Things are set to get very steamy as the Disney+ hit show Rivals returns for season two.
Viewers will be transported back to Rutshire, where skinny dipping, shower shenanigans and plenty more scandals are on the cards.
Based on the 1988 novel by the late Dame Jilly Cooper, the raunchy series follows an MP going head-to-head with a TV station owner – though there’s far more to it than just sex and six-packs.
Here’s everything you need to know about the period comedy-drama, including the cast, plot and release date.
The second series is said to be ‘more than just a bonkbuster’ (Photo: Disney +/PA)
What is series two of Rivals about?
In the second season of Rivals, the battle for the Central South West television franchise reaches fever pitch as the war between Corinium and Venturer enters a dangerous new phase.
More ruthless than ever, Tony Baddingham is determined to dismantle his enemies piece by piece, manipulating those closest to him to maintain his grip on power.
Amidst the hedonistic glamour of 80s excess, the personal lives of the Rutshire heroes spiral into chaos.
Marriages fracture under the weight of ambition, illicit affairs threaten to shatter families and long-buried secrets erupt with explosive consequences.
As loyalties are tested, hearts are broken in the pursuit of victory.
Who is in the cast of the second series of Rivals?
Alex Hassell
Alex Hassell (right) is back as the show’s charming womaniser (Photo: Disney +/PA)
Hassell is back as former Olympian-turned-Tory MP Rupert Campbell-Black – a charming and dangerously charismatic man known for his womanising ways.
The Essex-born actor, 45, is best known for his roles in Locked In, The Boys and His Dark Materials, and will return as the show’s smouldering protagonist.
David Tennant
David Tennant returns as the Managing Director of Corinium Television (Photo: Disney +/PA)
Tennant returns as ruthless TV executive Tony Baddingham, the Managing Director of Corinium Television.
The Scottish actor, 55, is best known for his lead roles in Doctor Who and Broadchurch, and has also appeared in Good Omens, The Hack and Gracepoint.
Aidan Turner
Aidan Turner is back as Declan, an Irish journalist (Photo: Disney +/PA)
Turner reprises his role as Declan O’Hara, a talented but flawed Irish journalist.
The actor, 42, first found fame in the BBC series Being Human, before starring as Kíli in The Hobbit film trilogy and later taking the lead role as Ross Poldark in Poldark.
Victoria Smurfit
Victoria Smurfit (left) plays Maud O’Hara, a former actress turned housewife (Photo: Disney +/PA)
Smurfit stars once again as Maud O’Hara, a glamorous former actress turned housewife married to Declan.
The Irish actress, 52, rose to prominence on British television starring as Roisin Connor in Trial and Retribution, before landing major roles in Dracula and Once Upon a Time.
Nafessa Williams
Nafessa Williams plays Cameron Cook (Photo: Disney +/PA)
Williams returns to screens as Cameron Cook, an ambitious TV producer recruited to help reshape Corinium Television.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, the actress, 36, had never visited Britain before being cast in Rivals and is expected to show a new side to Cameron in the second series.
The cast of Rivals also includes:
Emily Atack as Sarah Stratton (The Inbetweeners, The Rumours, Singletown)
Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones (The Football Factory, EastEnders, Marching Powder)
Katherine Parkinson as Lizzie Vereker (The IT Crowd, Here We Go, Significant Other)
Bella Maclean as Taggie O’Hara (Sex Education, Dragged Up, La La Means I Love You)
Claire Rushbrook as Lady Monica Baddingham (Secrets & Lies, My Mad Fat Diary, Ali & Ava)
Oliver Chris as James Vereker (Bluestone 42, Green Wing, White Widow)
Lisa McGrillis as Valerie Jones (Mum, Maternal, The Pass)
Rufus Jones as Paul Stratton (Camping, Hunderby, Home)
Luca Pasqualino as Basil ‘Bas’ Baddingham (The Musketeers, Our Girl, Snatch)
Catriona Chandler as Caitlin O’Hara (Wild Cherry, The Wives, Enola Holmes 2)
Annabel Scholey as Beattie Johnson (Being Human, Dead and Buried, The Serial Killer’s Wife)
Gary Lamont as Charles Fairburn (River City, Boiling Point, My Old School)
Hubert Burton as Gerald Middleton (Living, Their Finest, The Inheritance)
Gabriel Tierney as Patrick O’Hara (Enola Holmes 2, The Winter King, Endeavour)
Lara Peake as Daysee Butler (Born to Kill, Mood, How to Have Sex)
Bryony Hannah as Dierdre Kilpatrick (Call the Midwife, The Last Duel, Talamasca: The Secret Order)
Hayley Atwell as Helen Gordon (Captain America: The First Avenger, The Duchess, Mission: Impossible)
Rupert Everett as Malise Gordon (Another Country, My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Happy Prince)
Series two sees the return of many famous faces (Photo: Robert Viglasky Photography)
Where is Rivals filmed?
The second series of the star-studded Disney+ drama was filmed across Wiltshire and other locations in the south west of England.
Extensive shooting took place in Corsham over recent years, while cast members were also spotted filming in the seaside town of Clevedon.
Production additionally used Neston Park – a Grade II*-listed mansion – and Chavenage House, an Elizabethan manor set in the Cotswolds near Tetbury.
When will Rivals season 2 be released on Disney+?
The second season of Rivals will arrive on Disney+ on Friday 15 May with a three-episode launch.
A further three episodes will then be released weekly following the premiere.
Viewers can expect a total of 12 episodes in season two.
Disney+ has yet to confirm the premiere date for the second batch of episodes, though it is expected to arrive later this year.
Losing a loved one to dementia is undoubtedly one of the most painful things you can go through in life. But when it’s a parent, and means you take on the role of carer, it changes your life in ways most won’t understand.
Here, three people reflect on the early signs of the brutal disease which affected one of their parents, things they missed or dismissed, what they’d do differently and what they’d want other people in the same position to know.
“My mum fell for a scam, then forgot how to make her specialty dishes”
Robert’s mum, Joyce, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in her early seventies, 10 years ago, the last six of which she has been living in a care home.
One of the first incidents that rang alarm bells for Robert was his mum falling victim to a suspected scam from someone selling mattresses door-to-door. He was surprised at his mum being taken in so easily by this person’s elaborate backstory, as she had always been such an astute woman. She also started to struggle to make her specialty dishes. “We’d always go for Sunday dinner at my mum’s and on a couple of occasions I got food poisoning because she’d undercooked the chicken. Or she’d swap out ingredients like sultanas for grapes in her famous curry sauce,” Robert recalls.
He describes signs of psychosis his mum started to show in the period leading up to her diagnosis, when unusual behaviour started to creep in – a fixation with a non-existent flea infestation among them. His mum had always been a keen gardener, yet on one visit he recalls her mistaking fertilizer balls for beetle eggs. Then, after spending more time together on a family holiday to Cornwall, symptoms were clearer to see, her mistaking the fridge for the heater for example, among other episodes, that persuaded Robert to contact her GP.
“At this point her cognition was still quite good, she was still ‘mum’ most of the time, she’d just have these odd moments that we’d put down to old age. But when the doctor started asking her a few basic questions I realised something was seriously wrong. My heart sank when she didn’t know her date of birth or the current Prime Minister,” he says.
Robert quickly stepped into the role of a carer, doing his mum’s shopping, cooking her dinner and taking her to appointments. “It was suggested we put lasting power of attorney in place a few months after her diagnosis. It’s really important to do this before it’s too late.”
A few months after the diagnosis, a power of attorney was put in place for Joyce
The family didn’t directly address the diagnosis with Joyce. “We just sort of played along with everything,” Robert says. “But on one particularly bad day, I blurted it out over the phone, ‘Because you’ve got dementia, mum!’ She threatened to kill herself, which was very scary. Maybe it’s something I should have explained properly to her from the get go.”
Things started to take their toll on Robert’s mental health. “I’d suffered with depression previously and was struggling to cope. Mum would ring me every day asking where I was and why I wasn’t there. They don’t realise what they’re saying and are oblivious to the hurt it can cause, it’s just a symptom of the disease.”
“My mum’s brain fog was put down to menopause”
Rosie was in her early thirties when she unexpectedly became a carer for her mum Dawnie, who was diagnosed with Young Onset Alzheimer’s Disease at 58. “I was excited to get on with the next stage in my career, then overnight my life turned upside down,” she says.
“I think we missed some of the really early subtle signs with mum because my parents divorced years ago and mum never found another partner. Looking back now, for a good few years before we realised, mum was becoming much more anxious and overwhelmed at work,” Rosie reflects.
“A family friend told us mum had become a bit forgetful and was repeating herself, but because she had always been a bit scatty, we dismissed it. Now I know mum had been going backwards and forwards to the doctor because she knew something wasn’t right. She had a history of depression and anxiety, so a lot was put down to that. She was also going through the menopause, so things like brain fog were put down to hormones.”
It wasn’t until Rosie managed to have a long stint at home that a few things stuck out straightway. “A lot of the time I spent with mum was around our horse, Mr Bud. We’d had him for 15 years at that point, so looking after him was second nature, but she’d let his flu jabs lapse. Mum could be scatty with other things, but she was always very organised with the horse. I noticed she was doing things like using the wrong tools to pick out his feet. Then one day I took mum, who was a trained chef, out for afternoon tea. She picked up a scone, looked at it, then went to bite it as if it was a cake. She looked really confused and didn’t know what to do with the jam and cream.”
Rosie started to step into the role of carer, attending doctor’s appointments and advocating for her mum to get the support and diagnosis she needed. “Mum wasn’t very assertive so she wasn’t being listened to. It was almost another 18 months until we got a diagnosis. During this time her confidence was completely crushed and she was becoming more overwhelmed.”
It wasn’t until Rosie was clearing out her mum’s house to sell in order to pay care home fees, that she truly began to grasp how much her mum had been struggling. “Going through her paperwork was absolutely heart crushing. She’d been making mistakes at work and her hours had been cut back. She’d even been involved in a couple of car accidents and scrapes, things she’d kept from us. She must have been so frightened and in such inner turmoil.”
Dawnie was diagnosed with Young Onset Alzheimer’s Disease at 58
A missed opportunity for a diagnosis was particularly frustrating, she recalls. “Mum had had a bleed on one of her eyes and had brain scans in A&E to check for acute injuries like brain tumours. Later, a consultant psychiatrist at a memory clinic told us these scans showed clear shrinkage in her brain, which could have been picked up. Had we got a diagnosis 12 months earlier, it could have given her a better quality of life in that time.
“Mum’s decline was brutal. She was diagnosed in March 2019 and died five years later. Seeing it play out was awful.” Rosie supported her mum to remain living independently at home for as long as possible, then Dawnie moved to a care home for the final two years of her life.
“She got fixated on strange things and forgot how to boil an egg”
Chloe, 22, was just 14 when her mum, Sarah, was diagnosed with young onset frontotemporal dementia, a rare form of the disease – affecting around one in 20 people with dementia – that primarily affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, areas responsible for personality, behaviour, language and speech.
It was on a family holiday to the Dominican Republic that Chloe and her older sister Amy realised something was wrong. “Mum started fixating on strange things, like going to the same buffet each night – instead of different restaurants – to get jelly or ice cream for her dinner, which wasn’t something mum would usually have done,” Chloe says.
More concerning episodes followed after the holiday. “Another time, mum couldn’t remember how to boil an egg. She asked dad four or five times, he’d explain and she’d ask again. On Saturdays, she used to go shopping, but she started going out and coming straight back, almost like she was forgetting what she was going out for.”
Sarah, who passed away aged 51, had a rare form of the disease
Looking back, Chloe says there were probably earlier signs that they didn’t understand or take notice of at the time. “Mum was only 46 when she was diagnosed, it’s the last thing you imagine at that age. Her diagnosis shocked us all.
“Mum’s decline was quite rapid, she passed away when she was 51. I’d just had my 18th birthday. It felt both gradual and fast at times. Some days mum would be fine and other days it was harder. It almost felt like it was overnight that she suddenly wasn’t speaking or Amy had to help her eat.”
Family dynamics naturally changed, too, as Chloe and Amy became young carers in their teens to their mum, alongside their dad Rob. “Sometimes it could be so frustrating. If I could go back in time, I’d probably tell myself to be more patient with mum and the situation.”
I always thought I would lose my best girlfriends to motherhood. To mum WhatsApp groups and playdates – and not being able to get a drink after 7pm because their child is teething. But actually, I’ve lost them to something far worse.
They’ve all buggered off abroad.
The news of my collective best friend’s departure couldn’t have come at a worse time. I’d just come out of an intense long-distance situationship. I was already wallowing in a sea of self-pity when a bessie announced she was moving to India for most of the year. Another had already relocated to the United Arab Emirates post-Covid, and I was only just getting used to pretending Abu Dhabi was “not that far”.
Then the final one moved to Bath, which I know is not technically abroad, but from where I’m standing in South London, it may as well be Magaluf.
