Six years ago, David Lammy called Donald Trump a “woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath” and a “profound threat to the international order”.

On Wednesday morning, Lammy, now UK foreign secretary, offered Trump “congratulations” and said the British government “look forward to working with you”.

It marked the latest step in a fervent mission to repair relations with Trump and his Maga outriders that has seen Lammy visit the US seven times as shadow foreign secretary and twice since the UK election in July. 

Lammy’s charm offensive included meetings with vice-president-elect JD Vance, South Carolina senator and key Trump ally Lindsey Graham and former national security adviser Robert O’Brien along with other key Republicans.

Describing himself as a “small c conservative” and a “good Christian boy” who is committed to family values, Lammy has sought to foreground the “common cause” between himself and Trump.

The most important leap forward in his plan to repair relations occurred in September, however, when he joined UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for an intimate and lengthy dinner with the then-Republican candidate in Trump Tower.

Over two and a half hours the trio chatted about Trump’s passion for Scotland — where his mother was born and where he has a golf resort — and his interest in Britain’s royal family, according to people familiar with the conversation. 

Whether the overtures will be enough to banish the memories of his past invectives remains unclear.

Hours after Lammy’s congratulation message, new Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch used her debut showdown against Starmer at Prime Minister’s Questions to ask whether Lammy had apologised to Trump in person for his “derogatory and scatological” remarks about the president-elect.

She also highlighted that many Labour cabinet ministers previously signed a motion calling on Trump to be banned from addressing the UK’s parliament, and urged Starmer to override those sentiments by inviting Trump to speak to British parliamentarians.

Starmer — who had told his senior team to “tweet responsibly” on the eve of the election result — replied that the dinner with Trump had been “very constructive”.

Asked on Wednesday whether Lammy would remain foreign secretary for the duration of this parliament, Starmer’s spokeswoman said: “Yes, he’s the foreign secretary.”

A potentially more significant barrier to the flowering of the UK’s “special relationship” with the US is Trump’s newfound closeness to Elon Musk. 

The Tesla boss and X owner has taunted Starmer on the social media site and claimed after the summer riots that the UK was headed towards “civil war”. 

Musk, who knows the UK well and has twice been married to a British woman, lashed out at Britain saying no one should visit the country after not being invited to Starmer’s international investment summit last month.

Now a staunch Trump supporter, who committed more than $100mn to the pro-Republican America Pac, Musk has been tipped to lead a new US department tasked with making deep cuts to the bureaucratic state. 

His involvement in the new administration, which has not been confirmed, may see him able to influence Trump’s views on issues and allies. 

Trump’s victory also has a bearing on Starmer’s choice of UK ambassador to the US — bolstering the likelihood that the incumbent Dame Karen Pierce is asked to stay on.

Nicknamed the “Trump whisperer” in diplomatic circles, she has been praised for building strong links with Republicans and was credited with helping to set up a tête-à-tête at Florida’s Mar-a-Lago in April between Trump and Lord David Cameron, then UK foreign secretary, to discuss Ukraine.

Under her auspices, the UK embassy in Washington has also built links with the president-elect’s son Donald Trump Jr and a range of other Trump allies, according to UK government insiders.

Starmer delayed starting a recruitment process for a new ambassador until the result of the US presidential election was known in order to keep open the option of extending Pierce’s term.

Yet not all high-profile Labour politicians have rushed to welcome Trump’s victory. Sadiq Khan, the Labour mayor of London, suggested the US presidential election result had triggered anxiety and fear in the UK capital.

London has a long-standing rivalry with New York in the field of financial services but is now establishing itself as a European centre for artificial intelligence, technology and green finance.

Khan sought to capitalise on the US election result by portraying the British capital as a place that is “proud of our diversity” and committed to progressive values.

Khan believes that the result could sharpen cultural differences between London and the US and make the UK capital more attractive to investors.

Khan’s allies confirmed that the mayor believed that the capital’s “quality of life and stability of leadership” would become increasingly attractive to international investors.

The London mayor, who has clashed with Trump in the past, said in a statement on Wednesday that he knew that “many Londoners will be anxious about the outcome of the US presidential election”.

But he added: “London is — and will always be — for everyone. We will always be pro-women, pro-diversity, pro-climate and pro-human rights.

