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NewsBeat

13 Best Barbecues, Grills, And Pizza Ovens For Last-Minute Bank Holiday Hosting

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13 Best Barbecues, Grills, And Pizza Ovens For Last-Minute Bank Holiday Hosting

We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, HuffPost UK may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.

After months of drab drizzly and grey skies, we are pleased to announce the sun is finally here. And, not to jinx it, but it seems like it will be for longer than one day only.

With the long weekend – not to mention summer – coming up, we’re not expecting a medal for predicting that you’ve caught the urge to cook outdoors.

Obviously, the start of any successful season starts with getting your garden ready for guests to ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ at – so we’ve already rounded up the best garden furniture and low-effort gear to transform your space.

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But you can’t exactly cook on cobblestones, can you? If you’re thinking about splashing out on a new piece of cooking gear for your garden, here’s HuffPost’s round-up of the best barbecues, grills, and pizza ovens to shop now.

Because nothing says ‘celebrate the sun’ like sweating in front of a scorching surface!

How we chose the best barbecues and pizza ovens

We know cooking outside is a serious sport for some, so rest assured, we’ve put in the work of finding the best barbecues on the market. For those not tested by the HuffPost team, we scoured the internet to find the best-rated barbecues, grills, and pizza ovens across a range of price points and brands.

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Across the board, we looked for options that were easy to set up, move around the garden, and were good value for money. We’ve also included grills and ovens in a range of sizes, and those powered by a mix of electricity, gas, coal, and wood.

Best barbecues and grills

Whether you’re hosting a garden bash, or simply whipping up a quick weeknight meal for the family, these are the best barbecues and grills to shop now.

Want the satisfaction of grilling your own sausages, but don’t have a garden? Same, which is why I’m enamoured by this portable barbecue. Forget those shiny aluminium disposable BBQs you can get at the shops, this one can not only be used endlessly, but it’s also super lightweight. That doesn’t mean it sacrifices performance, though, because the heavyweight lid leaves enough room to cook larger items like a steak, while the valve allows you to get your heat to just the right level, so you can perfect your sear.

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If the fact that the people’s princess, Gordon Ramsay, uses these grills isn’t enough to convince you to try one out, maybe this will. Inpsired by Japanese cooking, Kasai grills use charcoal instead of gas. The searing heat makes for a quicker cook and an end result that is more smoky and flavoursome than other grills could ever hope to achieve. This nano size is ideal for smaller patios or cooking a mere skewer or two, but it also comes in little, medium, medium long, and long sizes.

Should you be cooking up a storm this weekend, you’ll have room to cook for all the family on this charcoal grill. With space for up to 12 burgers, you won’t have to worry about frantically running around to cater for all your guests, and there’s even surface space on the side for rolls, sauces, and sides. It might be mighty sturdy, but unlike other back-breaking barbecues, this one comes on wheels so you can easily relocate it to get it out of your hair during the colder months.

Summer is all about day drinking like a fish, so why not smoke some fish to for some sustenance, too? Shaped like an egg, Gregg is fuelled by coal, but is ideal for smoking your choice of meat, fish, and veggies with the addition of wood chips. As well as fitting up to 10 burgers, it has a three-layer grid that allows you to grill, warm, and roast all at once. Because he’s generous, Gregg also comes with an 12 inch pizza stone, for the indecisive among us who can’t choose between a BBQ and a pizza oven.

As a barbecue beginner, I always worry that I won’t be able to make it past the set up stage, let alone figure out how to navigate the gas of it all. Luckily, this barbecue is completely beginner-friendly, according to its 250+ five-star reviews. As well as being easy to set up and move around once you have, this barbecue is ideal if you’re the kind of people who are circumstantial grillers, as it’s pretty small and unobtrusive. It’s great value for money, and even has a side burner for some added space.

Now this is how you get a party started! With a whopping six burners, this barbecue can cook up to 27 burgers at once. Its handy side burner means you can get a sauce going while your food bronzes, while the side tables house an ice bucket to keep your drink cold (which we have a suspicion you’ll be grateful for). Plus, that huge base is in fact a huge cavern for your cooking tools, gas, and whatever else you might need.

