A long-delayed military spending plan will be published on Tuesday, with Sir Keir Starmer saying it would keep Britain “safe and secure long into the future”.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the defence investment plan (DIP) includes £5bn worth of investment to increase the Armed Forces’ use of drones and autonomous weapons.

Earlier this month, the Treasury and No 10 agreed a £13.5bn funding increase, well short of the £28bn the MoD wanted – though new Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis has pushed for more in recent weeks. His predecessor John Healey resigned over the funding row.

The Conservatives said the plan was “too little, too late”, while the Liberal Democrats said it “dangerously short-changed our Armed Forces”.

Before releasing the DIP, the MoD provided an outline of some of its contents, including:

Despite his impending departure from Downing Street, Prime Minister Sir Keir is pushing ahead with the DIP.

Tense Whitehall negotiations over how to fund it have been ongoing for months, with departments across government asked to make cuts.

The row has seen two defence ministers resign over what they said was an inadequate funding increase in the original version of the plan.

The DIP will also explain how new equipment and defence infrastructure will be funded over the coming decade.

It was initially expected to be published in autumn 2025. Following months of talks over funding, the DIP now arrives shortly before the Nato leaders summit in Turkey on 7 July.

Earlier this month, Healey quit the government, saying the DIP fell “well short” of what is needed to protect the UK and meet existing spending commitments, while Armed Forces Minister Al Carns quit saying it was not “transformative enough” in the face of rapidly-evolving warfare.

It has been reported Jarvis has secured some extra money for the plan. He has has also spent the last two weeks “refocusing” the DIP to take on more of the lessons from Ukraine and Iran, the MoD said.

This includes how drones have been used to destroy high-value targets, with Jarvis saying the “character of warfare is rapidly changing”.

He said: “In Ukraine and the Middle East, uncrewed systems are defining conflicts.

“This largest ever UK investment into these evolving technologies will help our Armed Forces stay ahead of our adversaries, backed by the best of our defence industry.”

The Ministry of Defence has said plans to replace ageing warship will be scrapped in favour of building at least six new modern “hybrid” vessels equipped to deploy drones.

Sir Keir said there would be “game-changing investment” to strengthen the Armed Forces on land, at sea and in the air.

He said: “Today’s defence investment plan will help drive growth across the UK, giving our industrial base the confidence, certainty and support it needs to develop and scale the technologies that will keep our country safe and secure long into the future.”

His remarks come after unions and defence firms warned the continued delays to the DIP were a “threat” to British jobs, skills and national security.

A report has revealed the measures being taken by Police Scotland to deal with cyber attacks by criminals during the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow

Major steps have been taken by police to combat damaging cyber attacks by criminals during the Commonwealth Games, the Daily Record can reveal.

It’s feared any assault on the games’ IT and computer infrastructure could affect the smooth running of the ten day competition and cause chaos and confusion at the various events.

There are also fears that the public could fall victim to cyber criminals who set up fake websites to sell tickets to see the competitors. Glasgow sports fans then turn up at venues to discover the tickets are invalid and have been duped out of large sums of money.

A further fear is that hackers using the fake websites could put out wrong information on venues and locations causing chaos on the day of events.

Any breach of the IT system by cyber criminals could also affect the timing systems used in competitions.

A report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Scotland (HMICS) has revealed that a Police Scotland cyber team has linked up with the National Crime Agency who are responsible for investigating serious and organised crime across the UK.

The report also details the measures put in place to prevent and deal with any cyber attacks during the ten day event in Glasgow.

It said: “Key cyber-related risks have been explicitly recognised, including potential disruptive attacks, fraud-related activity and emerging technological risks.

“Experienced cyber investigators are available. Plans are in place for misinformation management, with messaging being developed to provide clarity and reassurance to the public where misinformation is considered a potential risk.

“Planning activity is progressing well between the Scottish Cyber Coordination Centre, Police Scotland, the Organising Company, the National Crime Agency and cyber security partners.

“The group has arranged a series of meetings to explore the coordination structures that would be activated, in the event of a cyber incident.

