Lorraine Kelly, the beloved Scottish TV presenter, has shared a positive health update following her recent preventative surgery. The 65-year-old underwent a procedure to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes, a decision she described as 'purely preventative.' Kelly took to Instagram to express her gratitude for the overwhelming support from fans and the kindness of NHS staff during her hospital stay.

In a heartwarming post, Kelly shared a photo with her granddaughter Billie, captioning it with thanks for the well-wishes and mentioning the joy of family support during her recovery. She hinted at her anticipated return to her ITV breakfast show, stating, 'Hopefully back to work on Monday. I've missed you.' This update has reassured fans who have been concerned about her health since she announced her surgery two weeks ago.

The surgery, known as a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO), is a common procedure for women in the perimenopausal age group, often performed to manage pain, address ovarian cysts, or reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. Kelly's openness about her health journey has sparked conversations about women's health and the importance of preventative care.

As Kelly focuses on her recovery, her absence from the ITV show has been filled by a rotation of guest hosts, including Andi Peters and Ranvir Singh. Fans and colleagues alike are eagerly awaiting her return, with many expressing their support and well-wishes on social media. Kelly's resilience and positive outlook serve as an inspiration to many, highlighting the strength found in family love and the importance of health above all.

Ibstock, a leading brick manufacturer in the UK, has announced the reinstatement of production capacity at several of its factories, signaling a strategic move to capitalize on the recovering construction market. With a 40% share of the UK brick market, the company's decision comes as a response to the increasing demand in residential construction, aiming to address the significant shortfall in building materials. The UK's ambition to build 300,000 homes annually faces a stark reality, with last year's output barely surpassing 100,000 homes, highlighting the urgent need for increased production capacity.

The company's proactive stance is set against a backdrop of a construction sector that has seen its fair share of challenges, including the closure of factories by other builders like L&G and Tophat due to a sluggish market. Ibstock's move to ramp up production is not without its hurdles, as the process of increasing supply is complex and time-consuming, with new brick factories taking at least 18 months to become operational. This complexity is compounded by the rising costs of production and supply chain disruptions, which have pushed brick prices higher over the past five years.

Despite these challenges, Ibstock remains optimistic about the UK housing market's recovery. The company's CEO, Joe Hudson, emphasized the importance of being well-positioned to support customers and benefit from the market's upturn. However, the firm has revised its full-year earnings guidance downwards, citing cost inflation and a competitive market as significant headwinds. The adjustment reflects the difficulties in passing on increased costs to construction companies, particularly those involved in affordable housing, where margins are already razor-thin.

The UK's brick production capacity has dramatically declined from 7.8 billion in 1970 to approximately 2.2 billion today, underscoring the long-term challenges facing the construction sector. Ibstock's efforts to increase production are a critical step towards bridging this gap, but the path to recovery is fraught with financial and logistical obstacles. As the construction market shows signs of revival, the industry's ability to navigate these challenges will be pivotal in meeting the UK's housing targets and sustaining growth in the sector.