The head of a major review into adult social care in England has said her interim report later this year will suggest some “quite big” changes to the system.

Baroness Louise Casey, who is leading an independent commission on adult social care, confirmed she had been in contact with would-be prime minister Andy Burnham, who has spoken recently on the potential for a care levy.

While the commission was announced in early January 2025, and formally began a few months later in April, it is thought its second phase, making long-term recommendations for the sector, might not report until 2028.

But Baroness Casey pointed to the phrase “by 2028” in the commission’s terms of reference, indicating the overall work might be completed sooner.

Speaking last month, before he became an MP, Mr Burnham said he thought the NHS was “almost being overwhelmed” by a “broken” care system.

He said he did not “resile” from previous comments he had made about abolishing inheritance tax in favour of a care levy.

The politician, whose father has Alzheimer’s, said he believed there should be a different way of paying for care.

Channel 4 has shared a first look at the latest instalment of Dominic Savage’s I Am series, starring Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan and Peaky Blinders’ Joe Cole

Channel 4 has released a first look at a “deeply terrifying” new drama featuring Bridgerton and Peaky Blinders stars.

Nicola Coughlan and Joe Cole lead the latest entry in Dominic Savage’s acclaimed I Am series. Nicola takes the central role as Helen, while Joe’s character remains undisclosed.

However, he appears to portray Helen’s partner, with promotional images depicting the pair seated on a bed in what seems to be a heated exchange, reports the Mirror.

The newest addition to the critically lauded anthology series, entitled I Am Helen, is created, written and directed by Dominic Savage, and promises to explore the “experience of womanhood within a world shaped by masculine power, aggression, and control”.

The official synopsis states: “Told through a female lens, the story examines the pressures and expectations placed on women while confronting the realities of toxic masculinity and the damage it can create in modern relationships.”

I Am Helen follows three previous seasons, each charting women’s personal journeys through distinct individual stories. In 2023, Kate Winslet headlined the third instalment, I Am Ruth, which earned two BAFTAs and received widespread critical acclaim.

Launching in 2019, the inaugural series starred Vicky McClure in I Am Nicola, Samantha Morton in I Am Kirsty, and Gemma Chan in I Am Hannah. The second season featured Suranne Jones in I Am Victoria, Letitia Wright in I Am Danielle, and Lesley Manville in I Am Maria.

When the series was initially revealed, Nicola informed her followers: “It’s an absolute honour to be part of telling the next I Am… story alongside Dominic Savage – a singular talent and a storyteller deeply committed to exploring the breadth of the female experience.

“To follow in the footsteps of the brilliant women who’ve collaborated with him on this series feels truly surreal, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be embarking on this journey.”

After the initial preview, supporters have been quick to express their reactions on social media, with one writing: “I’m so excited to watch Nicola portraying this theme about the manosphere.”

Another commented: “Ahhh! ! I can’t wait to watch this next instalment! I already know it’s going to break my heart in the best way.”

A third remarked: “Most excited! I know Nicola is going to slay me.” Someone else added: “Can’t wait to see this. Two fantastic actors.”

Another posted: “I’m not sure I am ready to see Nicola Coughlan play a character that gets annoyed/harassed by a man for the first time. I think this might wreck me.”

One person stated: “Aw heck, she’s great but already I want to cry.” While another responded: “This is going to really hit home isn’t it. I can’t wait, deviate myself.”

I Am Helen will air on Channel 4 later this year

The British public is more likely to think Andy Burnham will make a good Prime Minister compared to Kemi Badenoch or Nigel Farage, a new poll has found.

But the new figures also show danger could lie ahead for the Labour heir apparent, as Brits prefer for him to face a contest for the party leadership as opposed to the more likely coronation.

Polling by Ipsos revealed 35% thought Burnham would do a good job as PM compared to 24% who believed he would do a bad job.

He was the only politician in the survey where more people had confidence than lacked it. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch was backed by 29% while 37% said she would do badly in the role.

Farage, the leader of Reform UK, had the highest percentage of people saying he would do a bad job among top politicians – 53% – while 27% believed he would be a good PM.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey and the Green Party’s Zack Polanski also scored lower than Burnham.

