Scots deserve clarity on the SNP’s currency plans now if the party is serious about an IndyRef2, says Chris McCall

Cash may no longer be king in the age of banking apps on smartphones, but coins and banknotes still grip the imagination when it comes to the debate over Scottish independence.

Last year, it was reported Kate Forbes had told SNP members not to talk about the party’s currency policy.

The then deputy first minister’s comments were found in minutes of a summer meeting of the SNP’s Skye branch, leaked by a party activist, in which she was recorded as saying “we must avoid publicly talking about currency”.

So why the reluctance?

You may recall that during the run-up to the 2014 referendum, Anas Sarwar stood outside Bute House with a large mock-up of a pound coin with Alex Salmond’s face emblazoned on it.

The not-so-subtle point was the Yes campaign was perceived to be struggling to convince voters on what currency would be used in the event of independence.

Salmond, the then first minister, had called for Scotland to enter into a formal currency union with the remainder of the UK. This would mean Scots would continue to use the pound sterling, with Holyrood having a say on monetary policy set by the Bank of England.

He told MSPs at the time: “It’s Scotland’s pound and we are keeping it.”

But George Osborne, the then Tory Chancellor, effectively told Salmond to take a hike. The UK Government would not agree to a currency union, under any circumstance, he said. Osborne insisted independence would mean Scotland “walking out of the UK pound”.

It wasn’t the most memorable line of the campaign, but enough voters understood the gist. And they didn’t like the sound of it.

Salmond then floated the idea of sterlingisation. This means Scotland would carry on using the pound regardless, in the same way many smaller nations use the US dollar as their official currency.

Other prominent independence campaigners were openly hostile to the idea, Jim Sillars among them. He argued forcefully that an independent Scotland should launch its own curency.

He said in 2014: “We have a viable alternative, and it’s a Scottish currency with our own central bank, printing Scottish notes which we will peg one-to-one with Sterling, so there’s no difference whatsoever.”

But that was then. So what’s the position now?

In one of its many white papers on independence, the Scottish Government explained in 2022: “We propose that, on independence, Scotland would continue to use the pound sterling for a period before moving to our policy of adopting a Scottish pound.

“The change would take place as soon as practicable through a careful, managed and responsible transition, guided by criteria and economic conditions rather than a fixed timetable.

“While Scotland is still using sterling, many aspects of monetary policy would continue to be set by the Bank of England.”

How long is “a period”? It’s one of several unanswered questions. Another might be, is Scotland really achieving independence if the Bank of England is still calling the shots, potentially for years?

Steringisation would also present other issues, many of them complex but worth repeating. The Economics Observatory has a detailed run-down of the currency options available to an independent Scotland.

It noted: “The continued use of sterling post-independence – either under a monetary union or sterlingisation – would require a strict macroeconomic regime be put in place. This would demand short-term adjustments to Scotland’s fiscal and balance of payments position. If not, retaining sterling would be a poor anchor for an independent Scotland.”

It also warned: “A second challenge with sterlingisation is that any balance of payments deficit would see sterling reserves draining out of the system, along with the deflationary consequences of this.

“But with limited – and finite – inherited reserves, an independent Scottish central bank under sterlingisation would be constrained in how much leeway it would have to combat this.”

A core foundation of the SNP’s independence plan is Scotland being admitted to the European Union as quickly as possible. But it’s a well-known condition of EU membership that member states commit themselves to joining the Euro.

Sweden joined the EU in 1995 – four years before the Eurozone was launched – and is legally committed to joining the single currency. But in reality, it has no plans to do so.

Independence supporters believe this sets a precedent which Scotland could follow. But the reality might be different.

Alyn Smith, a former SNP MEP and now MSP, said as much in an interview with BBC Scotland today. He said: “There is a commitment to participate in economic and monetary union, yes, but there is no timescale attached to that.”

Smith also suggested a referendum would be required on whether Scots wanted to join the Euro at all.

So that’s three currency options already – the pound, controlled by the Bank of England; a new Scottish pound, which could be pegged to sterling; or the Euro, which may require a referendum.

If the SNP is serious about staging an IndyRef2 in the coming years, it must offer a clear answer on what it considers the best way forward and the costs involved.

If there’s one thing Europe does well, it’s islands.

So well, in fact, that it can be hard to choose from the sheer number of beautiful destinations.

But this year, worry not.

A new study of Europe’s best island escapes for 2026 has just dropped, with Spain and Croatia dominating the top 10.

