Rayner has reportedly clashed with the Chancellor and her party leader over proposed spending cuts after pushing for higher taxes, fuelling speculation about her leadership ambitions among supporters.

Labour proposes new sentencing guidelines that could shorten custodial terms for certain serious offenders, prompting debate about the balance between security and rehabilitation.

On a difficult day, the Chancellor faced a triple blow as the PM reversed policy on winter fuel, inflation rose sharply, and criticisms of her tax policies escalated, deepening tensions at the top of government.

An ex-PM warns that Britain is sliding towards a police state as judges uphold a mother’s lengthy prison sentence for a contentious online post, triggering a heated debate over free speech.