It happened one after another, like they were all handing in their resignation letters to our social life.
My circle of friends had completely defied the odds until then. We genuinely felt like we’d hit the jackpot: women well into our mid-to-late thirties who had all, very deliberately, lived within walking distance of each other. We still went out, went raving, went to festivals and made bad decisions after what was always supposed to be “a chilled BBQ”. We were young at heart – and avoided the typical 30-something move of marriage, kids and moving to the suburbs.
Being child-free and single means you have the luxury of time. Some business leaders bang on about us all having the same 24 hours in a day, but when you don’t have kids and there’s no partner asking what’s for dinner, those 24 hours can morph into 36. Which is wonderful when your friends are nearby, but can start to feel strangely empty when your nearest and dearest are no longer a hop, skip and a jump away.
I have freedom. Flexibility. I can do whatever I want, whenever I want. I can clear my diary for something last minute, go for a drink on a Tuesday, disappear into a club and emerge 12 hours later dehydrated but satiated, rot in bed all Sunday, eat breakfast for dinner and nobody can say a thing. The world is supposedly my oyster.
And yet here I am at 40, standing in the middle of all this freedom, looking around thinking: where is everyone?
I know how fortunate I’ve been to hold on to my closest friendships for as long as I have. But maybe this is what friendship in your 40s is: realising people don’t just leave because they have children. They leave because life pulls everyone into different versions of adulthood. I always assumed the end of this era would involve strollers, nappies, birthday parties and bi-monthly (if I am lucky) nights out organised six weeks in advance via a poll. I just didn’t expect “everyone emigrating” to be on my bingo card.
But when I spoke to each of my friends about why they were leaving, it revealed something much bigger than simple lifestyle changes or people “growing up”. It revealed something about Britain itself.
One friend spoke about the exhaustion of constantly having to prove herself at work as a South Asian woman and how the political climate in recent years – the race riots, the anti-immigration rhetoric, politicians endlessly stoking culture wars for clicks and votes – had slowly chipped away at her. London no longer felt like the city she fell in love with – a sentiment I share.
Another friend left because the maths of London had stopped making sense – a full-time job, rising mortgage rates and feeling like a decent quality of life was permanently out of reach. What struck me was that both of my friends, one British Indian, the other half-Arab, said something similar after moving abroad: for the first time in their lives, they no longer felt like they were fighting to belong. No code-switching, no softening themselves, no feeling slightly outside the room. Britain had simply exhausted them.
And the final friend, the Bath exile, had simply had enough of London itself. The noise, the pace, the grind of it all. She wanted green space, calmer mornings and a life that didn’t involve spending £15.95 on a small plate of croquettes in Peckham while pretending it was normal.
It feels like there’s been a genuine shift. My mates aren’t just “down the road” anymore. There are no more, “Oi Wys? I’m outside your flat” voice notes. No more accidental 36-hour Thursdays. Everything now requires scheduling.
And in a strange way, it does feel like I’m starting over. Building my community again from scratch. I’m saying yes more. Talking to random people on nights out. Making brilliant new friends who remind me of my girls when we were younger and slightly more feral.
I’ve come to the realisation that I’ve not lost people entirely, but I’ve lost proximity to them. Friendship can survive distance, but spontaneity often can’t.
And I know us. We’ll find our way back to each other eventually. In 40 years’ time we’ll probably be in the same care home together, absolutely terrorising the staff, reminiscing about our 15 years in South London when we painted the town red, survived heartbreaks, pandemics, comedowns and hangovers, and somehow still always made it to the next “chilled BBQ”.
You may think that if you’re living in a house with damp and mould, you’d be aware of it, but it isn’t always immediately obvious. And it becomes even harder to spot if you’re house viewing.
Estimates of the number of homes in England with damp and mould range from four to 27 per cent, or 962,000 to 6.5 million households. The reported figure varies due to differences in how dampness and mould are measured and reported. While people living in private or social rented housing are significantly more likely to live in a home with damp and mould than owner-occupiers. In 2024, Citizens Advice found that 45 per cent of private renters were experiencing damp or mould.
Damp doesn’t just look bad, but it can impact your health if left untreated – especially if you suffer from respiratory problems like asthma. Here, two dampness and ventilation experts explain how to spot mould, where it commonly grows, and what to do about it.
Where are the common areas where mould can grow?
Ruth MacEachern, ventilation expert and product manager at EnviroVent, says: “Mould tends to form in areas of the home where moisture levels are consistently high, and airflow is poor. Bathrooms and kitchens are some of the most common hotspots due to steam from showering and cooking, but it can also appear around windows and window frames, on external walls, and in the corners of rooms where warm air meets cold surfaces.”
Other high‑risk areas include utility rooms, cupboards, and spaces where furniture is pushed directly up against walls, which can restrict airflow and allow condensation to build unnoticed over time.
Can you have mould in your house and not see it?
MacEachern says it’s very common for mould to develop in places that aren’t immediately visible. “In many homes, mould can grow behind large items of furniture, inside wardrobes, or in areas that aren’t regularly ventilated, such as cupboards or spare rooms.”
Condensation can also build up within wall cavities or behind plasterboard, meaning mould may be present long before it becomes visible on the surface.
A persistent musty smell is often the first sign
For many, an earthy or musty smell is the first sign that damp and mould are present. According to Damian Wallis, a certificated surveyor in structural waterproofing and technical manager for Safeguard Europe. “This tell-tale scent is released by mould spores, and can sometimes be detected before growth is visible. Follow your nose; the smell will be stronger the closer you get to the source.”
Bubbling or peeling paint
Dampness affects building fabric in ways that may not be obvious. Wallis advises that you check for bubbling or peeling paint, lifting wallpaper, discoloured plaster, and staining around skirting boards, as this may indicate moisture trapped behind the surface, often due to damp or mould. “The surface may feel soft or spongy if pressed. Warped floorboards, swollen timber frames, rusting screws and crumbling plaster are also warning signs of a damp problem,” says Wallis.
Cold walls
Cold walls do more than make a room uncomfortable. When warm, moist air inside your home meets a cold surface, condensation forms. Over time, this moisture can lead to mould growth, peeling paint and damage to plaster.
As Wallis explains: “Trapped moisture-laden air cools when it meets cold wall surfaces and causes condensation that can lead to mould growth. Check behind sofas, bathroom mirrors, cold radiators and any furniture that sits along the wall as these surfaces can become cold, damp and eventually mouldy. Built-in cupboards, particularly on external walls, can also be affected by mould due to cold surfaces and poor air circulation.”
Excessive water droplets on windows or walls
Wallis says that while occasional condensation is normal, investigate when it appears regularly on the inside of windows and walls, especially in bathrooms, kitchens or rooms where clothes are regularly air-dried. “Frequent condensation on surfaces suggests high indoor humidity,” he says. “Often resulting from poor airflow or low room temperatures.”
Consistently high humidity, condensation on windows, or sweating walls are warning signs that conditions are right for mould growth. Humidity above 55 per cent is particularly conducive to mould growth.
You have allergy-like symptoms
As well as physical signs in the property, unexplained coughing, sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, skin irritation, or worsening asthma can be triggered by mould spores. If you find these symptoms improve when you leave the house, mould could be the cause.
According to government figures, the presence of damp and/or mould in English residences was estimated to be associated with approximately 5,000 cases of asthma and 8,500 cases of lower respiratory infections among children and adults. In addition, dampness and mould were estimated to contribute to one to two per cent of new cases of allergic rhinitis per year.
How do I get rid of mould in my house?
If you have mould, you may wonder if you can remove it yourself or need to call in the experts. MacEachern says small areas of surface mould can usually be treated using specialist mould removers or fungicidal solutions, which help to break down and remove mould spores safely. “It’s important to wear gloves, ventilate the room well, and avoid simply painting over mould, as this won’t address the underlying issue.”
However, to stop mould from returning, the root cause needs to be tackled. In most cases, that means reducing excess moisture through better ventilation. Using extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms, opening windows regularly, keeping trickle vents clear, and maintaining a consistent level of heating. This can all help keep humidity under control and prevent mould from coming back.
“Sometimes the cause of dampness can be traced back to the outside of the home rather than the inside. Dampness can seep into the home from a blocked gutter or broken rainwater pipe that directs water into one spot,” says Wallis. “This type of penetrating dampness left unresolved can spread quickly and cause real damage, so make sure the cause is fully repaired.”
A tradesman diagnosed with silicosis believes a new UK crackdown on silica dust does not go far enough – and called for the kitchen stone blamed for his lung disease to be banned completely.
Ryan Fenton, 50, is one of more than 50 UK workers diagnosed with the incurable lung disease after cutting quartz – known as engineered stone – kitchen worktops.
After suffering a mini-stroke in 2022, further tests at London’s Royal Brompton Hospital led to his diagnosis with silicosis, an entirely preventable disease hitting a growing number of young stonemasons.
Shorts – Quick stories
HEALTH
How children’s taste for vegetables ‘begins before birth’
Increasing numbers of parents are bringing up their children as vegetarian or vegan, the new guidance suggests
Young children react more favourably to the smell of vegetables if they were regularly exposed to them while developing in the womb, researchers have found.
A study at Durham University found evidence that three-year-olds develop a memory of the flavour and odour of foods they were exposed to in late pregnancy.
Everything you need to know
(Photo: Getty).
Remembering tastes
The reactions of toddlers to the smell of carrots or kale was examined to see whether taste can be established in utero.
Powder capsules
Children were tested for their response to the smell of the vegetables after their mothers took capsules of carrot or kale while pregnant.
Midsection of pregnant Black woman holding belly – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Changing the way vegetables and salad were labelled increased sales, the researchers found. (Photo: Getty)
Flavour memory
Researchers found children reacted less negatively if their mothers were exposed to the vegetables while pregnant.
Mothers advised to eat varied diet
The scientists found an enduring favourable response in toddlers to the vegetable flavours they were exposed to in the later weeks of pregnancy.
The study recorded the facial expressions of 12 children when they were given wet cotton swabs dipped in the carrot or kale powder their mothers had taken.
PROPERTY AND MORTGAGES
4 min read
LIFESTYLE
4 min read
What the researchers said
High angle shot of Asian pregnant woman holding an ultrasound scan photo in front of her baby bump, sitting on bed at home. Mother-to-be. Precious moment in life. Preparation for a new family member. Expecting a new life. Baby and new life concept – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
The researchers said the study suggested mothers-to-be should eat a varied diet rich in vegetables and fruits of different colours, with the added possibility it could influence the eating habits of their unborn child.
Analysis
3 min read
HEALTH
Why weight-loss pill after jabs may help keep pounds off
People using anti-obesity jabs can maintain weight loss by moving to a daily pill at the end of their treatment, a study suggests.
Researchers found that using orforglipron – an anti-obesity pill developed by US pharmaceuticals giant Eli Lilly – could be an “effective approach” for avoiding regaining pounds after injections have stopped.
What you need to know
While anti-obesity jabs are effective at promoting weight loss, patients have been found to regain the pounds after treatment stops.
Researchers in the US found that switching to orforglipron allowed patients using jabs to retain about 75 to 80 per cent of their weight loss.
Orforglipron is also a GLP-1 agonist, the same type of compound used in anti-obesity injections such as Mounjaro and Wegovy.
OPINION
3 min read
Weight-loss pill ‘cheaper’ than jabs
The US findings add to evidence that anti-obesity pills hold promise as a new method of promoting or maintaining weight loss, not least because they are significantly cheaper to manufacture than injections and easier to use.
Orforglipron, which is Eli Lilly’s hope for its next blockbuster drug, is taken as a once-a-day pill and was tested with 376 patients who had previously used jabs. The pill has been licensed in America but is still awaiting approval in the UK.
politics
Which members of Government have gone so far?
Against the backdrop of calls to quit, Starmer took refuge in the Labour Party rule book (Photo: Richard Pohle/AFP)
Sir Keir Starmer has briefly met with presumed leadership rival Wes Streeting in No 10 as the Prime Minister continues to resist calls from within Labour for him to stand down.
The crisis at the top of Government has so far seen the resignations of 10 MPs from their frontline roles, including four junior ministers. Among the most prominent has been the departure of Home Office minister Jess Phillips.
What you need to know
Six parliamentary private secretaries (PPS) – the eyes and ears of a minister in the House of Commons – have stepped down.
They include Joe Morris, PPS to Streeting, and Melanie Ward, PPS to Justice Secretary David Lammy, a key ally of Starmer.
The three ministers who have quit alongside Jess Phillips are Miatta Fahnbulleh, Alex Davies-Jones and Zubir Ahmed.
In her resignation letter, Phillips criticised Starmer for his record on online protections.
OPINION
4 min read
Crisis in Downing Street
While the Prime Minister has suffered the loss of 10 members of his Government, to date the departures have been restricted to its junior ranks. Starmer is widely seen as having laid down the gauntlet to his Cabinet colleagues to either formally challenge him, or allow him to stay in office.