Saga Holidays compared 80 islands across the continent against three key factors:

• Weather: including sunshine, rainfall, wind and temperature comfort
• Food and drink availability: based on the number of restaurants, cafés and bars, adjusted for island size
• Green space: based on the amount and share of the island covered by green areas

A spokesperson for Saga Holidays said the factors were weighted to create the final ranking, ‘with green space accounting for 45%, weather 35% and food and drink availability 20%’.

Archipelago scores were calculated using the average score of the islands within each group, they added.

What are Europe’s top 10 islands?

• 1. Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain: 95/100
• 2. La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain: 94/100
• 3. Madeira, Portugal: 93/100
• 4. Korčula, Dalmatian Islands, Croatia: 92/100
• 5. Mljet, Dalmatian Islands, Croatia: 90/100
• 6. Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain: 89/100
• 7. Losinji, Kvarner Islands, Croatia: 88/100
• 8. Brac, Dalmatian Islands, Croatia: 87/100
• 9. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain: 86/100
• 10. La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain: 85/100

Tenerife leads the list, thanks to its ‘beautiful natural scenery, fresh food, and – its highest scoring metric – incredible sunshine’.

The largest of the eight Canary Islands, Tenerife is home the volcano Tedie, over 3,000 meters above sea level. Tedie National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Due to its colossal size, Mount Teide is known to cast the largest sea shadow in the world.

In second place is La Palma, another Canary Island, which scored runner up for its ‘rich natural environment’ and ‘focus on sustainable development,’ says Saga Holidays.

La Palma, known as La Isla Bonita (The Beautiful Island), has been fully designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2002, encompassing the entire island and its surrounding marine strips.

It is home to the world’s largest telescope, the Gran Telescopio Canarias and to Spain’s first airport powered entirely by wind energy.

It should be noted that both of these destinations – but particularly Tenerife – struggle with overtourism.

The Canary Islands received over 7.8 million international visitors in the first half of 2025, leading to it being named on Fodor’s ‘No List’ this year.

The Canaries have seen massive protests from locals, who say that unregulated mass tourism and the spread of short-term holiday lets are making life unaffordable.

Further down the list in third position is Madeira in Portugal.

Madeira is only 250 miles north of the Canary Islands, and is the birthplace of one of the most famous footballers in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo. There’s even a museum dedicated to him.

Maderia is also home to the millenary Laurissilva forest, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

Rounding out the top five are two Islands in Croatia: Korčula and Mljet.

The central Dalmatian island of Korčula is the sixth-largest island in the Adriactic sea with a population of less than 15,000.

It has been inhabited since the prehistoric times, and was later settled by the Greeks in 6th century BC, before later being conquered by the Romans in 1st century BC.

Mljet, a smaller, more remote island, has a population of some 1,000, and is characterised by charming little villages and unspoiled nature.

Known as ‘Croatia’s greenest island’, 70% of Mljet is pine and oak forests. In the middle of Veliko Jezero lake is a tiny islet, home to an ancient 12th-century Benedictine monastery.

Like Korčula, Mljet has ties to classical history. Legend has it that it was the island where the nymph Calypso lived and held Odysseus for seven years.

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This has led to a local cave being nicknamed ‘Odysseus Cave,’ where boat companies offer trips.

Mljet is ‘relatively under the radar’ compared to Dubrovnik and Split, Saga said, making it a ‘great addition to your Croatian holiday.’

In sixth place, it’s back to Spain, but the Balearic Islands this time, to Majorca.

Like Tenerife, this island has a a museum dedicated to its greatest sporting hero, 22 time grand-slam winner, tennis icon Rafael Nadal.

But, that’s not all Majorca has to offer.

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The largest Balearic island is a popular holiday destination thanks to its over 300 days of sunshine a year, and dazzling blue waters.

Only two hours by plane from the UK, it has over 200 beaches, historic towns and ruins dating back to the Roman settlements, and quaint markets offering fresh food, goods and flowers.

In seventh place is the island of Losinji, part of the Kvarner Islands in Croatia.

Kvarner is a European Region of Gastronomy for 2026, so Losinji is a great place to visit if your a foodie. The Museum of Apoxymenos is another draw, showcasing the islands’ ancient Greek history.

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It also has a natural harbour and is popular for nearby dolphin watching and hiking trails.

Known as ‘The Island of Vitality’, Losinji is a popular wellness destination thanks to its rich biodiversity and being home to over 1,200 therapeutic herbs.

Next on the ranking is Brač in Croatia (you might be sensing a pattern here).

Brač is the largest of Croatia’s Dalmatian islands and known for its beautiful landscapes, towns and history.

It is also one of the sunniest Dalmatian Island with 2,700 hours of sun annually, and home to more than 100 churches despite only having a population of 13,900.