“The partners will continue to assess cyber threat levels and undertake scenario planning to develop a proportionate response.

“They also intend to establish a daily multi-agency cyber situational awareness group during the Games – as implemented for other major events – to monitor the broader cyber threat.”

A “dedicated Police Scotland communications cell” will also operate during the Games to coordinate any response to a cyber attack or attacks.

Major sporting occasions have been targeted by hackers and cyber criminals in the recent past. Prior to the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast in Australia police and organisers blocked 176,000 pieces of malware.

At the time one official described the situation as “the Wild West”, saying various attempted cyber attacks had been launched.

Malware is a programme specifically designed to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. Cyber criminals use it to steal sensitive data, extort victims, hijack devices, and bypass security.

Major disruption was caused by a cyber attack which hit the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea in February 2018.

The official Games website, television and Internet systems were disrupted for about 12 hours, with problems arising just before the start of the ceremony.

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The 2026 Commonwealth Games will run from July 23 to August 2. It will be a slimmed down event with 3,000 athletes from 74 nations competing in ten sports including swimming and cycling.

Glasgow, who hosted the games in 2014, agreed to hold them for a second time after the State of Victoria in Australia withdrew as host in 2023 due to mounting costs.

The 67 page HMICS report also looked at law enforcement plans for the Games

HM Assistant Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland, Brian McInulty, said: “We found that Police Scotland has established a strong and credible foundation for the policing of the Games.

“We found planning is intelligence-led, risk aware and informed by learning from previous major events and high-profile visits. Collaborative working within intelligence, cyber and counter-terrorism functions has been well established.”

Police Scotland Gold Commander Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland said: “We are aware of the potential for cyber-attacks which are often led by organised crime groups. We will continue to assess cyber threat levels in the run up to and during the Games.

“Managing cyber-risk has been a core part of the planning process and during the Games we have will have specialist cyber investigators available. Our preparedness also includes testing and exercising various scenarios, such as cyber threats, to ensure an effective and coordinated response to incidents.”

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 ahead of a House of Commons Public Accounts Committee hearing, the Money Saving Expert founder said customers should know exactly what they’ll pay when they sign a contract.

“I’d love to see all price hikes banned during fixed contracts,” Lewis said. “But I accept that companies argue their costs can change. A fair compromise is simple: don’t allow prices to rise by more than inflation during the contract.”

Lewis believes such a rule would leave “99 per cent of consumers better off” while still allowing firms some flexibility if costs increase.

The consumer champion was particularly critical of broadband contracts, where two-year deals have become the norm.

“If you’re signing up for 24 months, you now have to factor in two separate price rises just to work out what the contract will really cost,” he said.

He also warned that the cheapest deals are rarely available directly from providers.

“The biggest savings usually come through comparison sites because they include marketing incentives like gift cards or cashback that aren’t available if you go direct.”

Lewis said one of the biggest flaws in the current system is that providers can still increase prices after customers have signed a contract.

Although firms must tell customers in advance, he argued the rules don’t work in practice.

“Most people don’t react when they receive a notification email. They react when they see the higher bill land. By then, the 30-day window to leave penalty-free has often expired.”

He wants customers to be given two opportunities to cancel without paying exit fees: once after notification of a price rise, and again after the increased bill arrives.

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Lewis also criticised Ofcom’s current pricing rules, saying they had failed to deliver for consumers.

“Seventy-five per cent of people are paying more under the new system than they did under the old one,” he said, citing MoneySavingExpert analysis of 45,000 broadband and mobile tariffs.

“Almost everyone is seeing above-inflation increases during their contract. That’s simply not fair.”

An Ofcom spokesperson said the regulator shared Lewis’s aim of ensuring consumers receive telecoms services “at a fair price”.

The regulator said its rules were designed to give customers “complete clarity upfront” about the prices they would pay throughout their contract and confirmed it will carry out an in-depth review of the pricing transparency rules, with findings due to be published next year.

