The former first minister is to serve as deputy prime minister in a simulation of a Russian attack on the UK.
All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by Martyn Jones.
The next potential prime minister has already set out his plan for income tax, National Insurance and bills like energy, rail tickets and water
Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation paves the way for a new leader following Andy Burnham’s landslide Makefield by-election win on Friday. Sir Keir said there would be a new prime minister in place before parliament returns in September, and Mr Burnham is seen as the frontrunner to take over.
Some of the most important questions are around Mr Burnham’s approach to taxes, borrowing and spending, and who he may appoint as chancellor should he get the top job.
Mr Burnham has stated that he would stick to the fiscal rules set by Chancellor Rachel Reeves and has agreed that the UK needs a plan to reduce its debts. He has also committed to the Labour Party’s manifesto pledge not to raise income tax or national insurance contributions for working people.
However, the politician has said there is a need to bring down water and energy bills and rail fares, having previously advocated for key utilities to come under greater public control, and the “re-industrialisation” across the north of England.
One of the biggest concerns for the financial markets will be who will take up the role of chancellor under a new Cabinet. Dan Coatsworth, head of markets for AJ Bell, said: “Burnham’s choice of chancellor if he becomes prime minister could have a major impact.”
Ed Miliband, currently in charge of energy and net zero, could be a potential candidate for chancellor.
Rob Wood and Elliott Jordan-Doak, economists for Pantheon Macroeconomics, said Andy Burnham could “pitch to Labour MPs’ left-leaning instincts for more spending, funded by higher taxes and moderately looser fiscal rules, as well as additional regulation”.
They added: “We think Mr Burnham would be wary of a big bang fiscal change, because he needs to avoid a repeat of the gilt market meltdown that torched the previous Conservative government’s reputation for economic competence. But risks clearly lean to more spending.”
Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB, said Mr Burnham would have to “work to persuade financial markets that he is the right man for the job to grow the UK economy and get debt back under control”.
The Welsh singer has announced the return of her Pop Dungeon live show, with dates confirmed across the UK and a special appearance at this year’s Green Man Festival in Crickhowell, taking place on August 20.
Dressed in a pink cowboy hat with Nine Inch Nails’ sultry hit Closer playing in the background, Church delivered a characteristically cheeky message to fans.
Ms Church announced the news in a playful social media video, telling fans: “Bi**hes, Dungeon is back and we’re coming for you.”
She listed destinations including Cardiff, Bristol, London, Liverpool, and appearances at both the Green Man and Krankenhaus festivals.
She said: “The presale is on June 18. The General Sale is on June 19th.
“The experiences themselves are throughout August and September.
“We cannot wait to party with you.
“Just in time for the end of the world.
“For old times’ sake, you know, come and party with us at Dungeon.”
The tour begins at Green Man Festival on August 20 and continues to Krankenhaus Festival on August 29.
It then travels to cities including Bristol, London, Liverpool, and Cardiff throughout September.
Pop Dungeon began as the Late Night Pop Dungeon and has gained a loyal following for its lively blend of rock, pop, metal, and dance hits.
The show is known for its creative mashups, interactive performances, and bold costumes, making it a festival favourite in recent years.
For many fans, the Green Man appearance is likely to be one of the standout dates of the tour.
Presale tickets go on sale on June 18, with general sale beginning on June 19.
Tree, who died at the age of 32, had just begun a world tour, with his most recent show in São Paulo, Brazil on 6 June. He was next scheduled to perform in Lisbon, in Portugal, on 1 July and had been due to play dates in Glasgow, Manchester and London in September.
Pharmacist warns Brits to watch out for high blood pressure health problems amid heatwave (stock image) (Image: Getty)
Millions of people diagnosed with high blood pressure who are taking prescribed medication, such as beta blockers and diuretics, have been issued a warning by a pharmacist. With Britain bracing itself for a significant heatwave as temperatures soar above 30C across much of the nation, those at greater risk of health complications have been alerted to potential concerns.
An extreme heat warning has been issued by the Met Office, with certain areas anticipated to reach highs of 38C. The weather agency said: “Met Office Amber Extreme Heat Warnings have been issued from Monday through to Thursday with temperatures widely exceeding 35C.”
