Angela Rayner is back

Four Greater Manchester MPs including Angela Rayner bagged a seat at the top political table as Andy Burnham made his first appointments to his cabinet.

The Makerfield MP and former mayor of Greater Manchester officially became Prime Minister today (July 20) with outgoing PM Sir Keir Starmer saying he wished Burnham ‘every success’ in the role, just over two years on from his election victory.

Rumours swirled all around Westminster and beyond about just who Burnham would appoint to his cabinet. He said he remained undecided as late as last Friday when he became Labour leader – but pledged that it would include ‘all parts’ of the party.

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Ofsted said the nursery’s “well-balanced curriculum” is “not implemented consistently well in practice” – but the nursery plans to challenge the regulator

A nursery in Cambridgeshire has been warned by Ofsted that it “needs attention” in several areas assessed. Staff at Jungle Tots Day Nursery on Coningsby Road, Peterborough, have been praised for creating a “warm and welcoming environment” for children.

The report, published on Thursday, July 16, said “inconsistencies in supporting children’s behaviour and poorly organised routines interrupt learning and limit children’s ability to engage and sustain attention”. It added: “As a result, children do not consistently maintain high levels of engagement during their learning which has as impact on their overall achievement.”

The team at the nursery has submitted a formal complaint to Ofsted regarding both the conclusions reached and aspects of the inspection process, a spokesperson said.

Ofsted deemed that leaders and staff plan a “well-balanced curriculum that includes all areas of learning”. However, inspectors found it is “not implemented consistently well in practice” and children are “expected to sit for long periods, which limits their engagement and affects their ability to sustain attention”.

The nursery received a ‘needs attention’ rating in four out of six areas assessed by the education watchdog. This includes: achievement, behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines, curriculum and teaching, and leadership and governance.

The independent, family-run nursery was rated ‘expected standard’ in children’s welfare and wellbeing and inclusion. It has also met safeguarding standards.

The owner of Jungle Tots Day Nursery, Gordon Forster, said that one of his proudest achievements has been “seeing Jungle Tots recognised as one of the Top 20 Day Nurseries in the East of England for four consecutive years”.

Mr Forster said the team “go above and beyond for all our children everyday” and that he has found a “few aspects of this inspection so difficult to accept”. He said he remains “immensely proud” of the nursery.

Part of the report from the inspection on April 16 said: “Routines are not planned well enough to engage children effectively. For example, children wait for long periods during mealtimes. The environment becomes very noisy, making it difficult for children to listen or follow instructions. As a result, some children display unwanted behaviour.”

Inspectors praised leaders and key persons for knowing children well and developing “secure relationships from the outset”. According to the inspection’s findings, children have access to a “wide range of play opportunities that reflects their interests”.

It added: “Staff are enthusiastic in their roles, which positively impacts children’s attitudes to learning.” Ofsted confirmed that leaders recognise areas for improvement and have taken “appropriate initial steps”.

According to Ofsted’s latest data, Jungle Tots Day Nursery caters to children up to four years old, with a total number of 125 places.

Jungle Tots Day Nursery response in full

Mr Forster, owner of Jungle Tots Day Nursery, said in full: “We are an independent, family-run nursery, and we genuinely believe we have created something very special. We have an exceptional team, outstanding purpose-built facilities (we even have air con!) and, most importantly, a warm, nurturing environment where children are happy, safe and able to flourish, reaching their full potential.

“One of my proudest achievements has been seeing Jungle Tots recognised as one of the Top 20 Day Nurseries in the East of England for four consecutive years. The East of England is a huge region, with nearly 1500 nurseries, and what makes this award so meaningful is that it is entirely based on feedback from the parents who know us best. That recognition belongs to every single member of our team, whose passion and commitment make a difference to children every single day.

“It is because I know the dedication of our whole team, who go above and beyond for all our children everyday, that I have found a few aspects of this inspection so difficult to accept. I completely support the role of Ofsted and believe inspections are really important. There were a huge number of positives in every area of the report which we are extremely proud of. However, I do not believe aspects of this report accurately reflect our nursery that our children and families experience every day.

“Our managers all agree, a small number of observations, with exceptional circumstances, were over-extrapolated to make wider judgements about the entire setting that do not provide a balanced representation of the quality of care and education we deliver. We have submitted a formal complaint to Ofsted regarding both the conclusions reached and aspects of the inspection process.

“I remain immensely proud of Jungle Tots, of the incredible team I have the privilege to work alongside, and of the trust so many families place in us. Our focus will continue to be exactly where it has always been: providing outstanding care and education in one of the best nurseries in the county, preparing children for the next stage of their learning, and giving every child who comes through our doors the very best possible start they could get in life.”

By BEN NAGLE, US SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 18:12 BST, 20 July 2026 | Updated: 22:23 BST, 20 July 2026

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has become the latest sporting organization to implement genetic testing in a bid to establish players’ eligibility to compete as a female.

The governing body’s previous policy permitted biological males to compete in the women’s category if they maintained testosterone levels below a certain level.

But now a tweak to the rules – which will be implemented from Tuesday – states that WTA players must undergo a sex screening for the SRY gene, which is found on the Y chromosome and is typically involved in male sex development.

Only once they have passed the test – which is completed through a simple cheek swab, blood test or saliva sample – will players be eligible to compete on the female-only WTA Tour.

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A positive test, meanwhile, will spark further medical assessment before a player is cleared to play against their female rivals. Players must also sign documentation acknowledging that refusal to be tested could result in disciplinary action. 

Tennis icon Martina Navratilova, who has been strong in her views on keeping trans athletes out of women’s sport, was quick to praise the WTA for making the move.

Barbora Krejcikova celebrates after winning the latest WTA tournament in Athens on Sunday

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Martina Navratilova (right, with the Princess of Wales at Wimbleon) has praised the new policy

World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka reacts during her last match, against Naomi Osaka at Wimbledon

Writing on X, she said it was a ‘step in the right direction’, adding: ‘I played no part in this particular policy, but am very happy that we at the WTA are clear that we are a women’s association and only women, as in females, can compete at the highest level of women’s tennis.’

In the policy itself, the WTA states: ‘The WTA’s women’s eligibility policy is designed to promote equal athletic opportunities in women’s professional tennis and maintain fair competition for all players participating in WTA tournaments.

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‘The WTA recognises that this is a sensitive and complex issue and is committed to treating all players with dignity and implementing the policy in a respectful and thoughtful way.’ 

Other organizations, such as World Boxing and World Athletics, have already implemented similar testing for its athletes seeking to compete in the women’s category.

The IOC has also confirmed it will sex test athletes ahead of the next Olympic Games, which will be held in Los Angeles in 2028. 

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The old building in Barry, which dates back to the Victorian period, is described as being in a ‘very poor state of repair’

A Victorian building in a seaside town could become a new daycare centre if plans are approved. Salutem Shared Services has lodged an application with Vale of Glamorgan Council to turn Broad Island House into a daycare facility.

The property covers 21-26 Broad Street in Barry and is described as “currently vacant and in a very poor state of repair” in planning documents.

The applicant wishes to relocate the current Day Opportunities Centre at Hayes Road in Sully to the new location, which they say would have the benefit of being “more accessible to visitors”, “closer to leisure centre, clubs, and health hubs”, “more visible in the community” and more. Stay in the know by making sure you’re receiving our daily newsletter

A statement from the applicant reads: “We intend to provide educational/recreational activities at the service and in the community for adults with disabilities which promote and maintain wellbeing.

“The move from our current location to a community location would support work experience opportunities and access to a wider range of activities which are currently unavailable.”