Starmer is in the rough. Could Cameron get him out?
Barry's friends
Labour MP Barry Gardiner has proved to be an unlikely hit with GB News viewers due to his regular appearances on the channel. He tells me that so far he has been sent 'one tie, a key ring and a bottle opener' in the post from viewers, and even one proposal of marriage. He accepted the first three, and declined the fourth, which must be a relief to Mrs Gardiner, a noted poet.
Gyles's toothpaste
An update from the bathroom of Gyles Brandreth. 'I regard my bathroom mirror as my enemy, not my friend,' the 77-year-old TV presenter tells The Oldie magazine. 'That's why I tend not to have the lights full-on when I'm brushing my teeth. And that's why the other night I squeezed Voltarol instead of toothpaste on to my toothbrush. I know I must be getting older. I couldn't tell the difference.'
Ministers' latitude
It's a big festival weekend, not least the thousands who are attending Latitude in Suffolk. I hear one group of Labour ministers are hiring a house nearby so they can get to listen to the music and sleep in a comfortable bed each night. For the few, not the many.
Brandon's healthy approach
Actress Glynis Barber, 69, has an enthusiastic interest in wellbeing and anti-ageing; her actor husband Michael Brandon, 80, doesn't. The pair co-starred in 1980s cop TV series Dempsey & Makepeace. Barber says: 'He literally has no interest whatsoever. However, he has the benefit of living with me. So I have foisted organic food on him. I read boring articles on the benefits of a certain supplement or the latest findings of what fat does to the body. [But] he just glazes over, tries to listen and then literally falls asleep.'
Arise Lord Norris?
Former Conservative minister Steven Norris has led a 'frankly ridiculous life', his son Harry declared in an affectionate speech at a dinner to celebrate his father's 80th birthday this week. 'Not many people can say they've been shot at beside President Carter, taken the late Queen on her first Thames Clipper ride or been kissed by both Yasser Arafat and Hugh Grant,' said Harry. Norris Snr, who was also Tory candidate for London mayor in 2000 and 2004, has inexplicably never been rewarded with a peerage. He responded to Harry's speech by inviting his friends to his 90th birthday party in 10 years' time.
Ozzy and Tony
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The Independent
26 minutes ago
- The Independent
The government must ensure the promise of free childcare is delivered
Takeup of the government's offer of free childcare has been one-quarter higher than predicted, which has prompted some voices in the sector to warn of its imminent 'collapse', because it is unclear how the planned expansion of the scheme in September will be funded. Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, in an exclusive interview with The Independent, says the unexpectedly high numbers signing up for the scheme is a 'good problem to have'. There is no doubt that there is a problem, however. The higher takeup meant that the Department for Education spent £2bn on the scheme in the last financial year, covering most of the first year of the Labour government, rather than the planned £1.6bn. That gap was covered by additional funding announced in the spending review in March, but as we report today, the Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates that the gap will continue to widen as the scheme expands. The next expansion will happen in September, when working parents with children aged nine months and older will be offered 30 hours a week of 'free' childcare. Of course, the care is not 'free' in that it has to be paid for by taxpayers generally – on the grounds that helping the parents of young children to work is a public good. As Ms Phillipson puts it: 'If people are able to work, or work a few more hours, that helps us all as a society as well and it gets economic growth going.' The funding of the scheme will continue to be under pressure, but the most important fact about the scheme so far is that it has not collapsed. The Independent was among those voices warning that it had been underfunded by the Conservative government, but to its credit the new government has increased the money available. The finances of the scheme may be stretched, and many childcare providers continue to say that they cannot recruit enough staff at the wages they can afford, but the gloomier warnings of chaos and thousands of parents left without places have not yet been borne out. It is crucial to remain vigilant as the scheme expands so that remains the case. At the insistence of Jeremy Hunt, the chancellor in the previous government, the scheme was designed to start small, with a limited offer of free hours to older children, before expanding gradually to provide full coverage. This September's expansion is the final stage of that planned rollout, which so far has gone more smoothly than we expected. If the last stage is a stretch too far and some parents cannot immediately find the places they want, that would be a blow to the government's ambitions. Ms Phillipson is right that the problem facing the scheme in its final phase is the problem of success. The higher-than-expected demand means additional pressure on the public finances in the later years of this parliament – pressure that coincides with other increased demands on Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, from slow growth, higher interest rates and a government U-turn on disability benefits spending. Providing greater access to free childcare is a good policy that will help working families. Its success and ambition should be applauded. The government must now make sure that its expansion is a success.