On X, a new post uploaded by the Met Office adds: “Heat and humidity are building through this week. Temperatures in the south are likely to peak on Wednesday and Thursday, with heatwave criteria likely met through the week.”
Across the UK, millions of people rely on beta-blockers and diuretics. According to the British Heart Foundation, over 50 million prescriptions for beta-blockers are issued annually, with approximately two million people using them to control hypertension and other circulatory problems. It states: “Each year there are more than 50 million prescriptions for beta blockers in the UK.”
Diuretics are likewise routinely prescribed for ailments including heart failure and high blood pressure, often alongside beta-blockers. Superintendent pharmacist Robert Bradshaw, of Oxford Online Pharmacy, has cautioned those suffering from high blood pressure to “watch out” for a range of health complications triggered by hot weather, reports the Mirror.
“UK temperatures are expected to soar this weekend, and Brits need to keep their wits about them, ensuring they’re aware of the necessary steps to take if faced with any heat-related health risks”, he said.
What do people taking high blood pressure medication need to know?
Robert Bradshaw says: “High temperatures and humidity can be a bad combination for anyone who suffers from high blood pressure, as the hot weather causes the heart to beat faster, circulating twice as much blood around the body. Also, some blood pressure medications like beta blockers and diuretics can affect the body’s ability to stay hydrated or respond to high temperatures.”
He urges anybody with a history of high blood pressure to consume plenty of fluids to remain hydrated. He further recommends seeking shade and staying in a cool environment wherever possible, as well as wearing a hat when venturing outdoors.
As temperatures rise, the body is required to work considerably harder to maintain a normal core temperature, placing additional strain on the heart, lungs, and kidneys. This can heighten the risk for those already living with a heart condition.
Heat and humidity are building through this week ??????️
Temperatures in the south are likely to peak on Wednesday and Thursday with heatwave criteria likely met through the week ?????? pic.twitter.com/LwM7Slwet4
— Met Office (@metoffice) June 21, 2026
Keeping cool and remaining well hydrated are absolutely vital. Consuming plenty of fluids helps to replenish lost sweat and prevents blood pressure from dropping to dangerously low levels.
The pharmacist added: “You should also monitor your blood pressure regularly during the heatwave. If it’s high or you are experiencing any worrying symptoms like extreme tiredness or confusion, a rapid pulse, excessive sweating, headaches, swelling in your arms and legs or nausea, seek urgent emergency medical advice.”
How does hot weather impact people with angina and heart failure?
The British Heart Foundation says: “If you use a GTN spray to control your angina, you should take extra care in hot weather. GTN spray can dilate your blood vessels quickly, which causes your blood pressure to suddenly drop and you may feel faint.”
It adds: “It’s particularly important to stay cool if you have heart failure – where your heart doesn’t pump blood around your body as well as it should. If you’ve been told to restrict your fluid intake, speak to your GP about other ways to keep cool during summer. If you take water tablets and are dizzy or light headed let your doctor know. Your medication can then be reviewed or adapted as necessary.”
What are the tell-tale signs of heat stroke?
Failing to stay adequately hydrated can cause your core body temperature to rise dangerously. Warning signs of heat stroke include sweating, cold, clammy skin, dizziness, fainting, muscle cramps, heat rash, swelling in the ankles, rapid or shallow breathing, nausea, and vomiting.
Should you suspect that you or somebody nearby is suffering from heat stroke, seek immediate medical attention without delay.
One good turn deserves another, they say – and when it comes to generosity these women have hearts of gold.
Katie James, Kara Terol and Hannah Sharma all received life-saving heart transplants before the age of 35 and all donated those that were removed to research.
The organs have helped scientists move a step closer to a cure for heart failure and have supported other projects, such as creating lab-grown heart valves.
Ms James, 41, Ms Terol, 38, and Ms Sharma, 35, now want other patients to consider donating their old organs for research.
Ms Sharma, who was 28 at the time of her transplant, had dilated cardiomyopathy, which is thought to have been triggered by a virus.
The condition causes the heart’s main pumping chamber to stretch and thin, making it harder to pump blood effectively.
The events manager, from Hadlow Down in East Sussex, said: ‘That heart wasn’t what makes me “me”, and I was happy to give it to scientists who needed it.’
