Boris Johnson criticised Nick Robinson after the presenter said bias complaints are part of a drive to undermine the BBC. Allies dismissed the claim and signalled fresh scrutiny of the Corporation’s impartiality and the licence fee.

Rachel Reeves faces scrutiny after emails suggest she and her husband were told by two estate agents a licence was needed to let their south London home, despite her claim to the PM she was unaware. The property was reportedly rented at about £3,200 a month before the permit was secured.

The Chancellor is considering an annual levy on high‑value homes in the Budget: 1% of the amount over £2m, equating to about £10,000 a year for a £3m property. Critics say it could distort the housing market and hit older owners; backers argue it would raise revenue from wealthier households.

An email suggests a senior royal asked the Met to obtain private data on a woman who had made allegations, to support a smear effort. The disclosure has prompted calls for a police investigation into potential misuse of taxpayer-funded staff to gather information.