Nearly 200 workplaces have now signed up as “Vanguard” employers under the Government’s Keep Britain Working programme, part of a wider strategy aimed at tackling the UK’s growing economic inactivity crisis.

The initiative, led by former John Lewis chairman Sir Charlie Mayfield, brings together more than 250 employers, local authorities, NHS organisations and disability groups to test new ways of supporting staff before health problems force them out of work.

At the heart of the latest plans is a new Workplace Health Intelligence Unit, which will, for the first time, collect standardised data on sickness absence, return-to-work rates and disability participation across UK workplaces.

The Government believes better data, earlier intervention and personalised “stay in work” plans could help address one of Britain’s biggest labour market challenges, with 2.8 million people currently out of work because of long-term sickness.

But while ministers argue the reforms are about offering support earlier, disability advocates have long warned that any attempt to reduce welfare spending or increase workforce participation must avoid placing additional pressure on people whose health limits the work they can do.

Sir Charlie Mayfield said the current system intervenes too late: “For too long, the system has been organised around supporting people after they get ill or face barriers.

“We need to shift the emphasis to earlier action, better integration, and a genuine, shared commitment to keeping people healthy and in work.”

He argued that employers should become active partners in workplace health rather than leaving responsibility solely to the NHS or benefits system: “It’s rare to find an opportunity that benefits employers, improves people’s life chances, and reduces government spending – all without large up-front investment.”

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said businesses had embraced the programme: “The response from employers has been remarkable. Across every region and every sector, businesses want to do better by their workforce; they just need the right framework and the right support.

“Keep Britain Working is delivering both. A new national standard, better data, and real accountability. This is how we fix the broken system, keep people in work and grow our economy.”

The plans form part of the Government’s wider £3.5 billion employment support package, which includes expanded WorkWell services, Connect to Work and more than 1,000 specialist advisers helping disabled people and those with long-term health conditions remain in employment.

Health Secretary James Murray said the Government wanted to move beyond a system centred around issuing fit notes: “For too long, too many people have been handed fit notes without any extra support. What they really need is help to stay in work or get back to work safely.

“A piece of paper that so often closes doors is no substitute for a plan that opens them.”

Supporters argue that good work can improve health outcomes, reduce isolation and prevent people falling permanently out of the labour market.

Business leaders involved in the programme say earlier intervention, better-trained managers and more flexible workplace adjustments could stop short-term sickness becoming long-term absence.

But the initiative also arrives amid wider debate over disability benefits and welfare reform, with campaigners increasingly concerned about whether policies designed to increase employment risk blurring the line between encouraging work and expecting it regardless of an individual’s circumstances.

The Government insists the programme is centred on voluntary support, prevention and better workplace practices rather than forcing people back into employment.

Whether that balance can be maintained as wider welfare reforms continue to develop may become one of the defining questions of Britain’s disability and employment policy over the coming years.

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Companies signed up to the Government’s ‘Keep Britain Working’ programme

The Government says nearly 200 workplaces have now signed up as “Vanguard” employers, with major businesses including:

• Tesco
• Royal Mail
• John Lewis Partnership
• Marks & Spencer
• Google UK
• British Airways
• Jaguar Land Rover
• BT Group
• Lloyds Banking Group
• Sainsbury’s
• Burger King
• PwC UK
• BP
• Ford UK
• Aviva
• AXA Health
• Bupa UK
• Currys
• Nando’s
• Sky UK

The programme also includes NHS trusts, disability charities, insurers, local authorities and regional mayoral authorities across England, alongside all three devolved administrations.

Anita, who opened up about her “spiritual home”, has been busy of late, launching a new podcast and a travel, food and wellness-themed YouTube channel, Anita Rani Explores

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Anita Rani has confessed that she’s keen to embark on a road trip across Ireland, calling it her “spiritual home”. The Countryfile presenter has been busy lately, having recently unveiled her new podcast Sisters of Defiance, alongside her travel, food and wellness-focused YouTube channel Anita Rani Explores.

