The forecast suggests the muggy air will be most apparent ahead of, and along, weather systems pushing in from the Atlantic — with spells of rain and showers at times

The Met Office has warned that humid air will return to parts of the UK this week, with the muggy conditions most likely to be felt in the south and the South East as temperatures rise.

Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said on the Met Office Youtube channel a “southwesterly breeze” would help pull in moisture-laden air again, making it feel uncomfortable for some as the week progresses.

“A southwesterly breeze here is drawing in the humid air once more,” he said in the latest week-ahead forecast.

After the week began with a changeable picture, the Met Office forecaster said humidity could become more noticeable midweek, particularly in southern areas. He said there may be “a fairly humid start to the day in the south” and later added: “A rather humid feeling day where the sun does come out,” with temperatures “25, possibly 26 Celsius towards the southeast.”

The forecast suggests the muggy air will be most apparent ahead of, and along, weather systems pushing in from the Atlantic — with spells of rain and showers at times.

The meteorologist added: “This weather front becomes the dividing line between warm and humid air to the south and something a little fresher to the north.”

Although the rest of the week looks uncertain, temperatures are expected to rise overall, to the mid-20s with brighter spells, especially in the south, while the north stays closer to average.

The news comes as the Met Office announced that new provisional figures show summer 2026 was the warmest in the UK since records began nearly 150 years ago.

The forecaster found that the country warmed to an average of 16.5C in June, July and August, a significant 0.4C warmer than the previous record, set just last year.

Figures from the agency, which date back to 1884 show that the top six warmest summers on record have all occurred this century, including three this decade: 2026 in first place, followed by 2025, 2018, 2006, 2003 and 2022.

On several occasions this summer temperatures nearly reached 40C with five distinct heatwaves and drought conditions declared across much of the UK.

Figures from the agency revealed that England and Wales had their driest Julys on record, and southern England the driest month ever recorded since 1836.

Radley has closed its last remaining stores after falling into administration earlier this year.

It entered administration in May following what FTI Consulting described as a “sustained period of challenging economic conditions.”

Now, all its physical stores have closed their doors for the final time.

Radley London closes all stores after 28 years after entering administration

After entering administration, Gordon Brothers, which owns Poundland and LK Bennett, acquired the brand, intellectual property and some assets in a pre-pack administration deal.

However, the purchase did not include Radley’s 21 UK stores.

Customers were offered up to 70% off in clearance sales in the weeks that followed, with Radley’s website taken offline on August 19.

The closure resulted in the loss of 42 jobs.

The UK handbag and accessories retailer was founded in 1998 at London’s Camden Market by Lowell Harder.

Radley had developed a strong retail partnership with John Lewis and other stockists during its years of trading.

The British accessories brand designs and retails leather handbags, purses, footwear, and related accessories.

In addition to its core product lines, Radley also licenses its name for eyewear, jewellery, watches, and beauty products.

Retailer returns to UK high street after 7 years

In more positive news for the high street, a popular brand has returned after seven years.

Karen Millen is a luxury womenswear brand that specialises in tailoring, coats, and other occasionwear.

It collapsed into administration in 2019 before being acquired by Boohoo Group.

As a result, the company closed all its physical stores across the country and moved to an online-only model.

Now, Karen Millen is returning to the high street after a seven-year absence.

The luxury womenswear brand will relaunch through a series of new concessions across the UK, with a focus on occasionwear and its signature Forever Collection, Drapers reports.

The Leicester store at Fosse Park will be the first to open today (Friday, August 14), followed by additional locations in Liverpool One and Aberdeen’s Union Square on Monday, August 17.

More concessions are set to follow, although the date and areas have not yet been confirmed.

Dan Finley, CEO of Debenhams Group, which owns Karen Millen, said: “Karen Millen is a brand with real heritage, recognition and a loyal customer base, so bringing it back to the high street is a significant moment.

“Our customers want great fashion, but they also want to experience brands in different ways, and physical retail gives us another opportunity to do that.”

The return is part of a partnership with TFG (The Foschini Group), which also owns Hobbs, Phase Eight, and Whistles.

