The Government has accepted recommendations from the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) to award teachers a 3.5 per cent pay rise from September, followed by a further 3 per centincrease from September 2027.

However, the Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed that schools will be expected to fund the first 1 per cent of each pay award from their existing budgets, with additional government funding covering the remainder.

Robert Poole, assistant district secretary of the Bolton District of the National Education Union, welcomed the pay rise but warned that the funding arrangements would place schools under even greater financial pressure.

He said: “The offer of a 3.5 per cent pay rise is a positive but limited step forward and reflects the union’s success in campaigning for fair pay restoration for teachers.

“However, we remain concerned that schools will be expected to partially fund the rises.

“The decision to force schools to fund the first 1% of the award from their existing budgets is a devastating blow.

“School budgets in Bolton are already stretched to breaking point after years of systemic underfunding.

“Expecting headteachers to find this extra money puts them in an impossible position, inevitably forcing choices that could result in cuts to essential resources, a reduction in support staff, or larger class sizes.

“Because of this, the National Education Union is quite rightly keeping all options on the table.

“If the Government fails to fully fund this rise, industrial action remains a possibility to protect both our profession and the quality of education in Bolton.”

The NEU, the UK’s largest teaching union, has previously warned it could formally ballot members for strike action later this year if ministers failed to deliver a fully funded, above-inflation pay settlement.

Following Wednesday’s announcement, an NEU spokesperson said the union was “considering all options”.

Teachers’ union NASUWT also said “all options, including possible industrial action, remain on the table”.

The Government announced that schools will receive an additional £1.8 billion over the next two years to help fund pay rises for teachers and support staff, while colleges and further education providers will receive a further £485 million over the same period.

Nationally, NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede said schools would still be expected to find around £460 million from existing budgets despite the additional funding.

He said a partially funded settlement would continue to place pressure on schools already struggling financially.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson defended the settlement, describing it as a “multi-year deal” backed by significant investment that recognises teachers’ dedication while giving schools greater certainty over pay and budgets.

The pay awards are above the current rate of UK inflation, which stood at 2.8% in May.

So what can I do instead?

Any other tips?

Man United are running the rule over a host of potential signings this summer and one of the reasons for that is their new approach to recruitment.

It has been a noticeable feature in the first few weeks of this transfer window that plenty of names are emerging as Manchester United attempt to strengthen their squad.

News of United monitoring Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos broke on Sunday and it was another name to add to the list, with the club interested in signing the 22-year-old, who is available this summer.

United have been linked with dozens of midfielders this summer and it goes without saying they won’t be signing all of them. Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Sandro Tonali were all on the shortlist during the season.

When United stepped away from the race to sign Anderson after Manchester City’s nine-figure bid, they moved on to Mateus Fernandes, who has since joined Tottenham. Now Alex Scott is the leading midfield target, but background checks have been carried out on Felix Nmecha and United would still love to sign Aurelien Tchouameni.

In the Premier League, Santos is one player United have looked at, alongside Fulham’s Norwegian international Sander Berge. The names of Championship duo Shea Charles and Hayden Hackney also appeared on the list.

It’s a similar story in other positions, with sources suggesting United’s list of options to fill the back-up goalkeeper role is a sizeable one, and Karl Darlow and Sam Johnstone are two players among many under consideration.

It feels like a change in approach from United, who have previously alighted on a couple of targets for each position and then worked hard to get one of those over the line, often spending big to secure a priority deal.

The reason it now feels like United have a longer list of targets under consideration is that they have become more data-led in recruitment, with the team headed by Michael Sansoni compiling lists of players who fit the brief for each position.

A University of Southampton graduate, Sansoni joined United in April 2025 after more than a decade with the Mercedes F1 team and made an immediate impact. Part of his work in the first window helped convince the club that Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha were the right targets.

He is now the club’s director of data and AI, and the transformation in the club’s use of data has been one of the biggest success stories of the Ineos regime. Sir Jim Ratcliffe eviscerated United’s work in that area after his investment in the club, but it has improved dramatically.

It is now being used to help draw up transfer shortlists, or long lists as they should now probably be called, and that is why it feels like United have more options than usual when it comes to their recruitment this summer.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

Advertisement

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

Emergency services rushed to the scene

A man had to be airlifted to hospital following a crash on a road near Cambridgeshire. Emergency services were called just before 11am on Sunday, July 5 to a crash involving a car and a motorbike in Denver, Norfolk.