Ms Terol was pregnant when she was told she had restrictive cardiomyopathy, which causes part of the heart to become stiff.
Hannah Sharma, was 28 at the time of her transplant and had dilated cardiomyopathy, which is thought to have been triggered by a virus
Kara Terol was pregnant when she was told she had restrictive cardiomyopathy
She had no idea until she volunteered to take part in a study looking at how pregnancy affects the heart.
Ms Terol said she had been having symptoms ‘for years’ but thought it was asthma.
Her son George was born in 2018, but three years later she was told she would need a new heart as the condition had put so much strain on her lungs.
She said: ‘The donor who gave me my heart helped me more than anyone could, and so I wanted to pass that help on.’
Ms James had her heart transplant a decade ago when she was 32.
She had been diagnosed with a rare condition called arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy when she was just 20.
It causes the heart muscle to weaken because the heart cells do not stick together properly.
Ms James, now 41, said: ‘I had absolutely no hesitation about donating my heart to help advance medical knowledge.
‘It is simple – I wouldn’t be here without science and research, so it is the least I can offer.
‘I didn’t say no to donating my heart, and I don’t say no to very much now. As I tell people, you only live once – or you only live twice, as I feel I have done after getting my new heart.’
Katie James had her heart transplant a decade ago when she was 32
Tissue from all three hearts has been used in a major heart failure study at Imperial College London, funded by the British Heart Foundation.
People with heart failure have a lack of a protein called serca, causing their heart to beat weaker than normal.
Scientists working on the project were able to add the protein back into heart cells provided by living donors, helping them to beat more strongly in a lab dish.
If the findings are replicated in humans, it could pave the way for treatments which help the heart pump stronger, reducing some symptoms of heart failure such as tiredness and breathlessness.
A new study will test this method in people using a gene therapy to deliver serca directly to heart cells.
Ms Sharma and Ms James’s hearts have helped scientists at Imperial College London move closer to creating heart valves in a lab.
At the moment, patients are either given mechanical replacements and must take drugs for life to prevent clotting, or biological valves made from animal tissue that typically fail within 10 to 15 years.
Dr Najma Latif, who has led the research, said: ‘These people make discoveries possible that would otherwise never be achieved, which can transform the lives of others.’
Tissue from the hearts of Ms Terol and Ms James has been studied to determine how the organ’s normal electrical signals were disrupted by cardiomyopathy.
Researchers hope that by finding the specific damaged cells that cause the most disruption could help tackle the disease with more targeted treatments.
Professor Bryan Williams, chief scientific and medical officer at the British Heart Foundation, said: ‘Giving the gift of an organ donation is an incredible act, and yet we rarely talk about the extraordinary living heart donors.
‘These are people who look to the future and decide their old heart could help others – even as they prepare for the life-altering journey of a heart transplant and the long recovery that follows.
‘Their decision to donate their heart for research opens the door to discoveries that can only be made through examination of real human tissue, allowing researchers to identify the cause of heart diseases, test new ideas and refine treatments.
‘We cannot thank these people enough for the vital part they play in driving scientific innovation and progress.’
The Heart, Lung and Critical Care Biobank at Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals oversees the storage of tissue from heart donors.
Harshil Bhayani, the biobank’s manager, said: ‘These contributions are more than samples – they represent a lasting legacy that supports progress in research and benefits future generations.’
Amendments and conditions
The council has approved a variation to a previous permission for The Moorwell on Windsor Road, Penarth.
Condition 3, which restricted the premises to selling only wine, spirits, and beer, will now allow the sale of non-alcoholic drinks, sweet and savoury confectionery, and other ancillary refreshments.
This change comes as part of the property’s conversion from a gym to a retail unit.
In a separate decision, the council refused an application to discharge a condition relating to a materials sample panel for The Block House on St Mary’s Well Bay Road, Penarth.
The proposal involved extending the existing house, improving the site entrance, and converting an outbuilding known as the Generator Room for ancillary use.
Elsewhere, reserved matters have been approved for the development adjacent to Oak Court on Myrtle Close, Penarth. The approval is for the appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of the development for extra-care accommodation and associated highways, landscaping and draining works, as well as the outline application for residential development and associated works.