The new concessions will showcase curated ranges of Karen Millen’s most popular pieces.

UK companies that have closed or entered administration or liquidation in 2026

Despite Karen Millen’s return, it has been a difficult year for the high street, with many businesses being forced to close stores and others entering administration or liquidation.

Major high street brands LK Bennett and Claire’s have both closed all their stores, having previously fallen into administration.

UK fashion retailers Leading Labels and Quiz have also shut down all remaining stores after falling into liquidation.

Other retailers that have been forced to close stores this year include the likes of River Island and Poundland.

It’s not been all bad news for the UK high street, with several major brands announcing new store openings for 2026, including Aldi, M&S, and Superdrug.

Fellow fashion retailer Evans has also returned to the high street after six years.

The plus-size clothing brand, catering to sizes 14 to 32, closed all stores and concessions in December 2020 after its parent company, Arcadia Group, fell into administration.

Recommended reading:

The retailer initially shifted to an online-only model before being acquired by AK Retail in 2023, which also owns Yours Clothing and M&Co.

The plus-size clothing retailer is now available in over 50 Yours Clothing stores across the UK and Ireland, including in Liverpool, Swansea, Watford, and Glasgow (Braehead Shopping Centre).

Dedicated Evans sections can now be found in 36 Yours Clothing stores around the UK.

What is your favourite high street fashion retailer? Let us know in the comments.

When two-year-old Kole Pearson failed a series of routine newborn hearing tests, nothing could have prepared his parents for the deadly – and incurable – diagnosis their son would receive only months later.

Indeed, medics initially suspected Kole, from Ellesmere Port in Cheshire, to be autistic or have global developmental delay (GDD) after his mother, Beth Gordon, flagged his missed milestones and noted other symptoms like stimming and a floppy neck.

However, following a third failed hearing test, 33-year-old Ms Gordon recalled watching a TikTok video of a child with Sanfilippo syndrome – a rare, neurodegenerative disorder – and had a ‘motherly instinct’ her son fit the bill.

After flagging the possibility with Kole’s doctors, Ms Gordon was informed autism and Sanfilippo syndrome can present very similarly in the early phases of a child’s development – further raising her suspicions.

It was then, Ms Gordon said, she and her partner Daniel Pearson, 40, pushed for genetic testing to rule out – or confirm – their worst fears.

Following a series of tests, Kole received the life-altering – and devastating – diagnosis of Sanfilippo syndrome, also known as childhood dementia, in April of this year.

To make matters worse, doctors confirmed Kole’s variant of the condition is Type A – and there are zero treatment options available on the NHS.

Ms Gordon and Mr Pearson were simply told by medics to go home, and to ‘please love and make lots of memories’ with Kole in the limited time he has left.

Kole’s mother, Beth Gordon, realised something was wrong after he failed a series of newborn hearing tests – something she had not experienced with her other children (Pictured: Kole with siblings Koby and Alya) 

After Ms Gordon watched a TikTok video of a child with Sanfilippo syndrome, she realised Kole presented with similar symptoms

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Yet despite such slim odds, Ms Gordon and Mr Pearson refused to accept it was the only option for their son – determined to enroll Kole in trial therapy only available in America hailed as ‘lifesaving’ for children with Sanfilippo syndrome.

The only catch is the steep price tag that comes with the treatment – with costs coming in at a mammoth £2million.

The family – which includes siblings Koby, 10, and Ayla, 8 – have now set up a GoFundMe campaign in hopes of raising the vital money, but have currently only raised just shy of £15,000 – a fraction of the money they so urgently need.

Ms Gordon spoke to the Daily Mail about how standard hearing tests turned into a nightmare for her young family – but how she will stop at no end to be successful in fundraising for Kole’s future.

She said: ‘Kole is the happiest little boy ever. People constantly comment on how happy and loveable he is. But I always had a motherly instinct something was not right with his health.

‘One of the first red flags was he did not react properly during reflex exam at six weeks old. He also failed a newborn hearing test.

