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Gas prices are high. But do the numbers support suspending state gas taxes?

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Gas prices are high. But do the numbers support suspending state gas taxes?

With the average price of a gallon of gas topping $4 nationally, some federal and state officials have talked of temporarily reducing motor fuel taxes to provide relief to motorists.

So far, Georgia and Utah are the only states to suspend all or part of their gas taxes as the war in Iran has pushed fuel prices higher. Others are considering it. But there are a variety of reasons that policymakers may not relax gas taxes, including concerns about government finances, doubts about the action’s effectiveness and uncertainty about how long the war will last.

Here’s a look, by the numbers, at the debate:

2 states

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The two states to suspend gas taxes this year took significantly different approaches. Georgia’s 60-day suspension of its 33-cent-a-gallon gas tax took effect once Republican Gov Brian Kemp signed it into law on March 20, making it the first state to act since the war started. Three days later, Republican Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed a law temporarily trimming 6 cents off the state’s 38-cent-a-gallon fuel tax. But the six-month reduction won’t begin until July 1.

38 cents

Retail gas stations have charged consumers an average of 38 cents per gallon above wholesale prices over the past five years, according to Jeff Lenard, a spokesperson for the National Association of Convenience Stores. Their profits after expenses often are less than half that, he said. Meanwhile, the daily price for a barrel of oil has swung dramatically during the war with Iran — sometimes by the equivalent of around 40 cents a gallon, Lenard said.

Why do those numbers matter? They highlight the complexity of setting gas prices. When a gas tax is suspended, motorists may not see an equivalent reduction in retail prices. That’s made Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis hesitant to repeat a gas tax suspension he approved when prices last spiked in 2022.

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“Our ability to influence the fuel prices are really marginal at best,” DeSantis said in March, adding: “I don’t think the consumer really felt relief.”

61 cents

California charges a nationally high gas tax of 61 cents per gallon, with additional fees on top of that. The tax contributes to California’s highest-in-the-nation gas prices, which averaged $5.89 a gallon on Wednesday, according to AAA. Several Democratic and Republican gubernatorial candidates have called for suspending the gas tax. But the proposal hasn’t gained traction in the Democratic-led Legislature, where some are concerned about how to make up for the lost revenue.

$100 million

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Republicans in Maryland pushed for a 30-day gas-tax suspension. But their attempts were rejected by the Democratic-led General Assembly. A spokesperson for Democratic Gov. Wes Moore said a one-month suspension could have blown a $100 million hole in the state’s transportation budget even as officials already were cutting spending and shifting money to make up for a projected shortfall in the state’s overall budget.

A better approach would be to end the war, said Moore spokesperson Ammar Moussa, adding: “The best way to bring prices down is to address the source of the pain.”

Since the war began on Feb. 28, Trump has repeatedly has said it could be over soon while also threatening to widen the conflict.

$330 million

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Whether states have the money to make up for lost fuel taxes is a pivotal question. Georgia is dipping into its surplus. In Connecticut, Democratic state Senate leaders have suggested that Gov. Ned Lamont could tap into the roughly $330 million remaining in an emergency fund meant to respond to federal government actions to help offset a proposed one-month suspension of the state’s 25-cent-a-gallon gas tax.

“The fund was created precisely for situations like this: when federal actions create hardship for Connecticut families,” Senate President Pro Tem Martin Looney and Majority Leader Bob Duff said in a statement.

A spokesman for the Democratic governor said Lamont is willing to work with lawmakers on “a smart and strategic pause to the state’s gas tax.”

$800 million

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Gas taxes generally pay for building, expanding and repairing roads and bridges. Unless funds are shifted from elsewhere, suspending a gas tax means less money for transportation projects, including some that may already have been budgeted.

In South Carolina, the state gas tax provides about $800 million yearly, helping to fund nearly $7 billion of projects ranging from safety improvements on two-lane roads to a massive overhaul of interstate interchanges. Republican Gov. Henry McMaster worries that major projects would take longer and cost more if tax revenue were cut. He dismissed the suspension of gas taxes as a “sort of knee-jerk reaction.”