Dormer
An application has been approved for a dormer to an existing loft conversion at 23 Cornerswell Road in Penarth.
The application also includes a one-and-a-half-storey rear extension.
The dormer is approximately 7.35m wide by 3.62m deep, set in by 0.15m, set up by 0.3m and set down from the ridge by 0.24m, with grey aluminium cladding.
The rear extension measures roughly 7.39m wide, 5.4m deep, 3.92m to eaves and 5.4m total height, using white render, a slate roof, uPVC windows/doors and aluminium roof lights.
Work must begin within five years and accord with approved plans. Biodiversity enhancements must be delivered before first occupation, retained thereafter, and evidenced with photos within four weeks of installation.
Ground floor extension
An application has been approved for a ground-floor WC extension and first-floor living area and shower room at 10 Norris Close, Penarth.
The originally proposed Juliet balcony was removed.
The ground-floor flat-roof extension projects about 2m in depth and 1.5m in width, forming a recessed element with two east-facing windows.
The first-floor extension above is approx. 7.6m deep by 2.4m wide with a pitched roof, with one east-facing and one west-facing window (partially obscure).
Work must begin within five years and follow approved plans.
Biodiversity measures are required before the first occupation, with photo evidence provided to the council within four weeks.
Any parts of the north- and west-facing first-floor windows below 1.7m internal height must be obscurely glazed (Pilkington level 3) and fixed.
New external walls must be buff brick to match the host with a contrasting red brick plinth.
A dietician shared her simple morning tip (stock) (Image: athima tongloom via Getty Images)
A dietitian is urging people to adopt one straightforward morning habit that could instantly transform their gut health.
Orla Walsh suggested returning to basics and concentrating on fibre, fluids and fitness would deliver remarkable results. She also warned that this approach could spare people from splashing out on probiotics, which she claimed may adversely affect other bodily functions, including the kidneys and liver.
However, before revealing her morning hack, Orla, a registered dietitian and physiologist, highlighted just how vital our gut health truly is.
She told Ireland AM: “I think when your gut isn’t functioning how you want it to, it can really have a big impact on your quality of life. And we know that through research. But even on a basic level, I think when you get someone and you make their gut function as they want it to function, it can really help their baseline energy levels, mood, it just makes the day a bit more predictable.
“Like lots of people in the morning struggle to leave the house until their bowels have opened up and it causes a lot of anxiety for people as well. So there’s a lot of this that people aren’t doing right and I would encourage people to try them before they bring in the supplements and the likes.”
Orla Walsh is a Registered Dietitian and Physiologist (Image: Karl Hussey Photography)
Fluids
Orla clarified that most women require two litres of water daily, while men need two and a half litres.
She noted that water, tea and coffee all contribute towards daily fluid intake, adding that insufficient hydration causes the gut to dry out, potentially resulting in constipation. Sharing her top recommendation, she said: “I would encourage people to drink a pint of water first thing. So you replace the losses that you naturally lose overnight and most of us lose about 500mls.”
When asked later whether coffee should be avoided until water had been consumed, Orla clarified: “Yeah, ideally.
“It can just settle the stomach and be easier on your stomach because otherwise you’re putting an irritant straight down in your stomach first thing. So I’d be drinking my water while I’m making my coffee. Yeah, for sure.”
Fibre
Orla encouraged people to eat more berries (Image: Getty)
Orla highlighted fibre as a crucial topic, noting that research indicates 80% of people in Ireland are failing to consume sufficient amounts.
The average intake there stands at 18 grams, yet she stressed that a minimum of 25, and ideally 35, grams are required daily. Closer to home, 96% of Britons are falling short of their recommended fibre intake, according to the National Diet and Nutrition Survey.
Proposing a remedy, Orla said: “We are well short, there’s a lot of food and I have some of them here that actually take whatever you’re eating and fill that gap quite quickly. The likes of berries and raspberries, and I know they’re in season now, which is great.
“There will be more fibre in a portion of raspberries than in your bowl of porridge. Like they are a really high fibre fruit.”
She urged people to consume two portions of fruit each morning, pointing out that pears contain twice the fibre of an average fruit.
Fitness
To support a healthy gut, Orla suggested taking a 10-minute stroll following a meal as an effective way to stimulate digestion.