‘He then failed two more hearing tests – we later learnt he has severe hearing loss in his left ear and mild to moderate hearing loss in his right.

‘It was always suspected he had global developmental delay, as a result. Then autism was put on the table.

Kole’s family are attempting to fundraise £2million for treatment that could become available in America – and save his life

Ms Gordon describes Kole as ‘the happiest little boy ever’ (Pictured here with siblings Koby and Ayla)

‘I did believe Kole could potentially be autistic – he was a flappy baby, very stimmy and very sensory seeking.

‘I now know autism and Sanfilippo present very similarly in young children – which is often why Sanfilippo can be misdiagnosed or not picked up on until the child is five or six years old.’

Ms Gordon, who is now a full-time carer for her son, described the penny finally dropping on what was wrong with Kole one night when scrolling on social media – following yet another failed hearing test.

She said: ‘After the hearing test, coincidentally I was scrolling on TikTok and came across a little girl in America that was identical to Kole – she had Sanfilippo syndrome.

‘I then googled the disorder and started crying – instinctively I knew Kole matched. I then rang my mum to tell her that I knew this condition is what Kole has.’

It was then Ms Gordon and Mr Pearson, a self-employed scaffolder, went to Kole’s paediatrician at the Countess of Chester Hospital in Cheshire, where Ms Gordon recalled asking for urgent genetic testing to confirm the potential diagnosis.

She said: ‘Kole’s doctors said Sanfilippo is so rare that it probably is not that – I was brushed off constantly, but I just had a gut feeling.

‘So, in April of this year, I went back to a different paediatrician at the hospital. I said, “Again, I think he has Sanfilippo syndrome,” and he was the first person that said, “I see it – but we are still waiting for the test results, which could take anything between six to 18 months to come back.”

Kole was initially believed to be autistic – with symptoms of the condition very similar to that of Sanfilippo syndrome in young children 

‘Luckily, the results of Kole’s genetic testing were really quick.’

In April 2026, Kole’s family officially received the heartbreaking diagnosis he has Sanfilippo syndrome Type A – the more severe variant of the condition with a rapid decline rate.

The moment Kole was diagnosed – and the words spoken to her by attending medics – still haunt Ms Gordon to this day.

She said: ‘The night before we got the results, I just knew – you’ve got this awful feeling.

‘We went to the hospital the following morning, and the doctor said: “You are right, he has got Sanfilippo syndrome – Type A. It’s the most severe and the quickest progressing.”

‘We were told Kole’s condition was terminal, to please love him and make lots of memories. The NHS are very textbook – when they say it is terminal, it is terminal.

‘It was a mixed bag of emotions. I was devastated – but I want to fight on so no parent has to feel like I do, so no parent has to go into a hospital room and be told, “There is no cure, go home and love them.”

‘No family deserves that.’

The average life expectancy for affected children is usually mid-to-late teens. For those with Type A, such as Kole, life expectancy ranges from 11 years old to 19 years old on average

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Following Kole’s diagnosis, Ms Gordon recalls being told by medics ‘there is no cure, go home and love him’

Sanfilippo syndrome, also known as Mucopolysaccharidosis type III, is a rare and terminal neurodegenerative disease, presenting in variants A, B, C and D.

Typically, affected children will develop to a certain point before regressing – causing them to lose all skills they have gained, begin experiencing movement disorders and having seizures.

Currently, there are no effective treatments for Sanfilippo syndrome available in Britain; however, clinical trials are available in the United States.

The average life expectancy for affected children is usually mid-to-late teens. For those with Type A, such as Kole, life expectancy ranges from 11 years old to 19 years old on average.

Ms Gordon, however, is determined this will not be the case for her son.

Alongside medics at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital – where Kole is now being monitored – they have discovered a revolutionary treatment for children afflicted with Sanfilippo, a gene therapy known as UX111.

UX111, developed in the United States, is an experimental therapy designed to work by fixing the root genetic cause of the condition, delivering healthy genes to the affected cells.

It is currently still awaiting food and drug administration (FDA) approval; however, a decision is expected within the next month.

