Sarah Ferguson is considering spending an extended period abroad amid continued fallout from the Epstein affair, according to reports. The move would aim to reduce media pressure on her family. She faces no charges, and any decision remains under review.

The PM faces a No 10 crisis as internal briefings and rumours of a plot test authority before a key Budget. Allies deny any move against the leader, while pressure grows to sack the chief of staff. Critics claim he’s “in office, not in power”, and sterling has fallen.

New data shows around 4m people on out-of-work benefits are exempt from job-seeking requirements, up 1.3m since the election. Critics say the PM is failing to tackle welfare dependency as unemployment hits a four-year high. Ministers face pressure ahead of the Autumn Statement.

Campaigners say Labour risks a backlash if the Budget raises taxes on pensioners. A 160,000-strong petition urges the Chancellor to protect retirement incomes, amid fears of income tax hikes and an extended freeze to thresholds that would hit older people.