TUC chief Paul Nowak urges Starmer to make the cost‑of‑living crisis the top priority, warning disillusioned voters could turn to Reform UK and Nigel Farage if living standards don’t improve before local elections. A poll suggests most voters see this as Britain’s biggest issue.

King Charles’s Christmas message struck an optimistic note, praising shared values and community heroes of all backgrounds. He saluted service personnel and volunteers, urged kindness, unity and respect for life, and said common purpose can make the future more hopeful.

Fresh emails reportedly show an account signed “A” at Balmoral asking an associate to find “inappropriate” companions, intensifying scrutiny on a senior royal’s past associations and prompting renewed questions over judgement and accountability.

The King has been judged the year’s hardest‑working royal, clocking 552 engagements while receiving cancer treatment. More than 300 were in person, with regional visits across the UK. He topped tables of royal duties, outpacing other senior royals.