Two ambulances, an ambulance officer vehicle and the East Anglian Air Ambulance rushed to the scene on Ely Road. A spokesperson for East of England Ambulance Service has confirmed that a man was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for further treatment.

The spokesperson said: “We were called just before 11am on Sunday 5 July to a road traffic collision involving a car and a motorbike on Ely Road in Denver.

“Two ambulances, an ambulance officer vehicle and the East Anglian Air Ambulance were sent to the scene. An adult man was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for further treatment.”

David Kelly was flown home but could not be saved

A man has died after a holiday in Turkey when he suddenly fell seriously ill hours before flying home. David Kelly was at the airport when his health rapidly deteriorated.

Within hours, the joiner was rushed into intensive care and placed in an induced coma. He was kept alive on life support as he fought for his life miles from home. His devoted wife, Dawn, remained at his bedside in a Turkish hospital for four weeks.

A fundraiser set up with the permission of David’s family said: “What was meant to be a relaxing holiday in Turkey turned into a nightmare that none of us could have imagined. Just hours before his flight home, David suddenly became seriously unwell at the airport.

“Within a matter of hours, his condition deteriorated rapidly, and he was rushed to intensive care. Placed into an induced coma and kept alive by life support, David was fighting for his life thousands of miles from home.

“For four long weeks, his devoted wife, Dawn, remained by his side in a Turkish hospital, never leaving him as he battled with incredible strength and courage.”

David, from Barrhead, Renfrewshire, was eventually repatriated on 8 June aboard a specialist flying intensive care unit. He was taken to the Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

The fundraiser said he continued his fight while receiving “outstanding care” from hospital staff. But David sadly died peacefully on 18 June surrounded by his family. The fundraiser added: “Despite everyone’s best efforts, our warrior David passed away peacefully on 18 June, surrounded by his loving family.”

His family later announced the devastating news through his business’ Facebook page, Barrhead Joinery. They said: “We would like to share the devastating news that sadly after fighting as hard as he could, our lovable, amazing David Kelly passed away on Thursday 18 June.

“Barrhead Joinery will now cease trading, as a family we’d like to thank you all for the work you all have given David over the years. Lots of love from his wife Dawn and daughters Gemma & Sophie.”

David was described as a much-loved husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. The fundraiser said: “He was someone who was always there to lend a hand, offer support, and put others before himself. Now it is our turn to be there for those he loved most.”

Tributes have also poured in from members of the local community. Noreen McHugh wrote: “I am devastated to hear this sad news about Davie. He was an excellent professional who I counted on over the years.

“But upmost a wonderful human being who was always friendly and honest. My sincerest condolences to you and your daughters. A huge loss for you all. RIP Davie, you will be sorely missed.”

Advertisement

Another person added: “So sorry to hear this very sad news. David did some work for me when I moved into my home in Newton Mearns some years ago. Such a lovely, lovely man. Sending you all my heartfelt condolences. x”

A fundraiser has been launched to help ease the financial impact of David’s emergency medical treatment abroad and specialist repatriation. Money raised will also support Dawn and the family, help with funeral expenses and fund donations to Kidney Research UK and the Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

The appeal said the donations would recognise the “exceptional care and compassion” shown to David and his family.

NYON, Switzerland (AP) — European soccer body UEFA criticized FIFA for an “incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision” to let United States forward Folarin Balogun play at the World Cup against Belgium on Monday despite a red card in his previous game.

UEFA said in a statement FIFA “crossed a red line” with its decision not to enforce Balogun’s mandatory one-game ban, after the world soccer body came under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump.

FIFA’s ruling Sunday — to defer Balogun’s ban for one year of probation — shockingly deviated from soccer’s traditional rule of law and drew stinging criticism globally including from former World Cup stars and coaches at this tournament.

“It’s a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision that will hurt the World Cup,” Norway coach Norway coach Ståle Solbakken said Sunday after his team beat Brazil to reach the quarterfinals.

UEFA, whose member federations include Belgium, insisted: “Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not.”

“When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined,” said the European soccer body, which has often clashed with FIFA President Gianni Infantino during his decade in power.