“We’d like them all to be lower and lower,” McMaster said, “but that’s one we should not take any money out of.”

___

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Associated Press writers Jeffrey Collins, Susan Haigh and Brian Witte contributed to this report.

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Why many Portsmouth trades businesses are struggling to scale despite strong demand

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Why many Portsmouth trades businesses are struggling to scale despite strong demand

Construction and Trades businesses across Portsmouth continue to report steady demand in 2026, with consistent levels of residential, renovation and commercial work across the region. On the surface, the sector appears resilient and active. However, many small and medium sized construction firms are increasingly finding that higher workloads are not translating into greater control, profitability or long term stability, with operational pressures becoming more visible as businesses attempt to scale.

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Eurovision fans lose their minds over ‘insane’ Will Ferrell cameo

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Eurovision fans lose their minds over 'insane' Will Ferrell cameo
Will Ferrell has sent fans into a frenzy after his surprise cameo on the show (Picture: AP)

Across its 70-year history, the Eurovision Song Contest has always been one for surprises.

But nobody, not even die hard fans, could have expected the inclusion of Will Ferrell during a segment on the BBC show.

To mark the 70th anniversary, the competition pulled out all the stops to celebrate the landmark milestone.

After opening with an emotional tribute about the seven-decade history of Eurovision that left fans in floods of tears, the show then portrayed some messages from other contestants and fans.

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As each person reflected on what Eurovision meant to them, suddenly the Step Brothers star, 58, made a surprise cameo during the video messages.

In a short clip, he said: ‘One word for Eurovision? Let me think… what could it be? I know, joy!’

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Andreas Hillergren/TT/Shutterstock (14475368u) Actors Viveca Paulin and Will Ferrell arrive at the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) at Malm? Arena, in Malm?, Sweden, on Saturday, May 11, 2024. Eurovision Song Contest 2024, Malm?, Sweden - 11 May 2024
The actor is a huge fan of the song contest (Picture: Andreas Hillergren/TT/Shutterstock)

Reacting to the moment on social media, @superTV247 wrote on X: ‘Yes that is Will Ferrell and yes this is still #Eurovision.’

Wiesel also wrote: ‘This is just plain crazy, that Will Ferrell was here to switch on.’

David, meanwhile, said: ‘How great to see Will Ferrell at this #EuroSemi1 in Vienna, even if it’s through a video, evoking his character in that hilarious #Eurovision tribute movie.

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‘I’ve probably watched it like 8 times and it still feels like not enough.’

Echoing the other reactions, Ava also added: ‘Will Ferrell cameo is INSANE #Eurovision.’

Despite fans’ shock over his involvement, the Hollywood actor does actually have an amusing history with Eurovision after starring in and co-writing the musical comedy film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.

Netflix 15.2M subscribers When aspiring musicians Lars (Will Ferrell) and Sigrit (Rachel McAdams) are given the opportunity of a lifetime to represent their country at the world?s biggest song competition, they finally have a chance to prove that any dream worth having is a dream worth fighting for. Watch EUROVISION SONG CONTEST: The Story Of Fire Saga, only on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/80244088
The actor co-wrote and starred in a Netflix film about Eurovision (Picture: Netflix)

The Netflix movie follows Icelandic singers Lars (Ferrell) and Sigrit (Rachel McAdams) as they represent their country in the contest.

Having attended in 2018 and 2019, Ferrell is a huge fan of the show.

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Recently, it was also confirmed that his comedy film would be turning into a musical on Broadway.

Discussing the project, he told Radio Times: ‘We are more than excited to bring Eurovision to Broadway. The stage musical is a perfect place to continue our celebration of all the things we love about this amazing and unifying song competition.’

The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final is available to watch on BBC on Saturday 16 May 2026.

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Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel beats Man City star of future Teddie Lamb to top award

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Manchester Evening News

Man Utd youngster JJ Gabriel has picked up an award after enjoying an outstanding season for United’s U18 team while Teddie Lamb has impressed for Manchester City

Manchester United talent JJ Gabriel has been named as the Under-18 Premier League Player of the Season. Gabriel picked up the award in recognition of his outstanding performances at an event in London on Tuesday.

