# United Kingdom daily digest — 10 Nov 2026

The UK Health Security Agency issued its first cold-health alert of winter 2026/27, a yellow alert covering the North West and West Midlands. The Ministry of Defence committed 90 million pounds to Atlantic Net drones and sensors, and the Department for Education set out stronger phone-free school guidance. Defra began a clean-up at an illegal waste site in Wigan, and the Cabinet Office published a Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee statement.

Source-local date: Tuesday 10 November 2026 (Europe/London). 5 release(s). Canonical: https://mediarelease.co/digests/uk/2026-11-10/

## Releases

### [UKHSA issues first cold-health alert of winter 2026/27](https://mediarelease.co/uk/mr02823-ukhsa-issues-first-cold-health-alert-of-winter-2026-27-10112026.html)

Issued by: UK Health Security Agency · Original source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-issues-first-cold-health-alert-of-winter-202627

The UK Health Security Agency has issued its first cold-health alert of winter 2026/27, a yellow alert for the North West and West Midlands. It runs from 9am on Thursday 12 November until 12pm on Saturday 14 November; other regions of England are not affected. The agency says low temperatures raise health risks for people aged 65 and over, those with heart or lung conditions and people sleeping rough.

### [Joint Statement on the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee, 10 November 2026](https://mediarelease.co/uk/mr02822-joint-statement-on-the-withdrawal-agreement-joint-committee-10112026.html)

Issued by: Cabinet Office · Original source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-on-the-withdrawal-agreement-joint-committee-10-november-2026

UK minister Hamish Falconer and European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič co-chaired a Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee meeting in Brussels on 10 November 2026. They reaffirmed commitments to protect the rights of almost 6 million EU citizens and 1 million UK nationals covered by the agreement, including a smooth move from temporary to permanent residence during 2027. They also restated support for implementing the Windsor Framework for Northern Ireland.

### [Strengthened guidance to take the next leap to phone-free schools](https://mediarelease.co/uk/mr02821-strengthened-guidance-to-take-the-next-leap-to-phone-free-10112026.html)

Issued by: Department for Education · Original source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/strengthened-guidance-to-take-the-next-leap-to-phone-free-schools

The Department for Education will strengthen its mobile phone guidance so schools in England go beyond keeping phones "not seen, not heard" and keep them out of use and inaccessible throughout the school day. The department cites figures that only 16% of secondary pupils say phone rules are always followed. Education Secretary Lucy Powell said children should not use smartphones at any point in the school day. A consultation on classroom technology also launched.

### [£90 million investment for new drones and sensors to protect undersea cables and hunt Russian submarines](https://mediarelease.co/uk/mr02820-90-million-investment-for-new-drones-and-sensors-to-protect-10112026.html)

Issued by: Ministry of Defence · Original source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/90-million-investment-for-new-drones-and-sensors-to-protect-undersea-cables-and-hunt-russian-submarines

The Ministry of Defence is investing £90 million in Atlantic Net, a network of drones, sensors and AI systems to help the Royal Navy detect Russian submarines and protect undersea cables and energy networks in the North Atlantic. The framework with Hampshire-based Ocean Infinity Solutions is the first phase of the Atlantic Bastion programme and is expected to support almost 200 skilled jobs. It was announced at the International Sea Power Conference in Oslo.

### [Major clean-up begins at notorious illegal waste site in Wigan](https://mediarelease.co/uk/mr02781-major-clean-up-begins-at-notorious-illegal-waste-site-in-10112026.html)

Issued by: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs · Original source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-clean-up-begins-at-notorious-illegal-waste-site-in-wigan

A government-funded operation has begun to remove an estimated 18,000 tonnes of commercial and household waste from the illegal Bolton House Road site in Wigan, with crews aiming to clear up to 25 lorry loads a day and finish in spring 2027. A fire at the site in summer 2025 forced a nearby school to close. The Environment Agency has made five arrests in its investigation into those responsible.

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