG sector in calling for stronger delivery and sustainable investment. Refuge and Women’s Aid have already warned that the Strategy does not go far enough and that funding for specialist services remains inadequate, with Women’s Aid calling for ring-fenced investment, including for “by and for” services supporting black and minoritised women and for child victims.
The Children’s Commissioner welcomed positive steps for children, including the development of “Child Houses” – underlining the need for age-specific approaches at every life stage.
Hourglass is calling on Government to strengthen delivery by:
Veronica Gray, Deputy CEO and Policy Director of Hourglass, added: “A strategy that doesn’t work for people in later life isn’t a strategy that works for everyone.
“We stand ready to work with Government on practical changes – so older victim-survivors are seen, believed, and supported.”
SUPPORT LOCAL CHARITY’s WORK in 2026
On Friday, we hosted our Christmas Community Lunch – complete with Christmas ham, honey roast veg and of course some Christmas crackers 
But a community lunch is not just for Christmas! We host a community lunch for 50 local people every Friday here in Granton, encouraging people to enjoy good food together.
Next week, our team will still be cooking, packing and delivering meal packs to people in need across Edinburgh 
We know Christmas can be a difficult time of year – with greater pressure on finances and many people feeling socially isolated. Each meal pack tells a person that someone is thinking of them this Christmas.
If you’d like to support our work in 2026, please donate to our Winter Appeal
Donate: https://tinyurl.com/mssm3xtu
Our community lunch returns for 2026 on the 2nd of January.
Please note that there is no community lunch on Friday the 26th of December.
As the nation gears up for the festive break, new research reveals what dog owners have long known – our dogs aren’t just pets; they’re family.
From joining in on Christmas morning gift exchanges to featuring in family photos, festive walks, and even ‘signing’ Christmas cards, the UK’s four-legged friends are being treated like lifelong best friends – cherished companions who make every home a happier place.
The festive period gives us a chance to fully appreciate this – we spend less time rushing around, consumed in work or life tasks, and we have more time to dedicate to the things, people and animals we love so dearly.
Brits consider their dogs to be part of the family. They’re valued members of our households – 40% think of their dog as their child, and another 49% refer to them as their best friend, according to a new survey commissioned by Dogs Trust as part of their Happy Place Index, which spoke to 5,002 UK dog owners.
It is a scientific fact that dogs have the power to make us happier people. When you look at your dog, your brain produces more oxytocin. It works both ways, and recent studies have shown that just looking at each other causes your dog’s oxytocin levels to go up, too.
This is reinforced by the 87% who agreed their dog’s happiness level impacts their own – 60% have spent more time in nature since becoming dog owners, 28% have met and socialised with more people, and 35% feel less lonely.
Intent on returning the favour this festive season, dog owners across the UK will spend more on presents for their dog than they will for their closest friend this Christmas.
On average, owners will buy their dog five presents at £25 each (£125) whilst giving their closest friend three presents at £35 each (£105 in total). That’s £20 more spent on lucky pups across the country.
Over two thirds (65%) – approximately 6.7 million households – will sign their dog’s name in family Christmas cards this year, rising to 71% of Gen Zs and 70% of Millennials. Dogs will sign an average of 7 cards, meaning there could be up to 46,900,000 paw-printed cards in circulation this month.
Actress and Dogs Trust supporter Suranne Jones, who recently visited the Dogs Trust rehoming centre in Glasgow, said: “Christmas in our house definitely revolves around our dachshunds Mickey and Chase – they’re brothers, they’re inseparable, and they’re absolutely part of the family.
“They get their own pile of presents, they’re always involved in the festive routines, and yes, their names definitely end up on the Christmas cards.
“They bring so much joy and comfort, especially at Christmas, and I honestly can’t imagine life without them”.
Our love of dogs knows no bounds, and the social time we spend with our treasured pets is clearly important to us. Over half (59%) of owners have cancelled plans simply because their dog couldn’t join them.
18% say they have done this many times, rising to 26% of Gen Zs and 24% of Birmingham residents, and those living in homes without gardens are especially likely to cancel – 28% have done so repeatedly, a sign that companionship often outweighs socialising outside the home.
