The House of Lords has voted in favour of an amendment to ban social media use for children under 16, intensifying the UK political debate over online harms and digital child safety. The cross-party vote on Wednesday 21 saw 261 peers support the measure against 150 opposing it, applying pressure on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government to act on rising public concerns about social media’s impact on young people.

The amendment, proposed by Conservative peer Lord John Nash and supported by politicians from multiple parties, was added to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. It mirrors a similar law recently implemented in Australia that prohibits social media use by under-16s, a policy already prompting platforms to deactivate millions of youth accounts.

Government consultation and next steps

Although peers backed the amendment, the UK government has not formally adopted a ban yet. Ministers have launched a three-month public consultation to explore the potential ban and other options – such as raising the digital age of consent and introducing time-based curfews on app usage – with results expected by the summer.

Downing Street has stated it will consider all options, with Prime Minister Starmer indicating that “no option is off the table” while assessing evidence, including outcomes of Australia’s policy. Over 60 Labour MPs have also urged the government to support stricter age limits for social media access.

If the amended bill reaches the House of Commons, MPs could affirm, modify or overturn the Lords’ decision before it becomes law. Proponents argue the measure is vital to protect mental health, reduce exposure to harmful content and give parents more support. Opponents caution that enforcement and age verification present practical challenges, and some urge a broader regulatory approach focused on platform design and algorithm transparency.

Why the issue matters

Campaigners and parents have rallied behind the proposal, claiming that social media’s addictive design and exposure to harmful material contribute to rising anxiety, cyber-bullying and mental health issues among children. Figures such as actor Hugh Grant and bereaved families have publicly called for stronger protections, reflecting growing public concern.

As the UK navigates its approach, it joins a small group of countries testing age-specific restrictions on digital platforms. The outcome of this consultation and parliamentary debate could reshape how social media is regulated for minors across the UK.

On a cold morning, it’s a scene most drivers know well. You’re running late, the car’s been outside all night, and the windscreen is still covered in ice. You scrape a small patch, hop in and hope for the best.

In Spain, that quick decision could now cost you up to €200.

The country’s traffic authority, the DGT, has instructed the Guardia Civil to step up roadside checks during cold weather, focusing on one thing above all else: visibility. If officers believe your view of the road isn’t clear enough, they can fine you on the spot – even if you haven’t caused an accident.

And yes, that includes driving with frozen or misted windows.

Why police are stopping drivers over frozen glass

According to traffic sources, the crackdown has intensified during recent cold spells, especially in areas where cars are often left outside overnight. The reasoning is simple: a driver who cannot see properly is considered a risk, regardless of how slowly they are driving.

Spanish traffic law requires motorists to maintain clear and sufficient visibility at all times. That doesn’t just apply to the windscreen, but to all glass surfaces that affect the driver’s field of vision. If ice, condensation, dirt or even damage gets in the way, officers are allowed to intervene.

Importantly, a fine can be issued without any incident taking place. It’s enough for an officer to judge that the driver’s visibility is compromised.

For many motorists, especially in colder inland regions, this has come as an unwelcome surprise.

Everyday habits that can land you a fine

What’s catching drivers out is that many of the situations being penalised are things people don’t always think of as offences. Setting off with frost still clinging to the windscreen, relying on wipers to clear ice, or driving while the glass is still fogged can all be seen as violations.

Cracks or stone chips in the driver’s line of sight can also be an issue, as can stickers, suction mounts or other objects stuck to the windscreen. Even if these have been there for months, they may suddenly become a problem during a routine stop.

While these fines don’t carry penalty points, the €200 sanction is enough to make most drivers think twice – especially when it’s imposed during a routine commute.

Are these fines always justified? Not necessarily

Legal experts say that, while the rules on visibility are clear, the way fines are issued can vary. Pyramid Consulting, a firm specialising in traffic law, notes that some sanctions are based on vague descriptions and lack concrete evidence that visibility was genuinely impaired.

In those cases, a fine may be open to appeal. Common grounds include insufficient proof, incorrect classification of the offence or procedural errors. Each situation depends on what the officer recorded at the time and how the sanction was documented.

Still, lawyers stress that contesting a fine doesn’t change the basic responsibility placed on drivers. If visibility is questionable, the safest option is to wait until the glass is fully clear.

The message from the DGT is blunt

The authorities aren’t asking for perfection – but they are demanding common sense. If you can’t see properly, you shouldn’t be driving. With winter weather continuing across many parts of Spain, enforcement is unlikely to ease anytime soon.

So next time you’re tempted to scrape just enough ice to “get by”, remember this: a few extra minutes in the cold is a lot cheaper than a €200 fine.

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Dame Prue Leith looks set to leave The Great British Bake Off, prompting a major moment of change for one of Britain’s most beloved TV shows – and sparking speculation that Nigella Lawson could be preparing to step into the tent.

After nearly a decade judging sponges, pastries and showstoppers, Leith is widely reported to be stepping back from the series. For fans, particularly British expats in Spain who still plan their weeks around Bake Off nights, the news feels like the end of an era. Her calm authority, funky eyewear and famously frank verdicts have become as much a part of the show as the bunting and the bench mixers.

Farewell to soggy bottoms as Prue Leith departs the famous tent

Since joining Bake Off in 2017, Prue Leith has helped steer the programme through hundreds of technical challenges and countless tense moments under the white canvas. Alongside Mary Berry, she played a key role in turning “soggy bottoms” into one of the show’s most fun and oft-repeated phrases.

The blunt assessment became shorthand for Bake Off disappointment and a running joke among viewers – whether watching from a UK living room or a sun-soaked terrace in Spain. Now, as reports suggest Leith is ready to step away due to the show’s demanding filming schedule, fans are bidding a fond farewell.

Leith’s departure is understood to be amicable, with producers keen to celebrate her contribution while planning the show’s next chapter. For many, her warmth and encouragement helped maintain Bake Off’s gentle, reassuring tone during years of change.

Could Nigella’s enchanting culinary style be heading to Bake Off?

With Prue Leith’s exit reportedly imminent, attention has quickly turned to who might replace her – and Nigella Lawson’s name has risen to the top of the wish list. Known globally for her sensuous, indulgent approach to food, Lawson brings a very different but equally compelling culinary energy.

Fans are already asking: could we soon be seeing Nigella’s enchanting culinary style brought into the famous Bake Off tent? Her relaxed authority, poetic descriptions of flavour and unapologetic love of comfort food could offer a fresh dynamic alongside fellow judge Paul Hollywood. No doubt her famously cheekily double-entendre-filled baking humour would be the perfect fit for the famous tent.

From late-night cooking shows to bestselling books, she has long been associated with food as pleasure rather than pressure – a philosophy that aligns closely with Bake Off’s original spirit.

Channel 4 has yet to confirm any casting changes, and no official announcements have been made. Filming for the next series is expected to begin later this year, with decisions likely to be revealed once contracts are finalised.

For now, Bake Off fans are left reflecting on Prue Leith’s legacy – the laughs, the guidance, and, of course, the colourful outfits Whether Nigella Lawson does step into the tent remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Bake Off is once again proving that even the most comforting recipes sometimes need a new twist.