Kole’s family have set up a fundraising campaign to raise the £2million needed to send the toddler to America to receive UX111 – a revolutionary treatment for sufferers of Sanfilippo syndrome

UX111 treatment could allow Kole to lead a normal life – with recipients of the treatment now reportedly playing football, reading and even running

If approved, the treatment would give Kole the best chance of leading a normal childhood – and potentially full adult life.

Ms Gordon said: ‘I can’t imagine my life without him – that is why I am so frantically and urgently fundraising for the potential treatment.

‘Children with Sanfilippo who have had the same therapy are now running, reading and playing football – it would completely change Kole’s whole prognosis.’

Kole’s family have since set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise the whopping £2million needed to send the toddler to America to receive UX111.

Ms Gordon said: ‘Two million pounds is such a massive amount of money, but if two million people all donated £1, that mountain my family have to climb wouldn’t feel so huge.

‘SFS doesn’t wait for anybody. We don’t have time to sit and wait and see what our government says and decides. It could take years and years for treatment approvals on the NHS, and by then it’s too late and Kole is regressing.

‘Our one goal is to get Kole over to America. He will have his treatment, and do you know what? He’ll live such a healthier, happier, longer life.’

A spokesperson for the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: ‘We recognise how distressing it is for any family to receive a diagnosis of a serious condition, especially when it is life-limiting.

‘Our staff are focused on communicating difficult information with compassion, sensitivity and clarity, and they support patients and their families throughout diagnosis, care planning and ongoing care.

‘Patient confidentiality is paramount and so we will not comment on the care of an individual patient.’

Newly released pictures from the film offer a first glimpse of the Bolton School old boy as Jacob Marley, the ghostly former business partner of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Sir Ian joins a star-studded cast led by Johnny Depp, who takes on the role of Scrooge in director Ti West’s darker interpretation of the beloved story.

The newly unveiled still shows the veteran actor transformed into Marley, giving audiences their clearest look yet at his role in the film ahead of its November release.

The fantasy adaptation brings together an ensemble cast that includes Rupert Grint, Daisy Ridley, Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Ellie Bamber, Charlie Murphy and Severance star Tramell Tillman.

While previous publicity focused largely on Depp’s transformation into the infamous miser, the latest images shine a spotlight on Sir Ian’s portrayal of the character whose supernatural visit sets Scrooge’s redemption story in motion.

According to reports, Ebenezer will lean further into the unsettling elements of Dickens’ tale.

Sir Ian McKellen has enjoyed an incredible career. (Image: NQ)

West, best known for horror films including the X trilogy, has spoken of his desire to make the story’s spirits feel genuinely frightening rather than simply festive.

Sir Ian’s role as Marley places him at the heart of that supernatural vision.

In the recently released trailer, Scrooge is seen desperately trying to escape the apparitions that haunt him, including the ghost of his former business associate.

The 87-year-old actor attended Bolton School before embarking on a career that would see him become one of Britain’s most celebrated performers.

Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf in The Lord Of The Rings. (Image: Royal Mail)

McKellen, who is best known for roles including Gandalf in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, as well as Magneto in the X-Men franchise, has often spoken warmly about his links to the town.

He will reprise the latter of those roles in Avengers: Doomsday, which is set to release in cinemas on December 18.

His latest screen appearance in Ebenezer comes alongside Depp, with the pair featuring in what has been described as a dark fantasy retelling of Dickens’ 1843 novella.

Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol is due to arrive in cinemas on November 13.

The Newcastle-born star’s appearance earlier this year put Chilli Padi in the spotlight, shining a light on a restaurant that has quietly built a reputation for authentic Malaysian cuisine, warm hospitality and dishes bursting with spice, colour and flavour.

Tucked away within the striking surroundings of Aykley Heads House, Chilli Padi has added a splash of Malaysian colour and spice to Durham’s dining scene.

The restaurant continues to attract attention from food lovers seeking authentic South East Asian flavours beyond the usual takeaway favourites.

Originally building a strong reputation in Newcastle, Chilli Padi expanded into Durham with a simple promise: authentic Malaysian cooking, traditional recipes and fresh ingredients inspired by the country’s famously diverse food cultures.