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Brac Island is the longest and most elevated island in central Dalmatia, 48km long, 14 km wide, covering 394 square kilometres.  Despite its proximity to Split, Brac is less touristed than the glittering islands of Hvar and Korcula further south. No celebrities or tycoons glide their yachts into Brac harbors nor do politicians stroll village steets. For that reason, it provides an excellent window into authentic island life, particularly in the interior. Brac also has an extensive and fascinating history as it has been inhabited since Neolithic times.  The olives are of a rare variety called buhavica and there’s over a half-million trees. Olive cultivation dates back to the Venetian years. Back in 1655 the Venetian senate insisted that the island be carpeted with olive trees and imposed fines upon anyone with the temerity to damage the trees. The highest peak on Brac Island is Vidova Gora at 778m which is the highest peak on the Adriatic islands. The interior of Brac is mostly small valleys and fields while on higher ground, north of Vidova Gora you’ll find an endemic species of pine. Along the coast the woods are mainly Aleppo pine. Bol is a small village that hosts a big, beautiful beach. Zlatni Rat or Golden Beach is one of Croatia’s best beaches. It’s a beach that changes from shallow and shady to sunny and deep, depending on the time of day and the wind. #croatia #croatia🇭🇷 #croatiatiktok #brac #island #islandlife #holiday #summer #summervibes #travel #traveltiktok #travellife #traveltok #traveling #traveltips #travelbucketlist #fyp #foryou

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In the final two of the top 10 best European islands, it’s once again the Canary Islands in Spain: Gran Canaria, and La Gomera.

Gran Canaria, the third largest Canary Island, is a popular tourist destination, known for its large beaches and Africa and Latin American influenced food.

One of its most striking geological features is the Caldera de Bandama, a volcanic crater measuring 1,000 meters in diameter and 200 meters deep.

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It is a popular golfing destination, and holds seven different courses, with its year round warm weather making it ideal for the outdoor sport.

Compared to the other Canary Islands, La Gomera is quiet and unspoilt. You would be hard pressed to find a British pub or bar strip.

Rather than huge resort hotels, hotels are more boutique and locally run. This lesser known Canary Island is a short ferry trip from Tenerife, as it does not have an airport. It is known for its scenic hiking trails, rain forests, and tiny villages.

La Gomera earned the nickname ‘la Isla Colombina’ because it was Christopher Columbus’s final port of call in Europe before setting out across the Atlantic in 1492.

What were the other categories?

Europe’s top three islands for sunny weather

• 1. Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain: 88/100
• 2. La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain: 86/100
• 3. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain: 85/100

Saga Holidays called the Canary Islands the best ‘all-rounder.’

Europe’s top three islands for food

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• 1. Capri, Italy: 75/100
• 2. Sardinia, Italy: 66/100
• 3. Santorini, Greece: 65/100

Europe’s top three islands for greenery and nature

• 1. Mljet, Croatia: 86/100
• 2. Madeira, Portugal: 85/100
• 3. Korčula, Croatia: 83/100

Alternative islands for you to explore

Need more European island inspo? Metro‘s got you covered.

• Asyia Iftikhar, Senior TV Reporter, recently explored the island of Samos, Greece, and said it ‘utterly charmed me.’
• Jed Bradley, Video Producer, visited the Nordic island country of Iceland and spent sometime bird watching like Ariana Grande.
• Rachel Moss, Lifestyle Editor, took her 14 month old to the Balearic island of Menorca, Spain.
• Check out Metro’s guide to Gozo, Malta’s ‘sister’ island.
• Mel Evans, Partnerships and Projects Editor, visited Cyprus who praised it for its mix of history and beaches (but do check travel guidance for Cyprus).
• Consultant Travel Editor, Alice Murphy, visited the Faroe Islands, Denmark, calling it ‘under the radar.’

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk

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Manchester United have made contact over a shock swoop for Andrey Santos, who Chelsea could sell for the right price. United are still on track to sign Ederson despite claims in Brazil that the transfer has now collapsed, while they are also looking at the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni, Alex Scott, Felix Nmecha and Ayyoub Bouaddi. Chelsea are pushing for both Maxence Lacroix and Pep Chavarria, though have called off their pursuit of Granit Xhaka and agreed for Tyrique George to join Everton permanently.

Means-testing the state pension could help fill the defence budget blackhole left behind by Keir Starmer – but would be “unjust”, a leading tax expert has said.

In a list of 37 options given help fund Sir Keir’s Defence Improvement Plan, tax expert Dan Niedle said the move barring the wealthiest would raise around £1bn.

But he said any chancellor would be unlikely to do this because while looking like “a slam dunk” it “just feels unjust” and would represent 10 per cent of many people’s wealth.

