Alun Francis, the government’s social mobility commissioner, argues the PM lacks a coherent strategy to tackle entrenched inequality. He calls for a joined-up plan centred on left-behind areas, warning current policies are piecemeal and gaps in education, jobs and health are widening.

Alan Milburn will lead a review urging No 10 to overhaul youth employment, training and pay to avoid a “lost generation”. It will scrutinise the lower youth minimum wage, entry routes and apprenticeships, pushing action to raise prospects, cut insecure work and improve living standards.

Rory McIlroy has been named Sports Personality of the Year after a standout season on tour. The award recognises his sustained excellence, consistency and leadership in golf, rounding off a year that reaffirmed his status among the sport’s elite.

European intelligence says a hostile state is targeting EU finance chiefs and politicians to derail plans to use profits from frozen central bank assets. Leaders will decide whether to proceed, with legal backing and guarantees for Euroclear under discussion.