Author: britishbulletin.com
Alex Armstrong clashed with Labour Safeguarding Minister Catherine Atkinson after it emerged that Andy Burnham had attended secret face-to-face talks with Keir Starmer. The outgoing Prime Minister is understood to have met with his likely successor “off-site” and away from Downing Street. Sir Keir has also already authorised talks on access between Whitehall officials and those who could replace him in No10, including Mr Burnham.Ms Atkinson defended the briefings, insisting they were part of the “smooth transition” of power. However, Alex raised concerns about what appeared to be premature privileges afforded to the former Manchester Mayor. “Andy Burnham is a…
Andy Burnham has pledged to keep the state pension triple lock, but some of the economists advising him are said to favour scrapping the policy to help repair the public finances.The former Mayor of Greater Manchester has been consulting a number of leading economists as he prepares for what many expect could be a move to Downing Street next month, to replace Prime Minister Keir Starmer.While Mr Burnham has publicly backed the triple lock, his advisers view ending the policy as a straightforward way to reduce Government spending and replace it with a more affordable alternative.The triple lock ensures the…
Katya Jones has shared her honest opinion on the all-new Strictly Come Dancing hosting line-up ahead of the 2026 series.Earlier this year, the BBC dance competition unveiled Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe as its new hosts, taking over from Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly. The pair announced their departures back in October 2025, with Ms Daly having served as the face of Strictly since the show’s inception.It’s not just in the hosting line-up that Strictly has undergone an overhaul either. Several pro dancers have departed the series, and the show’s logo and theme have had a makeover. Katya…
M&S’s popular Red Diamond Strawberry & Creme Sandwich is making its comeback today.The sweet treat that took Britain by storm last summer has returned to Foodhalls across the country, and this time it has come with company.Joining the original is a brand-new Chocolate, Strawberry & Pistachio Creme Sandwich, giving shoppers two indulgent options to choose from.Both sandwiches are limited-edition, so shoppers need to be quick if they want to try out the flavours.A brand-new Chocolate, Strawberry & Pistachio Creme Sandwich will hit shelves | M&SThe original strawberry creation made history last year as the UK’s first-ever sweet sandwich, and it…
The handling of the child sex abuse trial of Jeffrey Donaldson has shown that changes to the way such criminal cases are dealt with have been “monumental”, according to a retired judge.Sir John Gillen conducted a major review into how sexual offences are handled in Northern Ireland and made 250 recommendations in 2019.On Monday, Donaldson, the former Democratic Unionist Party leader, was convicted of 18 counts of sex abuse, including one count of rape, against two women when they were children.Gillen said the trial has “struck a blow” against a culture in Northern Ireland which “hasn’t properly heard women and…
The fixtures for the 2026-27 English Football League season will be released at 12:00 BST on Thursday, 25 June.West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley, who were all relegated from the Premier League, will be joined in the Championship by Bolton Wanderers, Cardiff City and Lincoln City, with the Imps returning to the second tier for the first time in 65 years.Leicester City will play in the third tier for just the second time in their 142-year history after back-to-back relegations, and will be in League One alongside Oxford United and Sheffield Wednesday.The Foxes will face games against Bromley, who…
National Rail has urged people to “only travel if absolutely necessary”.There is disruption and cancellations to some rail services because of the severe weather with Avanti West Coast, Northern and Transpennine warning passengers to check before travelling.Network Rail said that while all lines across the North West would remain open, operators would run amended timetables to help manage the impact of extreme temperatures on the railways.For safety reasons, trains will operate at reduced speeds, meaning journeys will take longer and there is a heightened risk of delays, cancellations and last-minute alterations.There will be no rail replacement bus services during this…
Schools have closed and people have been urged not to travel, as rare red heat weather warnings come into force across much of Britain.Temperatures could hit 40C on Wednesday and Thursday in some parts of England and Wales as a “heat-dome” settling over western Europe has brought extreme conditions across the continent.During the peak of the heatwave on these two days, the temperature could come close to the UK’s all-time high of 40.3C, which was measured in Lincolnshire in July 2022.The latest heatwave is also expected to surpass the record for June of 35.6C set in Hampshire in 1976.Over 850…
Sir Sadiq Khan has praised the controversial Ulez scheme as new data shows that clean air policies contributed to toxic air rates dropping by around 40 per cent.Research from Imperial College London found that the estimated deaths associated with air pollution in the capital fell by 40 per cent between 2019 and 2024.Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels plummeted by 41 per cent, while fine particulate pollution (PM2.5), which can cause respiratory problems, fell 28 per cent.The significant reduction in pollution comes after London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan introduced the Ultra Low Emission Zone in central London in April 2019.It was expanded…
The Princess Royal and the Duke of Gloucester are set to travel to France to mark 110 years since the Battle of the Somme.During commemorations at the Thiepval Memorial, both senior royals will reveal UNESCO plaques as part of the anniversary events.The Princess Royal will attend in her capacity as President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.This visit follows a decade after King Charles, then serving as Prince of Wales, joined fellow members of the Royal Family at the battle’s centenary commemorations in France in 2016.The Princess Royal will attend in her capacity as President of the Commonwealth War Graves…