Daily Mail
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Experts: The royal protocol Prince William and George may not follow
Prince George turned 12 on July 22 - an important milestone for the future king in more ways than one. Citing a former royal helicopter pilot, Richard Eden, the Daily Mail's Diary Editor, said: 'When Prince William reached the age of 12, he stopped travelling with his father so they had separate flights. Obviously, that is to guarantee the line of succession. 'It will be very interesting to see whether that's the case with George and William because we know they have travelled together either via plane, helicopter or car.' But this is when Rebecca English, the Daily Mail's Royal Editor, who has been covering the royal beat since 2004, interjected. 'I spoke to the Palace this week,' she said, 'and they were like "Well, it's kind of news to us." 'I get the impression that the family won't be changing their travel arrangements at all.' Jo Elvin, who hosts the hit YouTube show as well as making regular appearances on ITV's Lorraine, was puzzled by the Palace's response. 'I remember being a kid and my father telling me about that as a bit of royal protocol,' she said. 'It's weird.' 'Yeah,' Richard said. 'They don't like talking about security and talking about travel arrangements. But I have to say, I mean, it's not a very tasteful discussion, but it is the future of our royal family and I personally find it very worrying. Look, after the Wales Family, we have Harry and Meghan!' he exclaimed. 'I'm sure this isn't true but there were some rumours that Meghan had said something about "we're only one plane crash away from being on the throne." 'I am sure she didn't as it's a very tasteless comment but the fact is, Prince Harry and Meghan could be on the throne and that is something, I would say, would be a threat to the future of the monarchy.' Pleading to the Wales Family, he said: 'Come on, even though it's not great for the environment, please put George on a separate flight and a separate helicopter from his father. My understanding is that he would still be able to travel with his mother,' Jo added. To which Rebecca replied: 'Yeah, but as I say, I don't think the family will change their travel plans at all.' This does not seem to align with the wishes of King Charles and the late Queen Elizabeth II - both of whom expressed their concerns about the Wales Family flying together. 'Not only do they travel together,' Richard explained, 'Prince William, who is a qualified helicopter pilot, actually flies the helicopter. According to Robert Jobson's book, the King didn't like William flying the whole family and urged him to stop. It is something that Queen Elizabeth expressed her concerns about as well. I think she was always keen to make sure that she did travel separately from the heir-to-the-throne Charles. It is a matter of some importance, I would say,' he added. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams added important historical context as to why this rule was followed so ardently by the late Queen. The experienced royal commentator told MailOnline that the bizarre rule was established following a string of tragic deaths in the family involving aircrafts. 'The unexpected can happen, as with Prince William of Gloucester's tragic death in 1972, though this was in a competition,' Richard said. 'Prince George, Duke of Kent also died in a plane crash in 1942, which has become controversial. Prince Philip's sister, Cecile, died in a plane crash in 1937, giving birth to a stillborn child,' he added. These tragedies have only served to reinforce the Royal Family's belief in ensuring the heirs travel separately. Richard noted that a similar policy exists across the pond where the President never travels by plane with the Vice-President. Whilst this new royal protocol may be one that the Wales Family choose not to follow, it is just one of many rules George and his siblings are subject to. These include always travelling with a change of black clothes should a member of the family die unexpectedly. On top of this, they can never eat shellfish while on a royal tour to avoid food poisoning. For more fascinating insights from the Mail's team of unrivalled experts, watch the latest episode of Palace Confidential in full now, subscribe to the Daily Mail Royals YouTube channel and sign up to the FREE Palace Confidential newsletter.