The former Mayor of Greater Manchester’s path to Downing Street became clearer this morning, as Starmer loyalist Darren Jones said he would not run against him.

There had been speculation the current Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister could join a contest on behalf of those irked that Starmer had been forced from office.

But Jones told Sky News this morning he had a ‘reassuring conversation’ with Burnham about his economic plans that convinced him not to stand.

All eyes are now on former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, who has not yet ruled out a crack at the top job – though few would expect him to beat the favourite.

Nevertheless, the Ipsos poll suggests many people would like someone to have a go, with 39% wanting a contest compared to 13% who would like a Burnham coronation.

And there was further skepticism that Labour could provide ‘strong and stable leadership’, with more than six in ten voicing doubts – perhaps unsurprisingly, since the leader only stepped down on Monday.

Keiran Pedley, the Ipsos Director of Politics, said: ‘Given that Andy Burnham is seen as more likely to do a good job as Prime Minister than Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch it is reasonable to suggest that a Burnham led Labour Party could improve in the polls once he takes office.

‘However, given than 6 in 10 lack confidence that Labour can offer strong and stable leadership, there is work to do for the expected incoming Prime Minister to show that Labour has the answers for the long term.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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A move toward superior design

The first wave of EVs leaned more into a futuristic image to help make them stand out. While this was to be expected in a vehicle that has its sights on the future, it made motorists a bit wary about driving such a flashy, unusual vehicle. Thankfully, EVs have toned down the overall design to simply resemble a modern vehicle, regardless of how it is powered, as the goal is to be premium and versatile, without such an outlandish look.

The cleaner lines and simpler tech-filled interiors have helped to assure drivers that they’re not driving a car from the distant future, but have a vehicle that matches the times and requirements of the era we’re in now.

Perhaps the biggest reason for the transformation of the EV image is that of SUVs. The call for bigger family vehicles is loud and clear across the automotive industry, and now electric SUVs have become one of the faster-growing sectors of the market.

The smart #5 electric SUV, for instance, is one example that is focusing its attention on what modern drivers are searching for when it comes to an electric family vehicle. The improved cabin space fits the overall larger design, but it’s also the long-range capability and in-car tech that displays how far smart has come with changing perceptions of the EV.

A larger focus on practicality

Earlier EV models were often thought of as only suitable for shorter city trips and had basic, sparse interiors. However, the EVs we see on the roads in Britain today have a much stronger emphasis on catering toward bigger families as well as weekend travellers.

From increased cabin size to comfier seats to bigger boot capacity, modern EVs fit into everyday life and have slowly but surely become suitable for drivers searching for comfort and safety in a new family car.

It goes without saying that battery technology has seen a major improvement. Many EV naysayers would always point to range anxiety as a reason to never drive an electric car, but those concerns have been easing thanks to new developments.

The sheer amount of charging stations dotted across the UK has helped quell any issues with battery range, but it’s also the fact that chargers are so much faster and more efficient nowadays. This means that EVs can be charged overnight at home, but the battery can also be replenished at numerous fast-charging points when taking long-distance trips.

The next era for the modern EV

The push behind electric vehicles in the UK is only going to grow. Industry figures show that there are over two million EVs on British roads as of now, and projections suggest one in three new cars sold in the UK will be electric by 2027.

What’s more, manufacturers assure motorists that battery range will increase, charging infrastructure will improve, and in-car tech will get smarter and more efficient as the years progress. The question is no longer whether EVs are the future, but how fast they will become commonplace on UK roads.

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane have gotten their World Cup campaigns off to a flyer.

This will be the World Cup of Gladiators – says former Ireland striker Tony Cascarino.

The Boys in Green legend is convinced that it will be a shootout between the best players on the planet – with the top stars already serving up some scintillating performances.

France and Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe got the ball rolling with his brace against Senegal, and that was quickly followed by two for Norway and Manchester City star Erling Haaland.

Not content with just two goals, Lionel Messi got holders Argentina off to a flyer with a hat-trick against Mexico.

