Schools, rail and hospitals suffer as heat engulfs UK

Britain is in the grip of an unprecedented heatwave today, with temperatures expected to reach 38C in south-east England and a maximum of 39C tomorrow, according to the Guardian. The paper warns that public services and millions of people across the UK are “struggling to cope with the searing heat caused by climate breakdown”. The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for today and tomorrow in the face of extreme heat and humidity, while a red heat health alert was issued in England indicating “a risk to life for even the healthy population”.

These temperatures would shatter the previous June record of 35.6C, first set in 1957 and reached again in 1976, and close to the milestone of 40.3C reached in July 2022, the first time the UK crossed 40C. The Guardian cites snap analysis published by ClimaMeter on Monday showing that climate breakdown has added 2-4C to the current heatwave.

Rail services across Britain have been severely disrupted, with operators urging passengers to travel “only if absolutely necessary”. Trains have reduced speeds to exert less force on tracks at risk of buckling. Network Rail has imposed speed restrictions to minimise the risk from heat-related issues. Hospitals have cancelled patient appointments, while some schools across southern England and Wales have closed. Hosepipe bans have been introduced in south-east England.

“Killer heat warnings” reads the Metro’s headline, as western Europe’s “heat dome” covering Italy, Spain and France radiates across the English Channel. The paper reports that “UK roasts again… after 29,000 lightning strikes in single night”. More than 40 people have drowned “keeping cool” in France where “two children left in a car died”.

The i Paper’s top story declares “Britain set to break 50-year heat record”, “smashing UK’s June record from 1976”. The paper summarises: “hundreds of schools close to cope”, “high humidity adds to discomfort”, and “do not travel warnings on railways”.

The Daily Mirror splashes “Meltdown” across its front page as it reports on “baking Britain”. The paper also depicts a visibly disappointed England player Nico O’Reilly after the national team drew 0-0 against Ghana in the World Cup group stage.

The Sun reassures with “Don’t worry about a thing, ‘cos every little thing is… Ghana be alright” following England’s 0-0 draw, with the version of Bob Marley’s lyrics printed over a photo of manager Thomas Tuchel holding the cheeks of star midfielder Jude Bellingham. Despite the scoreless result, the paper says “Lions fans were still backing their heroes to make it to the knockout stage”.

The Daily Star quips “3 Lions back to drawing bored”, saying the national team “must wait for their final group game against Panama to find out their World Cup fate”. The paper jokes “it’s the Boston stranglers” after the goalless match in Boston, with captain Harry Kane shown pulling his hair back on the front page’s main image.

According to the Sun, thousands of pupils and teachers are “bunking off school” today to join those who flocked to beaches, lidos and parks yesterday. The paper also says animals at a zoo in Somerset were given ice lollies to keep them cool, while there have been soaring sales of ice cream makers, barbecues and fans.

Starmer and Burnham at odds over defence plans

Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his “likely successor” Andy Burnham could clash over the “defence investment blueprint”, a 10-year plan to fund armed forces and new military technology, and grow the defence industry, the Financial Times writes. “Burnham wants to review the investment plan instead of nodding through a Starmer-drafted proposal,” the paper reports, citing unnamed sources. It adds that the unpublished plan has caused “bitter wrangling within the Starmer administration”, recently leading to former Defence Secretary John Healey’s resignation. The paper also says Rachel Reeves’ future as chancellor is “in doubt” in a Burnham government, although she could be offered “an alternative cabinet role”.

The Times reports that Sir Keir is preparing to “force through” his proposals, possibly unveiling them at the Nato summit in early July before he leaves Number 10.

The Daily Telegraph leads with “Prime minister-in-waiting tells Labour MPs he will do more than Starmer to defend UK” under the headline “Burnham: I’ll boost cash for defence”. The Telegraph says Andy Burnham has told Labour MPs he wants to give the Ministry of Defence more than the £13.5bn offered in Sir Keir Starmer’s Defence Investment Plan. The paper understands Burnham’s team held discussions with John Healey, the former defence secretary, about boosting military spending.

The Financial Times says the issue raises the prospect of what it calls a “showdown” between Andy Burnham and Sir Keir, with the latter keen to release the plan, and the former keen to review it. The paper quotes officials as saying that Sir Keir has viewed it as a “core pillar” of his legacy.

Meanwhile, new Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis has promised to publish the British government’s delayed defence investment plan before the Nato summit in a fortnight, amid indications that he has already secured around £1bn more than his predecessor, John Healey.

Burnham inches closer to power as Jones rules himself out

Andy Burnham took a step closer to becoming Britain’s next prime minister without a contest on Wednesday when Cabinet minister Darren Jones, touted as a possible rival, said he would not run. Jones, a key ally of outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer, endorsed Burnham to take over after saying he had been reassured by the former mayor’s economic plans, including ways he could possibly borrow more.

“Andy Burnham is going to be the next prime minister. And if there was a contest of Labour Party members, he would win,” Jones told Sky News.