Caption: Health Secretary Wes Streeting arriving at number 10 Downing Street, London, for his meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Picture date: Wednesday May 13, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: James Manning/PA Wire Photographer: James Manning Provider: James Manning/PA Wire Source: PA Copyright: PA Wire Sources have said Government whips were picking up a mood described as ‘dire’ among backbenchers (Photo: James Manning/PA)
Some 11 Labour-supporting unions are expected to state publicly that Starmer will not lead the party into the next election. Ministers are being watched minute-by-minute for signs of a formal split.
The unusually high temperatures for early June come after the UK recorded an annual average temperature of more than 10°C for the first time this year (Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty)
NEWS
Bodies of three women pulled from sea at Brighton beach
The bodies of three women were recovered from the sea in Brighton early today, Sussex Police said.
Here is everything we know about this incident so far.
What do we know so far?
Caption: People on the beach at New Brighton. Picture date: Monday September 4, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story WEATHER Hot. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire Photographer: Peter Byrne Provider: PA Source: PA Copyright: PA
Emergency services were called at around 5.45am on Wednesday, and the women’s bodies were pulled from the water near Madeira Drive.
Police are conducting enquiries to confirm the identities of the women.
Explained
4 min read
This is a tragic incident and fast-moving enquiries are ongoing to confirm the identities of these three women and understand exactly what has happened. I know this is concerning for the community, but I would ask the public to stay away from the scene at this time while emergency services continue their work.
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays
Male and female Asian metropolitan police officers patrol the crowds of tourists outside the Hoses of Parliament in Westminster, London, UK – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Why do the British insist on exporting their culture when they travel? (Photo: Ceri Breeze/Getty)
FOOD AND DRINK
Greggs to open international shop at Tenerife South airport
The British chain will bring its beloved range of baked goods to the Canary Islands.
Greggs last operated shops abroad in Belgium in 2008, but said Tenerife was “the ideal location to test spreading our wings in an overseas setting”.
What you need to know
Greggs will open a branch in Tenerife South airport later this month.
The usual range of sausage rolls, pasties and sweet treats will be on offer.
A ‘Spanish omelette roll’ will also be on the menu.
Around half of Tenerife’s 13 million visitors go to and from the UK each year.
OPINION
2 min read
What Greggs is saying
It’s an exciting milestone for Greggs as we bring a slice of home to the Canaries, and we’re confident our great-value offering will resonate just as well under the Spanish sun as it does on the UK high street.
Greggs chief executive Roisin Currie
Caption: Greggs sausage rolls, UK. (Photo by: Alex Segre/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Photographer: UCG Provider: UCG/Universal Images Group via G Source: Universal Images Group Editorial Copyright: Alex Segre
GO DEEPER ON THIS TOPIC
Greggs has made me ashamed to be British
Caption: Bay of turquoise coloured water in Los Cristianos, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Photographer: BriBar Provider: Getty Images Source: E+ Copyright: BW PHOTOGRAPHY
Emily Watkins
Freelance writer
Spain – a land of excellent food, rich cultural identity and a beautiful language. Of course, if you’re a British tourist there, odds are you won’t have noticed.
Why do the British insist on exporting their culture when they travel?
Read more here.
How would Andy Burnham become prime minister?
Andy Burnham is one of the frontrunners to replace Sir Keir Starmer if he resigns as Prime Minister. The Manchester Mayor has previously indicated he would be willing to overthrow the current Labour leader.
Caption: File photo dated 13/4/26 of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Labour Party MP and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham meet pupils during a visit to a school breakfast club at Holy Trinity C of E Primary School in Ashton, Greater Manchester. Andy Burnham “should never have been blocked” from seeking a seat in the Commons, Angela Rayner has said today. Issue date: Monday May 11, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Paul Ellis/PA Wire Photographer: Paul Ellis Provider: Paul Ellis/PA Wire Source: PA Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham cannot run for the leadership unless he wins a seat in Parliament (Photo: Ryan Jenkinson/Getty)
First step – find a vacant seat
Caption: File photo dated 13/4/26 of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Labour Party MP and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham meet pupils during a visit to a school breakfast club at Holy Trinity C of E Primary School in Ashton, Greater Manchester. Andy Burnham “should never have been blocked” from seeking a seat in the Commons, Angela Rayner has said today. Issue date: Monday May 11, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Paul Ellis/PA Wire Photographer: Paul Ellis Provider: Paul Ellis/PA Wire Source: PA
A vacant parliamentary seat would need to be available and finding one may not be easy.
There are two by-elections coming up in Scotland, but Burnham is unlikely to stand in these.
Caption: Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham arrives for a meeting in 10 Downing Street, London, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) Photographer: Alastair Grant Provider: AP Source: AP Copyright: Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
Caption: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – OCTOBER 31: Labour Party MP Clive Lewis addresses hundreds of activists and campaigners in London’s Parliament Square during ‘Extinction Rebellion’ protest against the inaction of the British government in the face of climate change and ecological collapse. Protesters declared a non-violent rebellion and demanded urgent action on the ecological crisis to avoid the possibility of human extinction in the near future. October 31, 2018 in London, England. (Photo credit should read Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images) Photographer: Wiktor Szymanowicz Provider: Future Publishing via Getty Imag Source: Future Publishing Copyright: ? 2018 Wiktor Szymanowicz
MPs have indicated in the past they would step aside for Burnham, including Clive Lewis, but these suggestions have since been quashed.
Step two – Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee
If a seat were to become vacant, Burnham would need to win over the National Executive Committee (NEC), who is responsible for choosing Labour’s candidates. In January, the NEC blocked Burnham from running in Gorton and Denton. A 10-strong group, including the PM, voted to deny Burnham permission.
Caption: FILE – Britain’s Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer poses for a photo outside Parliament Buildings, following a meeting with party leaders, during his tour of the UK following Labour’s victory in the 2024 general election, in Stormont, Belfast, Monday July 8, 2024. (Liam McBurney/Pool Photo via AP, File) Photographer: Liam McBurney Provider: AP Source: Pool PA
Exclusive
3 min read
Step three – a leadership ballot
If Burnham were to be elected to Parliament, only then could he make a Labour leadership bid. According to the Labour Party rule book, candidates seeking to enter the ballot must be an MP.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham speaking at a Resolution Foundation event on working-age families, at the Methodist Central Hall in central London (Photo: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)Caption: Angela Rayner And Andy Burnham At The Daily Mirror Party At The Labour Party Conference In Brighton, 2021 28-September-2021 (Photo by Jeremy Selwyn/Evening Standard via Getty Images) Photographer: Jeremy Selwyn Provider: Evening Standard via Getty Image Source: Evening Standard
This is because the Labour leader is the Prime Minister, therefore they would need to be a Member of Parliament. The current rules state a candidate must receive nominations from 20 per cent of their Labour colleagues in Parliament to be in the running.
A summary of necessary steps
What is standing in Burnham’s way?
Vacant seat
NEC permission
Win election, become an MP
Meet nominations threshold
Win leadership competition, become Labour leader and prime minister
Why driving test booking is set to change for learners
Changes begin on 12 May to reduce wait times and prevent bots and touts from exploiting the system.
(Photo: Steve Parsons/PA).
Driving test reforms
What you need to know
Under new laws, it’ll be illegal for driving instructors or anyone else to book tests for pupils.
They will not be able to change, swap or cancel a test for someone else either.
Learners will still need a reference from their instructor.
Only two changes to a booked slot are allowed; previously, it was up to six.
From 9 June, tests can only be moved to three locations nearest to where the original test was booked.
Why are there changes?
A backlog of driving tests built up as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Instructors were being offered kickbacks of up to £250 to sell their login credentials to touts.
Slots were being bought up in bulk and offered via social media for up to £500.
The standard cost is £62 on weekdays and £75 on evenings and weekends.
Caption: File photo dated 13/10/10 of a learner driver L plate. Driving test candidates should be asked if they would like their examiner to be “chatty” or “formal” to boost female pass rates, a report commissioned by a Government agency has suggested. Transport research group TRL, which proposed the measure, said it would avoid examiners creating “potential anxiety”. AA Driving School told the PA news agency that learners do not want to be examined by “a sergeant major nor a comedian”. Issue date: Sunday August 10, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: David Jones/PA Wire Photographer: David Jones Provider: David Jones/PA Wire Source: PA
OPINION
2 min read
Specialists told the father-of-two his condition was related to dust exposure from cutting engineered stone, a material which has become hugely popular in home renovations and costs a fraction of the price of natural stone like granite or marble.
This week, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) announced a new crackdown on deadly quartz silica dust, issuing its first regulatory guidance on cutting engineered stone.
The new guidance, which comes as a result of The i Paper’s Killer Kitchens campaign, states that using water-suppressing tools to control dust – known as wet cutting – is a legal requirement for firms and that unacceptable dry cutting must stop.
The i Paper’s campaign has also led to a new safety kitemark-type scheme to protect young workers from the deadly dust and inform homeowners that worktops for home revamps have been cut safely.
Rogue factory bosses who breach health and safety law risk potential criminal prosecution, an unlimited fine and up to two years in prison.
But Fenton, who lives near Ipswich says it’s “ridiculous” that an outright ban on quartz has not been introduced in the UK, as has been done in Australia.
He told The i Paper: “You can have all the water-fed tools in the world. You can have all the dust extractors, all the masks, all the PPE, all the best stuff. There’s still going to be dust in the air and on your clothes.
“Just ban it. Find an alternative.”
Fenton called for regulations to be ‘really ramped up’ to protect workers (Photo: Tony Buckingham)
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) and Unite the Union have also backed a full ban on manmade quartz, which has a silica content as high as 95 per cent, much higher than more expensive, natural kitchen stone like marble and granite.
Prior to this week’s measures being unveiled, the HSE conducted two years of research into the risks posed by engineered stone.
It found that dry cutting exposes workers to lethal silica dust – known as respirable crystalline silica (RCS) – at levels five to 10 times higher than wet cutting.
The regulator’s position is that, rather than an outright ban on quartz, the most “effective and proportionate” action is to ensure proper controls are in place and actively enforced.
As part of its crackdown, HSE is also launching a nationwide inspection campaign of 1,000 stone fabrication businesses to root out rogue employers, with the results of the blitz likely to inform the regulator’s future thinking.
‘Follow Australia’s lead’
Fenton believes more should have been done already to tackle the risk and called for regulations to be “really ramped up” to protect workers, with doctors warning that silicosis cases from quartz are likely to increase significantly in the coming years.
“It’s a good thing that they’re doing something. But, sadly, it’s come three to five years too late,” he said.
The UK first saw silicosis cases linked to quartz in 2023, but Australia’s first cases emerged in 2015, with hundreds of young stonemasons subsequently diagnosed, leading to a ban in 2024.
In the US, California has seen over 500 cases, with thousands reported in Spain as well.
Doctors in the UK are among those who have also called on the Government to consider a ban to try and avoid the epidemic of cases seen in other countries.
Fenton said: “What makes me laugh is, when I was first diagnosed, they’re saying that there were already these health and safety regulations in place, and I’m like, really?
“They weren’t. They were either being ignored or companies were just simply not aware of the actual rulings and regulations.”
Many of the kitchen stone workers who have been diagnosed with silicosis have reported working in small factories where slabs were cut without adequate safety measures.
But Fenton said that while moves to stamp out dust exposure from wet cutting were to be welcomed, tradesmen installing kitchen countertops who do not have access to the necessary tools are still at risk.
“It’s all very well saying that’s completely banned. But you’re in the customer’s house, and you have to notch around the pipe, or that doesn’t quite fit, so you’ve got to cut a bit off the back,” he said.
“Where are you going to get these water-fed tools in the garden? You’re not, are you? So you take it in the garden and you cut it, and the dust is there.”
For the sake of his health, he quit as a stonemason 20 months ago, retraining as an adult support worker, a career change that left him as much as £800 a month worse off.
He recently returned to the building industry as a self-employed painter, decorator, and carpenter, but refuses any work that exposes him to stone dust.
“I don’t explain. I just say, I no longer do that,” he added.
Liz Jarvis, Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, who raised a presentation bill in Parliament calling for better provisions to prevent silicosis, praised The i Paper’s Killer Kitchens campaign, but added: “I am concerned that the crux of the problem may not be fixed because whilst the guidance is welcome, it needs to be regularly and effectively enforced and more could be done to address concerns around the monitoring of silicosis.
“The Government must ensure that they move quickly and ambitiously to combat this problem.”
The Department for Work and Pensions, which oversees the HSE, has said banning or restricting engineered stone supply would have implications for the use of natural stone with similar levels of silica dust, known as respirable crystalline silica (RCS).
It points to a well-established regulatory framework under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations, which already require employers to prevent exposure to RCS.
