Amid a staffing crisis plaguing overcrowded prisons, the number of officers investigated for inappropriate relationships with inmates has nearly tripled over five years, sparking concerns about corruption and the recruitment of inexperienced personnel.

Pollsters warn that Starmer’s shifts on contentious benefit policies may not be enough to recapture lost support, with sceptics suggesting they could deepen doubts over his leadership.

Ministers face renewed pressure to accelerate the relocation of Afghans who supported British forces, after numerous credible applications were wrongly rejected and have now been identified for urgent review.

The PM, bowing to pressure from concerned MPs and the public, has abandoned a previous plan to cut winter fuel support and pledged to extend eligibility for more pensioners, aiming to calm growing discontent and reassure voters ahead of the colder months.