And Bayern Munich hitman Harry Kane was next to deliver the goods with a brace for England in their impressive 4-2 win against Croatia.

Messi, Mbappe and Haaland have all added two more goals each in their second group games, while Kane is in action on Tuesday night against Ghana,

The race for the Golden Boot looks set to be one of the major storylines of this year’s tournament.

And it’s one on which Cascarino is keeping a close eye.

“I came away from the first round of games thinking, is this going to be the World Cup of the gladiators, where all the big players turn it on,” Cascarino said, speaking on behalf of Tonybet to mark the launch of their World Cup Card Collection campaign where Irish customers can win up to €100,000.

“Haaland, knowing that Mbappe scored two, played the next game and scored two.

“Then Lionel Messi turned up for the later game and said, we’ll they got two, so I’ll go and get three.

“So I just keep thinking, is this going to be the gladiator World Cup where the big names all turn up?

“I’m really looking forward to how this pans out. Some of them are in the twilight of their careers, they are literally at the end of their careers and they are still scoring goals.”

The one letdown so far has been Cristiano Ronaldo, whose presence in the starting-11 appeared to be a hindrance to Portugal as they slumped to a 1-1 draw against DR Congo.

But the first round of games has Cascarino believing that it is going to be a World Cup to remember.

Who is he tipping for the top scorer prize?

“I do think whoever gets to the deepest stages of the tournament is going to have the best opportunity,” he replied.

“I always believe Haaland will get goals whenever he plays. Everywhere he has been, from club football to international football, his goal record is sensational.

“But I don’t see a semi-final team in Norway.

“I think the top goalscorer normally comes from one of the top four teams at the World Cup. I know that’s not always the case, but I do think Mbappe has got a golden chance to do it.

“Mbappe has got so much ability and pace, and he’s got Olise on the right playing the type of ball that only he can do, that gets Mbappe on the wrong side of the defender to score.

“I just think that’s another option for him to get goals.

“France are going to go deep, and I think Mbappe will be the one to beat in the goal stakes. I really do.”

Cascarino admits it’s tough watching Czechia in this summer’s World Cup.

Ireland looked set to progress to a play-off final clash with Denmark when they raced into a 2-0 lead in Prague in March, but Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men coughed up that advantage and went out on penalties.

According to the former Millwall, Chelsea, Celtic and Marseille striker, the Boys in Green would have given their fans plenty of reasons to cheer had they made it.

“We have to look at what the modern World Cup is, and that is nearly three teams progressing in every group qualifying,” he said.

“You are only losing 16 teams and there are all the rock-bottom teams going out, so for me I look at us and I’d go, I don’t think we’d come bottom of the group, we probably would have gotten third, so it’s how our goal-difference would have been.

“We would have been in Mexico’s group, so one thing that came out of their game (against South Africa) was that Mexico didn’t look good in midfield areas.

“It looked like there was an enormous amount of space in there to take advantage of.

“Now, we’re not blessed with incredible midfielders to take advantage of that, but I think we are good enough.

“In 1990 we didn’t win a game – we won a penalty shootout – and everyone went mad. It was brilliant.

“In 2002 we lost in a penalty shootout to Spain. That was harsh because I felt we played really well in that tournament. We were just really dreadful in that penalty shootout.

“1994, we had the emergence of players like Roy Keane and Denis Irwin, which was a massive plus, but I don’t think we generally had the legs all over the squad, and we weren’t as good.

“We had injuries too. Quinny did his knee, I got injured the week before the start of the tournament, so Tommy Coyne played up front, and Jack had to change his system slightly.

“I didn’t think we played as well as in 1988 and 1990.

“I’d like to think this time around we’d have gotten out of the group to the last-32, but I don’t think we’ve got enough quality to go much deeper than that.

“That would have sent Ireland mad anyway! We’d have had parties for that.”

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Michael O’Reilly appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court today

A shop owner in Belfast City Centre who was banned from selling tobacco has been fined after he was caught doing so again.

Michael O’Reilly appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, June 23, after he was found selling tobacco products at his Donegall Street shop, O’Reilly’s, in late 2025. He had previously been banned from selling tobacco products for 18 months in April 2025.