The menu is a tour through some of Malaysia’s best-loved dishes, blending Chinese, Malay and Indian influences.

A picture of some of the food on offer at Chilli Padi in Durham. (Image: TripAdvisor)

A menu full of Malaysian flair

Popular dishes include:

–          Beef Rendang – a slow-cooked Malaysian classic that diners repeatedly praise for its rich flavour and tender meat.

–          Singapore Vermicelli Noodles – Warmly spiced noodles packed with prawns.

–          Kueh Teow Goreng – stir-fried flat noodles in a richly flavoured sauce.

–          Roti Canai – served with curry sauce, a popular Malaysian Street food staple.

–          Salt and Chilli Prawns – one of the standout dishes highlighted by reviewers.

–          Spicy King Prawn You Tiao -featuring prawn-stuffed Chinese dough fritters with Chilli Padi mayonnaise.

–          KangKung Bulacan– a traditional morning glory vegetable dish stir-fried with spicy shrimp paste.

What reviewers say

Customer feedback paints a picture of a restaurant that has quickly won over local fans.

TripAdvisor reviewers have given Chilli Padi Durham an average rating of 4.7 out of 5, with one customer describing the restaurant as a “hidden gem”.

Another reviewer took to the site to compliment the friendly service and flavour-packed noodle dishes, saying the venue brought “Malaysia to Durham along with plenty of huge prawns.”

Another visitor, who was already familiar with the restaurant after visiting the Newcastle branch, said the Durham restaurant more than lived up to expectations, describing the beef rendang as “tender and full of flavour.”

Housed in the historic Aykley Heads House, Chilli Padi offers a setting that combines character with contemporary dining.

Reviewers have noted the building’s quirky artwork and welcoming atmosphere, while customers regularly highlight the friendliness of staff.

The restaurant is open Tuesday to Sunday and offers dine-in, takeaway and delivery options.

Everton are understood to have made a last-minute bid to sign Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee before the summer transfer window closes

Joshua Zirkzee will be remaining at Manchester United this summer, despite a deadline day approach from Everton. Zirkzee has been heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford throughout the summer, with the Netherlands international facing an uncertain future.

Fiorentina and Juventus have previously been mentioned as potential destinations for Zirkzee this summer, although no deal was able to be agreed with either of the Serie A duo, which would have seen the striker return to Italy.

Zirkzee could now remain in the Premier League with the latest updates suggesting that a move to Merseyside could have been on the cards.

Everton are understood to have submitted a proposal to United in a bid to bring Zirkzee to Goodison Park on a loan basis, as they seek to bolster their attacking options.

The Toffees have also been strongly linked with Monaco striker Folarin Balogun in recent days, though reports suggest that particular deal could be in doubt ahead of the deadline.

Consequently, it is believed that Everton had identified Zirkzee as an alternative to Balogun, should a transfer for the former Arsenal centre forward fail to materialise.

However, it’s understood that Zirkzee will remain at United beyond the 11pm deadline and until the January transfer, at the very least.

It was understood that Zirkzee would welcome a switch to Everton, though such a move would have left United with little time to bring in a replacement.

Zirkzee has found himself slipping down the pecking order at Old Trafford over the past year, particularly following United’s busy transfer activity last summer.

The arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha at United last year left Zirkzee with little time on the pitch during the previous campaign, fuelling speculation that he could be heading for the exit door this summer.

Zirkzee is yet to feature for United this season, having been named as an unused substitute in both of their opening Premier League fixtures against Hull City and Ipswich Town.

Carrick was quizzed on the prospect of United bringing in further reinforcements following their 5-2 victory over Ipswich at the weekend.

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“It’s always difficult to say, to be honest, when there’s so little time left,” Carrick said.

“I think the situation that we’re in, I think the business that we’ve managed to do, I’m pleased with. I think we’re a better group, a better squad, potentially a better team.

“Adding Marcus [Rashford] into that feels like a new signing. So, in that respect, we’re quite happy.