The Sun
27 minutes ago
- The Sun
Lidl to sell £7.99 dupe of £29.50 Marks & Spencer essential that is perfect for summer holidays
LIDL is selling a £7.99 dupe of a £29.50 Marks & Spencer essential that is perfect for summer holidays. Shoppers can find a trendy pair of sandals from the middle of the aisle for just a fraction of the price of the original version from M&S. Whether you're planning to stroll the streets of a sunny destination or simply want something to slip your feet into on the way to the pool, these shoes are worth the investment. The Esmara Ladies' Brown Sandals will be available for just £7.99 from Lidl. Product details These leather mules from LWG-certified tanneries have moulded footbeds for extra comfort. These EVA soles are also lightweight to ensure all day wear without issue. And the shoe straps also feature buckles for an easily adjusted fit. These sandals are available in women's sizes four through 7.5. Shoppers can find these from the Lidl middle aisle from Sunday, July 27. M&S version A similar version is available at Marks & Spencer for a slightly higher price. The Suede Buckle Footbed Mules are available for £29.50, in both black and khaki. "Add some luxe texture to your favourite sunny day looks with these suede mules," said the product description. Primark's new £10 summer top is the perfect & Other Stories dupe "The easy slip-on design features comfy footbeds set on practical low heels for all-day comfort." Manufacturers described the shoes as "effortlessly stylish" and "easy-to-wear". These shoes are available in women's sizes three through eight. The sandals have received an average rating of 4.6 stars out of five from M&S customers. Shoppers confirmed that the shoes fit true to size. Hottest fashion trends of 2025 Fabulous' Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend shares the biggest trends from the high street. The East/West Bag Baguette bags have had a good run, after returning from the 1990s' shoulders of Sarah Jessica Parker to modern-day fashion icons, like Hailey Bieber. In 2025, the East/West bag is a similar but elongated shape and has long, thin straps that are easy to throw over your shoulder. They've been on runway models' arms at nearly ever designer show - think Burberry, Givenchy and Bottega Veneta - and are hitting the high street now, too. Powder pink Bright fuchsia pink had its day after the release of Barbie in 2023 and now the more polished and expensive-looking pale shade is taking over for 2025. Pantone may say that it's the year of Mocha Mousse, but the catwalks say otherwise! From Prada to Erdem, the subtle look was all over the spring/summer catwalks, worn head-to-toe or on its own. If the sugary shade is too girly for you, then look to sharp suiting for a androgynous take on the colour. The shell jacket The '80s classic is back, but with a sleek and minimal new twist for 2025. We all know we're likely to see rain for most of spring, so your practical coat of choice should be a cagoule jacket. Depop revealed one of its big trend predictions for this year is retro sportswear, with surges already seen in '80s windbreakers'. Seen everywhere from the stylish streets of Copenhagen to the Miu Miu catwalk, now mums who have an emergency raincoat crumpled underneath their pushchair are very much in fashion! The turn-up jeans While the shape of jeans remains the same for this year and barrel-legs will still be everywhere, the way we're styling them is different. This season, transform your wide-leg, baggy denims into turn-ups. For this look, size doesn't matter, so while deep turn-ups are a hit from jean trend-leaders Citizens of Humanity, a slight fold is still just as good - but only as it's just one single fold. Peep-toe shoe Get your pedicures booked in sharpish, as this season your toes are the main event. After a long hiatus, the peep-toe has been welcomed back into the fashion fold, with brands like Hermes, Miu Miu and Tory Burch showing plain and embellished footwear in this style. From mules to pumps and clogs (yes, clogs will be around too!), there are lots of different styles that are set to sweep the high street. Sheer blouses See-through looks have always lived on the catwalk, but have rarely filtered into everyday life - until now. Designers Ralph Lauren and Tom Ford loved sheer looks on their S/S '25 catwalks and M&S even had sellout success with its black sheer pencil skirt last season. Expect to see more sheer looks lining supermarket aisles and high street shops in the form of skirts, tops and frocks. More on fashion buys Plus, the £12 jeans available from Sainsbury's, they're perfect for summer and autumn. Another Sainsbury's fashion buy looks fresh out of the 1920s. The retailer also has a £26 dress that shoppers say is perfect for summer getaways. And an £11 Tesco dress that works "year round" and is super flattering around the arms. Another Tesco printed midi dress is available for £12, it disguises your tummy and is perfect for summer.