If you’re garden is on the smaller side, you won’t want to have a f*ck off huge barbecue lingering about year-round. Vonhaus has created a BBQ that won’t take up too much space. The heat can be adjusted by simply raising the charcoal tray closer to the grill, and the handle comes with its very own built-in bottle opener (cool as hell). With enough room to feed a family of three or four, this will be your go-to for warmer seasons.

As the masters of the air fryer, Shark knows what it’s doing when it comes to cooking appliances. This gas barbecue is no exception, as it forces you to ask more of your barbecue by not only grilling, but smoking, roasting, griddling, and making pizzas, too. So you don’t overdo your meat (nightmare situation) it has an in-built precision burner, which allows you to see how hot it’s getting in there. And, meatheads rejoice: Shark Ninja has partnered with HGWalter so you can get 30% off a meat box to get started.

Best pizza ovens

It’s not just barbecues that can cook a variety of food – as well as cooking (duh) pizzas, these ovens can be used to grill veggies, fish, and meat. You might even find yourself kneading a naan bread to slide in there.

Fancy yourself a serious pizza chef? Well, then you deserve the equipment to match that energy. According to our parenting editor, it takes up to four people to get it out of the box, thanks to weighing a mighty 73kg. Once you’ve got it on the stand, though, you’re good to go. Setup is a breeze and you’ve got enough space to stick two 14″ pizzas in, which means you can actually sit and eat together, rather than having someone do all the legwork while the rest of you eat, unlike smaller pizza ovens. Families who want to spend lots of time outdoors this summer, this one’s for you, as it heats up (and cools down) fast, and is brilliant to cook with even when the winter months hit thanks to accommodating everything from steak, to chicken wings, and more.

Sometimes you want to make a day of cooking pizza. I mean, if you’re making your own dough, why not? But others, you simply want to crack on with it and have a sizzling pie in front of you within the half hour. If you tend to flip flop between the two, this oven from Delvita gives you the option to do both, thanks to being fuelled by either gas or wood, depending on the day. Should you choose the former, it takes a speedy 15 minutes to heat up, and it’s easy enough to switch over to wood once it’s warm to achieve that charred and chewy crust. Plus, if you buy it between 23rd and 25th May, you’ll get £187 worth of free products, including a Leather Apron, Leather Pizza Glove, and Black Cast Iron Dish – and who doesn’t love free stuff?

Pizza on the go? Do I even need to grace that with a response? This lightweight Delvita oven has foldable legs, and is deceptively lightweight, which makes it ideal for packing up and taking on camping holidays with you. To make sure you, and it, stay safe wherever you go, it comes with a travel case, foldable peel, regulator, pipe, and temperature gun. Plus, when you buy it between 23rd and 25th May, you’ll get your first two gas canisters completely free.

Don’t want to rely on the British weather to hold up? Fair enough, we wouldn’t want a rain-sodden pizza, either. Powered by electricity, this oven from Ooni allows you to make pizza in the comfort of your own home – or rather, in the safety of your four walls. It takes just 12 minutes to make a pizza, and comes with your choice of a medium or large padel so that your path to chewy, doughy goodness couldn’t be either.

If I’m being really honest, using gas scares me, but I want to be able to cook outside. Hence why I’m obsessed with this electric Shark Ninja outdoor oven, which takes just three minutes to crisp up your pizza once heated up. You can also use it as an air fryer, to bake (because trying to bake inside on a boiling hot day is not it), or as a proving container. So you’re fully set and ready to go, the oven comes with an oven cover, pizza wheel cutter, pizza Stone, baking tray, pizza peel, and air fry basket – woah.

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Who do England play in the World Cup knockouts now?

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Wales Online

Thomas Tuchel still top their group and have only Panama left to play before the knockout stages

England remain on course for top spot in their World Cup group despite being held to a goalless draw by Ghana.