“We’re always open to if there’s something else to be able to add, so I wouldn’t shut that down, but as it stands, we’ll have to wait and see.”

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Federal judges have varied their commutes, hired private security and fortified their homes, including with panic buttons, amid a barrage of threats and harassment in recent months that has left many of them anxious about their safety, according to two new studies.

In an astonishing admission, one judge acknowledged considering an alternative ruling to avoid vitriol that could endanger the judge’s family. The federal judge, like some of the others interviewed for the studies, spoke to the authors on condition of anonymity.

The reports follow a spike in threats against federal judges. “Security incidents of significant concern” increased 57% in the year that ended in September 2025 and were on pace to rise again this year, according to a March report by the agency that administers the U.S. court system.

While some U.S. judges have spoken publicly about threats, the new studies by legal scholars at New York University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the Brennan Center for Justice are based on detailed testimony from dozens of judges. Together, they present a chilling portrait of a judicial branch under extreme stress.

“We are in a different era,” said Amrit Singh, director of the Rule of Law Lab at New York University and lead author of one of the studies. “The volume, intensity, character and modalities of the threats that we are witnessing today are new.”

Judges told Singh they felt overwhelmed, had trouble sleeping and had installed security cameras and panic buttons. Many were worried about their families.

Singh declined to reveal more information about the judge who considered an alternative ruling, but the judge recalled feeling gripped by fear and agonizing for nearly an hour before sticking with the decision the law required.

In the second study, one judge reported having home floor plans leaked and building a safe room. The judge, who asked to remain anonymous, received more than 700 threatening phone calls after hearing a Trump administration immigration case.

“Long term, there really is a danger to the rule of law from these threats,” said Gowri Ramachandran, director of elections and security at the Brennan Center and co-author of the second report on judicial threats.

The NYU-Berkeley report is based on interviews with 32 active U.S. district and appellate judges — half nominated by Democrats and the other half by Republicans — as well as two active magistrate judges. The Brennan Center interviewed 35 sitting and retired federal judges, eight of whom were nominated by Republican presidents.

His life started in Hartlepool in 1955, and he has remained one of the town’s most devoted ambassadors.

Hartlepool sits on England’s north-eastern shoreline between Durham and the River Tees as a working-class town with rich maritime history.

It was here that a young Jeff grew up, developing the lifelong attachment to Hartlepool United that would later become famous among football fans across the country.

While many television personalities carefully separate their work from their sporting loyalties, Stelling has always worn his Hartlepool allegiance on his sleeve.

That connection has become so strong that, for many outside the region, Stelling is almost synonymous with Hartlepool itself.

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

From Hartlepool to national television

Long before he became one of Britain’s most recognisable sports broadcasters, Stelling attended Rift House Primary School and West Hartlepool Grammar School.

Soon, he began his career in local journalism in Hartlepool, before moving into radio and television.

His rise eventually took him to Sky Sports, where he became the face of Soccer Saturday, guiding viewers through decades of football drama with a mixture of sharp wit, encyclopaedic knowledge and the ability to keep calm amid the programme’s trademark chaos.

It was during one of these famously chaotic broadcasts that the phrase “I don’t know, Jeff” entered popular culture.

Delivered by Chris Kamara during a mix-up at a football ground, the exchange quickly became one of British TV’s most memorable sporting moments and has since been referenced countless times online.

(Image: Supplied)

 Hartlepool United’s most famous supporter

If there is one theme that has followed Stelling throughout his career, it is his unwavering support for Hartlepool United.

Whether the club were chasing promotion, fighting relegation or navigating off-field uncertainty, Stelling consistently used his national profile to shine a light on his hometown team.

The 71-year-old, who now lives in Hampshire, has frequently spoken about the club and has served in official roles connected to Hartlepool United, reinforcing his status as one of the club’s most influential supporters.

The loyalty resonates strongly across the North East, where football allegiance is often viewed as a reflection of identity.

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 A North East success story

For a town better known nationally for its port, its football club and its unique place in North East history, Stelling remains a source of considerable local pride.

