Following a government U-turn, pensioners will now face a year’s delay before receiving winter fuel payments, with Starmer pledging that more people will ultimately benefit from the new arrangement.

Britain is prepared to sanction senior Israeli figures over the situation in Gaza, with leaders cautioning that further escalation may breach international law.

Starmer has welcomed a substantial new arrangement with the EU, presenting it as a fresh phase in post-Brexit relations and improved market access, while sceptics claim the £9bn commitment compromises UK fishing rights and raises concerns over sovereignty.

Brussels’s late-stage fishing demands risk derailing progress on post-Brexit talks, placing the PM’s attempts to reset relations with the EU in jeopardy just before a pivotal summit.