Instead, the top suggestion from Mr Neidle is to continue the fiscal drag on things like freezing income tax thresholds so more people are included in the higher rates of 40p and 45p as well as the basic rate of 20p.

Mr Neidle said: “A pension of £12,500 per year, updated with the ‘triple lock’, is actually a highly valuable asset.

“It would cost the average 66-year old somewhere over £250,000 to buy an asset like that. A family ‘just’ in the wealthiest 1 per cent has average assets of £1.9m per adult. So removing their pension would effectively expropriate over 10 per cent of their wealth. That feels unjust. I doubt any chancellor would do this.”

Means testing he state pension would break the link between it being a universal benefit funded by National Insurance which was established when David Lloyd-George created it in 1908.

Mr Burnham has ruled out breaking Labour’s 2024 manifesto promise to not raise income tax, VAT or personal contributions to National Insurance, which in theory fund the state pension.

He has discussed changing business rates in a way which would target large online retailers like Amazon that rely on huge warehouses.

But he has also recommitted to the triple lock on the state pension rising each year by 2.5 per cent or the highest rate of inflation which adds to the burden of the bill.

However, he has to find at least £4.7bn to fund the black hole in the defence package and may need to find another £13bn if he is to meet the amount which military chiefs claim is required to prepare the UK for an increasingly dangerous world.

Listing means-testing the state pension as option 37, Mr Neidle noted: “The state pension pays out about £12,500 per year. It’s easy to think that’s an irrelevant amount to wealthy retirees, and we should means-test the pension to stop them benefiting.

“Given the government spends over £150bn each year on pensioner benefits, blocking even just the wealthiest 1 per cent from pensions would raise over £1bn. It seems a slam dunk.”

The top suggestion from Mr Neidle is to continue the fiscal drag on things like freezing income tax thresholds so more people are included in the higher rates of 40p and 45p as well as the basic rate of 20p.

“Inflation and earnings growth mean we’re all earning more in cash terms, but not in real terms – however tax thresholds have stayed the same for years. The Johnson and then Sunak governments raised very large amounts with fiscal drag – over £29bn by 2027/28. This has only a limited effect on median earners, but represented a significant tax increase for higher earners. Rachel Reeves extended the freeze to April 2031. It seems likely that we will get another extension from Mr Burnham, raising around £5bn in 2031/32 and more in subsequent years.”

Mr Neidle also suggested that a proposal aired by one of Mr Burnham’s key lieutenants Louise Haigh recently of raising capital gains tax could bring in £6bn.

He noted: “It’s obvious from the charts above that capital gains tax is the single largest way to raise tax without breaking pre-election promises.”

But he warned: “However, it comes with a large catch. A simple rate increase will, on the basis of HMRC figures, lose revenue, not raise it.”

Other suggestions include an exit tax for wealthy people leaving the UK, capital gains tax on top of inheritance tax when people die, an increase in inheritance tax and forcing law firms to start paying employer national insurance. Currently they are exempt because lawyers have partner not employee status.

He also wants Mr Burnham to look at eliminating the loophole on stamp duty for commercial property, introducing a tax for large gifts and force the Bank of England to stop paying interest on its own reserves.

The Prince of Wales was among the first to congratulate England after they stormed to a 3-2 victory in their World Cup clash with Mexico. 

Prince William urged the team on to the quarter-finals as he was joined by millions of fans across the country who pulled an all-nighter to watch the match. 

There were jubilant scenes both at home and in the Azteca Stadium after Thomas Tuchel‘s side managed to cling onto their lead despite being down to ten men.

They will now take on Norway for a place in the final four in Miami on Saturday after Erling Haaland‘s side knocked out five-time champions Brazil. 

The prince wrote in a social media post: ‘Well done England! Bring on the quarter final!’

He was joined by a number of politicians who stayed up late to watch the match, that kicked off at 2am following a thunderstorm delay. 

Reform MP Robert Jenrick said: ‘So proud of this England team. Heroes, each and every one of them.’

Prince William (pictured with Thomas Tuchel) urged the team on to the quarter-finals as he was joined by millions of fans across the country who pulled an all-nighter to watch the match

Harry Kane celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with Jude Bellingham 

In a post on X, Labour MP Stella Creasy added: ‘I have no idea how I do the school run this morning after a red card and a penalty. 

‘Like having had ten espressos and a red bull chaser.’

In the stadium, England fans spontaneously broke out into Sweet Caroline as the players celebrated on the pitch. 

Meanwhile, scores of jubilant supporters at Boxpark Wembley in London jumped into the air, with some becoming emotional. 