Long after becoming one of Britain’s most recognisable sports presenters, he continued to champion Hartlepool and the wider North East, ensuring his hometown was never far from the national conversation.

The internet may remember the meme, football fans remember Soccer Saturday, but in Hartlepool, Jeff Stelling is remembered as the local lad whose loyalty to his town never wavered.

Andy Burnham has lashed out at the legacy of Brexit, saying it “ushered in a decade of low growth” which the UK is still paying for, as he made his first statement as prime minister to the Commons.

In an unexpected attack on the legacy of leaving the EU, he listed the “series of wrong turns” the UK has made since the 1980s and warned Brexit had embedded the problems caused by over-centralisation of government, deindustrialisation and privatisation of industry.

The statement was framed as Mr Burnham laying out his vision for government after he took over from Sir Keir Starmer in a bloodless coup in July. But while he has stated he will stick to Sir Keir’s red lines on Brexit of not rejoining the EU, single market or customs union, his words will provide hope that he may well look to change course by the next election.

In his statement, Mr Burnham also laid out his other key priorities:

The statement marked a significant change of tone from Sir Keir’s two years in office, with Mr Burnham emphasising that he wanted to move away from “point scoring” to working with other parties to fix problems.

He warned: “Britain is not where any of us would wish it to be. Things are not working as they should. Life is too expensive and too hard for too many. This is why this government’s first moves were to give businesses and people a little breathing space.”

Turning to the series of wrong turns that have led to the decline of living standards in the UK, he made a point of blasting Brexit, having said a year ago when he was mayor of Manchester that he favoured rejoining the EU.

He told MPs: “From the 1980s, this country took a series of wrong turns. Political power was centralised, economic power privatised. The country deindustrialised. Austerity followed, hollowing out councils and depriving them of the agency to act to reverse any of this, and then Brexit, compounding the damage, ushering in a decade of low growth and stalled regeneration.”

The comments have been welcomed by pro-EU campaigners just days after The Independent revealed the £11.7bn a year loss in exports Brexit has caused for British business as well as a survey showing 98.2 per cent of businesses want the UK to rejoin the single market.

Already, Mr Burnham is taking action on decentralisation with a new devolution agenda to hand powers to elected mayors, and he also vowed to take things back into public ownership, hinting that water companies could be an early target.

Pro-EU campaigners now hope he will apply the same logic to reversing Brexit.

Naomi Smith, chief executive of Best for Britain, said: “It’s hugely welcome to hear a prime minister stand at the despatch box and say loudly and clearly that Brexit harmed Britain; far from taking back control, it shrank our economy, left us poorer, weaker, less safe and more divided.”

She warned: “If Burnham is serious about delivering a politics done differently – and giving the public what our polling proves they want more of – he must keep all options on the table to single-mindedly pursue the profound economic transformation – some £92bn at the very least – that rejoining the EU would mean for our economy, while persuading progressives who have abandoned the party to trust Labour with their votes.

“That’s how you get good growth in every postcode, and how you deliver hope in every heart.”

But his claims were mocked by Ms Badenoch, who chided the new prime minister for not being available to be scrutinised by MPs for his first 43 days in office.

With Labour MPs chuntering in the background, she said: “The year is 2026. Yet the prime minister said in his statement that everything has gone wrong since the 1980s, still complaining about Margaret Thatcher.

“I may not look it, but I’m 46 years old. He is talking about a woman who became prime minister before I was born. He is living in the past, and he wants to take us back to the 1970s. On this side of the house, we [Conservatives] are for the future not the past.”

The intervention by Mr Burnham identifying Brexit as a “wrong turn” will raise hopes that his pledge last week to stick to Sir Keir’s red lines can be reversed by the time of the next election.

Former prime minister Sir John Major warned in an interview with The Independent that the first priority of any prime minister must be to get the UK back into the EU’s single market as a precursor to fully rejoining the bloc to reverse the economic decline caused by leaving the EU.

Mike Galsworthy, chair of the European Movement UK, told The Independent: “The biggest opportunity for Andy Burnham lies less in how he handles Starmer’s restrictions from the last Labour manifesto and much more in the bigger move he can make with the next manifesto. A promise in the next manifesto to open accession talks for full EU membership is the prize here.”