The point leaves Thomas Tuchel’s side at the summit of Group L with one game remaining against Panama, and they remain in control of their own destiny heading into the final round of fixtures.

With the knockout bracket beginning to take shape, England’s likely route through the tournament is becoming clearer, though plenty can still change with most groups yet to complete their final matches.

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As things stand, finishing top of Group L would hand England a Round of 32 tie against DR Congo in Atlanta on July 1.

England and DR Congo are paired together in the bracket as the winner of England’s section would currently face the third-placed team from Group K. DR Congo currently occupy that position, though Colombia, Portugal and Uzbekistan are all still in contention ahead of the final group games.

Should England come through that encounter, they would then advance to a last-16 clash on July 6 against either Mexico or Cape Verde, who are currently lined up in another Round of 32 tie on the same side of the draw.

If results continue to fall their way, a quarter-final on July 11 could bring a showdown with one of Brazil, Japan, Ivory Coast or Norway – as things stand.

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Beyond that, England’s route to the semi-finals would be on Wednesday, July 15, and could include Belgium, Portugal, Argentina, Uruguay and others, depending on how those sections of the draw unfold.

The final will take place on Sunday, July 19, with the sides from the other half of the draw then coming into contention, such as France, Spain, Colombia and Germany.

The current projected path for England as Group L winners is:

Round of 32 (July 1)England vs DR Congo

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Last 16 (July 6)England/DR Congo vs Mexico/Cape Verde

Quarter-final (July 11)Potentially Brazil, Japan, Ivory Coast or Norway

Semi-final (July 15)One of the remaining teams from that side of the draw, including Argentina and Portugal.

Final (July 19)Teams such as France, Spain, Netherlands, Colombia and Germany enter the equation

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Of course, there is still one final group game to play and the picture could shift before the knockout rounds begin.

England know victory over DR Congo would guarantee they finish top of the group and avoid any last-day complications.

For now, though, the draw with Ghana has done little damage to their hopes and the Three Lions remain firmly on course for a knockout route which, on paper at least, looks more favourable than some of the alternatives elsewhere in the bracket.

The upper half of the draw currently contains Germany, France, Netherlands and Spain, meaning England could avoid all four nations until a potential final if they continue to win their matches and maintain first place in Group L.

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World Cup last-32 draw as it stands

Germany vs ScotlandFrance vs SwedenSouth Korea vs SwitzerlandNetherlands vs MoroccoColombia vs GhanaSpain vs AustriaUnited States vs AlgeriaEgypt vs Czech RepublicBrazil vs JapanIvory Coast vs NorwayMexico vs Cape VerdeEngland vs DR CongoArgentina vs UruguayAustralia vs IranCanada vs BelgiumPortugal vs Paraguay

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Cancelled card ‘loophole’ may leave door open for fraudsters, says Which?

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Cancelled card ‘loophole’ may leave door open for fraudsters, says Which?

Jenny Ross, Which? Money editor, said: “When you’re issued with a new card, having the new number automatically updated in places you’ve saved it can be incredibly handy, allowing subscriptions to renew seamlessly and enabling you to spend online without manually updating.

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World Cup manager loses his mother in family tragedy and will miss crucial match

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Wales Online

The mother of one World Cup head coach has died during the tournament, and her son will now miss their country’s crucial final game of the group stage as a result

Didier Deschamps will be absent from France’s final World Cup group stage fixture against Norway following the devastating loss of his mother.

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The head coach will return to his home country from the United States to attend her funeral. France assistant coach Guy Stephan will take charge after being handed the responsibility by Deschamps during his absence.

Having won both of their opening group stage matches against Iraq and Senegal, Les Bleus have already secured their place in the knockout rounds, alongside their forthcoming opponents.

Friday’s fixture will decide who finishes top of Group I. Deschamps, however, will not be present in Boston as the group stage draws to a close.

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The French Football Federation confirmed in a statement released on Tuesday: “Didier Deschamps will not be able ⁠to oversee training sessions ahead of the Norway v France match.

“He will also be absent from the bench for Friday’s final Group I game.