“London is a place where we’re proud of our diversity, proud of the contribution of all our communities and proud of our spirit of unity. These are some of the values that will continue to bind us together as Londoners.”

AS the festive season approaches, pensioners across the UK have a golden opportunity to boost their finances ahead of the big day.

With an array of direct payments and benefits available upon hitting the state pension age, households could pocket up to 15,872, offering much-needed financial relief.

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From cash boosts through attendance allowance to direct winter fuel payments, a wealth of support is available for those over the age of 66.

Plus, anyone claiming the state pension can benefit from various discounts and freebies, including a free TV licence and prescriptions.

While some of these payments are issued automatically, others require an application.

We’ve listed the 14 direct payments, freebies and discounts available to those claiming the state pension this winter.

1. ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE – £4,727

Attendance allowance can help with extra costs incurred due to a severe disability that means you require regular assistance.

It’s paid at two different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care you need.

The lower rate is worth £72.65 a week, while the higher rate is paid out at £108.55 a week.

If you require frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night, you can claim the lower amount.

Those who require supervision throughout the day and night will receive the higher rate.

There are 56 categories of medical conditions that enable you to make a claim, including heart disease, Parkinson’s disease and diabetes.

You are also entitled to claim if a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live.

To apply online, visit gov.uk/attendance-allowance/how-to-claim.

2. PENSION CREDIT – £3,900

If your weekly income is below £218.15 and you’re single, or your joint income is below £332.95, you’re very likely to be eligible for Pension Credit.

This added benefit will top up a pensioner’s income to the level outlined above. It’s thought to be worth £75 a week on average, which adds up to £3,900 a year.

An estimated 760,000 people who are entitled to this cash, don’t claim it.

Not only are they missing on the extra money, but there is more support available if you claim pension credit.

Crucially, the winter fuel payment worth up to £300 and paid in November or December is now being restricted to pensioners claiming pension credit and other means-tested benefits.

If you claim pension credit, you can also get help with council tax, support with mortgage interest payments, and a free TV licence and housing benefit if you rent.

3. HOUSING BENEFIT – £3,700

Almost 270,000 pensioners are missing out on £1.1billion in pension age housing benefit, according to the new figures, going without £3,700 a year on average.

The benefit is for pensioners who pay rent, are on a low income and have savings under £16,000. 

New claims for housing benefit are strictly reserved for those over the state pension age.

Universal Credit‘s housing element has replaced housing benefit for those under 66 years old.

You can apply for housing benefit directly with your local council.

Find yours by visiting gov.uk/apply-housing-benefit-from-council.

You can also apply for housing benefit as part of a pension credit claim.

4. COUNCIL TAX DISCOUNT – £2,254

If you get the guarantee part of pension credit, you might be able to get your council tax completely cancelled out.

With the average Band D council tax in England this year at £2,171, it means a big saving.

If you don’t get pension credit but have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings, you may still get some help.

You need to contact your local council to start a claim.

5. WINTER FUEL PAYMENT – UP TO £300

The winter fuel payment is designed to help pensioners pay for their energy bills over the winter.

It’s worth £200 for eligible households, or £300 for eligible households with someone aged over 80.

To be eligible for this year’s winter fuel payment, you must have an active claim for the benefits mentioned below during the “qualifying week,” which runs from 16 to 22 September.

These include Universal Credit, employment and support allowance (ESA), jobseeker’s allowance (JSA), income support, tax credits  and pension credit.

Most households automatically receive the winter fuel payment, including those on pension credit.

As new claims for pension credit can be backdated by up to three months, you can still apply now and qualify for this year’s winter fuel payment.

The absolute deadline to claim the benefit and qualify is December 21.

The Sun has now launched a free tool to help you check whether you will get the winter fuel payment this year.

6. SOCIAL WATER TARIFF – £300

If you’re on a low income, you may be able to get a social tariff from your water provider.

These vary by company, some companies offer a percentage discount, while others offer a fixed rate.

For example, under South East Water’s Social Tariff scheme your annual bill will be capped at £182.82 (East) or £146.94 (West).

The average water bill is £448 a year, according to Water UK meaning in this case you could save more than £300.