CO2 cannons at the fan zone blasted white fog, as fans embraced one another and threw their hands into the air.

In Britain, millions of England fans are expected to be late or absent from school and work on Monday, with employers braced for a ‘mass sickie’. 

There were already tired faces in pubs up and down the country as fans waited for kick-off to begin – with some resting their heads on tables surrounded by pints of beer.

Speaking at a watch party in Wembley, northwest London, Lorcan Finn, from Devon, said he had already taken the day off work to stay up for the early-hours kick-off.

The 22-year-old engineer said: ‘I think it’s stupid not to take the day off, unless you work from home.’

England fans at Wembley Box Park, London, react as their team take on Mexico in the World Cup round of 16

Fans celebrate following a screening of the FIFA World Cup match between England and Mexico

Jude Bellingham and his teammates celebrate after England secured victory against Mexico 

Harry Becks, 27, from Ruislip, west London, also said there’s ‘no chance’ he will go to work on Monday, adding: ‘I already booked the day off.’

Matt, 27, from Richmond, south-west London, who was at the fan zone with his father Terry, 62, from Preston, is also taking annual leave on Monday.

His father Terry said: ‘I’m older, I do not work. I will wake up tomorrow at home, if I’m not dead!’

The match kicked off at 2am UK time after a one hour delay due to thunderstorms – with bars due to stay open until 5am on Monday.

Fans across the country went wild when Jude Bellingham netted two goals just a couple of minutes apart.

However, crowds were silenced moments later when Julian Quinones scored for Mexico, in what was the game’s third goal in just six minutes.

Jubilant scenes broke out again when Harry Kane scored England’s third goal of the match after Anthony Gordon won a penalty.

It came after the crowd had been quietened minutes earlier when defender Jarell Quansah was sent off following a VAR check over a high tackle.

The mood dipped once more after Mexico reduced the deficit to 3-2 through a Raul Jimenez penalty after Harry Kane was adjudged to have committed a foul in the box, following another VAR check.

After an agonising 11 minutes of extra time in the second half, the final whistle signalled England’s return to the quarter-finals of the tournament.

A council has called on a homeowner to tear down the Berlin Wall – or at least the chunk of it in his back garden – because it is ‘oppressive’.

Steven Thorpe, 65, bought a section of the notorious wall from a German farmer and put it up behind his Herne Hill, south London, home earlier this year.

But irate neighbours – who said they could see the top of the wall from their properties – complained to Southwark Council, which said tearing down the wall was the ‘only option available’.

A planning case officer wrote to Mr Thorpe on July 2 saying the wall’s installation was ‘unacceptable’ and caused ‘planning harm’.

They added the section of wall, which the officer said was 3.6m tall and weighed 2.75 tonnes, ‘significantly exceeds the two-metre height limit for gates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure’ under planning regulations.

A planning enforcement notice ‘is likely to require the removal of the works’, it concluded.

Mr Thorpe could face a fine of up to £20,000 if he refuses to remove the wall.

But the property developer said he would appeal the officer’s decision and added he disagreed with the measurements quoted in the letter, claiming the wall was 3.1m tall.

But he may be forced to remove the section of wall by Southwark Council, who said it caused an ‘oppressive sense of enclosure’ 

‘I totally disagree with that,’ he said. ‘They’ve described a large reinforced concrete structure rather than a heritage artefact or sculpture.’

‘I think that framing’s important, it underpins their conclusion simply as an unauthorised structure, when I consider it to be a historical artefact.’

The officer said no planning application had been submitted or approved, adding the development caused ‘material harm’ to neighbours because of its ‘overbearing scale, oppressive sense of enclosure and stark industrial appearance that is made worse here due to the massive scale and unnecessary siting of the wall so close to the garden boundary’.

But Mr Thorpe claimed the wall was 97cm from the boundary of his garden, rather than the 60cm quoted by the officer.

He said it was ‘not a wall’ but an ‘artefact’.

‘It’s not enclosing any land, it’s a free-standing, historic artefact. There’s no explanation whatsoever of the alleged planning harm.

‘My neighbour can barely see the top of it now I’ve got Red Robin [shrub] planted along the fence.

‘They simply assert it causes planning harm without any backup. One would have thought they’d come to visit the site before sending this letter.’

The officer also said an application may be accepted if the wall were moved elsewhere in the garden and there was ‘evidence of neighbour consultation’.

He had the segment transported to his home in Herne Hill, south London, after buying it from a German farmer

The 65-year-old said he would appeal the planning officer’s conclusions which found its ‘overbearing scale’ caused ‘material harm’

The Berlin Wall – pictured with the Brandenberg Gate – was built in August 1961 by the former East Germany

But it added: ‘Absent any alternative proposals the only option available to the local planning authority is to issue a planning enforcement notice.’