The Met Office says a return to heatwave conditions is looking “increasingly likely” next week with 40C forecast

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The Met Office has warned the UK could soon experience another heatwave – with weather models now indicating Britain might witness its hottest day on record.

Met Office forecaster Neil Armstrong has stated this week should stay “pleasant” for most areas, with temperatures anticipated to hover largely in the low to mid-20s. This comes after last week’s record-breaking heatwave which delivered the warmest June day ever recorded – 37.7C.

The GFS weather model indicates further records could tumble next week. The current all-time temperature record in the UK stands at 40.3C – which occurred during the blistering July 2022 heatwave – but data suggests we could be mere days away from witnessing 41C.

GFS model maps for next Monday indicate highs of 35C to 36C are possible throughout much of southern, eastern and central England at approximately 6pm. Highs of 33C are forecast as far north as Yorkshire, with 31C expected in South Wales.

Temperatures could then climb to unprecedented levels next Tuesday.

The maps indicate highs of 40C and 41C from Yorkshire southwards to London and throughout the east of the country, reports the Mirror.

Cambridgeshire is among 17 counties expected to see highs above 40C.

Conditions should then moderate on Wednesday, with temperatures reaching 35C in the south-east, according to the GFS weather model.

Temperature anomaly maps for next Tuesday depict the UK shaded in red and black. This indicates that temperatures are forecast to soar considerably above the seasonal average.

The GFS model suggests as many as 17 counties could experience temperatures of 40C or higher. They are all in England.

UK counties facing 40C or more next week.

• Yorkshire
• Lincolnshire
• Nottinghamshire
• Leicestershire
• Warwickshire
• Northamptonshire
• Norfolk
• Suffolk
• Cambridgeshire
• Bedfordshire
• Oxfordshire
• Berkshire
• Buckinghamshire
• Hertfordshire
• Essex
• Surrey
• Kent

The Met Office has indicated that a return to heatwave conditions appears “increasingly likely” as we approach next week. Nevertheless, the national weather service states that, currently, the probability of “extreme high temperatures” similar to those experienced last week remains low.

Met Office forecaster Tony Wisson said: “The forecast for this weekend suggests that temperatures could approach high 20s across parts of England, perhaps 30C in parts of the southeast, with values of mid to high 20s in Wales.

“Although a return to heatwave conditions is looking increasingly likely for some areas, the likelihood of such extreme high temperatures or high levels of humidity as last week is currently low.”

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Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate have published the figures in its latest accounts for the financial year ending October 31 2025.

The business, has five cafe tearooms, including one in York, plus an online business and a craft bakery. It also produces a range of teas, including Yorkshire Tea, as well as coffees.

The annual accounts report group revenue increased 2% from £319.2 million in 2024 to £325.7 million in 2025.

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However, operating profit declined by 5% from £29.2 million to £27.7 million.

Yet, the profit after tax increased 2.5 per cent to £21.3million.

A strategic report described the year as ‘positive’ but said the company had faced rising raw material costs, including record prices for coffee, leading the company to increase its prices.

Customer numbers at cafes fell 3% due to lower footfalls in high streets, it continued.

Bettys cafe in York (Image: Pic supplied)

The report said Yorkshire Tea increased its market share 1.6 per cent to 41.6% of its market, but sales of black tea fell slightly. However, sales of decaffeinated and other teas increased by £4million to 35% of its sector.

Coffee enjoyed an 8.8% growth for coffee bags, giving the company 81.6% of this particular market.

Bettys and Taylors also said that in ‘catering and retail experience’ the business suffered “high growth in employment costs” and it was “adversely affected” by higher National Insurance charges.

The number of staff increased from 1,612 to 1,635 and remuneration of the highest paid director went up from £457,000 to £542,000. The total remuneration for directors increased from 31,423,000 to £1,537,000.

The amount paid in wages and salaries increased from £60,2million to £64,4million. With social security and pensions provisions, the increase was from £69.0million to £75,2million.