Dr Rob Christley, PhD, Honorary Professor of Epidemiology & One Health at the University of Liverpool and Head of Research at Dogs Trust comments: “The company of our dogs is becoming increasingly valued, as many opt for those cosy nights in and are likely to keep this up as we near the frosty festive season.
“We have it on good pawthority that 67% of Brits have cancelled their plans because they preferred to stay home with their dog; this is especially the case amongst Gen Zs, Millennials, and busy Londoners.
“It’s brilliant to see that our dogs are not only being cared for, but they’re being chosen, again and again, as company over convenience”.
Dogs Trust wants every dog to have a Happy Place. In 2025 alone, the charity rehomed 9,519 lucky pups (up to 9th December), who are now getting ready to enjoy their first presents and see their name in their first family Christmas cards in their new loving furever homes.
Dr Christley adds: “For dogs, a Happy Place can be somewhere physical, like cuddling up next to their owner on the sofa, dozing by the fire, or rolling around in a muddy puddle… But it can also be a feeling, like the excitement of a new toy, the comfort of being with their favourite humans, or the relief of just being somewhere safe”.
However, there are still thousands of dogs who will spend the festive season in rescue centres, cared for by dedicated teams of staff and volunteers. You can help these pups feel as warm and fuzzy as yours by supporting your local Dogs Trust centre with gifts this Christmas.
Essentials that we might overlook like treats, enrichment puzzles, and food bowls are paramount to the foundations of a dog’s Happy Place, and they’re all available here:
https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/support-us/our-shops/charity-shops/amazon-wishlists.
And for those in need of last minute cards, Dogs Trust also has a range of festive cards on sale.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s (SEPA) latest assessment of flood risk shows a sharp rise in number of properties at risk across the country.
The National Flood Risk Assessment (NFRA) 2025 report reveals 400,000, or one in eight, homes, business and vital services are in areas of medium risk of flooding. Medium risk is where there is a greater than 0.5 likelihood of flooding each year.
This figure is up from 284,000 in 2018 and projected to reach 634,000 by 2100 due to climate change.
The NFRA is a strategic tool that provides a national picture of the risk of flooding in Scotland. For the first time it also shows where flooding will be deepest, not just where it will happen:
25,000 properties are at medium risk from the sea, with more than one in three homes in areas at risk of deeper flooding. Flooding from this source will see the largest proportional increase this century as sea levels rise and storm surges intensify.
84,000 properties are at medium risk of flooding from rivers, with 5,000 residential properties currently in areas of high-risk deep flooding of at least 30cm and set to double by 2100.
327,000 properties are at medium risk from surface water and small watercourses, a number set to grow by 200,000 by the end of the century – although flooding from this source is generally shallower.
The report estimates flooding costs are approaching £500 million each year and that figure is growing.
Eleanore Cooper, Head of Environmental Forecasting and Warning at SEPA, said: “Flooding is Scotland’s most severe climate-related risk. Communities from the Borders to the Highlands and Islands have lived with the impact of flooding for decades and, as our climate changes, those impacts are accelerating.
“The NFRA performs a key role in advancing our flood resilience, providing evidence to inform coordinated action on flooding and support decisions on investment for flood risk management.
“It gives us the clearest picture yet of what lies ahead and, ultimately, is a roadmap to better flood resilience.”
NFRA 2025 is the cornerstone for the implementation of Scotland’s Flood Resilience Strategy and the next cycle of flood risk management planning. It will help shape SEPA’s National Flood Risk Management Plans, which will be consulted on in early 2026, and the subsequent Local Flood Risk Management Plans, which will be published by Lead Local Authorities for local plan districts in 2028.
NFRA has benefited from richer property data, improved climate projections, and enhanced modelling methods, meaning comparisons with 2018 data isn’t straightforward – science and understanding have moved on.
Read the full National Flood Risk Assessment 2025 report on SEPA’s website. Supporting data will be published by SEPA in Spring 2026.
