With the cost of living crisis putting pressure on household budgets, pet care is becoming an unaffordable luxury for many people. As vet fees continue to rise, pet owners face difficult decisions, and vets are often caught in the middle. With new research uncovering the emotional toll and ethical challenges vets confront daily, Rachel Williams explores the complex and costly reality of pet care.

Meanwhile, with one in three people in England lacking access to nature-rich spaces nearby, a movement is gaining ground to bring the wild back into cities. Using a method which originated in Japan, small, dense “tiny forests”are popping up across the UK, providing fast-growing green oases that nurture wildlife and store carbon – all in the space of a tennis court.

Outbreaks of scabies have been reported on UK university campuses this autumn. The itchy infection – caused by burrowing mites – spreads quickly in close quarters. But there are steps you can take to stay protected and informed.

Finally, in the latest episode of our new podcast series, Know Your Place: What Happened to Class in British Politics, former and current MPs share how their upbringings have influenced their political paths. Listen in to explore if this new parliament will mean real reform.