Bettys is an iconic North Yorkshire business (Image: Pic supplied)

In the US market sales suffered a £3.4 million reduction to £12.33million primarily due to terms with a certain supply as well as uncertainty caused by tariff changes.

The UK market contributed £304.4 million to the overall £325.7 million turnover.

The year also saw the release of Yorkshire Tea Iced, which is a cold tea made with Yorkshire Gold loose-leaf tea, and Cheesy Rascals, a savoury alternative to Fat Rascals, the annual report added.

Work has taken place former NatWest building, which sits on the corner of Market Street and Church Street in Farnworth.

It follows a previous planning application to build a House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) on the site that was rejected.

The NatWest bank building at Market Street, Farnworth, has been vacant since the branch closed in May 2025.

Rob Tyler, who spotted the work, said: “The structure appears highly incongruous with the character of the original building, consisting of modern corrugated metal and industrial-style shutters.

“Its appearance is starkly at odds with the historic red-brick façade and detailing of the former bank.”

The work seems to be controversial. (Image: Paul Sanders)

The building had plans previously to be turned into a seven-bedroom HMO.

The applicant said at the time, the change of use of the building would introduce “residential accommodation within a predominantly commercial building, supporting a mixed-use environment and ensuring the long-term viable use of a currently vacant property.”

Mr Tyler added: “From a public perspective, the addition has significantly impacted the visual character of this prominent corner site.

“Rather than enhancing or sensitively adapting a listed building, the new structure gives the impression of a temporary or makeshift installation and detracts from the overall appearance of the town centre.

“Given the importance of maintaining the character of Farnworth’s historic buildings, I believe this issue is of wider public interest.”

Shutters on the former NatWest building. (Image: Paul Sanders)

Concerns have also been raised about the shutters causing an aesthetic dampener on the once rich historic architecture.

The company behind this expansion, or individual, is not yet known.

The building, of Victorian origin, has long been admired by many Farnworth residents for its architectural merits.

It first opened as a branch of the Bank of Bolton, designed by architect George Woodhouse in 1877.

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “The property is not listed and not in a Conservation Area.

“The development of a front extension requires planning permission and there is currently no planning application in place for this.

“Planning Enforcement has opened an investigation into the matter.”

Manchester City will officially say goodbye to a quartet of players today as their contracts expire.

June 30 is when all football contracts run until, and this summer, two club legends and two academy prospects are leaving the Etihad Stadium.

Bernardo Silva and John Stones’ departures were announced in advance and both were given an emotional send off after the final Premier League game of the season against Aston Villa and again when City held a parade and after party the following day.

The two have played an integral part in the Blues’ success over the last decade, racking up countless trophies and memorable moments along the way.

Both are currently at the World Cup and Portugal’s Silva has confirmed his next move having signed for Real Madrid, now with Jose Mourinho back in charge. Stones’ next move is less clear, and the England defender will focus on his future after this summer’s tournament in North America.

Away from that duo, two youngsters are also leaving City, with Ashton Muir and Ezra Carrington departing.

Manchester-born Muir, who turns 21 in August, is a forward player capable of playing centrally or out wide and joined City aged eight. He played a part in City’s Premier League 2 play-off success in 2025 having missed most of that season through injury.

Carrington too had his injury issues at City, with the full-back missing 18 months before returning to fitness towards the tail end of the 2024/25 campaign. Another Manchester native, the 20-year-old will end a nine-year association with the Blues today.

Rachael Flanagan is facing accusations of hypocrisy after her firm dropped its real living wage pledge

A multimillion-pound cleaning company has again come under fire after giving further details of its controversial decision to quietly drop its real living wage commitment. Last month we revealed Mrs Buckét had reduced some staff’s earnings to the minimum wage while continuing to present itself as a “living wage employer” on its website.

Now we have seen a leaked internal email from the Swansea-based commercial cleaning firm telling staff “the key facts” on the changes. In the email it admits it should have updated its marketing “sooner” – having only removed the real living wage accreditation from its website after WalesOnline learned it had stopped being valid more than three weeks earlier.