“The national team coach learned this morning of the death of ‌his ⁠mother and will return to France to attend her funeral.

“In agreement with Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, who is ⁠currently at the France team’s base camp, Deschamps has entrusted assistant coach Guy Stephan with responsibility ⁠for leading the squad until his return.”

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Stephan has spent the past 17 years working alongside Deschamps, initially at Marseille and subsequently with the national side. He also previously served as an assistant under Roger Lemerre when France claimed Euro 2000 glory and the Confederations Cup the following year.

Having departed France following those two successful tournaments, Stephan took charge of Senegal after the 2002 World Cup. He remained in the post for almost three years before being relieved of his duties, marking his last head-coaching role.

Stephan also served as an assistant to Raymond Domenech, who would later manage France. He additionally worked under Jean Tigana at the club before taking the reins himself in 1995.

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The former forward spent just one season at Lyon before later taking on a year-long spell at Bordeaux. Stephan subsequently went on to manage France’s under-17 side, before stepping up to the senior national team setup.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

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The June temperature records in Northern Ireland which could be broken this week

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Belfast Live

Our map shows the locations of June temperature records across the UK

June temperature records are set to be broken this week as a ‘heat dome’ brings scorching temperatures to the UK.

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In Northern Ireland it has been forecasted that temperatures could reach as high as 30 degrees on Friday in some places while parts of the South Midlands in England could reach 36 degrees. This would beat the current UK June temperature record of 35.6C set in 1976.

The current NI record is 29 degrees which was set at Aldergrove Airport weather station on June 29, 1995, followed by 28 degrees at Belfast Harbour weather station on June 28, 2018.

The Met Office is warning of even hotter conditions over the next three days, meaning records at locations around the country are likely to be beaten.

Here is the full list of record June temperatures at 160 weather stations around the country, from data published by Meteostat.

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For 22 weather stations, the record June temperatures have stood for half a century since the summer of 1976. But in another sign of the warming climate, nearly half of the weather stations listed set their June temperature record relatively recently during the 2020s.

You can see the June temperature record at weather stations in your region here:

Northern Ireland

  • 29.0C at Belfast / Aldergrove Airport weather station, Antrim and Newtownabbey, on 29 June, 1995
  • 28.0C at Belfast / Harbour weather station, Belfast, on 28 June, 2018
  • 28.0C at Eglinton / Greysteel weather station, Causeway Coast and Glens, on 20 June, 2025
  • 27.1C at St Angelo weather station, Fermanagh and Omagh, on 20 June, 2025
  • 24.4C at Ballykelly weather station, Causeway Coast and Glens, on 20 June, 2025
  • 23.8C at Portrush weather station, Causeway Coast and Glens, on 13 June, 2023

East Midlands

  • 33.1C at Waddington weather station, North Kesteven, on 30 June, 2015

West Midlands

  • 31.0C at Shawbury weather station, Shropshire, on 29 June, 1976
  • 31.0C at Birmingham / Airport weather station, Solihull, on 26 June, 1976

London

  • 35.0C at London Heathrow Airport weather station, Hillingdon, on 26 June, 1976
  • 30.0C at Biggin Hill / berry’s green weather station, Bromley, on 21 June, 2025

North East

  • 30.0C at Newcastle / Dinnington / Ponteland / Hazlerigg weather station, Newcastle upon Tyne, on 20 June, 2025

North West

  • 33.0C at Manchester Airport weather station, Manchester, on 22 June, 1976

Isle of Man

  • 27.6C at Isle of Man / Ronaldsway Airport weather station, Isle of Man, on 13 June, 2023

Yorkshire and the Humber

  • 32.0C at Humberside / Kirmington weather station, North Lincolnshire, on 27 June, 2011
  • 31.0C at Topcliffe / Dalton weather station, North Yorkshire, on 30 June, 2025
  • 31.0C at Leconfield weather station, East Riding of Yorkshire, on 21 June, 2025

South West

  • 34.0C at Bournemouth Airport weather station, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, on 27 June, 1976

South East

  • 35.0C at Southampton / Weather Centre weather station, Southampton, on 27 June, 1976