Mr Thorpe said: ‘If I really have to move it, I’ll move it, but I don’t consider it’s doing any harm to my neighbour.

‘I’m taking some advice from friends of mine in planning.’

Southwark Council previously said: ‘We have received a planning complaint about a section of wall installed in Dulwich.

‘We will investigate the complaint and take any appropriate action in line with the national planning process.’

The Berlin Wall was a 155km (96mi) barrier built by East Germany in August 1961 to prevent its citizens from fleeing to the West.

It stood until November 1989 when a new travel law was mistakenly announced, which saw crowds rush to the border.

The wall was opened under the onslaught of people and ultimately dismantled.

It’s been reported that the Tom Clarkson star will enter the Dales

There could be a new villain entering Emmerdale this year as reports state that a well-known cast member from Manchester’s own Waterloo Road could have signed up for the Dales.

Emmerdale could have yet another new face joining the ITV village, as there are reports that renowned Waterloo Road fan-favourite Jason Done is set to be in the Dales.

Metro reported “that Jason will appear in upcoming scenes as Steve, a man who already has a pre-existing connection within the village.”

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A source told The Sun: “This is a huge coup for Emmerdale. They’ve had massive success with other soaps’ stars joining the cast and the hope is that Jason will be another hit.”

On what fans might be able to expect if Jason does join the soap, they added: “Jason’s character is a new villain with a surprising connection to the village.”

Jason is best known for his role in Waterloo Road as teacher Tom Clarkson. He was a central figure from the very first episode in 2006 until his tragic departure in 2013, he was the show’s second-longest-serving character.

He left the show after his character died while falling from the roof of the school while trying to convince troubled student Kyle (played by George Sampson) to get down.

At the time of leaving his popular role, he said: “People think I’m an absolute idiot for leaving Waterloo Road, but hopefully I’ll prove them wrong. It wasn’t an easy decision, but you have to take risks and spice things up a bit.”

“I love Tom and my last day on set was very emotional, but I want to do all the things that initially appealed to me about becoming an actor, like taking on new projects and stepping out of my comfort zone.”

The news comes after the ITV soap welcomed newcomer Serena Sugden into the Dales, who has proven to be quite the mystery herself as she asks questions about killer John Sugden.

West End star Casey Al-Shaqsy is best known for her roles in Once on This Island (Concert- Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Hamilton (UK Tour), Wicked (UK Tour), Six: The Musical (UK Tour), Bonnie & Clyde (Concert-Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Prince of Egypt (Dominion Theatre), Rumi: The Musical (London Coliseum).

Emmerdale Producer, Laura Shaw, said: “The Sugdens are a core part of the Emmerdale fabric, and we are thrilled to welcome Casey to the family. Her character will be at the heart of some extremely gripping and unexpected storylines, forcing her to make difficult choices that will have dramatic consequences for some of the village’s biggest names.”

Casey shared her excitement about joining the show: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining such an iconic show and playing a Sugden! Serena is a fantastic character with so much going on beneath the surface. I can’t wait for the audience to see the drama unfold.”

Wildfires are raging across southern Europe, with thousands of people evacuated and emergency services tackling fast-spreading flames across Spain, Greece, France and Portugal

Scots heading for sunshine breaks in Spain, Greece, France and Portugal are being warned to brace for chaos as huge wildfires rip through favourite holiday hotspots.

Travellers are told to switch on emergency alerts, with thousands already fleeing their homes as flames race across tinder‐dry ground. A massive 50,000 acres, the size of Liverpool, has been left scorched, and even the Tour de France has been hit, with spectators banned amid fears of “powder keg” conditions, reports the Mirror.

With a third potential heatwave looming this week, forecast to bring temperatures of 40C across Europe and above 31C in the UK, authorities fear further outbreaks are inevitable. While Britain has so far avoided the scale of wildfires seen in 2025, experts warn that any fires sparked in the wake of recent record-breaking heat could prove “more intense”.

A National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) spokesperson told The Mirror: “While wildfire numbers this year have not yet reached the scale we encountered last year, the risk picture is evolving. If the hot, dry weather continues, we could see wildfires becoming larger, more intense and more challenging for fire and rescue services to tackle.”

At the popular Costa Brava resort of Platja d’Aro beach, approximately 150 individuals were forced to evacuate, including 70 youngsters from a holiday camp. Catalan authorities confirmed a man had been detained on suspicion of igniting the blaze “while he was using an angle grinder by the roadside”.

