At a public engagement, the King briefly fumbled an unveiling, tugging the cloth loose before regaining composure and finishing the task. The moment drew laughs from onlookers and caused no damage or injury.

Official data show 33,005 hospitality firms have closed since the Budget, with pubs, cafes and hotels hit hardest. Critics blame Labour’s tax rises for lost jobs. Ministers say the programme is needed to repair the public finances and will support long‑term growth.

Kemi Badenoch vowed to legislate to make biological sex explicit in law, protecting single‑sex spaces for women in areas such as healthcare and prisons. She says the change would give providers legal clarity and criticised Labour’s approach.

Ministers are urged to suspend funding to France intended to curb Channel crossings. Reform wants the current agreement scrapped and about £700m returned, saying any future payments should depend on crossings being halted.