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Gabriel scored 23 goals in 23 league appearances for United’s U18s this season. The 15-year-old has also taken part in several first-team training sessions at Carrington, making a strong impression with senior players.

The teenager picked up the U18 POTS award ahead of seven other nominees, including teammate Albert Mills, and Manchester City forward Teddie Lamb.

Click here to find out the latest Manchester United news in our daily newsletter

United are planning to include Gabriel in their pre-season plans this summer and are keen to show the teenager there is a pathway to the first-team. Involving him in pre-season would be another show of faith in his huge potential.

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Gabriel has not stepped up to Under-21 level this season because he was 14 when the campaign began. United could have been fined for playing Gabriel in the U21 team due to his age at the start of the season, so it was agreed that he would exclusively play U18 football this term.

United’s U18s battled City for the Premier League North title this season, and the title race almost went down to the final day, but City eventually prevailed to win the league with a total of 60 points.

Gabriel was pivotal in United’s push for the title. The youngster was also key as the U18s reached the Premier League Cup final, however, the Reds lost on penalties against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The talented youngster could still end the season with a trophy, though, as the U18s will take on their rivals City in the FA Youth Cup final at the 7,000 seater Joie Stadium on Thursday night.

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Gabriel and Lamb are the star turns for their respective academies. The City frontman, who joined from Leyton Orient last summer, scored 25 goals as City won the league title and has played an important role in the Blues’ run to the Youth Cup final.

City’s reward for winning the league title is a clash with Chelsea in the national final.

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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Comment on Keir Starmer surviving the day as Prime Minister like a turd that wont flush

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Echo Comment on Keir Starmer surviving the day as Prime Minister

The Communist party that calls itself a government headed by the rent boy shagger of No 10 still unfit to govern a rabit hutch, with the likes of this turd and all the other Communist Labour Scum called MPs not one of which supports the British people, certainly not the working classes, and yet those same brain dead who vote for a communist Labour party still cant see that democracy in Britain is dead.

Starmer, at the time of writing at least, is still in No 10. He’s taken a hell of a battering but he is still back into position at the head of the Cabinet table.

More than 100 Communist Labour backbenchers have signed a letter giving him their support. The British people punished the Tories for chopping and changing leaders and they questioned Rishi Sunak’s legitimacy when he popped up as leader at a distance from the General Election mandate. If Labour swops out Mr Starmer, it will be accused of doing the same as the Tories.

Yet all the stuff that has been said about Mr Starmer in the days since the local election humiliation cannot be unsaid. All the stuff about a lack of vision and direction, a lack of urgency and charisma, a lack of political nous, a lack of connection with his own MPs let alone with the great British public, a large chunk of which it is now openly said actually loathes this scumbag– the Prime Minister. All of that still derogatory stuff stands, and it came from 80-plus Labour MPs and even six Cabinet members.

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So the great Turd of Downing Street is still there, stubbornly refusing to be moved, but he has been so badly damaged and undermined – even by his own side – it is hard to see that the questions and the plotting will ever go away. How can he regain the political strength to deliver the change the country needs and that Labour promised?

He remains, for the time being at least, a very diminished Prime Minister

 

 

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Ally Refuses To Say If Starmer Will Fight To Stay In No.10

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Ally Refuses To Say If Starmer Will Fight To Stay In No.10

A top ally to Keir Starmer dodged questions over whether the prime minister intends to stand down as calls for him to resign mount.

The PM insisted in his make-or-break speech on Monday that he would prove his doubters “wrong”.

However, more than 70 MPs have since broken rank to urge him to quit following Labour’s devastating results in the local elections.

Reports that even senior cabinet ministers, including home secretary Shabana Mahmood, have told the PM to plan his departure emerged last night.

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On Tuesday morning, chief secretary to the prime minister Darren Jones avoided direct questions about Starmer’s plans to stay in post.

He told Times Radio: “The prime minister is talking to colleagues, obviously a number of them have said publicly yesterday that they want him to take a particular course of action.