In eastern Spain, firefighters tackled flames within the Sierra de Espadan Natural Park, with over 200 emergency personnel deployed alongside military units and aircraft support. Blazes across Catalonia have ravaged 2,000 hectares of woodland, prompting officials to advise locals to remain indoors.

Near the Spanish border in the isolated foothills of the French Pyrenees, 700 firefighters were working to control a raging wildfire that led to the evacuation of more than 10,000 individuals. French interior minister Laurent Nuñez stated on Monday: “This morning, conditions are ⁠deteriorating again,” noting that double the amount of land had been consumed by flames this season compared to the previous year’s equivalent period.

The “gigantic” Pyrenees blaze has almost trebled in scale since Sunday, authorities reported, advancing to within 30 metres of residential properties. “Climate change is here, we are living the consequences and it is only the start of July,” fire chief for Pyrénées-Orientales, Eric Belgioino, warned.

“This season is going to be a long one for the soldiers fighting fires. You have to help us.”

The regional prefect, Pierre Regnault de la Mothe, has instructed Tour de France spectators “not to go near the route or to the finish area” of Monday’s third stage through the Pyrenees from Spain into France. He stated it would be “limited to the passage of the riders only and vehicles essential to the race”.

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International support has arrived in the Vouzela region of central Portugal, where 1,200 firefighters and 15 aircraft are tackling a massive blaze that has raged for more than three days. Meanwhile, residents in parts of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, have been urged to stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed due to hazardous smoke from a recycling facility consumed by flames.

The Foreign Office guidance states: “Greece can experience extreme natural phenomena such as earthquakes, wildfires, extreme heat and flash floods. To be alerted to events near where you are located in Greece, make sure your mobile phone is set to allow emergency alerts.”

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As part of a package of reforms to the UK’s asylum system, Shabana Mahmood has laid out the details of a new community sponsorship route for refugees to come to the UK.

The home secretary’s announcement draws on Canada’s experience of resettling over 400,000 refugees since 1979 through community sponsorship. While the planned UK scheme is much smaller in scale, Mahmood says it will “build over time as public confidence is restored in Britain’s immigration system”.

The UK government has identified a need to respond to global crises, but has stated that any routes need to be “sustainable, well managed and in line with the UK capacity to welcome, accommodate and integrate refugees”. It has identified community sponsorship as a way to meet this aim alongside its efforts to reduce irregular migration, including small boat crossings.

Britain has some limited experience with community sponsorship. A small scheme has welcomed 600 people since 2016. Sponsor groups are required to apply for approval and must raise at least £9,000. The Homes for Ukraine scheme welcomed around 234,000 people and required pre-arrival checks for hosts. But it did not stipulate fundraising – and even provided thank you payments to hosts.

The new proposal draws on Canada’s model by allowing sponsors to name which refugees they will sponsor. It also allows a wider range of organisations to become sponsors, potentially including businesses and universities, alongside faith organisations and community groups.

The ability to name a sponsor could help improve integration and support for refugees. But it was notably absent from the first phase of the UK’s community sponsorship scheme, launched in 2015, where the UN refugee agency selected people based on need.

This changed with the Homes for Ukraine scheme, which introduced the concept of named sponsorship in the UK. But this was directly between individuals, rather than involving institutions.

Moving from independent, needs-based assessment to selection based on personal connections could mean that those with stronger networks are privileged ahead of those more in need.

Homes for Ukraine also never presented a route for institutions like employers and universities to act as sponsors. This addition to the new scheme could improve the currently low levels of employment among resettled refugees, bringing them more in line with international peers like Canada.

Who will be supported?

The UK’s previous refugee routes, such as the one that resettled 20,000 Syrian refugees between 2015 and 2020, have used the UN refugee agency’s categories of vulnerability to identify refugees for resettlement based on the following criteria:

• Legal and/or physical protection needs
• Survivors of violence and/or torture
• Medical needs
• Women and girls at risk
• Family reunification
• Children and adolescents at risk
• Lack of foreseeable alternative durable solutions

This approach has led the UK to focus on the most vulnerable as its priority. As a consequence, arriving refugees are more likely to have complex needs and may be further from being able to join the labour market.

This may partially explain the UK’s poor performance in getting resettled refugees into work. It may also reflect an ongoing lack of appropriate employment and language support for refugees.

The new scheme will retain the UN’s role in determining who is eligible. But it remains to be seen what criteria will be applied, and if vulnerability will continue to be the main priority.

Given the focus on employers and institutional sponsorship, it may be that the new cohort will be closer to the labour market and less focused on supporting those perceived as most in need.

As shown in Canada, one of the attractions of this type of sponsorship is that the networks it provides can help people access employment and become self-sufficient more quickly.