Mrs Buckét – which had a projected turnover of £11.5m for this year – built much of its social media brand on how every one of its 500 staff earned at least the real living wage. Chief executive Rachael Flanagan often spoke publicly about the pledge and her belief in “staying true to our values”.

The real living wage is £13.45 an hour – as opposed to the statutory minimum wage of £12.71 – and is calculated by the Living Wage Foundation to meet “the real cost of living”. More than 16,000 employers across the UK are accredited by the foundation.

When Mrs Buckét decided to bring some staff down to the minimum wage, it failed to notify the foundation, which continued to list the company as an “accredited living wage employer”.

Following our recent report, Mrs Buckét sent an email to staff stating: “I appreciate this is an emotive topic and it’s not easy to see the company we work for criticised publicly.

“The key facts are: we currently have 24 colleagues across three sites paid the [statutory minimum] national living wage. We have 160 customers and these roles relate to two new customer wins this year and one longstanding customer. Over 95% of our colleagues continue to be paid the real living wage.”

It goes on: “We should have removed the accreditation from our website sooner once these colleagues moved to national living wage in May. This has now been corrected.”

The email states the business is still a “strong supporter” of the real living wage – a claim that has left some staff baffled. One whistleblower told us: “If two clients are new, why did they take them on if they were not willing to commit to pay the real living wage, which is a key commitment?

“They willingly quoted and accepted the clients that went against the pledge. It just stinks, really. If it’s only 5% of staff on minimum wage, why did they not make sure all colleagues were still paid the real living wage and keep their accreditation that was so important to them?

“They seemed to have no intention of taking it down from the website or notifying the foundation. They’ve been caught out and they’re doubling down.”

One of the firm’s biggest clients, Llanelli-based distribution giant Owens Group, refused to accept a price increase following the announcement last October that the real living wage would be going up by 85p an hour from May 1, 2026.

“Rather than Mrs Buckét absorbing the hit on their profit margin, they’ve cut people’s pay to minimum wage,” said one whistleblower last month. “The real living wage is on all our marketing material to prospective clients and it’s just not true. We are talking about some of the poorest people in the community, working awful hours and cleaning in horrible environments.

“They say they’re about their people but clearly they’re not. Mrs Buckét could 100% afford to take the hit but the cleaners are the ones that have lost out. That 74p an hour could make a real difference to someone in a cost of living crisis. I think it’s really shady after the way the company has promoted itself.

“Cleaners received a letter stating their new pay and it seemed like the company was just hoping no one would push back. The name of the company is based on a character from Keeping Up Appearances, and that’s exactly what we do. It’s very much about the glitz and glam and social media.”

The foundation has said it will be “in touch with the company in question directly”. It has also urged workers to come forward if they believe their employer to be in breach of their real living wage commitments.

Last month Ms Flanagan was recognised by judges at the Institute of Directors Awards Wales for her belief in “people-first” and “values-led” culture. After being named director of the year, she said: “Our growth over the past year has been driven by staying true to our values.”

When the chief executive started the company as an 18-year-old it was a one-woman cleaning operation, and she has since transformed it into one of the UK’s biggest commercial cleaning firms, with a presence in south-west England as well as across Wales.

In a 2022 interview with WalesOnline, Ms Flanagan took aim at the public perception that cleaners are “poorly paid”, adding: “All our staff are paid at least the real living wage.”

According to the leaked email, the pledge was dropped so Mrs Buckét could “support sustainable growth while continuing to deliver opportunities for our colleagues”.

Kate Ablett, the cleaning firm’s managing director, told us: “Mrs Buckét proudly champions the real living wage (RLW), with over 95% of our team paid at or above this rate from April 1, 2026. In a small number of cases, we have agreed a [minimum] wage alternative where commercial constraints make immediate RLW alignment unachievable in the short-term. Our long-term commitment remains to provide fair pay for all colleagues.”

Owens Group declined to comment.

If you would like to tell us about a story we should be investigating, you can email our investigations editor at conor.gogarty@walesonline.co.uk

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