Take a cursory glance at the drinks cabinet in any supermarket or corner shop right now, and you’ll be faced with a temptingly colourful array of options, many of which are marketed as so-called “healthy” beverages – and it’s easy to think that by grabbing one, you’re making a healthier choice than a soda or soft drink.
You know the type: fruit smoothies, functional fizzy drinks and protein-packed shakes, designed to plug a nutritional gap we didn’t even know we needed. According to recent research, the UK functional drinks market is booming and is worth an estimated £2.4bn. It’s clear many of us are falling for the lure of great marketing and aesthetically-pleasing packaging – but are these drinks actually doing us more harm than good?
“While most of the ‘healthy’ drinks market are certainly healthier than their full sugar counterparts such as Coca Cola, it is always important to remember that nothing is better for us than drinking water,” cautions dietician Sophie Medlin. “There’s been a huge increase in products such as gut health drinks, kombucha and flavoured waters, for example, but we need to be careful of drinks that have a ‘health halo’. There are always downsides to them, compared to plain water, which can mislead people into thinking they’re better for us than they actually are.”
Here, we asked experts to weigh in on the drinks they steer clear of, and why.
Gut health drinks
There’s no doubt about it: gut health has seen a spike in popularity, and with (mostly) good reason. Our gut is the cornerstone of overall health and wellbeing, with a wealth of research backing the correlation between gut function and both mental and physical health.
The official take? Proceed with caution.
“There’s been a huge rise in gut health drinks which often contain prebiotics like inulin and sweeteners in place of sugar,” notes Medlin. “For many people, inulin causes bloating and wind, which can be counterintuitive when they’re marketed for gut health. Similarly, with sweeteners, some have been shown to be harmful to gut health, while the research on stevia is still unclear. Some of these drinks also contain apple cider vinegar, which can be really harmful for your dental enamel which many people are trying to get away from when choosing a healthier soda over a full sugar version.”
Fruit juices
If you’re enjoying a daily glass of fruit juice thinking you’re contributing to one of your five a day, then you’re certainly not alone – but you’re not necessarily right, either.
“Fruit juice or juice ‘drinks’ are a big red herring as they can contain added sugars and sweeteners,” explains registered dietician Nichola Ludlam-Raine. “They can’t legally be called just ‘fruit juice’, and consumers often assume they’re equivalent to whole fruit, when nutritionally they are often much closer to sugary soft drinks.
“NHS guidance also recommends limiting fruit juice and shop-bought smoothies combined to around 150ml per day. I recommend plumping for 100 per cent fruit juice over juice drinks.”
Fruit juice or juice ‘drinks’ are a big red herring as they can contain added sugars and sweeteners (Photo: Getty/Moment RF)
Detox teas
As tempting as it might be to think a cup of warming, calming herbal tea will cleanse and detoxify your system, we’re sorry to say, it’s a clever marketing con.
“The word ‘detox’ is a marketing term, not a physiological one,” notes dietician Priya Tew. “Your liver and kidneys do this for free. Many ‘teatox’ products also contain senna leaf, a natural but potent laxative. Using these for more than a few days can lead to electrolyte depletion and laxative effects.”
Flavoured waters
Not one for plain tap water? We hear you, but be wary about what you’re replacing it with.
“The flavoured water type drinks that don’t contain sweeteners can have some benefit for someone who is trying to break a habit of having a can of something that is all artificial flavourings and sweeteners (like Diet Coke, for example),” advises Medlin. “These are better than many of the alternatives but still not better than good old tap water.”
Smoothies
Similar to fruit juices, smoothies can also fall into the health ‘halo’ category, warns Ludlam-Raine. “While homemade versions containing kefir or yoghurt, oats, nuts and vegetables can indeed form part of a balanced diet, portion size matters,” she tells The i Paper. “Shop-bought smoothies are often very large and may contain multiple portions of blended fruit, fruit juice concentrates or added sugars. Ultra-blending also breaks down the fruit structure, meaning sugars are absorbed more quickly than from whole fruit, leading to glucose spikes and crashes.”
Electrolyte drinks
“Most people really do not need to be taking electrolytes,” notes Tew. “They can contain additives and sodium that you just don’t need, and while they aren’t harmful in themselves, they are unnecessary and expensive.”
Protein shakes
Alongside gut health, there’s been much focus on protein in the last few years.
The bottom line? “Protein shakes can be a useful addition to a diet where meeting protein needs is a challenge,” Medlin shares. “That said, we do need to exercise caution, as they are ultra-processed. Those with artificial colours, flavours and sweeteners are best avoided. Try blending a plain, unflavoured protein powder with fresh fruit for flavour instead.”
Coffee drinks
Partial to a post-gym coffee? Go ahead – but hold the canned and iced versions.
“Pre-mixed coffee drinks and flavoured iced coffees are another example of a product that can vary wildly from a nutritional point of view,” shares Ludlam-Raine. “Many contain significant amounts of added sugar, syrups and saturated fat, especially larger café-style bottled drinks topped with cream or flavourings. Some can contain as much sugar as a fizzy drink or dessert, despite being marketed as protein-rich or energy-boosting.”
Many pre-mixed coffee drinks contain significant amounts of added sugar, syrups and saturated fat (Photo: Bloomberg/Getty)
Bottled teas
It’s tempting to grab a can or bottle when we’re on the run, but you’re better off filling a flask before you leave the house. “Real green tea starts degrading the moment it’s brewed,” cautions Tew, “so you are getting a very low dose of actual catechins (the good antioxidants) and a very high dose of sugar in a bottled variety.
“Most commercial iced teas are essentially tea-flavoured juice,” she continues. “Even the lemon versions use citric acid and flavourings rather than actual lemon itself.”
Sports drinks
Unless you’re running a marathon or taking part in another extreme ultra-sport, energy drinks are a no-go.
“Energy drinks and sports drinks are also commonly perceived as healthy or performance-enhancing, but most people doing everyday exercise simply don’t need them,” says Ludlam-Raine. “Many are high in sugar and caffeine, and regular consumption may negatively affect dental health, sleep and overall sugar intake.”
The takeaway? Conscious consumption is the key. “Ultimately, context and quantity matter,” agrees Ludlam-Raine. “A small smoothie or occasional pre-made latte isn’t harmful in itself, but problems arise when these drinks are consumed daily in large portions and replace water or whole foods. In most cases, the healthiest everyday drinks remain water, milk, tea and coffee without lots of added sugars.”
When Donald Trump touches down in Beijing on Thursday, for his long-delayed summit with China’s leader Xi Jinping, he will be hoping to project an aura of US power.
Accompanying the US President’s long motorcade will be military personnel and an entourage of corporate titans, including Elon Musk, Apple’s Tim Cook and Boeing’s Kelly Ortberg. But the optics of this state visit mask the major challenges awaiting the US delegation.
Trump arrives in a China that has spent years making itself more resilient to US influence and pressure, leaving Trump attempting to secure rapid, transactional victories with a weakened hand.
Shorts – Quick stories
Is napping an invaluable part of the day or an unproductive hour?
To find out how to feel better, brighter and bushy-tailed, we asked Russell Foster, a professor of neuroscience at the University of Oxford, everything you need to know about napping.
Naps before 1pm can lead to better cognitive performance in the following hours (Photo: Lord Henri Voton/Getty Images)
Caption: A mother and new born baby taking a nap together on the sofa in a quiet but tender moment. Photographer: Jamie Garbutt Provider: Getty Images Source: Stone RF Copyright: Jamie Garbutt
LABEL – CATEGORY
How long should we nap for?
For Professor Foster, the ideal length of a time for a nap is just 20 minutes and certainly no longer than 30.
“You don’t want to do is fall into deeper sleep, because then recovery from that can leave you groggy,” he says.
Is there an optimum time of day to nap?
Napping too late in the day is warned against.
An early-afternoon nap of around 20 minutes can improve your cognition during the second half of the day.
If you have a nap later on, you can push back your sleep pressure, which means the longer you’ve been awake the greater need for sleep, at night.
As long as you’re getting the sleep that you need to function optimally, that’s the main thing.
Sleep tourism in hotel. Exhausted woman sleeps sweetly in bed in the morning – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
LOREM IPSUM
How much sleep does a person need?
Sleep is like a shoe: one size doesn’t fit all.
Oversleeping on days-off or sustaining your waking day with caffeine and other stimulants are signs of tiredness.
Not everybody needs eight hours of sleep; it’s variable, dynamic and individual. And will vary over a lifetime depending on the season.
Other things to know
It doesn’t matter where you physically nap as long as it feels right and you’re comfortable.
You can create the right environment by making it dark, calm or using a smell like lavender.
‘I encourage anyone that is sleepy to take a good nap, guilt free,’ writes Zuva Seven (Photo: Klaus Vedfelt/Getty)The drug is taken by one in five Americans under 14, but it is only available on prescription in the UK (Photo: ozgurcankaya/Getty)
Generally speaking, napping is probably a metric that you’re not getting the sleep you need at night, says Professor Foster. “But don’t beat yourself up over it. A short nap, if it improves the second half of the day, is fine”.
How would Andy Burnham become prime minister?
Andy Burnham is one of the frontrunners to replace Sir Keir Starmer if he resigns as Prime Minister. The Manchester Mayor has previously indicated he would be willing to overthrow the current Labour leader.
Caption: File photo dated 13/4/26 of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Labour Party MP and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham meet pupils during a visit to a school breakfast club at Holy Trinity C of E Primary School in Ashton, Greater Manchester. Andy Burnham “should never have been blocked” from seeking a seat in the Commons, Angela Rayner has said today. Issue date: Monday May 11, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Paul Ellis/PA Wire Photographer: Paul Ellis Provider: Paul Ellis/PA Wire Source: PA Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham cannot run for the leadership unless he wins a seat in Parliament (Photo: Ryan Jenkinson/Getty)
First step – find a vacant seat
Caption: File photo dated 13/4/26 of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Labour Party MP and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham meet pupils during a visit to a school breakfast club at Holy Trinity C of E Primary School in Ashton, Greater Manchester. Andy Burnham “should never have been blocked” from seeking a seat in the Commons, Angela Rayner has said today. Issue date: Monday May 11, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Paul Ellis/PA Wire Photographer: Paul Ellis Provider: Paul Ellis/PA Wire Source: PA
A vacant parliamentary seat would need to be available and finding one may not be easy.
There are two by-elections coming up in Scotland, but Burnham is unlikely to stand in these.
Caption: Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham arrives for a meeting in 10 Downing Street, London, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) Photographer: Alastair Grant Provider: AP Source: AP Copyright: Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
Caption: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – OCTOBER 31: Labour Party MP Clive Lewis addresses hundreds of activists and campaigners in London’s Parliament Square during ‘Extinction Rebellion’ protest against the inaction of the British government in the face of climate change and ecological collapse. Protesters declared a non-violent rebellion and demanded urgent action on the ecological crisis to avoid the possibility of human extinction in the near future. October 31, 2018 in London, England. (Photo credit should read Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images) Photographer: Wiktor Szymanowicz Provider: Future Publishing via Getty Imag Source: Future Publishing Copyright: ? 2018 Wiktor Szymanowicz
MPs have indicated in the past they would step aside for Burnham, including Clive Lewis, but these suggestions have since been quashed.
Step two – Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee
If a seat were to become vacant, Burnham would need to win over the National Executive Committee (NEC), who is responsible for choosing Labour’s candidates. In January, the NEC blocked Burnham from running in Gorton and Denton. A 10-strong group, including the PM, voted to deny Burnham permission.
Caption: FILE – Britain’s Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer poses for a photo outside Parliament Buildings, following a meeting with party leaders, during his tour of the UK following Labour’s victory in the 2024 general election, in Stormont, Belfast, Monday July 8, 2024. (Liam McBurney/Pool Photo via AP, File) Photographer: Liam McBurney Provider: AP Source: Pool PA
Exclusive
3 min read
Step three – a leadership ballot
If Burnham were to be elected to Parliament, only then could he make a Labour leadership bid. According to the Labour Party rule book, candidates seeking to enter the ballot must be an MP.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham speaking at a Resolution Foundation event on working-age families, at the Methodist Central Hall in central London (Photo: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)Caption: Angela Rayner And Andy Burnham At The Daily Mirror Party At The Labour Party Conference In Brighton, 2021 28-September-2021 (Photo by Jeremy Selwyn/Evening Standard via Getty Images) Photographer: Jeremy Selwyn Provider: Evening Standard via Getty Image Source: Evening Standard
This is because the Labour leader is the Prime Minister, therefore they would need to be a Member of Parliament. The current rules state a candidate must receive nominations from 20 per cent of their Labour colleagues in Parliament to be in the running.
A summary of necessary steps
What is standing in Burnham’s way?
Vacant seat
NEC permission
Win election, become an MP
Meet nominations threshold
Win leadership competition, become Labour leader and prime minister
Why do the British insist on exporting their culture when they travel? (Photo: Ceri Breeze/Getty)
FOOD AND DRINK
Greggs to open international shop at Tenerife South airport
The British chain will bring its beloved range of baked goods to the Canary Islands.
