Two men who deliberately felled the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland have each been sentenced to four years and three months in prison, the court finding that the act was pre-planned and carried out in a professional manner.

Conservative MPs warn that Chancellor Rachel Reeves could use the upcoming Budget to impose further tax measures they say would unfairly burden already hard-pressed middle-income earners, risking a drag on growth and sparking political backlash.

Critics claim new child protection legislation lacks proper enforcement mechanisms, sparking widespread concern over whether it can effectively safeguard young people from harmful conduct.

Rachel Reeves stands accused of orchestrating a “tax time bomb” that could intensify the UK’s economic downturn and heighten the risk of recession, with Tories blaming the Chancellor’s fiscal approach and experts warning of escalating financial pressures.