Ministers and MPs are blaming the PM’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, for an alleged operation targeting Health Secretary Wes Streeting. The row has unsettled No 10 days before the Budget. McSweeney denies plotting, while Streeting condemns a toxic culture and allies say the gambit has backfired.

Labour will revisit compensation for WASPI women, signalling a potential U-turn after accepting earlier findings should have been considered. Campaigners seek £10,000 each for 3.6m affected by state pension age changes. Backers hail progress; the Tories accuse delay, with decisions likely around the Budget.

Ministers are weighing alternatives to the BBC licence fee after an editorial row triggered a $1bn legal threat from the US President. The BBC chair apologised and the director-general resigned, intensifying concerns over leadership and relevance as some push a subscription model.

BBC director-general Tim Davie resigned after a programme about the US President used an edited clip, sparking bias claims. BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness also quit. A leaked memo showed pressure to address alleged systemic bias. Davie said he took ultimate responsibility.