Greggs last operated shops abroad in Belgium in 2008, but said Tenerife was “the ideal location to test spreading our wings in an overseas setting”.
What you need to know
Greggs will open a branch in Tenerife South airport later this month.
The usual range of sausage rolls, pasties and sweet treats will be on offer.
A ‘Spanish omelette roll’ will also be on the menu.
Around half of Tenerife’s 13 million visitors go to and from the UK each year.
OPINION
2 min read
What Greggs is saying
It’s an exciting milestone for Greggs as we bring a slice of home to the Canaries, and we’re confident our great-value offering will resonate just as well under the Spanish sun as it does on the UK high street.
Greggs chief executive Roisin Currie
Caption: Greggs sausage rolls, UK. (Photo by: Alex Segre/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Photographer: UCG Provider: UCG/Universal Images Group via G Source: Universal Images Group Editorial Copyright: Alex Segre
GO DEEPER ON THIS TOPIC
Greggs has made me ashamed to be British
Caption: Bay of turquoise coloured water in Los Cristianos, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Photographer: BriBar Provider: Getty Images Source: E+ Copyright: BW PHOTOGRAPHY
Emily Watkins
Freelance writer
Spain – a land of excellent food, rich cultural identity and a beautiful language. Of course, if you’re a British tourist there, odds are you won’t have noticed.
Why do the British insist on exporting their culture when they travel?
Read more here.
Why driving test booking is set to change for learners
Changes begin on 12 May to reduce wait times and prevent bots and touts from exploiting the system.
(Photo: Steve Parsons/PA).
Driving test reforms
What you need to know
Under new laws, it’ll be illegal for driving instructors or anyone else to book tests for pupils.
They will not be able to change, swap or cancel a test for someone else either.
Learners will still need a reference from their instructor.
Only two changes to a booked slot are allowed; previously, it was up to six.
From 9 June, tests can only be moved to three locations nearest to where the original test was booked.
Why are there changes?
A backlog of driving tests built up as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Instructors were being offered kickbacks of up to £250 to sell their login credentials to touts.
Slots were being bought up in bulk and offered via social media for up to £500.
The standard cost is £62 on weekdays and £75 on evenings and weekends.
Caption: File photo dated 13/10/10 of a learner driver L plate. Driving test candidates should be asked if they would like their examiner to be “chatty” or “formal” to boost female pass rates, a report commissioned by a Government agency has suggested. Transport research group TRL, which proposed the measure, said it would avoid examiners creating “potential anxiety”. AA Driving School told the PA news agency that learners do not want to be examined by “a sergeant major nor a comedian”. Issue date: Sunday August 10, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: David Jones/PA Wire Photographer: David Jones Provider: David Jones/PA Wire Source: PA
OPINION
2 min read
What is causing damp? And how to fix it
In addition to being generally unpleasant, living in a damp property can lead to structural and health issues if left unaddressed for long periods of time.
Read on to find out the industry expert advice on how to cut the risk of damp forming in your home…
Start with your windows
Don’t keep them closed.
Take time to rest (Photo: Counter/Getty/Digital Vision/Nicolas Hudak)
Regularly opening windows – even on cold days – can improve the ventilation inside and decrease the humidity of the room.
Also wipe away the condensation that has formed overnight with a microfiber cloth to remove the dampness.
Big Read
8 min read
How to reduce the risk of damp
Woman loading washing machine in the kitchen – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Dry clothes in the bathroom
Avoid drying clothes in bedrooms or living rooms without airflow.
Avoid curtains over radiators
It can trap heat behind the fabric, reduce room warmth and cause condensation on windows.
Central heating problem at home. Woman checking heating radiator in cold apartment – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Furniture assembly in new apartment – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Nudge your furniture
Large furniture items placed tightly against cold walls can trap condensation, leading to mould over time.
Caption: Berlin, Germany – January 20: Condensation has been reflected on a cold winter morning on an old double box window on January 20, 2019 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images) Photographer: Thomas Trutschel Provider: Photothek via Getty Images Source: Photothek
It could be the age of your home
Close to 90 per cent of UK homes with solid external walls lack insulation, making them vulnerable.
The airtight design of some new builds helps with energy efficiency but can trap moisture if ventilation isn’t properly managed, says Chad Bragg, chief technical officer at insulation company SuperFOIL.
How to reduce the risk of damp
Clear clothes out
Clothing that is packed too tightly in a wardrobe traps humidity, especially if it is slightly damp.
(Photo: Getty).
Caption: File photo dated 19/09/13 of a general view of a central heating thermostat. Households are set to learn their energy bills will fall by around 7% from April in a shake-up of costs after the Government promised they will receive an average ?150 cut. Latest predictions suggest Ofgem will reduce the energy price cap by ?117 to ?1,641 a year for a typical dual fuel household from April 1 when it makes its announcement on Wednesday. Issue date: Sunday February 22, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire Photographer: Steve Parsons Provider: Steve Parsons/PA Wire Source: PA
Heat strategically
If the heating in your home is reduced in temperature by just two degrees, humidity levels will increase by 10 per cent.
Keep lids on pans
While cooking it avoids releasing moisture into the air. A good cooker hood is most effective.
Protein doesn’t have to mean steak (Photo: 10’000 Hours/Getty Images/Digital Vision)
Planning for an extension?
Pay attention to insulation
(Photo: Pramote Polyamate/Getty).
Poor insulation creates ‘thermal bridges,’ or cold spots, where the new structure joins the old house. These cold junctions act as magnets for condensation, causing localised mould, heat loss, and discomfort.
LIFESTYLE
4 min read
How to fake your way to being organised
Do you have your life together? Is your home tidy and clutter-free; your diary neatly colour-coded; your to-do list full of satisfying ticks?
If these questions feel like a personal attack don’t worry. We asked the put-together experts for their secrets.
Get to know your brain
The real magic is rarely in the system but in how your brain likes to work.
If you love analytical tasks, try making spreadsheets.
Set reminders for the things you usually forget.
Use the Notes app for the ideas you think of in the shower but never remember when you get to do it.
But if you are more likely to structure your day around how you’re feeling, a calendar isn’t the best option.
How to fake your way to organisation
Cropped image of senior woman putting car key in ignition lock – stock photo. (Photo: Kentaroo Tryman/ Getty)
Make it easier
If you hate folding, change your storage style. If you’re always forgetting your keys, put a sign by your door.
Make a launch pad
Keep a small tray or basket in the hallway for your can’t-leave-home-without essentials.
Two young children wearing school uniforms exit their front door – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Mid adult businesswoman using phone and laptop for work from home. – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Use technology
After meetings use an AI tool to note down what you have to remember as a brain dump.
Create new habits
The one-touch rule
If you put your shoes straight on the rack as you take them off, instead of kicking them onto the floor and moving them later, that’s one touch. If you hang things up rather than tossing them onto the ‘bedroom chair’ it’s another one-touch win.
A woman with one foot is searching for an amputee to share shoes with – so her two bin bags full of unwanted right foot size six shoes don’t go to waste. (Photo: Emma Henson/ SWNS)Full length of mid adult man doing chores in kitchen at home – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Talk to yourself out loud
This verbal anchor helps you remember what you have decided to do and cuts down on mental drift.
The 300-second challenge
Caption: Millennial black lady vacuuming floor while her husband watching TV, not helping her with household duties, cropped view. Unrecognizable young couple having problem with domestic chores Photographer: Prostock-Studio Provider: Getty Images/iStockphoto Source: iStockphoto
Give yourself five minutes to deal with one overdue chore or task.
Using seconds rather than minutes creates urgency and gives your brain a novelty hit.
Try it when putting the laundry away, making a phone call or reading an overdue email.
LIFESTYLE
9 min read
Make it easier for yourself
Use completion cues
Drop a marble in a jar or move a sticky note across a board each time you complete a task.
To do list – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
It is the perfect time to enjoy an afternoon nap in your own home (Photo: Malte Mueller/Getty/fStop)
Support your future
Write down where you left off and the next small task to tackle to strengthen your control over every day demands.
Ask for help
Consider seeking support from loved ones, neighbours, colleagues, community groups or professionals.
‘Everyone who comes to see me assumes I am hard-up, so they either bring me gifts and treats, or if we go out together, they always insist on paying’ (Photo: Getty)
Eight tips for combating loneliness
Ree Young, works for Mind mental health charity as a ‘befriender’ – this means working with people aged 50 and over in the city of Leeds – who may be struggling with social isolation or loneliness.
Young advises these people on how to get social, even when you don’t want to. Here are her tips.
How to combat loneliness
Social isolation affects us all
27%
of adults reported they felt lonely always, often or some of the time in data published by the Office for National Statistics in 2024.
7%
reported that they felt lonely always or often.
How to combat loneliness
Running might not seem like the most appealing hobby, but if you give it a try, you might be surprised (Photo: EMS-FORSTER-PRODUCTIONS/Getty/Digital Vision/ems-forster-productions)
Stay socially active
Check out what’s going on at your local community centre or learn something new to make connections.
Use technology
Look up old friends online, or use video-call features to connect with those who don’t live nearby.
FaceTiming on an iPad or iPhone is a simple method of video calling (Photo: Getty)
Woman learning to knit with friends in cafe – stock photo. (Photo: Compassionate Eye Foundation/David Oxberry/ Getty)
Get creative
Why not learn how to crochet, write short stories, plant a herb garden or play the ukulele in a group?
Adopt a pet
They can provide companionship, a listening ear and a structured routine. They can be good listeners and stroking them can make us feel calmer and more at ease. Even the smallest pets, like fish, can bring us joy and a sense of purpose.
REE YOUNG, BEFRIENDER
(Photo: fotostorm/Getty Images/E+)
How to tackle loneliness
Join a death cafe
They are safe and inclusive spaces for people to be curious about death in a supportive environment.
Portrait of senior male cafe owner at front counter – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Hay fever can be incredibly disruptive (Photo: Science Photo Library/Getty)
Try citizen science
It’s a great way to feel part of a community, while also contributing to worthwhile initiatives.
Explore your faith
Try attending services if spiritual practices are important to you. They can offer strong support networks and open doors to new people.
Caption: Richard Loynes, with the leaning church of Dry Doddington, Nottinghamshire, also known as St James Church. April 14, 2026. // England’s wonkiest church which has a spire which leans more than the Leaning Tower of Pisa is in vital need of ??100,000 repairs to save its future – but have refused to correct the angle of its famous tower. The spire of St James’ Church in the countryside village of Dry Doddington, Lincs., tilts at 5.1 degrees compared to the 3.99 degrees of its Italian counterpart over 1,000 miles away. Villagers consider the Grade II-listed building “Britain’s answer to The Leaning Tower of Pisa” but there are now concerns for its future as it is need of essential repairs. Tourists often travel to snap photos next to the historic tilting place of worship, which has now launched a fundraiser to raise another ??100,000 11 years after it underwent ??100,000 of renovation work to save its tower. The 12th century church was built originally as a ???Chapel of Ease??? for older residents to attend church rather than walking to a neighbouring village. The tower, dating from the 14th century, is believed to have first shifted in the late 19th century and was underpinned in 1918 to prevent it from tilting any further. Church warden Richard Loynes said: “The church is very much part of the village and we’re proud of its uniqueness.??? Photo released 15/04/2026 Photographer: Tom Maddick / SWNS Provider: Tom Maddick / SWNS Source: Tom Maddick / SWNS
Seek professional help
If you are unsure what support is available, speak to your GP. Research local charities and find out what services they have to offer, and try accessing local befriending, group or peer-support services.
There is nothing shameful about asking for help.
The Government must prioritise targeted investment in mental health services, preventative programmes to stop people’s health worsening – including public health funding across the North, a report said. (Photo: Alamy/PA) Female psychiatrist discussing with mid adult woman during therapy session – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
The six reasons your partner might cheat
Cheating is still the number one cause of divorce, and one in five Brits admit to doing it.
But what are the main drivers of infidelity?
‘If she feels unappreciated by me, sex is off the agenda,’ says the reader (Photo: Getty)
Why your partner might cheat
They want a way out
Sex and relationship therapist Cate Campbell says exit affairs are one of the three “big reasons” she sees.
Fear of commitment
This often happens when a person doesn’t feel good about themselves, or have a fear of being found out.
‘Fathers, it seems, are still expected to put work first and family second’ (Photo: Getty Images)
Senior husband and wife having relationship difficulties – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
A mid-life crisis
Transitions like moving house, new jobs or becoming parents makes cheating more common.
Why your partner might cheat
They’re getting too close to a colleague
This dynamic is usually an unhappy man who confides in a woman in a work context, and it switches from a supportive friendship into an affair.
Side view of affectionate happy couple sitting in the cozy cafe. – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)‘Although problems with sex are very common, very few people come for help,’ says one GP (Photo: Getty)
They want something new in bed
Desires change – consiously or not and people may believe they want something different, or to experiment.