“We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision,” said UEFA, where Infantino was its CEO-like general secretary from 2009 until being elected to lead FIFA in February 2016.

The Belgian soccer federation was preparing an appeal in Seattle in the early hours of Monday to challenge the Balogun ruling before a FIFA-appointed appeals judge. The round of 16 game against the U.S. is due to kick off at 5 p.m. local time.

___

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

The changes to eGate rules at 13 airports across the country will allow more children to speed through passport control.

Previously, only children aged 10 and above could use eGates, a rule that was reduced from 12 years old in 2023.

What is the new eGate travel rule coming to UK airports this week?

The new rules are expected to benefit up to 1.5 million more children, based on 2025 UK arrival figures.

These children typically have to see a border force officer, so the change is anticipated to significantly speed up the process for families.

The adjustment will enable children aged eight and nine, who are at least 120cm (3ft 11in) tall and accompanied by an adult, to use the automated gates.

The height restriction is due to the need for children to be able to see and be captured by biometric screens.

The expanded access will apply to more than 290 eGates in the UK, affecting 13 airports.

These are:

• London Heathrow
• London Gatwick
• London City
• London Luton
• London Stansted
• Manchester
• Birmingham
• Bristol
• East Midlands
• Newcastle
• Cardiff
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow

The new rule will also apply to accompanying ports where border checks take place in Europe.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp, said: “Travel with young children can be stressful for parents.

“By expanding eGate access, more families can experience a swifter and smoother journey home – freeing up precious time this summer holiday season.

“We are delivering continued improvement to the passenger experience, while keeping our borders safe and secure.”

The rule change will not only apply to airports but also to other travel methods, such as Eurostar and the Eurotunnel.

People travelling from non-Schengen countries in Europe, along with the US, Australia, and Japan, will also be able to use the eGates.

Recommended reading:

In addition to the UK, 48 EU airports will be allowing British holidaymakers to use eGates.

These include locations in popular holiday destinations such as Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal.

The change is set to come into effect from Wednesday (July 8).

What do you think of the new changes to eGates? Let us know in the comments.

Close this module

What would a Positive News membership programme look like? We’re asking a few quick questions each week to learn what you value and shape our future direction, as part of our Positive News: What Next? project.

Supporters who sacrificed a night’s sleep to watch the last-16 clash against Mexico were rewarded with one of England’s most memorable World Cup performances in recent years.

At Hogarths, where owners had expected between 400 and 450 fans, jubilant supporters burst into chants of “It’s Coming Home” and “Sweet Caroline”.

Similar scenes played out at ROOM Westhoughton, The Hulton Arms, The Poacher and the Duke of Wellington, with fans singing long after the final whistle.

“Wonderwall” at The Hulton Arms (Image: Supplied)

Many venues stayed open after receiving strong demand for the unusual 1am kick-off, which was delayed by an hour because of thunderstorms around the Estadio Azteca.

Their faith was rewarded after a match that had everything.

England raced into a commanding lead thanks to two Jude Bellingham goals in the space of 98 seconds.

“It’s Coming Home” at ROOM Westhoughton (Image: Supplied)

Mexico responded before half-time and England’s task became even tougher after Jarell Quansah was sent off early in the second half, forcing Thomas Tuchel’s side to play with 10 men.

Harry Kane restored England’s two-goal advantage from the penalty spot before Mexico hit back again from 12 yards, setting up a tense finish as the hosts piled on the pressure.

But England withstood 11 minutes of added time to clinch a famous 3-2 victory and set up a quarter-final against Norway on Saturday.

There was little sign of tiredness inside Bolton’s pubs as fans soaked up a memorable World Cup night they will not forget in a hurry.

A man has been charged after a 20-year-old was hospitalised with serious injuries following an alleged assault in west Wales.

Police issued a statement on Saturday which said the incident happened in Margaret Street leading to Uplands Square, at approximately 12.51am that morning. A spokesperson said a 20-year-old man sustained serious, life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

In an update issued late on Sunday, police have confirmed the victim’s condition is now stable.

Officers have charged Ciaran McConnell, 37, from New Quay with grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. He is due to appear in court on Monday.

A 59-year-old man has also been arrested on suspicion of assault and has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Police are continuing their appeal for witnesses to assist them in their investigation.