On the YouTube series, Anita will be accompanied by her father Bal, who featured with her on last year’s Celebrity Race Across the World. It was Bal and Anita’s mother Lakhbir who ignited her love for the outdoors.

While her parents hail originally from India, Anita was born and brought up in Bradford, West Yorkshire. However, it’s another location that seems to have captured her heart — the Emerald Isle.

She told Country Living : “People talk about India being their spiritual home, but for me it’s Ireland. There are many similarities between Punjabis and the Irish.

“There’s something about that kind of yearning, melancholy, naughty sense of humour, pride in their culture and their arts, so I want to do a road trip across Ireland.”

Lakhbir, who was reported to have worked as a liaison officer at Bradford Royal Infirmary, is of Sikh descent, while Bal is Hindu. He came to the UK when he was just four years old.

Last year, Rani discussed entering a “new phase of life”, revealing she was keen to become “wilder” and “more outrageous”. She split from her husband of 14 years, technology executive Bhupi Rehal, in 2023.

In an interview with Best magazine, Anita revealed: “Definitely. I’m in a new phase of life now. I don’t know what that means, but it’s a new chapter, and I’m excited about that. I almost have a new appreciation for my life and more gratitude, too.”

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She continued: “As a woman who is getting older, I can honestly say that the wisdom, confidence and the lack of caring is amazing. I’ve been brought up to worry about what people think and say.

“Now, I couldn’t care less. In fact, I want to get wilder and more outrageous. I want to shock more!”

It comes after Anita disclosed how she regressed to her “teenage” self and found herself “stomping and pouting” on Celebrity Race Across the World, which she joined to “spend time” with her father.

Speaking to Radio Times Magazine, she explained: “Maybe an hour into the race, the cameras were rolling and Dad was telling me off about something, and I turned into teenage me, stomping and pouting.”

Bal recalled: “She was running into the road, and I just told her to step back!”

Catch Anita on Countryfile, Anita Rani’s East Coast Road Trip: Northey Island tonight (July 5) on BBC Two, from 6pm to 7pm.

Police Scotland confirmed a knife was found in the Dysart Road area of Kirkcaldy at around 2.30pm on Sunday after being found by a member of the public.

Police officers were pictured recovering a large blade from a park after a man was allegedly spotted in a Scots street with a weapon.

Police Scotland confirmed a knife was found in the Dysart Road area of Kirkcaldy at around 2.30pm on Sunday after it was found by a member of the public.

The discovery was made after a man was alleged to have been seen in possession of a weapon on the town’s Cross Street in the early hours of the morning.

A 32-year-old man has been arrested and charged and is expected to appear in court on Monday in connection with the incident.

Locals reported seeing officers carrying the blade away from the beach at the town’s Ravencraigs Park.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Around 2.30pm on Sunday, 5 July, 2026, we received a report that a member of the public found a knife in the Dysart Road area of Kirkcaldy.

“Officers attended and it was recovered safely. Enquiries are ongoing.”

Commenting on the earlier alleged incident, a spokesman said: “Around 1.25am on Sunday, 5 July, 2026, officers received a report of a man believed to be in possession of a weapon on Cross Street, Dysart, Kirkcaldy.

“A 32-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection and is due to appear at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Monday, 6 July, 2026.”

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By BEN WILLCOCKS, ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 16:35 BST, 5 July 2026 | Updated: 16:44 BST, 5 July 2026

A wedding anniversary turned sour after a couple travelled 160 miles to Wrexham. Following a three-and-a-half-hour journey with their two young daughters, the couple claim they arrived to find their hotel was “nothing like” the photographs they had viewed online.

“In the pictures we’d seen, it looked lovely, a nice country hotel,” said Jaye Grainge, a nurse from Stockton-on-Tees in County Durham. “When we arrived, we wondered if we’d got the right place.

“The lawns weren’t being cut, so it looked unkempt, and the render was coming off the hotel walls. We thought, well, it doesn’t matter what it looks like on the outside, so long as the hotel is nice on the inside.”