Elderly woman sitting alone in her living room – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
WHY YOUR PARTNER MAY CHEAT
They feel lonely
Nobody stays the same in a relationship – and if we’re not communicating that to each other, it can be disconnecting.
Susie Masterson, a relationship therapist, says when people feel undervalued, or stretched too thin in day-to-day life, they can look at their relationship and realise it isn’t filling the gaps.
How to recover from an affair
Infidelity doesn’t have to be the end of a relationship
Psychotherapist Esther Perel says in her book The State of Affairs that affairs can actually save a relationship, by forcing us to address deep-rooted issues and come back stronger.
Campbell says couples should be having conversations about infidelity and what it means to them.
“Often it’s not the affair that ends the relationship, but the fallout – and the way it’s managed. Which is why it’s useful to get some therapy if you can,” she adds.
One challenge for the White House is its diminishing economic leverage. For the past year, Trump’s administration has pushed its sweeping tariff measures, including global duties and triple-digit levies on Chinese goods. These were seen as the ultimate tool to force Beijing’s co-operation. Yet this strategy is unravelling at home.
A string of US court rulings, culminating on 7 May, has dismantled the legal architecture of Trump’s approach, striking down his unprecedented use of Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The US delegation arrives in Beijing with its primary economic weapon heavily restricted.
China, by contrast, has demonstrated its willingness to deploy its own economic arsenal, notably its near-monopoly on critical minerals. In response to US technology restrictions, Beijing has already squeezed the export of rare earth elements and permanent magnets.
This raises a critical question for Washington: who is hurting more? While China has undoubtedly felt the sting of restrictions placed on US semiconductor exports, America’s defence industry and technology sector are feeling the squeeze of China’s mineral chokehold. Those materials are critical to modern munitions and advanced manufacturing.
The make-up of Trump’s delegation illustrates the possible limits of this summit.
The South China Morning Post reports that this image, circulated on social media, is of the US presidential limousine – The Beast – driving down a Beijing highway ahead of Trump’s arrival (Photo: Handout)
While the presence of executives like Musk, Cook and Ortberg suggests a desire to strike headline-grabbing deals – potentially large commercial aircraft orders or agricultural purchases to appease Trump’s rural voter base – the absences are equally telling.
Crucially, Jensen Huang, the Taiwanese-American chief executive of chipmaker Nvidia, is not part of the trip. As the head of the world’s most valuable company, and the lynchpin of the global chip and AI race, Huang was a key part of Trump’s recent entourages to the Middle East and the UK. His absence in Beijing highlights the reality of the ongoing US-China technology war.
Supply chains and the Taiwanese semiconductor industry sit at the heart of this contest.
However, perhaps the most visible challenge constraining Trump is the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. The war has dragged on far longer than the Trump White House anticipated, generating a global energy shock that has sent domestic US fuel prices soaring and has seen the President’s approval rating drop markedly.
With US naval forces tied down in Iran, Washington’s diplomatic and military bandwidth in the Indo-Pacific, where China is increasingly pushing its influence, is more and more stretched. The Iran crisis has also allowed Xi to project a calm and methodical leadership style that contrasts sharply with Trump’s own.
While US forces manage a Middle Eastern blockade, Beijing has exploited its non-aligned stance. China recently hosted Iran’s foreign minister, backed a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire, signed a new trade deal with Nato member Spain and secured 24 investment and trade agreements with the UAE.
The contrast in demeanour and strategy between Xi and Trump affects US structural power, which China has done its best to weaken. While the West cannot claim to be unaware of China’s domestic censorship and repression, Trump’s mercurial and transactional foreign policy style makes it easier for China’s leadership to make them look the other way.
Chinese honour guards wait on the tarmac as Sir Keir Starmer’s plane lands in Beijing on 28 January this year (Photo: Carl Court/AFP)
Trump’s controversial moves since returning to office, including snatching the president of Venezuela in a military raid, threatening to annex Greenland from Denmark and persistent trade frictions with traditional allies like Canada and Europe, have often caught the US’s international partners off guard. Xi has capitalised on this by hosting multiple European leaders seeking economic stability, while dispatching his commerce minister to solidify trade ties with India, further insulating China’s supply chains from future US disruptions.
Nowhere is the danger of diminished US leverage more acute than across the Taiwan Strait. And sensing American distraction, Beijing is pressing its advantage.
During a recent meeting with Cheng Li-wun, Taiwan’s opposition leader, Xi explicitly weaponised the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, pointing to the fragility of distant maritime lifelines to imply that US security guarantees are an illusion.
Trump has, in the past, voiced ambivalence about defending Taiwan. The greatest risk of this summit in Beijing is that the US President, eager for a political win to reverse sagging poll numbers, might agree to alter Washington’s long-standing diplomatic language on Taiwan in exchange for superficial economic deals.
This week’s summit is about playing the long game, which isn’t Trump’s strength. Trump desires quick victories, ones that can be used to boost his domestic position, while Xi will look to secure control over the supply chains, minerals and diplomatic relationships that will define the mid-21st century.
If the White House trades long-term economic statecraft for short-term political gains, it will validate the exact narrative that China is attempting to project around the world: that US leverage is quietly but steadily waning, as its own grows.
James Rogers is a co-founder and director of research at the Council on Geostrategy
As Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership appears to enter its final days, some Labour MPs are quietly beginning to look beyond the Prime Minister’s now inevitable demise and ask another question: who will become the next Chancellor?
It is a question that needs consideration, because the consequences are enormous. In so many ways, prime ministers live and die by the track record of their chancellors. Is the economy growing? Do people feel better off? Have taxes gone up or down? Are public services working?
Starmer’s crisis-ridden 22 months in office have proved no different. While the buck always stops with the Prime Minister, so much of the damage to his popularity and authority has been done by the decisions taken by his Chancellor. Labour’s woefully inept return to power has been defined by the failures of Rachel Reeves, who must surely go down as one of the worst chancellors in recent history.
Reeves said her number one priority was economic growth, but she has delivered none of it. She is said to harbour hopes of continuing as Chancellor even if Starmer is forced to go. That is delusional, pipe dream stuff – a sign of just how out of touch with reality she appears to be. Whoever succeeds Starmer will need to make a clear break from the failures of the past two years, including jettisoning a wildly unpopular Chancellor who has her fingerprints on so many of the Starmer Government’s biggest mistakes.
The next prime minister will therefore need to make an early decision that is likely to define their premiership: who should become chancellor. This, of course, depends on who succeeds Starmer. If Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham or another candidate from Labour’s so-called soft left wins the race, Ed Miliband is very likely to get the job. The former leader has emerged as the unofficial leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party’s biggest ideological grouping and, along with former transport secretary Louise Haigh, is leading the push to try to install Burnham as prime minister. Miliband is rumoured to have long had his eye on the Treasury job. If Burnham or any other soft-left candidate becomes leader, he would surely get his way.
If Health Secretary Wes Streeting or another more centre-ground candidate enters No 10, though, the contest to become chancellor will be much more interesting. Streeting’s allies say his instinct would be to appoint somebody who shares his political values – someone like Business Secretary Peter Kyle. Kyle and Streeting entered Parliament at the same time and shared a Westminster office for almost a decade. They are politically aligned but are also close friends away from politics. A different option from Labour’s right-leaning flank would be current Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. Yet Streeting may decide she is best left in place to continue with her controversial immigration reforms.
Plus, Streeting will come under enormous pressure to look beyond his natural allies. His views are to the right of most Labour MPs and the vast majority of the party base. If he were to find a way to become prime minister nonetheless, there would be enormous pressure to unite the party and appoint a chancellor from the rival camp: from Labour’s soft left.
Miliband would again be the obvious choice, though Streeting’s strained personal relationship with the Energy Secretary might rule that out. Experienced Defence Secretary John Healey could also be an option. But there is a more tantalising prospect: Streeting could bring his biggest rival into the tent and unite the party by finding a way to help Burnham return to Westminster and appointing the Greater Manchester mayor as chancellor.
While Burnham’s past comments about Britain being “in hock” to the bond markets would likely send jitters through the City of London, such a move would be hugely popular with Labour MPs and members. And there is another advantage. Whoever succeeds Reeves will need to deliver change on a scale and at a pace that far outweighs what Labour has done so far. As mayor, Burnham has shown exactly the sort of reforming zeal that the next chancellor will need.
None of this will be easy, not least because Labour’s manifesto committed the party to following a set of strict fiscal rules that make it very difficult for the chancellor to borrow more money. The next prime minister and chancellor will have to make a huge decision: with taxes already at cripplingly high levels and the economy stagnant, should they rip up that promise or bind themselves with the same constraints that stymied Reeves and Starmer?
Labour MPs will be lobbying Reeves’ successor to ditch the rules and to start splashing the cash in an attempt to deliver meaningful change in time for the next election. A change in leadership would provide an opportunity to do so: a new leader would not be quite as bound to the 2024 manifesto as Starmer and Reeves.
Yet any attempt to ditch the borrowing rules would likely send the cost of government borrowing rocketing. Investors will not look favourably on any lurch leftwards by Labour, let alone a new chancellor deciding to throw off the fiscal shackles and kickstart a borrowing splurge. The next chancellor will have to decide whether that is a price worth paying, if, in the short term at least, it frees up more money to spend on defence, the NHS and cutting taxes.
As the possible successors to Starmer weigh up all of this, they should learn a crucial lesson from his mistakes. Starmer appointed Reeves because they were close personally and politically. That was an error. While Reeves’s political mundanity helped convince investors that Labour would not rock the economic boat, it quickly became obvious in government that she shared too many of Starmer’s flaws: a crippling caution, a dearth vision and ambition, a lack of political foresight and judgement.
Prime ministers and chancellors work best when they bring different skills to the table: Tony Blair and Gordon Brown had very different personalities, as did David Cameron and George Osborne and Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak. Starmer appointed a Chancellor in his image, ensuring that the two most important people in his Government had the same, limited skillset.
In no small part because of this, Starmer will soon be out of office. So too will Reeves. Westminster will descend into a frenzy over who our next prime minister will be. But amid the fevered speculation, keep an eye on who is making the case to become the next chancellor. That contest, too, will be crucial – not just for the future of the Labour Party, but for us all.
Russell Amerasekera, a life coach and stylist, is “reluctantly” selling his 1950s Dutch barge, currently moored at Imperial Wharf in London after years of living on the Thames.
“It’s been a big decision to put it on the market, and I did look at the possibility of bringing it to LA in a ship container as there’s where I mostly work now,” he says. “My clients are in finance, fashion and entertainment. [But] it didn’t make sense for me to keep the boat anymore.”
Russell bought the two-bedroom, two-bathroom barge for just shy of £1million in 2017 and is selling it, via The London Broker/LeadingRE, for £950,000 – hoping, at best, to break about even.
“I think that pretty much anyone who buys a boat, if they are honest, will never think of it as an asset that will appreciate in value. I absolutely bought it as a lifestyle choice, but it gives me so much joy and pleasure, it’s completely worth it.”
He bought the boat in cash. “I spent a bit of time seeing if financing was an option but, those that are available, are expensive,” he says.
Russell Amerasekera has lived on the houseboat for nearly a decade (Photo: ALEX WINSHIP PHOTOGRAPHY)
The stylist was previously living in Hampstead and came across the barge, which he named ‘Wanderland’, after searching on Google for an artist studio in London.
“I had no idea how to live on a boat – I’m a very impractical person and I went into it incredibly naïve,” he says. “[But] within five minutes of walking on board, I knew I had to buy it. The boat itself is extraordinary; there are constant light plays, shadows of light and tones, which are extraordinary.”
Originally named ‘Fluxland’, Russell bought the barge from artist Cyril de Commargue, who created it as piece of artwork, along with using it as an exhibition space. He reconstructed the interior so that the height is three times the normal height of a boat, making it extremely light and airy compared to traditional Dutch barges.
“It’s built of glass and fibreglass and supported by steel panels. It’s a really unusual design and looks like a spaceship on the water,” says Russell. “It was a blank canvas which is what I wanted.”
He estimates he spent between £150,000 and £170,000 refurbishing the interiors. “Because it was built as a gallery, I had to build things like the bedrooms,” he says.
The barge which was originally created as an art project has not sailed far (Photo: ALEX WINSHIP PHOTOGRAPHY)
“I refurbished the interior of the boat as an Alice In Wonderland whimsical environment so there are drop chandeliers, art everywhere and a swing. I put a lot of work into it.” Other features include a silver roll-top bath, a meditation deck and the cargo room where one of the bedrooms is.
In terms of running costs, the mooring fees are approximately £20,000 a year; the heating is run on diesel, which fluctuates in price, but on average is about £3,000 to £4,000 annually; the electricity is £2,500 to £3,000 a year and water comes with the mooring.
“There are no economic advantages to living on a boat; it’s very consistent with the running of a house,” admits Russell. He also says that, unlike a house where you can put off jobs, you need to address problems early on with a boat.