East of England

  • 34.0C at Lakenheath Royal Air Force Base weather station, West Suffolk, on 21 June, 2025

Wales

  • 32.0C at Cardiff-Wales Airport weather station, Vale of Glamorgan, on 29 June, 1976

Scotland

  • 31.0C at Glasgow Airport weather station, Renfrewshire, on 28 June, 2018

Channel Islands

  • 32.6C at Jersey Airport weather station, Jersey, on 30 June, 2025

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

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Police confirm number of TRNSMT arrests amid charges over assault and drug offences

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Daily Record

The total number of arrests made at last weekend’s TRNSMT music festival in Glasgow Green have been revealed by Police Scotland.

Police have revealed the number of arrests made during this year’s TRNSMT festival after tens of thousands of music fans packed into Glasgow Green for a weekend of live music.

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The hugely popular event saw crowds flock to the city to watch some of their favourite acts perform, including the likes of Lewis Capaldi and Kasabian. However, officers were also kept busy dealing with a string of incidents across the three-day festival.

A total of 14 festival-goers were arrested and taken into custody over the course of the weekend, according to Police Scotland. Of those arrested, eight people are set to be reported to the Procurator Fiscal, while six received recorded police warnings.

We previously told that on the first day of the festival officers arrested two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, in connection with drug offences. Another two 16-year-old boys were arrested in connection with assaults.

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Meanwhile, a 42-year-old man was arrested in connection with a breach of an air navigation order. And a 38-year-old man was arrested following an alleged road traffic offence.

Police continued to deal with incidents on Saturday, when three male youths were arrested and charged in connection with Breach of the Peace offences.

Two further people were arrested following a disturbance and were issued recorded police warnings. Another six people were charged in connection with alleged assault and Breach of the Peace offences.

On the final day of the festival, Sunday, officers received reports of nine assaults, reports the Scottish Sun.

A 43-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection and is due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court at a later date. Two women were also charged in connection with the reported assaults and will be the subject of reports to the Procurator Fiscal.

This comes after we reported that a teenage boy was beaten black and blue at TRNSMT by a mob of youths in a frightening attack.

The 17-year-old had just arrived at the music festival in Glasgow with his pal when they were set upon by a 20-strong gang of youngsters on Friday evening. The pair were surrounded near the main stage by yobs who punched and kicked them to the ground, before repeatedly stamping on the teen’s head.

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The teen, who does not want to reveal his identity, was left with two black eyes, a broken eye socket and a fractured cheekbone and nose. Dozens of videos of the sickening attack have been shared on social media.

Speaking to the Record, his mum said she was horrified when she saw her son after she received a phone call from staff at the on-site medic tent to come and collect him.

“I was horrified when I saw the state of his face. He was bloodied and had two black eyes,” she told us. “The back of his head was like a golf ball. I took him straight to A&E at the Queen Elizabeth in Glasgow.

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“He collapsed when we arrived and two paramedics had to take him into hospital. “The doctor said he should have been blue-lighted in an ambulance straight away. He said one more blow to my son’s head could have been fatal.

“The level of violence is disgusting – they were repeatedly punching and kicking him. Every time I look at him, I just cry at the state he’s been left in.”

Get Daily Record Premium for just £1 per month in exclusive offer to celebrate the World Cup. Click HERE.

His friend was also left with a broken nose and cheekbone. His mum continued: “I was physically sick just watching one video.

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“My son said he didn’t want a fight and walked away, but these boys were just intent on causing harm. They don’t seem to understand they could kill someone.

“It’s also appalling that people not only stood there looking on but also filmed it.

“The amount of violence that has been happening in recent months is horrific. I’m frightened to let my children out of the house as it is. As parents, we are scared for their safety.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said at the time: “On the evening of Friday, 19 June, 2026, officers received a report of two male youths assaulted in the Glasgow Green area. Enquiries are ongoing.”

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DF Concerts spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident that took place on Friday 19th June and are supporting Police Scotland with their investigation.”