To their dismay, the couple alleged the hotel’s interior was in an even worse state. Full story here

Djokovic, meanwhile, now 39, had to overcome a sticky first-round against unknown Chinese player Yibing Wu – who took a set off the veteran – before he breezed past Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets in the second. He was stretched to four sets by French 25th seed Arthur Rinderknech in his most recent outing, but his star quality showed in a flawless tiebreak to seal a morale-bolstering win. Keep up to date with all the latest on Centre Court with our live blog below, with expert insight and analysis from Oli Gent at Wimbledon.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Despite police blockades, dozens of Mexican fans gathered outside the England national team’s hotel until the early hours of Sunday morning, hoping to disrupt players’ sleep ahead of their World Cup round-of-16 match against co-host Mexico.

Armed with loudspeakers, horns and fireworks, the crowd gathered outside the JW Marriott hotel in Santa Fe, in the western part of Mexico City and did its best to disturb the guests.

Earlier in the week, “El Tri” supporters deployed the same tactics before a crucial match against Ecuador — Mexico won 2–0 — prompting the Ecuadorian football federation to file a formal complaint with organizers.

England manager Thomas Tuchel anticipated the disruption but downplayed its potential impact.

“We have a 6 p.m. (Sunday) kickoff, so if we miss some hours of sleep, we’ll make them up in the late morning,” Tuchel said on Saturday.

These late-night hotel “serenades” are an entrenched and polarizing tradition in Latin American football. While they began as a passionate display of support for the home team, they have increasingly evolved into a psychological weapon designed to deprive opponents of sleep.

___

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

City of York Council is closing roads to vehicles for the parade linked to the popular Haxby Carnival scheduled for Saturday, July 11.

The closure will be in effect from 10:45am to 11:25am.

The town parade is traditionally led by hundreds of children and group leaders finishing in a makeshift carnival showground in Ethel Ward Playing Field in York Road. In 2024, the City of York pipe band led the procession.

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The affected areas include The Village, between its junctions with Westfield Road and Station Road.

York Road from its junction with Station Road to its junction with Calf Close is also affected, as is the section of Calf Close number 110 and the junction with York Road.

Alternative routes for diverted traffic will be signposted and will include Station Road, Usher Lane, Crossmoor Lane, Moor Lane, and The Village, the council said.

Emergency vehicle access will be maintained throughout the event.

Traffic signs and barriers will be in place to mark the extent of the restrictions.

The on court action continued on day seven of Wimbledon on Sunday, with a starry crowd of tennis fans packing the sun-drenched stands. 

Simon Cowell’s partner Lauren Silverman enjoyed the Novak Djokovic vs Roman Safiullin match on Centre Court with her close friend Bruno Tonioli.

Lauren, 48, looking chic in a blue shirt dress, couldn’t hide her worried expressions during the tense clash, whilst Bruno, 70, gasped alongside her. 

Desperate Housewives icon Vanessa Williams, 63, meanwhile led the VIP crowd at SW19, dressing for another day of scorching temperatures in a glam floral print dress.

The actress, who will wrap up her long West End stint in The Devil Wears Prada in October, stood out in the bold green and red halterneck dress which showcased her toned arms.

As is traditional at Wimbledon during the middle weekend, sports icons were invited into the Royal Box.  

Lauren, 48, looking chic in a blue shirt dress, couldn’t hide her worried expressions during the tense clash, whilst Bruno, 70, gasped alongside her

The Olympians were out in force, with Dame Jessica Ennis Hill arriving arm in arm with her husband Andy.

Retired heptathlete Jessica looked gorgeous in a chic white wrapover jacket and matching trousers. 

Cyclists Dame Laura Kenny and Sir Jason Kenny also dressed to the nines for the day out, with Laura showing off her statement heels and bag.

Dame Kelly Holmes wowed in a blue and white paisley dress, flaunting her tattooed muscles in the London sunshine.

