Sir Keir Starmer’s government has come under fire for increasing spending on consultants during its first year in power despite a campaign pledge to slash such costs. New data from procurement analysts Tussell reveals that the public sector awarded 580 consultancy contracts worth £1.29 billion between July 2024 and June 2025. This marks a 5% increase on the £1.23 billion spent during the same period under the previous Conservative government.…

David Jones, a former Conservative cabinet minister and Welsh secretary, has defected to Reform UK, becoming the highest profile figure yet to join Nigel Farage’s insurgent party. Announcing his decision on Monday night, Mr Jones said Reform was the only political party confronting Britain’s key challenges with the urgency they demand. Speaking to GB News, the ex-MP said: “Today, Reform UK is the party that best represents my views and,…

Sir Keir Starmer is racing to salvage a key migrant returns agreement with France just days before Emmanuel Macron’s high profile state visit to the UK, amid growing EU unease over the proposed arrangement. The one in, one out deal would see France agree to take back migrants who cross the Channel illegally in small boats, in exchange for the UK accepting a similar number of asylum seekers currently in…

English pop icon Mel B, best known as Scary Spice of the legendary girl group Spice Girls, has officially tied the knot with her fiancé, hairstylist Rory McPhee, in a picturesque ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral on 5 July. The 50 year old singer, whose full name is Melanie Brown, confirmed the nuptials by sharing the first photo from the ceremony on social media, captioned simply with the date and…

AC Milan have confirmed that veteran midfielder Luka Modric will join the Italian giants this summer following the end of Real Madrid’s Club World Cup campaign. The 39-year-old Croatian legend, who announced in May that he would leave Real Madrid after 13 years, will begin a new chapter in Serie A under returning manager Massimiliano Allegri. Speaking at his first press conference since replacing Sergio Conceicao, Allegri was full of…

Arsenal are edging closer to securing a marquee summer signing, with Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres now firmly in their sights. The Gunners’ pursuit of the prolific Sweden international has accelerated in recent days, with face-to-face negotiations taking place between Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta and officials from the Portuguese club. Berta flew to Lisbon late last week for high-level talks aimed at striking a deal believed to be worth…

Hospitals across England are preparing for fresh strikes by resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, who are demanding a 29% pay increase, a move that NHS leaders warn could lead to widespread disruption and the cancellation of hundreds of thousands of appointments and operations. A ballot of the 55,000 resident doctors represented by the British Medical Association (BMA) closes on Monday, with results expected the following day. NHS officials…

An 18-year-old British teenager, Marcus Fakana, jailed in Dubai for having sex with a 17-year-old girl during a holiday, has been released and is now back in the UK, a campaign group has confirmed. Fakana from Tottenham in north London was sentenced to a year in prison under the United Arab Emirates’ strict laws prohibiting sexual relations with anyone under the age of 18. His release was secured after Dubai’s…

The United Kingdom Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, refused multiple times on Sunday to confirm whether legally binding Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) would be retained under the new system. These plans currently guarantee tailored support for nearly 640,000 children in England, covering areas such as teaching assistance, therapy, and specialist school placements. This was as the UK Government is considering scrapping the current system of personalised education plans for pupils…

Britain has surged to the top of global investment rankings following a new trade agreement with the United States, according to a survey of top finance executives conducted by Deloitte. The British country has overtaken major economies like the US, Japan, and Middle Eastern nations to become the most attractive destination for investment. Just six months ago, the country ranked sixth in the same survey. Deloitte credited the dramatic leap…

Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a horrific injury in his side’s Club World Cup semi-final loss to Paris Saint-Germain. The 22-year-old playmaker sustained a broken leg and a dislocated ankle following a collision with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the first half of Saturday’s match. The incident occurred near the byline as Musiala sprinted in pursuit of a loose ball. Donnarumma,…

Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo was named Player of the Match following her outstanding performance in Nigeria’s 3-0 victory over Tunisia in their 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Group B opener on Sunday. Despite starting the game on the bench, Okoronkwo made an immediate impact after being introduced in the second half, helping to seal the victory and impressing fans and analysts alike with her skill, vision, and…