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NI woman selected as Labour candidate to replace Andy Burnham

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Bev Craig spoke to Belfast Live earlier this year about her entry into politics

Greenisland woman Bev Craig has been selected as the Labour candidate in the upcoming Greater Manchester Mayoral by-election to replace Andy Burnham.

Last week, Burnham won the Makerfield by-election and is now likely to be the next Prime Minister following Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation on Monday.

Earlier this year, Belfast Live sat down with Bev Craig, who has been the leader of Manchester City Council since 2021, to discuss her entry into politics and her rapid rise through the ranks of the Labour Party.

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“We grew up thinking we were a fairly ordinary family and just lived normal lives, because that’s the life that people lived around you, and statistically people now look back and say you grew up in poverty, but as kids we didn’t see it that way,” she told us.

“When you grow up in a culture that only looks one way, it teaches you something about what it means to create a place where everybody can get on, because I grew up not knowing Catholics, not knowing anybody who wasn’t from Greenisland or predominantly Protestant.

“That experience really shaped how I think about places, and how you get people to live good quality lives alongside each other in a way they can trust.”

When it comes to delivery for the region under Andy Burnham, she said that Manchester was starting to see “real change.”

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“I’ve been an elected councillor since 2011, and when national politics gets stressful, going out on the doors and chatting to ordinary folk keeps your head grounded, but there’s just so much happening here now that we’re starting to see real change,” she said.

“For the first time in 14 years, we’re seeing money coming back into the city, and I gave my commitment to people that I was here for a bit longer, because I love the job and I think I can do some good.”

Manchester, when she arrived as a student, offered contrast. Craig says she left Northern Ireland knowing she probably would not return, though she did not initially expect to settle in the north of England either. What she found was a city that felt comfortable quickly. It was diverse, confident and politically open, giving her space to grow personally and politically.

She did not immediately join a political party. Instead, her route into Labour came through trade union activism and concern about the rise of the far right in England. That journey, she believes, mirrors the complexity many people from Northern Ireland bring with them, shaped by Loyalist, nationalist and non-aligned influences all at once.

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“I’m a bit of a funny contradiction, because you grow up in a loyalist estate, I got to know the Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson, who still keeps in touch with me, then you’re involved in social movements alongside people from Sinn Féin and the SDLP, and so that’s a funny mix to take to England with you.”

She recalls that during her early involvement in LGBT youth groups, the political engagement was eye-opening. “The experience, I suppose, of coming out and at the time, Sinn Féin being the only party that would talk to my kind of youth group about LGBT issues,” she said.

“I joined Labour in 2009 at a time when lots of people were leaving, because I was worried about Nick Griffin of the BNP getting elected to the European Parliament, and I wrote down logically where my values sat and what the best vehicle was to deliver them.

“For me, Labour is about what gives people a good life, secure housing, decent jobs, strong public services, rather than picking sides.”

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The Greater Manchester mayoral by-election will take place on 30th July.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

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Cllrs Keane Duncan and Carl Les reach leadership agreement

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Cllrs Keane Duncan and Carl Les reach leadership agreement

The current leader of the authority, Carl Les, has announced he will stand down as leader of the controlling Conservative and Independents group after the ballot in May 2027.

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Cllr Les has been embroiled in a contest to lead the Tory-led group with high-profile Conservative colleague, Councillor Keane Duncan.

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The group’s annual general meeting was abandoned last month after Conservative councillors failed to reach an agreement on whether independent councillors, who are aligned with the Tory group, could take part in the vote.

But the two councillors now say that a way forward has been agreed.

This will see Cllr Les continue as leader of the group through to the elections.

Although the Conservative and Independents no longer have a majority on the authority, they remain the largest group and the agreement is likely to mean Cllr Les continues to lead the authority until the ballot.

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After the elections, he will then stand down to allow the group to hold an open leadership contest.

Meanwhile, Cllr Duncan will lead the group’s election preparations.

Cllr Les said: “Keane and I are united and moving forward together with a clear focus on winning for the Conservatives in 2027.