Paula Radcliffe, Sir Geoff Hurst, Matt Dawson, James Haskell, Graeme Souness and Sue Barker were also spotted in the Royal Box along with Paris 2024 triathlon medal winner Alex Yee.

The sports stars all waved to the cheering crowds after being introduced by Clare Balding. 

The Wimbledon action continues today with the focus on Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka.

The world number one faces off against the four-time Grand Slam champion.

Elsewhere Novak Djokovic continues on his quest for another Wimbledon title and a record-extending run at the Championships in his match against Roman Safiullin.

Bruno looked dapper in a cream blazer and blue shirt to match his pal’s

Lauren showed off her tennis look as she stood up, accessorising with a chic bag 

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The scorching temperatures got to Lauren at one point, as she cooled down with the help of a pretty fan 

Bruno could barely keep it together, clutching his glass of wine during a dramatic point

The pair seemed relieve at one crucial point as they cheered alongside the crowd around them 

Desperate Housewives icon Vanessa Williams , 63, meanwhile led the VIP crowd at SW19, dressing for another day of scorching temperatures 

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The actress, who will wrap up her long West End stint in The Devil Wears Prada in October, stood out in the bold green and red halterneck dress which showcased her toned arms

The Olympians were also out in force for the first weekend of tennis, with Dame Jessica Ennis Hill arriving arm in arm with her husband Andy

Cyclists Dame Laura Kenny and Sir Jason Kenny also dressed to the nines for the day out, with Laura showing off her statement heels and bag

Dame Kelly Holmes wowed in a blue and white paisley dress, flaunting her tattooed muscles in the London sunshine

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Paula Radcliffe was chic in a pleated navy blue dress and matching heels 

ITV stars Robert Rinder and Lorraine Kelly larked around with their Pimms before taking their seats

Jenni Falconer beat the heat in her plunging white dress and pretty floral bag

Arthur Fery is the last Brit standing after beating Zizou Bergs in an epic four hour clash on Saturday night to earn his place in the final 16.

Belgian Bergs won two of the first three sets and led by 4-1 in both the fourth and the fifth. But Fery kept plugging away and came through 2-6, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6, 7-6. 

With his victory, Fery will enter the world’s top 100 for the first time.

‘No words for it. I don’t know what is going on right now. It will take time to digest it,’ said 23-year-old Fery. 

‘I just tried to stay in the match, backing myself as a competitor.’ Fery will take on Grigor Dimitrov on Centre Court on Monday afternoon. 

As is traditional at Wimbledon during the middle weekend, sports icons were invited into the Royal Box. Dame Laura and SIr Jason beamed as they were introduced to the crowd

Dame Kelly Holmes and the Olympians were introduced by BBC presenter Clare Balding and stood up to greet the cheering crowds 

Rugby legends Dan Biggar, Alun Wyn-Jones and James Haskell enjoyed the middle weekend on court action 

1966 World Cup legend Sir Geoff Hurst enjoyed a day of tennis before England’s World Cup clash later 

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Jessica Ennis Hill had a warm greeting for rugby union star Rosie Galligan

Ex tennis player and BBC presenter Sue Barker made her return to Wimbledon

Ice skating legend Jayne Torvill beamed and waved at the crowds 

Officers are becoming increasingly concerned, a force spokesperson has said

Police are urgently appealing for help to find a missing person from Oldham.

The person, referred to as Ajay, is described as white with a slim build, pink short hair with dark roots, facial piercings and neck tattoos.

They were last known to be wearing a black hoodie, black t-shirt and black joggers. Greater Manchester Police have said officers are becoming increasingly concerned for their welfare.

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Posting on social media, GMP Oldham wrote: “Ajay was last known to be wearing a black hoodie, black t-shirt and black joggers.“Officers are becoming increasingly concerned about Ajay and want to make sure they are safe and well.”Anyone with information about Ajay’s whereabouts should contact police on 101, quoting MSP/06QQ/0001224/26.