O’Reilly was also banned from selling tobacco for a year in February 2023.

At Belfast Magistrates Court, Mr O’Reilly pleaded guilty to multiple charges: Selling cigarettes whilst banned from doing so, failing to remove tobacco from the retail area while the Restricted Sales and Restricted Premises Order were in place, and selling cigarettes not in plain packaging.

He was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £228 legal costs.

A council spokesperson said; ” Belfast City Council is responsible for maintaining the Tobacco Register NI, a list of businesses who are accessible to the public and sell tobacco products. Like other councils across Northern Ireland, it employs Tobacco Control Officers who enforce tobacco laws, ensure compliance with the Tobacco Register NI, support tobacco businesses to maintain good practice, and support public health initiatives to reduce smoking.”

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

A Crown lawyer also told the court he pointed at youths, all believed to be around 16 years old, and shouted: ‘Black Fenian Arab b******s’

A man has been jailed for spitting at a shop mannequin dressed in a Celtic football kit as part of an “appalling” sectarian and racist outburst in Belfast city centre.

Neil Henry, 32, also subjected a group of black teenagers and hospital staff to a tirade of offensive abuse.

At one stage he threatened to tie up a police officer and make him watch while his child’s throat was slit.

Imposing an eight-month sentence, District Judge Peter Magill declared: “This man ran the gamut of prejudice.”

Henry, of no fixed abode, admitted criminal damage and disorderly behaviour offences connected to events on June 19 this year.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard he began causing drunken disturbances outside a sports store on Castle Place.

PSNI officers called to the scene observed him spitting on the shop window where a mannequin was wearing a Celtic strip.

The defendant admitted having spat at the dummy, with a security guard also targeted.

As officers spoke to Henry he stated that he “f***ing hated Celtic” and declared himself “the biggest f***ing Rangers supporter”.

Despite warnings about his language in a public area where mothers and young children were present, the bout of swearing continued.

Henry also directed racial invectives at a group of up to seven teenagers in nearby Castle Junction.

A Crown lawyer said he pointed at the youths, all believed to be around 16 years old, and shouted: “Black Fenian Arab b******s.”

During the outburst he tried to take an umbrella from a passer-by, stating that he wanted to “whack on those black Arabs”.

As police brought him into custody he repeatedly called them “Fenians” and “f***ing b******s”.

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

A spokesperson called the allegations “deeply distasteful”

The Government has described claims that it may have used knowledge of Jeffrey Donaldson’s sex offending as “leverage” in a deal to restore power sharing in Northern Ireland in 2024 as “deeply distasteful and absolute nonsense”.

TUV leader Jim Allister had raised questions over whether the former DUP leader, who was convicted this week for a string of sex offences, had been “compromised to the detriment of unionism”.

A jury at Newry Crown Court unanimously found the ex-MP guilty on Monday of 18 offences against two women when they were children, including one count of rape.

Donaldson has been told he faces a “lengthy” prison sentence when he is sentenced later in the year.

In 2022, Donaldson, then the DUP leader, collapsed the Stormont powersharing institutions in protest over the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol.

Two years later he struck a deal with the then UK government to restore the institutions.

Mr Allister, the North Antrim MP, and a fierce critic of the deal which brought back the powersharing Executive and Assembly, issued a statement following the conviction in which he referred to a “chilling and troubling issue”.

Mr Allister said: “To me it is inconceivable that the government was unaware of his proclivities and the idea of such being used as leverage is far from fanciful.

His about-turn from ‘unalterable opposition’ to the protocol to protocol facilitator was telling.

“From sharing platforms with me and others in robust opposition, he somersaulted to lying salesmanship of the phoney ‘Safeguarding the Union’ document.

“Who could forget his brazen lies that the Irish Sea border was gone?

“How did this come about?”

A UK Government spokesperson responded: “Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victims of Jeffrey Donaldson who have shown immense courage in coming forward and giving evidence.

“Mr Allister’s allegations are deeply distasteful and absolute nonsense.”

