25 Million Britons Under Water Restrictions as Drought Spreads Across Half of England and Wales

Over 25 million people in the UK face water-use restrictions, including hosepipe bans affecting all South East Water and Thames Water customers, as Wales and half of England are in drought. The National Drought Group meets Monday to consider declaring further regions affected, with more restrictions likely as the UK's fifth heatwave of summer 2026 approaches.