It will be important to analyse if this is the case in the UK – or if the new programme is simply accepting people who are already more likely to find employment, because of their pre-existing skills and experience.

Not an alternative to state support

One argument in favour of a sponsorship model is that community sponsors can replace the role of the state in the resettlement process, and therefore reduce costs to the state.

The UK experience with Homes for Ukraine bears this out. Hosting refugees in people’s homes circumvented some of the ongoing issues with, and costs of, housing other groups – for example, Afghan refugees.

However, research by my team at the University of Oxford’s Centre on Migration, Policy and Society found that, far from replacing state support, the presence and development of state capacity was a vital prerequisite for the success of Homes for Ukraine.

Local authorities provided pre-arrival checks on sponsors, and acted as a backstop if sponsor relationships broke down. Our research found that this role was crucial in building trust in the scheme and safeguarding arrivals.

On the flipside, in the small-scale community sponsorship scheme launched prior to Homes for Ukraine, local authorities had power to veto sponsorship groups. This veto could be an important factor in ensuring ongoing local consent for migration. But it slowed the uptake of the scheme, and caused frustration among sponsor groups.

Either way, local government has provided crucial – but often invisible – infrastructure to support community sponsorship. While undoubtedly a positive development, the creation of community sponsorship routes should not be separated from refugee resettlement, or from broader work to support community cohesion and integration.

By JACK BEZANTS, US DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 15:38 BST, 6 July 2026 | Updated: 15:55 BST, 6 July 2026

Donald Trump has said the World Cup referee that sent off USA’s Folarin Balogun was ‘suspect’ before his intervention to get the star striker’s one-game ban overturned.

Speaking at the White House Monday, the President offered no apologies for his unprecedented move but insisted he did not demand Balogun’s ban was flipped in his phone call with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

The move has sparked outrage with Belgium, the USA’s next opponent, launching a dramatic late appeal to have the ban reinstated hours before kickoff in Seattle. 

Trump, however, told the Belgians that the World Cup last-16 game would have been ‘rigged’ without Balogun and took aim at the referee who brandished the red card in Raphael Claus, from Brazil. 

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‘Yeah, I did, I spoke to Gianni. I asked for a review by FIFA,’ Trump said. ‘That wasn’t a foul. That wasn’t even an infraction. That was two guys running full speed who happened to crash into each other. 

‘You can’t properly place your foot on somebody else’s foot when you’re going full speed. No, these were two great athletes who got tangled up. And this referee, who is a little bit suspect – if you check his past. I don’t want to say that because I don’t like to create controversy, but very suspect. If you’d like, I’ll provide you with his past.’

Donald Trump has spoken out on his involvement in the Folarin Balogun red card drama 

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Trump said the referee who sent Balogun off, Brazilian Raphael Claus, had a ‘suspect past’

Claus was once accused of match-fixing in 2023 in Brazil but was never charged with any wrongdoing and there is no suggestion of any type of allegation aimed at Claus in this World Cup.

‘Firstly, it wasn’t a foul,’ Trump added. ‘And then you have to look at the person who made the decision. The game tonight is going to be amazing. We are going to have a full team and Belgium is going to have a full team. And you know what, if they beat us they can be really proud.

‘This game would have a big mark on it. The other way, if they beat us I would say it is rigged, just like the election was rigged in 2020.’

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Balogun, USA’s top scorer in the tournament with three goals, was given a straight red card during the USA’s 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last 32 – a decision at the time that was criticized for being wrong. 

He tangled with Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic and his leg raked down Muharemovic’s calf while he was struggling to balance and jostling to win possession of the ball.

Trump continued: ‘He (Balogun) didn’t do anything wrong, and he’s our best player, or one of our best players, a very vital player and they gave him a red card.

‘I didn’t think it meant much. Then I started hearing that it means you can’t play in the next game, at least in the next game. 

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‘That’s one thing, to penalize somebody for the game. But how do you penalize them for a game that hasn’t been played yet? It’s very unfair. You can’t do that.’

Belgium have appealed to get USA striker Folarin Balogun re-banned for their last-16 game

Balogun was sent off for a tackle during their 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ironically, Balogun qualifies to play for the United States due to ‘birthright citizenship’ – a rule Trump has wanted to overturn. 

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His heavily pregnant mother was stopped from boarding a flight out of the United States when she was heavily pregnant and Balogun was then born in Brooklyn, New York. 

After FIFA kicked back Balogun’s ban on Sunday, Trump, who was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize by Infantino last year, wrote on Truth Social: ‘Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.’ 

Infantino was sat next to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick during the game where Balogun was sent off in the San Francisco Bay.

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