The Know Daily - Wednesday 15 October 2025

_{Read in 4m 21s ∙ Listening to Morgan Wallen ∙}

Did you know that more than half of UK women have never held an investment product? We think it’s time to change that. With Trading 212, investing is simple, accessible and built for everyone – no finance degree or jargon required. Capital is at risk.

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Designers are stepping up with shoes that truly leave no footprint. They’re made entirely from bacteria-grown biodegradable materials – no petroleum plastics, no synthetic glues…even the dyes come from bacteria 😮 So when it’s time to retire them, you can throw them in the compost bin!

🚶‍♀️ Right to roam

MPs are calling for unrestricted walking, wild camping and swimming to become a legal right for all people to enjoy the English countryside.

What’s it all about?
The “right to roam” is the idea that people should be able to walk and enjoy the countryside without having to ask a landowner for permission first. Thanks to a law from 2000, we’re allowed onto some mountains and moorland, but most woodland, rivers, lakes and farmland are still off-limits. The result? Only about 8% of land in England is legally open to explore, and access is often a patchwork of paths that might not actually connect. Meanwhile, Scotland already has a more relaxed system that lets people access most land and water as long as they behave responsibly.

What’s the plan?
A group of Labour MPs and peers have published a formal set of proposals urging the government to introduce a new Access to Nature Bill. The proposed reforms include:

• Legal rights to wild swim, camp and paddle in more places.

• Expansion of year-round public access to woodlands, rivers, lakes and greenbelt land.

• Modernisation of the Countryside Code so people understand how to behave responsibly.

• Improved paths, signage and funding for community access projects.

• Residential outdoor trips to be available for every child before 16.

• Outdoor access is treated as a public health priority, backed by the NHS and local authorities.

What could the benefits be?
More access means a public health boost, with time in nature proven to reduce stress and improve fitness. It’s also a fairness issue: right now, access to green space is a postcode lottery, and people without cars or money often miss out – but campaigners argue nature shouldn’t be a privilege. There’s an economic upside too, with rural pubs, cafés, B&Bs and outdoor businesses all set to benefit from more visitors. And finally, there’s a big win for nature itself because the more people connect with the outdoors, the more likely they are to care for it. 

What’s the other side?
Farmers and landowners, who manage much of the countryside, are particularly concerned. Wider access could lead to gates being left open, livestock disturbed, and crops affected, or just generally more disturbance of the landscape. Wild camping is another consideration, with the risk of litter, fires, and other environmental impacts if rules aren’t followed. Liability is also a factor, as landowners may be responsible if someone is injured on their land. Plus, there’s the question of funding and enforcement – paths, signage, bins, toilets, and rangers all require resources, and someone needs to oversee it all to make sure access remains safe and sustainable.

The bottom line.
The debate centers on fairly managing access to the countryside for the benefit of everyone. Labour has not yet confirmed whether it will adopt the full proposals, but the discussion is gaining attention – and public interest in greater outdoor access is clear.

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💬 Social shift: A new study from Hinge finds that Gen Z is redefining what it means to have a social life – favouring small, intentional hangouts over big nights out.

• The bigger story: According to the app’s Social Energy Study, 92% of Gen Z say spending time with friends recharges them, and nearly four in five find one-on-one walks or coffees most energising. Even quick, unplanned meetups can lift moods, with half of respondents saying short drop-ins make them feel more connected. Hinge calls this trend “simple memories” – low-pressure, high-focus moments – that help people build deeper bonds and protect their social energy.

🇫🇷 Retracting reforms: French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has told parliament he backs suspending the unpopular 2023 pension reforms.

👩‍⚕️ Health hot takes: Actress Selma Blair has said women need more information about the menopause whilst speaking about her experiences of health and aging at a summit.

🔒 Maintaining manifestos: A minister has insisted that the Labour party will stand by proposals made in its manifesto, following Chancellor Rachel Reeves' hints at tax rises.

🏎️ Renewable racers: This luxury sports car company is just a year out from releasing its EV. 

🥔 Serving up spuds: Subway has released its own take on a classic British meal – thoughts, feelings, reacts? 

🎲 Take a chance: An accidental Monopoly champion is currently competing in the UK Mind Sports Olympiad. Easily done, right?

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Trivia answer: C) The least popular names given to baby boys in 2024 include Awesome, Cuthbert, Crispin and Beckham.

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