“As any leader would, he’s talking and listening to those colleagues. I can’t get ahead of what the prime minister may or may not decide.”

Presenter Stig Abell asked: “So actually he’s considering setting out a timetable to step down before the next election?”

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Jones replied: “It’s for the prime minister to decide what he may or may not want to do in the future.”

“It’s right for any leader to listen to members of their team if they want to express their views on these issues. And it’s right that he’s listening to them. I think it’d be worse if he wasn’t,” he added.

Asked if Starmer’s job is “up for grabs”, the minister said: “Look, in politics, it always is.

“But as I say, it’s for the prime minister to decide one way or another about what he wants to do in the future.

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“He was very clear with us yesterday what he thought the right way through was. And no doubt he’ll continue to be talking to colleagues today.”

But he insisted the King’s Speech, which marks the start of a new parliamentary term, will still go ahead on Wednesday.

Jones also claimed the “vast majority” of the Parliamentary Labour Party still wants to get on with the job.

In a jibe to those championing Starmer’s rivals, he added: “It’s a gruelling job.

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“I think anybody who thinks that they can just walk into the job of prime minister and like the second coming of the Messiah, fix all of our problems probably hasn’t really thought carefully enough about how difficult it is.”

The minister also told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge that he’s “a bit sad” about the state of the party.

Jones added: “I’m a bit sad, to be honest Sophy, because I’m sad that we’re in this situation in the first place.

“I’m sad about the election results last Thursday when we lost many brilliant colleagues across the country, some of whom had served their local communities for many decades.

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“So I’m sad that my team, my party, has ended up with a poor set of results.

“And I’m sad that a number of colleagues yesterday, have felt the need to have this conversation in public as opposed to internally within the party.

“So I am a bit sad about that, to be honest, but I’m also optimistic about the future because we’ve only been in government now for less than two years.”

Subscribe to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

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Newscast – Starmer Says He’s Staying

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Newscast - Epstein Files: New Mandelson and Andrew Allegations

Available for over a year

Today, Keir Starrmer has said he will “get on with governing” despite another day of increasing pressure on him to resign from the Labour party.

Four ministers resigned on Tuesday, and more MPs have called for the Prime Minister to stand down. But so far no formal leadership contest has been triggered.

Meanwhile more than 100 MPs are understood to have signed a statement backing the PM, saying “this is no time for a leadership contest”. Adam, Chris and Alex reflect on whether Starmer can survie the pressure.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say “Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you’re in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Jem Westgate. The social producer was Beth Pritchard. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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Trump again refuses to rule out troops or ICE at polling stations: ‘I’d do anything necessary’

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Trump again refuses to rule out troops or ICE at polling stations: ‘I’d do anything necessary’

President Donald Trump on Tuesday refused to close the door on illegally sending federalized National Guard soldiers or Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents to voting sites in Democratic areas during the November midterm elections despite the complete lack of any legal basis for doing so.

The president was pressed on whether he’d try to send federal resources to intimidate voters as he departed the White House for a state visit to China.

Asked whether he’d send National Guard or ICE to voting locations, Trump replied: “I do anything necessary to make sure we have honest elections.”

His comments came just days after he announced on Truth Social that the GOP plans to dispense a large “Election Integrity Army” to every single state for the 2026 midterms – invoking his debunked claims that the United States does not have fair elections.

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In the social media post, he claimed his 2024 election win over Kamala Harris was due to the thousands of poll watchers Republicans had sent into polling stations nationwide,

“During my Historic Election in 2024, when I won every single Swing State, and decisively won both the Electoral and Popular votes by wide margins, the Republicans had an Election Integrity Army in every single State to preserve the sanctity of each legal vote. We will be doing the same again in 2026, but it will be much bigger and stronger,” Trump wrote.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he leaves the White House for travel to Beijing
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he leaves the White House for travel to Beijing (AP)

Trump did not elaborate on who would be part of the “Election Integrity Army” or how large it would be.

But his announcement was reminiscent of familiar claims he made in the run-up to the 2024 presidential race in which he planted seeds of doubt on the validity of U.S. election – seemingly dependent on the outcome.