7. SOCIAL BROADBAND TARIFF – £300

Most broadband companies have social tariffs, which are usually available to people who claim Pension Credit.

The amount you’ll save varies, though it can be worth hundreds of pounds as one woman previously revealed.

There’s a list of all the providers with social tariffs on telecoms regulator Ofcom’s website.

8. FREE TV LICENCE – £169.50

If you’re over 75 and get Pension Credit, you can get a free TV licence. which costs £169.50 a year.

You also get the benefit if you live with a partner who gets Pension Credit.

Apply for a free licence online or by phoning TV licensing on 0300 790 6071.

9. WARM HOME DISCOUNT – £150

Half of people entitled to the Warm Home Discount are not claiming, meaning up to 2.5million are missing out on £150 a year.

This is largely due to eligible people not claiming pension credit as the “gateway” benefit.

The support is a one-off deduction off your electricity bill made between October and March each year.

The money isn’t paid to you, but is applied as credit on your bill.

It’s automatic in the vast majority of cases, but due to the way the scheme operates, certain households have to apply for the rebate.

10. HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT FUND – £100s

Struggling households can get help with the cost of living via the Household Support Fund (HSF).

The fund has been extended for the sixth time, with £421million set to be made available to regional councils to distribute.

The support you can access depends on where you live, but funds can be paid out through shopping or fuel vouchers, cash payments, or other means.

For example, households in Reading who are no longer eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment but in receipt of council tax reduction and/or housing benefit are to be sent a voucher worth £200.

Meanwhile struggling residents and families who live in Torridge can apply for free cash grants directly to bank accounts worth £100s.

These grants can be used to help households with their energy and water bills.

Others may be eligible for cash vouchers to be spent on food at their local supermarket.

Check with your local council to find out what you could be entitled to.

11. COLD WEATHER PAYMENTS – £25

In addition to the Winter Fuel payment, people on Pension Credit are also eligible for cold weather payments. 

These ad-hoc payments are worth £25 every time the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0 degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days.

12. FREE DENTAL TREATMENT – £26.80

You’re entitled to free dental treatment if you or your spouse receives the Guarantee Element of Pension Credit. 

The exact amount you can save depends on whether you need extra work. At the minimum, you’ll save the cost of a check-ups which is £26.80 on the NHS.

Crowns cost as much as £319.10, meaning that you can make big savings if you need extra work.

13. DWP CHRISTMAS BONUS – £10

Every year the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) gives people a bit of extra cash.

Eligible households will get a £10 Christmas bonus this year.

Although it may seem like a small amount, every little helps over the costly holiday season.

As the £10 is a bonus, it won’t need to be repaid, and it won’t affect any other benefit you receive.

The payment is usually paid in the first full week of December.

You’ll qualify if you get the state pension, pension credit and other means-tested benefits.

The £10 Christmas bonus is paid automatically so you don’t need to claim it.

You’ll get it paid into the same account where you normally receive your benefit payments and it should show up in your statement as “DWP XB” or something similar.

14. FREE PRESCRIPTIONS – £9.90

Once you reach 60, you can get free prescriptions from your local pharmacy – prescriptions usually cost £9.90 each in England.

So if you usually buy a single prescription each month you could save £118.80 over the year.

This benefit is automatic and there’s no need to apply.

If you’re 60 or over you’re also entitled to a free NHS sight test, so you should let your optician know when you reach 60 if you haven’t already. 

Eye tests can usually cost between £20 and £30.

MANCHESTER Airport’s revamped private terminal – called Aether – opened its doors for the first time to passengers this week.

The Sun was the first newspaper invited to experience the luxury
concept, which costs from £90 to £170 per person. So is it worth the
money?

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The last time I arrived at Manchester Airport, it was peak summer season.

My cabbie dumped us outside terminal 2 as quickly as possible, no doubt keen to dodge any “drop-off” parking charges.

We hauled our own luggage to check-in, went through security and spent the next couple of hours enjoying some food and a drink in the £34-a-head Escape Lounge.

The grub was decent and the bar well-stocked, but it was very busy.

This time I am expecting a very different experience.

I arrive at Aether and park outside and walk towards a trendy, modern-looking building where I am greeted by name by two smartly dressed members of staff.

They show me into the building and I am offered the chance to leave my bags with them.