Sir Keir Starmer held talks with Labour MP Andy Burnham on Tuesday, as the government moves to ensure an “orderly” transition following Starmer’s announcement that he will step down. The meeting took place at a secret location in London, and while neither side is giving away details about the talks, it is understood they spoke about how an orderly transition of power would play out. Sources described the meeting as “frosty”.

Starmer will face Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday for the first time since he announced his resignation. The Financial Times reports that if Burnham becomes prime minister, he is expected to offer Rachel Reeves, the current chancellor, a junior or mid-level cabinet position.

‘He’s boxed in’: Burnham faces bond market pressure

Andy Burnham would enter Downing Street already “boxed in” by financial markets if he signals a rise in borrowing to pay for a more expansive policy agenda, bond investors have warned. The newly elected MP for Makerfield, who is widely expected to be the next prime minister, could also quickly come under pressure if he chooses a chancellor who is seen to be too leftwing by bond markets.

“He is boxed in by the fact that government finances are in a weak position, and if he chooses to ignore this he could find himself under pressure very quickly,” said Mark Dowding, chief investment officer at the hedge fund RBC BlueBay.

With Liz Truss’s disastrous mini-budget still casting a shadow over UK fiscal policy, Burnham alarmed some investors last year when he said the UK was “in hock” to the bond markets—a stance he has since moderated in interviews. Dowding said: “Markets are more prone to be sceptical at the outset if he tries to be too adventurous… from that perspective Burnham could be walking a tightrope partly of his own making. It won’t take too many headlines for the bond markets to suddenly be on its back”.

However, Darren Jones has sought to reassure markets, telling Sky News that bond markets should be “content” with Burnham’s economic plans. Jones said he spoke to Burnham on Monday seeking reassurance about his economic plans and came away satisfied. On why some Labour MPs urging him to stand were worried about Burnham’s economic policies, Jones said: “We all want to build more council houses. We want to see more control over public utilities. We want to be able to devolve more, to get more development and investment in infrastructure in and around the country. But there is a route to doing that in line with the fiscal rules, in a way which continues economic stability as opposed to moving too quickly”. He added: “And just saying you’re going to borrow lots of extra money – because the risk of doing that – borrowing isn’t free. I mean, if you just say you’re going to borrow lots of extra money, you could probably sell the debt. But it’s increasingly expensive, and it means you take money away from doctors and nurses and police officers of the armed forces in order to pay”.

Jones declined to say whether Ed Miliband would be a good choice as Burnham’s chancellor. Miliband is thought to be Burnham’s preferred option, but Burnham is under pressure from the Tories and the rightwing press who are trying to convince the public that Miliband is “some sort of fiscally irresponsible, far-left version of Liz Truss”.

The Daily Mail reports that business leaders and Labour MPs have “joined forces” in suggesting that Energy Secretary Ed Miliband should not be appointed chancellor in a Burnham-led government. The paper quotes hotelier Sir Rocco Forte as saying that the idea of Miliband taking that role has sent a “shudder” through the business community.

Farage dismisses questions over £5m gift

Nigel Farage has said his £5m gift from a crypto billionaire is “not any of your business” as it was given unconditionally to be spent on anything from Ferraris to gambling on horses. The Reform UK leader bristled at questions about the £5m gift from the British Thai-based businessman Christopher Harborne in two radio interviews yesterday, saying it was “a purely private matter”.

In an appearance on LBC Radio, he told the presenter: “With all due respect, what’s it got to do with you? It’s an unconditional gift. I can spend it on Ferraris if I want. That’d be entirely up to me”. He added: “I can do what I want with it. I can put it on the horses”.

Challenged over why he initially said it was for his personal security, and then that it was a reward for Brexit, Farage said: “Because it was given as an unconditional gift, right? The understanding is, and you know very well, you know very well I’ve been physically more attacked over many years than any other politician”. Pressed again on whether he had been giving different accounts about the purpose of the money, he said: “Look, there are not two stories. One is I was given the money unconditionally”. “I believe it was a reward for giving up a quarter of a century of my life, giving up a huge income in the City of London, putting up with lots of abuse. I believe that was the motive, whether it was or not. That is that side of the equation. The other side of the equation is what I intend to do with that. I’ve made that perfectly clear”.

Brexit’s decade of disruption

Ten years after a slim majority voted to leave the European Union, the economic and political effects of that decision continue to disrupt the United Kingdom. Citing lower trade and investment, analysts broadly agree that Britain’s economy is smaller than it would have been if the country had stayed in the EU. According to the Guardian, the New York Times and CNBC, assessments have recently gained traction in the UK that support is growing to revisit EU ties as a decade of Brexit brings weaker trade, a softer pound and political churn.

Defence investment secured

New Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis has promised to publish the British government’s delayed defence investment plan before the Nato summit in a fortnight amid indications that he has already secured around £1bn more than his predecessor, John Healey. The development comes as tensions between Starmer and Burnham over defence spending continue to dominate the political agenda.

Extreme heat forces cancellation of ceremonial events

The Household Division has cancelled ceremonial Guard Changes in Windsor and London on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday due to the extreme heatwave. Buckingham Palace Guard Change was cancelled as temperatures soared across the capital.