The NFU has made renewed appeals to Secretary of State for Food and the Environment Michael Gove to assist farm businesses still suffering from the impacts of agricultural drought, having seen “little Government action” since the NFU’s emergency summit on August 1.

United Utilities has been granted drought permits enabling to increase the level of water it extracts from a number of boreholes and reservoirs in the North West to maintain supplies.

A new report from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers is warning that the UK water industry will face higher costs for treating and managing water supplies due to the increasing occurrence of drought and flood resulting from climate change.

The European Commission is providing more support to Europe's farmers this summer, as they continue to cope with the difficulties of extreme droughts.

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service are warning that tackling deliberate grass fires is putting a strain on emergency service resources and water supplies during the prolonged dry spell.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) is seeking urgent action to address the growing impact of the dry, hot weather on farms across the country.

The Environment Agency is stepping up its response to tackle the mounting impacts of continued dry weather and coordinate action to maintain water supplies and manage the other risks associated with drought.

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water is continuing to encourage its three million-plus customers to use water wisely in order to safeguard water supplies following the hottest June in Wales since records began in 1910.

United Utilities is planning to implement a temporary use ban affecting seven million people in the north-west of England from 5 August – the measure means customers will be banned from using hosepipes to water gardens or wash cars.

Irish Water has confirmed that a National Water Conservation Order - commonly referred to as a hosepipe ban - will be in place from 8am today until midnight on Tuesday 31 July 2018.