Tom Clarke

According to latest figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government, cladding in 14 high rises has failed a combustibility test. The towers are in nine local authority areas, including Camden, Manchester, Plymouth, Portsmouth and Hounslow.  The locations of the other four have not yet been made public.

Seven high rise blocks in four English regions which have been tested so far have combustible outer cladding – just like that on Grenfell Tower, according to Number 10.

Our Science Editor, Tom Clarke, has more on the Grenfell Tower fire.

When Theresa May entered Downing Street just ten days ago – she already faced some of the toughest challenges of any post war prime minister. Brexit, managing a deeply divided party and mending a still struggling economy were difficult enough – but the Grenfell Tower Fire has arguably been her biggest test.

Theresa May acknowledged today that people living in high rise blocks like Grenfell Tower ARE worried about safety. In particular there has been mounting concern about whether flammable plastics have been used in buildings wrapped in similar facades. We’ve spoken to one resident, whose block was refurbished in 2015 by the same contractors as Grenfell…

Both MPs and residents have raised concerns about fire safety at tower blocks in the area over recent years. So just what are the possible issues surrounding last night’s blaze? Our Science Editor, Tom Clarke, has been looking into what we know.

It is one of the world’s remotest places – and one of the world’s biggest dustbins. The tiny Henderson Island in the South Pacific has become inundated with millions of pieces of discarded plastic. Marine scientists say it’s evidence of the “grotesque” extent of pollution.

The company cheated engine emissions tests, but despite the scandal which engulfed the VW group, the boss of its subsidiary, Seat, has told this programme it will be sticking with diesel cars for the foreseeable future.

It was a good day to bury the Government’s long awaited plans to clamp down on toxic air pollution, tackling things like old polluting diesel cars and buses. Campaigners called it feeble, toothless and inadequate.    

The High Court has thrown out a government attempt to delay publication of its plans to tackle illegal air pollution until after the General Election. Campaigners have pressed the government for years to draw up a strategy to improve air quality. Now Mr Justice Garnham has ruled that the draft plan MUST be made public…

A new study explains for the first time how nanoparticles, like those in diesel exhaust fumes, cause heart disease and strokes by lodging in inflamed blood vessels.

The Government has defended the decision not to publish plans to reduce toxic levels of air pollution until after the election.

Scientists working on Alzheimer’s say two drugs already in use for other conditions could stop brain cells dying off.

The phrase stiff upper lip might have been invented for the royal family. So when Prince Harry talked candidly and emotionally about coming close to a breakdown after the death of his mother, he was praised for making a big contribution to ending the taboo around men’s mental health.

A High Court judge has ruled that life support can be withdrawn from a sick baby with a rare genetic condition, against his parents’ wishes.