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

As well as the UK, a heatwave is also hitting Europe, with France seeing its hottest day ever on record on Tuesday (June 23), with temperatures set to peak above 40C in some areas in Spain this week.

In Italy, a red heatwave alert has been declared in 15 cities, including Rome, Milan, Turin and Venice, with Portugal and other European countries also feeling the effects.

Amid this, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for Brits heading to Spain, France and Portugal.

Foreign Office issues fresh travel advice for Spain, France and Portugal

The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for anyone travelling to Spain and France, with advice also in place for Italy.

New information regarding extreme temperatures on its safety and security pages have been added.

For anyone travelling to Spain, the Foreign Office warns that “extreme weather can affect many parts of Spain, particularly over the summer months”.

It advises travellers to check warnings from the Spanish Meteorological Office (AEMET) and the European Meteorological Services.

It adds: “Follow guidance from the Spanish Ministry of Health for your area.

“You can sign up for email alerts (in Spanish).

“Check with your travel provider and follow advice from local authorities.”

Bilbao and its surrounding region are among the many areas in Spain facing high temperatures (Image: Getty Images)

Spain is facing a heatwave across various parts of the Iberian Peninsula.

Spain’s national weather service, Aemet, issued red alerts on Tuesday for temperatures of 44C in southern Andalusia as well as warnings of 40C in the normally temperate Cantabria and the Basque Country regions along its northern Atlantic coast.

Aemet meteorologist Rubén del Campo said Spain, which has experienced increasingly torrid summers of late, is only going to get hotter because of climate change as heatwaves become more frequent, longer and appear outside the traditional window of July and August.

In France, there is also a “risk of higher than normal temperatures” in summer, the Foreign Office said.

Its website adds: “Check current weather forecasts and read about how to protect yourself on the Meteo France website.

“Check with your travel provider and follow advice from local authorities.”

France recorded its hottest day ever on Tuesday (June 23), according to national weather agency Meteo France.

The intense heatwave continues in much of France, Spain and Italy 🌡️

France saw its hottest June day on record on Monday, and there is still a chance temperatures could reach 40–45°C in western parts of Europe

Nights are also very warm, remaining above 20°C for many pic.twitter.com/1cDNNN5bYt

— Met Office (@metoffice) June 23, 2026

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It said France’s national thermal indicator hit a new record of 29.8C, beating the previous record of 29.4C that dated back to heatwaves of August 2003 and July 2019.

Daytime highs above 40C were also recorded in many individual weather stations, with 54 areas of France placed under a red heatwave alert.

In Portugal, like Spain and France, the Foreign Office is one again warning of a risk of higher than normal temperatures in summer.

It says: “Check current weather forecasts and read about how to protect yourself on the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere website.”

Human-caused climate change is tied to increasing extreme weather and UN climate agency projections suggest the next five years will shatter more heat records.

Temperature warnings in Spain and France amid heatwave

The Spanish Meteorological Office (AEMET) has red, amber and yellow warnings in place across the country on Tuesday (June 23) and Wednesday (June 24) due to the heatwave.

Red warnings for an “extraordinary hazard” are in place on Wednesday for the Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia areas in northern Spain.

Much of the country has amber warnings for an “important hazard”.

In France, most of the country is covered by red heatwave warnings tomorrow (June 24) on Mateo France.

Meanwhile, across the rest of Europe, many other countries have heatwave warnings in place, according to European Meteorological Services (EMS).

On Wednesday (June 24), as well as France and Spain, red warnings are in place for parts of Germany and Switzerland.

For travel to France, the EMS urges to “drink water several times a day” and to “wet your body several times a day using a spray, a washcloth or by taking warm showers or baths”.

It adds: “Do not go out during the hottest hours (11am-9pm).

“If you must go out, wear a hat and light clothing.

“Try to go to a cool or air-conditioned place for two to three hours a day, whilst continuing to respect physical distance and barrier gestures.”

In northern Spain, travellers are urged to “take precautionary action, remain vigilant and act on advice given by authorities”.

How do you stay cool in a heatwave? Let us know in the comments.