She also recommended remaining upright after eating and maintaining good posture to “let gravity do its thing”.
She added: “Don’t go doing the dishwasher directly after dinner because you’re just putting your head between your legs and wondering why you’re suffering from reflux or digestive issues. So stay upright for about 10 minutes. Keep moving.”
Once you’ve mastered the three fs—fibre, fluids and fitness—Orla explained you can then begin to introduce fermented food, though she stressed it was always advisable to start with the fundamentals first.
The Smiths musician says he’s selling his collection to stop his studio from becoming a museum.
The cost of living crisis continues to hit Brits hard, but one shopper saved £17.22 on their Asda weekly shop by using a simple trick recommended by Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert website
While food inflation — the rate at which food prices rise — has recently begun to ease, the cost of living remains a pressing concern. Brits have been battered by several once-in-a-generation economic events in recent years that have driven up their living costs, including the Covid-19 pandemic, Brexit, the war in Ukraine, and the US-Iran War.
Nevertheless, there are a number of tricks that many claim can help shoppers save a few pounds on their weekly grocery bill. One of these involves crouching down.
While squatting and crouching are perfectly good exercises for the gym, they could also prove beneficial in a supermarket aisle.
What is the crouching trick in supermarkets?
Back in 2017, consumer experts at Martin Lewis‘s Money Saving Expert website put forward the theory that supermarkets deliberately position their pricier products at eye level, making customers more likely to pick them up.
Meanwhile, the more affordable own-brand alternatives are placed lower down the shelves, requiring shoppers to crouch in order to spot them
They put the theory to the test across three different supermarkets and concluded: “We found supermarkets place own brand items down on the bottom shelf, often positioned in the bottom left hand corner of the display.”
But does this still ring true today?
I headed to my local Asda to investigate.
Testing the crouching hack in Asda
To get a fair picture, I selected 10 everyday items and compared the prices of branded products against Asda’s own-brand equivalents, while also noting their shelf positions. The items in question were instant coffee, Greek yoghurt, linguine pasta, pasta sauce, mayonnaise, ketchup, marmalade, flour, almond milk, bread; the prices for which can be found below.
Of the 10 items, I had to crouch down to locate four of the branded alternatives. The Asda Greek yoghurt was positioned closer to the floor compared to the Fage equivalent.
The same was true for the Asda pasta sauce versus the Dolmio equivalent, the Asda ketchup versus Heinz’s own product and Asda’s almond milk versus the same drink from Alpro.
There were certain items I had to crouch for on both counts. This included both Asda and Hellmann’s mayonnaises, Asda and Golden Shred’s marmalades, as well as Asda and Be-Ro’s plain flours and Asda’s own-brand coffee alongside the Nescafé equivalent.
In the case of the mayonnaise and marmalade, both were situated on the lowest shelf.
Meanwhile, for the pasta and bread I didn’t need to crouch for either. In the case of the bread, it was flanked by rival branded loaves with only one positioned above it.
As for the pasta, the Asda own-brand items were placed one level up to the left of the Napolina branded linguine.
How much did I save?
While I may not have needed to crouch for every item, the amount saved was remarkable by following Martin Lewis’ principle of opting for own-brand products. Adding everything together, my own-brand shop totalled just £11.26 compared to the £28 I would have spent had I chosen the branded alternatives.
That’s a saving of £17.22. The complete line-up was as follows:
- Nescafe Instant Coffee (£6) vs Asda Instant Coffee (£2.28)
- Fage Greek Yoghurt (£3.65) vs Asda Greek Yoghurt (£1.70)
- Napolina Linguine (£1.57) vs Asda linguine (80p)
- Dolmio pasta sauce (£2.59) vs Asda pasta sauce (69p)
- Hellman’s mayonnaise (£3.25) vs Asda mayonnaise (93p)
- Heinz ketchup (£4.70) vs Asda ketchup (£1.35)
- Golden Shred marmalade (£1.90) vs Asda marmalade (85p)
- Be-Ro flour (£1.97) vs Asda flour (70p)
- Alpro almond milk (£1.62) vs Asda almond milk (£1.41)
- Kingsmill bread (£1.25) vs Asda white bread (55p)