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Vogue Williams has given birth to her fourth child with her husband Spencer Matthews.

The Irish TV presenter, 40, and the former Made In Chelsea star, 38, announced the birth of their baby boy via her Instagram page on Tuesday evening.

The couple are already parents to two other sons, Theodore, seven, and Otto, four, and they have a daughter Gigi, six.

Vogue announced the news, saying: ‘Our beautiful baby boy has arrived safely… The house is bursting with excitement, love and happiness and we couldn’t be more delighted.’

The family received congratulatory messages from their famous friends, including Holly Willoughby who branded her ‘super mama’ and Zoe Ball. 

The mother of four has not yet revealed the name of their newborn, after revealing she and Spencer had changed their baby boy’s name at the last minute.

Vogue announced the news, saying: ‘Our beautiful baby boy has arrived safely… The house is bursting with excitement, love and happiness and we couldn’t be more delighted’

The Irish TV presenter, 40, and the former Made In Chelsea star, 38, announced the birth of their baby boy via her Instagram page on Tuesday evening

The mother of four has not yet revealed the name of their newborn, after revealing she and Spencer had changed their baby boy’s name at the last minute

The couple had originally planned to call their fourth child Elvis, inspired by the rock and roll legend. 

Ahead of her due date, Vogue revealed they’ve made a U-turn on the moniker and need to decide on a new one.

Speaking on her My Therapist Ghosted Me podcast this week, Vogue said: Do you know what? Big news from my week.

‘We have changed our baby name – we have no name. You know the name was pretty full on and I loved the name.

‘Spenny has been getting a few phone calls from family members regarding the name.

Her co-host and pal Joanne McNally quipped: ‘I just don’t think Gary is that controversial.’

Vogue continued: ‘I honestly thought though because it’s been on my mind I just, I haven’t ever been 100 per cent comfortable with it.

‘But because as much as I love the name it’s such a big name to take on when you’re little or trying to get a job when you’re older.

‘I have got other very cool options, though that was my favourite name,’ before she confirmed: ‘We were going to call the baby Elvis, I love it.’

The couple announced they were expecting baby number four on social media in April, with Vogue sharing some pictures on Instagram with the caption “BABY NUMBER 4 INCOMING….”

Vogue and Spencer tied the knot in 2018.

However, they suffered split rumours after they failed to publicly mark their seventh wedding anniversary – months after Spencer stepped down from their joint podcast, Spencer & Vogue, to focus on his own project, Untapped.

The couple are already parents to two other sons, Theodore, seven, and Otto, four, and they have a daughter Gigi, six 

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The family received congratulatory messages from their famous friends, including Holly Willoughby who branded her ‘super mama’ and Zoe Ball

Spencer cuddled his newborn son against his chest in one sweet snap

The couple are already parents to two other sons, Theodore, seven, and Otto, three and they have one daughter called Gigi, five

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Vogue and Spencer announced they were expecting baby number four on social media in April

But Vogue previously insisted that she and her husband are ‘happy’ and that their marriage is secure, while dispelling past rumours of a potential crisis.

Speaking to The Sun, the presenter said she has reached a point in her life where only ‘their truth’ matters, stressing that they remain very much a happy couple.

She recalled: ‘When he left our podcast, everyone was like, “What’s going on?”‘

Vogue also admitted to worrying about their children hearing the ‘baseless and cruel’ gossip at school.

She had previously addressed the claims in an Instagram post, telling followers: ‘It’s with great sadness that I have to let you know that Spen and I are NOT breaking up!

‘I usually avoid addressing baseless and cruel rumours, but this just keeps coming up.

‘It’s disappointing to see this narrative being pushed almost daily when it’s absolutely not true, and much more importantly, I don’t want my children hearing these lies in the playground.

‘We’re not sure what the angle is or where it’s coming from, but the whole thing feels very strange and mean. We’re very happily married and in love and I hope posting the truth on my own platform might make it stop.’