Since returning to office last January, Trump has remained fixated on his 2020 loss to Biden and has attempted to use his authority to make it far more difficult for Americans to vote by mail, citing widely debunked allegations of fraud in that election.

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Earlier this year, he signed an executive order attempting to restrict mail-in ballot voting by directing the government to create a list of eligible voters and demanding that the U.S. Postal Service only send ballots to voters on that list.

He has also demanded Congress pass federal voter ID laws and sought to have Republican-led states redraw congressional maps in their party’s favor.

When his party has lost, as it did during last month’s Virginia referendum on a new congressional map (that has been tossed out by the state’s top court) he immediately took to Truth Social to falsely allege that the Democratic victory was the result of subterfuge.

He screamed in all caps that a “RIGGED ELECTION” had taken place despite there being absolutely no evidence of any irregularities or fraud in the conduct of the plebiscite the previous evening in which 1,575,288 voters cast ballots in favor of a constitutional amendment which permits the implementation of new districts drawn by Virginia’s Democratic-led General Assembly, bypassing an independent, bipartisan commission which has drawn district lines since 2020.

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No irregularities were reported during the voting on Tuesday, and Democrats had indicated that they expected to win based on heavy turnout in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudon, Prince William and Henrico Counties, all of which are home to hundreds of thousands of federal workers, many of whom have been affected by the Trump administration’s efforts to slash federal employment rolls to punish what GOP loyalists believe is an anti-Trump “deep state.”

Trump nonetheless claimed Republicans had been “winning” the referendum “all day long” — until what he described as a “massive ‘Mail In Ballot Drop’” changed the GOP’s fortunes.

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Katie Price’s husband’s vile rants as he calls children ‘ugly gremlins’ and slams ‘pig-looking rat’

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Daily Mirror

Katie Price’s husband, Lee Andrews, has branded critics ‘gremlins’ in unearthed social media comments, after followers questioned their marriage.

Lee Andrews’ vile rants against social media followers have been uncovered, following his marriage to Katie Price. The lovebirds stunned fans when they tied the knot at the beginning of the year, after a whirlwind relationship. The businessman currently lives in Dubai and has yet to meet his new wife’s family, including her five children.

After facing scrutiny over their romance, the 41-year-old lashed out at critics in unearthed Facebook comments, branding a family “ugly gremlins” and slamming a “pig looking rat bag”. Underneath a picture of Lee posing beside a horse, one Facebook fan said he “liked big teeth”.

Having none of it, he shared a photo seemingly of their family, spitting back: “The Absolutely ugliest gremlins and family I’ve ever seen not the care bear . But the rest Jeaus help my eyes.

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“And these poor beings .. the world is so unfair .. and has been super harsh this lot. I’d start a make a wish list but I’m sure the few Pennie’s wouldn’t help. They might go a long way at that 2nd rate theme park your at .. good for you I bet it’s someone’s birthday . Well done saving up for this. Best mum vibes [sic].”

“Go be with your ugly Mrs,” he urged one commenter, before telling another: “Concentrate on that pig looking rat bag you call a Mrs In your profile picture not our beautiful relationship jealous a**e.”

“You pair of mingers behave, stay with that sewage rat of a Mrs in your profile picture .. then make that comment,” the entrepreneur told a hater.

Katie is no stranger to the headlines, but she has barely been out of the news since marrying Lee in January. However, he is yet to meet her family as he currently lives in Dubai, with the former glamour model travelling back and forth to the UK.

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It was announced that they would be making their live TV debut today in a joint appearance on Good Morning Britain but, just before the chat, it emerged that Lee had missed his flight, leaving the mum-of-five to face the chat alone.

Host Susanna Reid took the opportunity to warn the I’m A Celebrity star over the marriage, questioning whether he was “telling her everything”. Insisting that he was “reliable”, she urged the hosts to “interrogate” her over the relationship, so that she could clear up any doubt.

“What I love about you Katie is that you’re very open, but I just wonder if he’s telling you everything,” Susanna said, to which Katie replied: “I know no one believes me, your face says it all.