“When things go wrong you have to fix them. If there is a leak, you can’t leave it to be fixed in the summer.”
While it hasn’t proven a very fruitful investment, Russell has absolutely no regrets. “Living on the water has arguably been the experience of my life,” he says.
Russell Amerasekera said the cost of running a houseboat is very expensive (Photo: ALEX WINSHIP PHOTOGRAPHY)
“[It] gives you a strong spiritual existence: you’re surrounded by nature and integrated into your environment. You’re right in the middle of the city but there is a sense of peace that you get in the country.”
Aside from its previous owner sailing the boat from the Netherlands to London, as part of an art installation, the houseboat has only travelled short distances.
“It’s so beautiful when it sails and attracts quite a bit of attention. I docked it at St Katharine’s Docks, and it bought it to a standstill,” says Russell.
“The artist built it so that the outside ‘reflected off’ the London landscape, while the inside is designed to be more reflective and peaceful. You feel very connected to nature here.”
One of the things Russell says he will miss about living on his houseboat is the sense of community.
“There are 18 boats at Imperial Wharf and it’s unusual as it’s set right in the middle of the river and behind private gates,” he says. “There’s a strong sense of community and everyone looks out for each other and helps each other.”
Although his barge has a very good heating system so never feels cold, Russell says boat living isn’t necessarily for everyone: “It takes a bit of getting used to as you are in the middle of a river and there are weather conditions.
“You need to be comfortable being out on the river when it’s stormy and in the middle of winter.”
That said, he believes the boat would make a great, little pied à terre. “When you live in an environment where there is an adventure every day, it’s revitalising and very nurturing. It’s a joyful way of living and would suit someone, like me, with a strong visual orientation.”
After Vladimir Putin’s rather underwhelming Victory Day parade over the weekend, the Russian President met with veterans of the Second World War – and told them that the war with Ukraine might be over soon.
Putin was talking about a Russian victory and gave no hint of a compromise, but the comment could reflect the influence of some in his circle who are trying to nudge Putin towards an end to the conflict.
The war is largely stalemated, though Russian forces are still grinding ever so slowly towards Ukraine’s fortress cities like Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, the final portion of the contested Donbas region still in Kyiv’s hands. At home, however, the costs – economic and political – are mounting for Putin.
Shorts – Quick stories
Is napping an invaluable part of the day or an unproductive hour?
To find out how to feel better, brighter and bushy-tailed, we asked Russell Foster, a professor of neuroscience at the University of Oxford, everything you need to know about napping.
Naps before 1pm can lead to better cognitive performance in the following hours (Photo: Lord Henri Voton/Getty Images)
Caption: A mother and new born baby taking a nap together on the sofa in a quiet but tender moment. Photographer: Jamie Garbutt Provider: Getty Images Source: Stone RF Copyright: Jamie Garbutt
LABEL – CATEGORY
How long should we nap for?
For Professor Foster, the ideal length of a time for a nap is just 20 minutes and certainly no longer than 30.
“You don’t want to do is fall into deeper sleep, because then recovery from that can leave you groggy,” he says.
Is there an optimum time of day to nap?
Napping too late in the day is warned against.
An early-afternoon nap of around 20 minutes can improve your cognition during the second half of the day.
If you have a nap later on, you can push back your sleep pressure, which means the longer you’ve been awake the greater need for sleep, at night.
As long as you’re getting the sleep that you need to function optimally, that’s the main thing.
Sleep tourism in hotel. Exhausted woman sleeps sweetly in bed in the morning – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
LOREM IPSUM
How much sleep does a person need?
Sleep is like a shoe: one size doesn’t fit all.
Oversleeping on days-off or sustaining your waking day with caffeine and other stimulants are signs of tiredness.
Not everybody needs eight hours of sleep; it’s variable, dynamic and individual. And will vary over a lifetime depending on the season.
Other things to know
It doesn’t matter where you physically nap as long as it feels right and you’re comfortable.
You can create the right environment by making it dark, calm or using a smell like lavender.
‘I encourage anyone that is sleepy to take a good nap, guilt free,’ writes Zuva Seven (Photo: Klaus Vedfelt/Getty)The drug is taken by one in five Americans under 14, but it is only available on prescription in the UK (Photo: ozgurcankaya/Getty)
Generally speaking, napping is probably a metric that you’re not getting the sleep you need at night, says Professor Foster. “But don’t beat yourself up over it. A short nap, if it improves the second half of the day, is fine”.
How would Andy Burnham become prime minister?
Andy Burnham is one of the frontrunners to replace Sir Keir Starmer if he resigns as Prime Minister. The Manchester Mayor has previously indicated he would be willing to overthrow the current Labour leader.
Caption: File photo dated 13/4/26 of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Labour Party MP and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham meet pupils during a visit to a school breakfast club at Holy Trinity C of E Primary School in Ashton, Greater Manchester. Andy Burnham “should never have been blocked” from seeking a seat in the Commons, Angela Rayner has said today. Issue date: Monday May 11, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Paul Ellis/PA Wire Photographer: Paul Ellis Provider: Paul Ellis/PA Wire Source: PA Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham cannot run for the leadership unless he wins a seat in Parliament (Photo: Ryan Jenkinson/Getty)
First step – find a vacant seat
Caption: File photo dated 13/4/26 of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Labour Party MP and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham meet pupils during a visit to a school breakfast club at Holy Trinity C of E Primary School in Ashton, Greater Manchester. Andy Burnham “should never have been blocked” from seeking a seat in the Commons, Angela Rayner has said today. Issue date: Monday May 11, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Paul Ellis/PA Wire Photographer: Paul Ellis Provider: Paul Ellis/PA Wire Source: PA
A vacant parliamentary seat would need to be available and finding one may not be easy.
There are two by-elections coming up in Scotland, but Burnham is unlikely to stand in these.
Caption: Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham arrives for a meeting in 10 Downing Street, London, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) Photographer: Alastair Grant Provider: AP Source: AP Copyright: Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
Caption: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – OCTOBER 31: Labour Party MP Clive Lewis addresses hundreds of activists and campaigners in London’s Parliament Square during ‘Extinction Rebellion’ protest against the inaction of the British government in the face of climate change and ecological collapse. Protesters declared a non-violent rebellion and demanded urgent action on the ecological crisis to avoid the possibility of human extinction in the near future. October 31, 2018 in London, England. (Photo credit should read Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images) Photographer: Wiktor Szymanowicz Provider: Future Publishing via Getty Imag Source: Future Publishing Copyright: ? 2018 Wiktor Szymanowicz
MPs have indicated in the past they would step aside for Burnham, including Clive Lewis, but these suggestions have since been quashed.
Step two – Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee
If a seat were to become vacant, Burnham would need to win over the National Executive Committee (NEC), who is responsible for choosing Labour’s candidates. In January, the NEC blocked Burnham from running in Gorton and Denton. A 10-strong group, including the PM, voted to deny Burnham permission.
Caption: FILE – Britain’s Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer poses for a photo outside Parliament Buildings, following a meeting with party leaders, during his tour of the UK following Labour’s victory in the 2024 general election, in Stormont, Belfast, Monday July 8, 2024. (Liam McBurney/Pool Photo via AP, File) Photographer: Liam McBurney Provider: AP Source: Pool PA
Exclusive
3 min read
Step three – a leadership ballot
If Burnham were to be elected to Parliament, only then could he make a Labour leadership bid. According to the Labour Party rule book, candidates seeking to enter the ballot must be an MP.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham speaking at a Resolution Foundation event on working-age families, at the Methodist Central Hall in central London (Photo: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)Caption: Angela Rayner And Andy Burnham At The Daily Mirror Party At The Labour Party Conference In Brighton, 2021 28-September-2021 (Photo by Jeremy Selwyn/Evening Standard via Getty Images) Photographer: Jeremy Selwyn Provider: Evening Standard via Getty Image Source: Evening Standard
This is because the Labour leader is the Prime Minister, therefore they would need to be a Member of Parliament. The current rules state a candidate must receive nominations from 20 per cent of their Labour colleagues in Parliament to be in the running.
A summary of necessary steps
What is standing in Burnham’s way?
Vacant seat
NEC permission
Win election, become an MP
Meet nominations threshold
Win leadership competition, become Labour leader and prime minister
Why do the British insist on exporting their culture when they travel? (Photo: Ceri Breeze/Getty)
FOOD AND DRINK
Greggs to open international shop at Tenerife South airport
The British chain will bring its beloved range of baked goods to the Canary Islands.
Greggs last operated shops abroad in Belgium in 2008, but said Tenerife was “the ideal location to test spreading our wings in an overseas setting”.
What you need to know
Greggs will open a branch in Tenerife South airport later this month.
The usual range of sausage rolls, pasties and sweet treats will be on offer.
A ‘Spanish omelette roll’ will also be on the menu.
Around half of Tenerife’s 13 million visitors go to and from the UK each year.
OPINION
2 min read
What Greggs is saying
It’s an exciting milestone for Greggs as we bring a slice of home to the Canaries, and we’re confident our great-value offering will resonate just as well under the Spanish sun as it does on the UK high street.
Greggs chief executive Roisin Currie
Caption: Greggs sausage rolls, UK. (Photo by: Alex Segre/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Photographer: UCG Provider: UCG/Universal Images Group via G Source: Universal Images Group Editorial Copyright: Alex Segre
GO DEEPER ON THIS TOPIC
Greggs has made me ashamed to be British
Caption: Bay of turquoise coloured water in Los Cristianos, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Photographer: BriBar Provider: Getty Images Source: E+ Copyright: BW PHOTOGRAPHY
Emily Watkins
Freelance writer
Spain – a land of excellent food, rich cultural identity and a beautiful language. Of course, if you’re a British tourist there, odds are you won’t have noticed.
Why do the British insist on exporting their culture when they travel?
Read more here.
Why driving test booking is set to change for learners
Changes begin on 12 May to reduce wait times and prevent bots and touts from exploiting the system.
(Photo: Steve Parsons/PA).
Driving test reforms
What you need to know
Under new laws, it’ll be illegal for driving instructors or anyone else to book tests for pupils.
They will not be able to change, swap or cancel a test for someone else either.
Learners will still need a reference from their instructor.
Only two changes to a booked slot are allowed; previously, it was up to six.
From 9 June, tests can only be moved to three locations nearest to where the original test was booked.
Why are there changes?
A backlog of driving tests built up as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Instructors were being offered kickbacks of up to £250 to sell their login credentials to touts.
Slots were being bought up in bulk and offered via social media for up to £500.
The standard cost is £62 on weekdays and £75 on evenings and weekends.
Caption: File photo dated 13/10/10 of a learner driver L plate. Driving test candidates should be asked if they would like their examiner to be “chatty” or “formal” to boost female pass rates, a report commissioned by a Government agency has suggested. Transport research group TRL, which proposed the measure, said it would avoid examiners creating “potential anxiety”. AA Driving School told the PA news agency that learners do not want to be examined by “a sergeant major nor a comedian”. Issue date: Sunday August 10, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: David Jones/PA Wire Photographer: David Jones Provider: David Jones/PA Wire Source: PA
OPINION
2 min read
What is causing damp? And how to fix it
In addition to being generally unpleasant, living in a damp property can lead to structural and health issues if left unaddressed for long periods of time.
Read on to find out the industry expert advice on how to cut the risk of damp forming in your home…
Start with your windows
Don’t keep them closed.
Take time to rest (Photo: Counter/Getty/Digital Vision/Nicolas Hudak)
Regularly opening windows – even on cold days – can improve the ventilation inside and decrease the humidity of the room.
Also wipe away the condensation that has formed overnight with a microfiber cloth to remove the dampness.
Big Read
8 min read
How to reduce the risk of damp
Woman loading washing machine in the kitchen – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Dry clothes in the bathroom
Avoid drying clothes in bedrooms or living rooms without airflow.
Avoid curtains over radiators
It can trap heat behind the fabric, reduce room warmth and cause condensation on windows.
Central heating problem at home. Woman checking heating radiator in cold apartment – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Furniture assembly in new apartment – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Nudge your furniture
Large furniture items placed tightly against cold walls can trap condensation, leading to mould over time.
Caption: Berlin, Germany – January 20: Condensation has been reflected on a cold winter morning on an old double box window on January 20, 2019 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images) Photographer: Thomas Trutschel Provider: Photothek via Getty Images Source: Photothek
It could be the age of your home
Close to 90 per cent of UK homes with solid external walls lack insulation, making them vulnerable.
The airtight design of some new builds helps with energy efficiency but can trap moisture if ventilation isn’t properly managed, says Chad Bragg, chief technical officer at insulation company SuperFOIL.
How to reduce the risk of damp
Clear clothes out
Clothing that is packed too tightly in a wardrobe traps humidity, especially if it is slightly damp.
(Photo: Getty).
