Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer faces an imminent leadership contest, with growing support for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham following recent election setbacks.
Chris Kennedy, the Green Party's former candidate for the Makerfield by-election, has issued an apology for circulating social media content that characterised an arson attack on a Jewish charity's ambulances as a "false flag" operation. Kennedy withdrew from the contest hours after his candidacy was announced, with the party initially citing personal reasons. It subsequently emerged that these social media posts contributed to his departure.
UK public sector borrowing reached £24.3 billion in April, marking the highest April total since the 2020 pandemic. This figure, £4.9 billion higher than the previous year, highlights significant economic challenges, exacerbated by increased spending on benefits and record debt interest payments.
The cost of everyday supermarket staples in the UK has seen a notable increase since 2022, with prices for eggs, milk, and bread rising significantly. This surge is attributed to avian flu culls, the conflict in Ukraine impacting grain and energy costs, and broader inflationary pressures, rather than increased supermarket profit margins.
Forecasters anticipate that the upcoming May bank holiday will see new national temperature records established, as exceptionally high temperatures are predicted across the UK.
John Boumphrey, Amazon's UK country manager, contends that the British education system is failing to equip young people with the skills necessary for the workforce, contributing to a record 16.2% youth unemployment rate. He advocates for mandatory work experience for over-16s, despite Amazon itself struggling to recruit skilled workers.
Train companies across the UK will be subject to police assessments on their handling of sexual harassment, a new government initiative reveals. The scheme, which will grade operators on eight standards including victim support and crime prevention, has drawn criticism from women's safety advocates and survivors who argue it lacks sufficient punitive measures.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) and National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) are calling for children under 16 to be banned from social media, AI, and gaming platforms that do not disable 'high-risk' features. This includes preventing contact from strangers, blocking harmful content recommendations, and prohibiting the sharing of nude images. The government acknowledges the need for stronger protections, while police argue that current industry responses and regulation are insufficient to safeguard children online.
The UK experienced its hottest day of the year on Friday, with temperatures hitting 28.4C in multiple locations. The Met Office forecasts continued high temperatures over the bank holiday weekend, potentially exceeding 30C, as travellers face significant delays at the Port of Dover and on major road networks.
Reform UK announced a policy to eliminate income tax on overtime hours exceeding a 40-hour week for individuals earning under £75,000. The party projects this "hard work bonus" would cost £5 billion annually, funded by welfare payment reductions.
A major police cordon remains in place at Hyde Park Corner in central London following a serious road collision involving a cyclist and a lorry. Grosvenor Place is closed, causing significant traffic disruption across the area.
A man has died following a fall from a building on Charles Street in Manchester city centre, with police investigating the circumstances.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has committed to campaigning for Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election on 18 June, despite Burnham being widely anticipated as a potential challenger for the Labour leadership.