“I can’t keep going to Dubai because I’ve got work and my kids here. He pays for it anyway but I can’t keep going to Dubai so he’s shifting over here. I said ‘I keep flying to you, you’ve got to come to England now.’”

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Starmer Rejects Calls To Resign As Labour Leader

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Starmer Rejects Calls To Resign As Labour Leader

Keir Starmer has told his cabinet he will not quit despite mounting calls for him to resign as prime minister.

The PM told the weekly meeting of his top team: “The country expects us to get on with governing. That is what I am doing and what we must do as a cabinet.”

In a direct message to those who want his job, he said Labour “has a process for challenging a leader and that has not been triggered”.

Starmer’s comments come despite more than 80 Labour MPs calling publicly for him to go and the resignation this morning of a government minister.

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Four cabinet ministers also told him yesterday that he cannot survive as PM.

The PM said: “As I said yesterday, I take responsibility for these election results and I take responsibility for delivering the change we promised.

“The past 48 hours have been destabilising for government and that has a real economic cost for our country and for families.

“The Labour Party has a process for challenging a leader and that has not been triggered.

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“The country expects us to get on with governing. That is what I am doing and what we must do as a cabinet.”

Government sources have since contradicted Starmer’s claims, saying the prime minister promised to only speak to cabinet ministers about the elections or his leadership individually.

The insiders claim Starmer then refused to see cabinet ministers individually after the meeting.

Starmer’s comments pile pressure on his leadership rivals to break cover and directly challenge him.

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Any challenger would need the support of 81 MPs to trigger a contest, and Starmer would automatically go on the ballot paper.

However, Labour MPs are deeply split over who should take over, which is helping to keep the PM in his job for now.

Subscribe to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

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Universal Credit rules claimants should check before summer travel abroad

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Cambridgeshire Live

People claiming Universal Credit are being reminded to check DWP rules before travelling abroad this summer as leaving the UK may affect their benefit payments

Individuals receiving Universal Credit are being urged to review Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) regulations before heading overseas this summer, as international travel could impact their benefit entitlements.

Universal Credit payments can typically be maintained for up to one month during foreign trips, as long as recipients continue fulfilling their claim requirements. Nevertheless, claimants must declare alterations to their circumstances, including overseas journeys, via their online Universal Credit portal.

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These regulations are applicable to claimants across Scotland, England and Wales. Information on GOV.UK confirms that individuals receiving Universal Credit “may be able to continue getting it for up to one month while you’re abroad”.

Recipients may still be required to attend scheduled appointments, actively seek employment or fulfil claimant obligations while overseas, unless they have arranged alternative measures with their work coach.

Those receiving Universal Credit who neglect to declare changes to their situation could face postponements, excess payments or complications with their claim upon returning home, reports the Daily Record.

Extended periods overseas may be permitted under specific circumstances, including:

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  • receiving medical treatment
  • dealing with the death of a partner, child or close relative
  • escaping domestic abuse
  • accompanying a child receiving medical treatment

According to GOV.UK information, certain individuals may qualify to receive Universal Credit for up to six months when travelling abroad for medical care or supporting a child undergoing treatment.

The DWP advised claimants to always verify the regulations prior to travelling, as entitlement depends on personal circumstances and the duration of time spent overseas. Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit intended to support those on a low income, out of work, or unable to work with their everyday living costs.

The sum an individual receives is determined by their personal circumstances, taking into account factors such as earnings, housing costs, and whether they have children or health conditions.

Those in receipt of Universal Credit can report any changes to their circumstances via their online Universal Credit account or by calling the Universal Credit helpline.

Claimants who are planning holidays or trips abroad this summer are also being urged to keep a record of their travel dates and return plans, should they be required to provide further information regarding their absence from the UK.

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Guidance on GOV.UK also cautions that Universal Credit payments may be halted if a claimant remains outside the UK beyond the permitted period and does not meet the criteria for an exemption under DWP rules.

As a result, claimants are advised to carefully review the latest guidance before booking or embarking on any trips outside the UK.

Further information regarding travelling abroad while claiming Universal Credit can be found on GOV.UK.

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