“Our shared priority is delivering for North Yorkshire residents and preparing effectively for the election challenge ahead.

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“Keane has a strong track record of campaigning across all corners of North Yorkshire, and I’m pleased he will be leading our election preparations.”

Cllr Duncan, who lost out in the May 2024 York and North Yorkshire mayoral election to Labour candidate David Skaith, will be responsible for establishing and chairing a new Campaign 2027 board.

The board will bring together Conservative candidates and party representatives to direct campaigning, fundraising and communications in the run-up to the elections.

Cllr Duncan said: “With less than a year until the elections, I believe the right decision now is to focus our energy into winning seats, rather than into prolonging a leadership contest.

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“Carl and I are both aiming for the strongest possible Conservative result in 2027, and we’re committed to working together to achieve it.

“We have agreed an effective plan for campaigning and a clear timetable for a leadership contest afterwards.

“I’m looking forward to starting work immediately and supporting our candidates to win across North Yorkshire.”

Cllr Les became leader of North Yorkshire County Council in 2015 and led the new unitary authority after its launch in 2023.

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He received an OBE for his service to local government in the 2024 New Year Honours List.

It is understood the Conservative group will still meet next week to decide the deputy leader following the resignation of Councillor Gareth Dadd.

The three candidates are Councillor Mark Crane, Councillor Richard Foster and Councillor George Jabbour.

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Oldham fire sees huge plumes of smoke seen for miles

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Manchester Evening News

The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has issued a statement this evening.

It is understood a large outbuilding has caught fire. The cause of the incident has not been confirmed.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At around 8:25pm this evening (Tuesday 23 June), five fire engines from across Greater Manchester were called to a building fire at Glodwick Lows, Oldham.

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“Crews arrived quickly and are using breathing apparatus and two hose reel jets to extinguish the fire. Firefighters remain in attendance at this time.”

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Card payments down at UK supermarkets including Morrisons and Tesco

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Manchester Evening News

One Tesco customer wrote to the supermarket on X that its card machines were down tonight.

“Each time I tried to pay its said payment declined. So I paid with cash,” the shopper said.

“When I get home I find out at least one of the card transactions went through.

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“So I’ve paid twice, what gives?”

Tesco responded and said, “Thanks for getting in touch I am sorry you look to have paid twice for the shop.”

“There is an issue with Worldpay at the moment affecting us and other businesses taking card payments.”

Tesco said they would look into the incident.

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Starmer holds talks with Burnham as he seeks ‘orderly’ transition

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Split image of Sir Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham. Both are wearing black rimmed glasses

Sir Keir Starmer met Andy Burnham for talks earlier on Tuesday, as he seeks to ensure an “orderly” transition of power after announcing he is standing down as prime minister.

It is the first time the pair have met since Burnham won last week’s Makerfield by-election.

The hour-long meeting, which was first reported in the Times, external, comes as Sir Keir authorised access talks with civil servants for prospective Labour leadership candidates to prepare them for government.

Burnham is the only candidate to have emerged so far and if he does not face a challenger he could become prime minister as early as 17 July.

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One ally of Burnham has said, as first reported by the Financial Times, external, that if the Makerfield MP does become prime minister, he is expected to offer Rachel Reeves, the currennt chancellor, a junior or mid-level cabinet position.

The ally told the BBC: “Andy really respects Rachel and I’m confident he’ll want her in his top team.”

A spokesperson for Burnham said no decisions had been made. Reeves’ team has been contacted for a comment.

It is unclear who would replace Reeves as chancellor, with Ed Miliband, Wes Streeting, John Healey and Yvette Cooper among the names mooted.

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Burnham is also expected to appoint former Labour cabinet minister James Purnell as his Downing Street chief of staff, according to two close allies of the Makerfield MP.

Purnell served as culture secretary and work and pensions secretary under Gordon Brown between 2007 and 2009.

After quitting as an MP in Greater Manchester in 2010, he worked as a senior BBC executive, university vice-chancellor and more recently has been the chief executive of a lobbying and strategy company, Flint Global.

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