Caption: File photo dated 19/09/13 of a general view of a central heating thermostat. Households are set to learn their energy bills will fall by around 7% from April in a shake-up of costs after the Government promised they will receive an average ?150 cut. Latest predictions suggest Ofgem will reduce the energy price cap by ?117 to ?1,641 a year for a typical dual fuel household from April 1 when it makes its announcement on Wednesday. Issue date: Sunday February 22, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire Photographer: Steve Parsons Provider: Steve Parsons/PA Wire Source: PA
Heat strategically
If the heating in your home is reduced in temperature by just two degrees, humidity levels will increase by 10 per cent.
Keep lids on pans
While cooking it avoids releasing moisture into the air. A good cooker hood is most effective.
Protein doesn’t have to mean steak (Photo: 10’000 Hours/Getty Images/Digital Vision)
Planning for an extension?
Pay attention to insulation
(Photo: Pramote Polyamate/Getty).
Poor insulation creates ‘thermal bridges,’ or cold spots, where the new structure joins the old house. These cold junctions act as magnets for condensation, causing localised mould, heat loss, and discomfort.
LIFESTYLE
4 min read
How to fake your way to being organised
Do you have your life together? Is your home tidy and clutter-free; your diary neatly colour-coded; your to-do list full of satisfying ticks?
If these questions feel like a personal attack don’t worry. We asked the put-together experts for their secrets.
Get to know your brain
The real magic is rarely in the system but in how your brain likes to work.
If you love analytical tasks, try making spreadsheets.
Set reminders for the things you usually forget.
Use the Notes app for the ideas you think of in the shower but never remember when you get to do it.
But if you are more likely to structure your day around how you’re feeling, a calendar isn’t the best option.
How to fake your way to organisation
Cropped image of senior woman putting car key in ignition lock – stock photo. (Photo: Kentaroo Tryman/ Getty)
Make it easier
If you hate folding, change your storage style. If you’re always forgetting your keys, put a sign by your door.
Make a launch pad
Keep a small tray or basket in the hallway for your can’t-leave-home-without essentials.
Two young children wearing school uniforms exit their front door – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Mid adult businesswoman using phone and laptop for work from home. – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Use technology
After meetings use an AI tool to note down what you have to remember as a brain dump.
Create new habits
The one-touch rule
If you put your shoes straight on the rack as you take them off, instead of kicking them onto the floor and moving them later, that’s one touch. If you hang things up rather than tossing them onto the ‘bedroom chair’ it’s another one-touch win.
A woman with one foot is searching for an amputee to share shoes with – so her two bin bags full of unwanted right foot size six shoes don’t go to waste. (Photo: Emma Henson/ SWNS)Full length of mid adult man doing chores in kitchen at home – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Talk to yourself out loud
This verbal anchor helps you remember what you have decided to do and cuts down on mental drift.
The 300-second challenge
Caption: Millennial black lady vacuuming floor while her husband watching TV, not helping her with household duties, cropped view. Unrecognizable young couple having problem with domestic chores Photographer: Prostock-Studio Provider: Getty Images/iStockphoto Source: iStockphoto
Give yourself five minutes to deal with one overdue chore or task.
Using seconds rather than minutes creates urgency and gives your brain a novelty hit.
Try it when putting the laundry away, making a phone call or reading an overdue email.
LIFESTYLE
9 min read
Make it easier for yourself
Use completion cues
Drop a marble in a jar or move a sticky note across a board each time you complete a task.
To do list – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
It is the perfect time to enjoy an afternoon nap in your own home (Photo: Malte Mueller/Getty/fStop)
Support your future
Write down where you left off and the next small task to tackle to strengthen your control over every day demands.
Ask for help
Consider seeking support from loved ones, neighbours, colleagues, community groups or professionals.
‘Everyone who comes to see me assumes I am hard-up, so they either bring me gifts and treats, or if we go out together, they always insist on paying’ (Photo: Getty)
Eight tips for combating loneliness
Ree Young, works for Mind mental health charity as a ‘befriender’ – this means working with people aged 50 and over in the city of Leeds – who may be struggling with social isolation or loneliness.
Young advises these people on how to get social, even when you don’t want to. Here are her tips.
How to combat loneliness
Social isolation affects us all
27%
of adults reported they felt lonely always, often or some of the time in data published by the Office for National Statistics in 2024.
7%
reported that they felt lonely always or often.
How to combat loneliness
Running might not seem like the most appealing hobby, but if you give it a try, you might be surprised (Photo: EMS-FORSTER-PRODUCTIONS/Getty/Digital Vision/ems-forster-productions)
Stay socially active
Check out what’s going on at your local community centre or learn something new to make connections.
Use technology
Look up old friends online, or use video-call features to connect with those who don’t live nearby.
FaceTiming on an iPad or iPhone is a simple method of video calling (Photo: Getty)
Woman learning to knit with friends in cafe – stock photo. (Photo: Compassionate Eye Foundation/David Oxberry/ Getty)
Get creative
Why not learn how to crochet, write short stories, plant a herb garden or play the ukulele in a group?
Adopt a pet
They can provide companionship, a listening ear and a structured routine. They can be good listeners and stroking them can make us feel calmer and more at ease. Even the smallest pets, like fish, can bring us joy and a sense of purpose.
REE YOUNG, BEFRIENDER
(Photo: fotostorm/Getty Images/E+)
How to tackle loneliness
Join a death cafe
They are safe and inclusive spaces for people to be curious about death in a supportive environment.
Portrait of senior male cafe owner at front counter – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Hay fever can be incredibly disruptive (Photo: Science Photo Library/Getty)
Try citizen science
It’s a great way to feel part of a community, while also contributing to worthwhile initiatives.
Explore your faith
Try attending services if spiritual practices are important to you. They can offer strong support networks and open doors to new people.
Caption: Richard Loynes, with the leaning church of Dry Doddington, Nottinghamshire, also known as St James Church. April 14, 2026. // England’s wonkiest church which has a spire which leans more than the Leaning Tower of Pisa is in vital need of ??100,000 repairs to save its future – but have refused to correct the angle of its famous tower. The spire of St James’ Church in the countryside village of Dry Doddington, Lincs., tilts at 5.1 degrees compared to the 3.99 degrees of its Italian counterpart over 1,000 miles away. Villagers consider the Grade II-listed building “Britain’s answer to The Leaning Tower of Pisa” but there are now concerns for its future as it is need of essential repairs. Tourists often travel to snap photos next to the historic tilting place of worship, which has now launched a fundraiser to raise another ??100,000 11 years after it underwent ??100,000 of renovation work to save its tower. The 12th century church was built originally as a ???Chapel of Ease??? for older residents to attend church rather than walking to a neighbouring village. The tower, dating from the 14th century, is believed to have first shifted in the late 19th century and was underpinned in 1918 to prevent it from tilting any further. Church warden Richard Loynes said: “The church is very much part of the village and we’re proud of its uniqueness.??? Photo released 15/04/2026 Photographer: Tom Maddick / SWNS Provider: Tom Maddick / SWNS Source: Tom Maddick / SWNS
Seek professional help
If you are unsure what support is available, speak to your GP. Research local charities and find out what services they have to offer, and try accessing local befriending, group or peer-support services.
There is nothing shameful about asking for help.
The Government must prioritise targeted investment in mental health services, preventative programmes to stop people’s health worsening – including public health funding across the North, a report said. (Photo: Alamy/PA) Female psychiatrist discussing with mid adult woman during therapy session – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
The six reasons your partner might cheat
Cheating is still the number one cause of divorce, and one in five Brits admit to doing it.
But what are the main drivers of infidelity?
‘If she feels unappreciated by me, sex is off the agenda,’ says the reader (Photo: Getty)
Why your partner might cheat
They want a way out
Sex and relationship therapist Cate Campbell says exit affairs are one of the three “big reasons” she sees.
Fear of commitment
This often happens when a person doesn’t feel good about themselves, or have a fear of being found out.
‘Fathers, it seems, are still expected to put work first and family second’ (Photo: Getty Images)
Senior husband and wife having relationship difficulties – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
A mid-life crisis
Transitions like moving house, new jobs or becoming parents makes cheating more common.
Why your partner might cheat
They’re getting too close to a colleague
This dynamic is usually an unhappy man who confides in a woman in a work context, and it switches from a supportive friendship into an affair.
Side view of affectionate happy couple sitting in the cozy cafe. – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)‘Although problems with sex are very common, very few people come for help,’ says one GP (Photo: Getty)
They want something new in bed
Desires change – consiously or not and people may believe they want something different, or to experiment.
Elderly woman sitting alone in her living room – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
WHY YOUR PARTNER MAY CHEAT
They feel lonely
Nobody stays the same in a relationship – and if we’re not communicating that to each other, it can be disconnecting.
Susie Masterson, a relationship therapist, says when people feel undervalued, or stretched too thin in day-to-day life, they can look at their relationship and realise it isn’t filling the gaps.
How to recover from an affair
Infidelity doesn’t have to be the end of a relationship
Psychotherapist Esther Perel says in her book The State of Affairs that affairs can actually save a relationship, by forcing us to address deep-rooted issues and come back stronger.
Campbell says couples should be having conversations about infidelity and what it means to them.
“Often it’s not the affair that ends the relationship, but the fallout – and the way it’s managed. Which is why it’s useful to get some therapy if you can,” she adds.
And for some inside the Presidential Administration – best described as Putin’s equivalent of the Cabinet Office, but on steroids – the war has reached the point of diminishing returns. As one well-connected Russian political journalist told The i Paper: “Wasting another year and hundreds of thousands of men to take some cities that by then will just be ruins doesn’t seem to make any sense to them.”
Yet Putin is not a man to be told he is wrong to his face. So, in true Yes Minister fashion, his underlings try to nudge him gently towards the decisions they want him to make. We are now seeing hints of such a campaign over Ukraine, driven by the political technocrats within the Presidential Administration.
First, a report prepared for the Presidential Administration in February has just been leaked. It paints the political risks of continuing the so-called “special military operation” against Ukraine in stark terms. “We must know when to stop,” it warned, adding that beyond a certain point, “continuing the special military operation would be a Pyrrhic victory” and would require “a reconsideration of fundamental positions”.
Putin is not a man to be told he is wrong to his face (Photo: Alexander Nemenov/AFP)
The report suggested that simply freezing the front lines, possibly even without the remaining portion of the Donbas, could be spun as a triumph. One that, in its words, shows that “Putin has bent the West. We’ve thwarted the West’s plans to expand and prolong the conflict”.
At the same time, polling data has emerged that shows Putin’s numbers slipping. His approval rating of 65.6 per cent is high by the standards of any Western politician, but it is still at its lowest level since the war began. These numbers would not have been released without a green light from the Presidential Administration.
And as if that wasn’t enough, Putin’s United Russia party has just released guidance for its campaign workers ahead of the parliamentary elections later this year on how to handle difficult questions. The clear implication is that people in Russia are not happy.
All in all, it looks like part of a campaign to persuade Putin to think about a possible peace with Ukraine.
A Ukrainian tank on a road near Kostiantynivka in the Donbas region of Ukraine. Russian forces are still grinding ever so slowly through the final portion of the contested region still in Kyiv’s hands (Photo: Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu)
What is interesting is that its advocates cannot be considered doves, so much as pragmatists, and they remained very much divided on the best approach. Some would like to see Russia cut its losses now, others, like foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, think that Kyiv still needs to withdraw its forces from that last piece of Donbas before Moscow can declare peace.
Meanwhile, nationalists and many within Russia’s security bloc are lobbying Putin to keep on fighting. They are encouraging him to believe that this year, Russian troops will be able to take that last piece of the Donbas, regardless.
There are also ultranationalists urging escalation against Ukraine, from social media commentators calling for a general mobilisation to the hawkish academic Sergei Karaganov, who has advocated – fortunately with little success – the use of tactical nuclear weapons.
Putin is an inveterate fence-sitter, known for putting off tough decisions as long as he possibly can. So far, he seems inclined to see whether a renewed Russian spring offensive can make gains on the ground in Ukraine.
Putin during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow last Saturday. The Russian President is known for putting off tough decisions as long as he possibly can (Photo: Shamil Zhumatov/AP)
When might Putin get off the fence? No one knows – not even him. He may continue to dither in the hope that something happens to make the decision for him. That could last all the way until the autumn, when the temptation will be to spend another winter hammering Ukraine’s power grid in the hope of breaking the country’s morale. That hasn’t worked in previous years.
Nonetheless, this is the first time we are really seeing anything that even hints at a pragmatic’ end the war’ perspective from inside Putin’s own political machine.
Will he be swayed? So far, there are no signs that he is, except for one small tell. For years, Putin has refused to acknowledge that Volodymyr Zelensky is Ukraine’s legitimate president. He has called him a neo-Nazi, Western puppet, even “the drug addict in Kyiv”. But recently, he referred to him as Mr Zelensky.
A tiny step forward, but a step forward nonetheless.