I only have a cabin-sized rucksack but if I had checked baggage there
are two machines which spit out the necessary labels and you can forget about them until you land at your destination.

I am then taken into the Aether lounge, which unusually for airports
is an oasis of peacefulness and calm.

Indeed during the three hours I spent in the terminal, the attentive
staff outnumber the guests – and apparently that remains the plan.

The helpful manager Suzanne explains they hope for no more than a
dozen or so customers every hour, so the space never feels busy.

The friendly head chef pops out to say hello and we discuss the food
menu on offer, which has been curated by legendary Manchester chef Adam Reid, who is a double winner of TV programme Great British Menu and is chef patron at Manchester’s acclaimed restaurant The French.

Like most northerners, I start with a cup of tea and have a little
wander to the window, where a huge Airbus A330 slowly taxis along the runway.

The thick glass windows ensure none of the engine noise comes through, so business customers can get on with some work undisturbed after logging onto the wifi.

Unlike other lounges, Aether also welcomes guests who are not travelling, so families wishing to enjoy a long goodbye can use their services.

While I wait, I have a poke around and check out the drinks on offer.

A good selection of red and white wines along with bottles of Asahi,
Corona and Moretti lager and a fridge packed with champagne.

The usual soft drinks – Coke, fruit juices and still and sparkling
water are all on offer too.

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The toilets get the luxury touch too with Molton Brown soap and hand lotion, gold taps and large mirrors.

Onto the food. First up is a plate of vegetable crisps on a bed of pea puree which was very moreish, and should be served with a spoon so no pea is left behind.

Then a hefty chunk of malt loaf with whipped beef butter, some
beautiful cold ham, smoked salmon and a pickled vegetable garnish.

After my guest arrived, we asked the chef to give us a little
something of all the main courses on offer.

Reading them on the menu, they don’t sound too filling – a crumpet
topped with shrimp and tomato butter, Mincemeat gravy on toasted malt loaf and a rye bread rarebit with mushroom and walnut
ketchup.

All were delicious and of restaurant quality.

The portions were hearty and by the time we’d had a desert Crumble
bowl with this season’s stewed fruit and three good-sized pieces of
cheese and crackers, we were stuffed.

If I was getting on a plane after the food, I would not need to pay £5
for a small box of Pringles or £10 for a stone-cold toastie.

Infact, I’m not sure I would need to eat again.

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Staff in the lounge know which flight you are booked on, and monitor the departure board for you until they feel it’s time for you to pass through the private security lane.

The room is next door – and while rules prevent it from being
photographed – the body scanning equipment is state of the art and the lack of other passengers ensure there is no queuing.

Once through, you are handed a fresh bottle of water (as you are now airside) and escorted to a waiting BMW i7. A driver then takes you along the tarmac to your gate, with the furthest gate being a maximum of 20 minutes drive away.

A staff member then escorts you to the gate where your boarding pass is checked by gate staff and you board the plane.

As I had no flight booked, I couldn’t experience the BMW, but I did
get to sit in one outside and can confirm its the first car I have
seen with a drop down TV screen and Netflix available.

So after all the glitz and glamour, how much does Aether cost and is
it worth it?

Entry level is £90 for the ‘Express’ – for those with just cabin bags,
it provides access to go straight through the private terminal’s
security – thus avoiding the queues, and getting chauffeured straight to your plane.

Then from £150 per person, you get all that plus inclusive alcoholic
and soft drinks, and an a la carte menu and refreshments.

For £170, it works for check-in bags too, which clear security and are then taken to your plane for you. You can also choose to book in for both legs of your journey.

Guests planning on booking a checked bag package will need to be
flying with a partner airline, which includes British Airways and
Cathay Pacific, while all other passengers are able to book the cabin
bag only options.

Non-travelling guests can also enjoy the dining experience from £40pp.

Prior to experiencing Aether, I was sceptical about the cost.

As a married dad of two, it’s unlikely I would spend £680 extra so my
family can experience Aether on our next package summer holiday.

I mentioned the terminal to my elderly parents as my dad is a nervous flyer, and his response was “Where do I sign up?”.

Some travellers don’t mind the hustle and bustle of a busy airport and love nothing more than a pint in the airport pub to kickstart their trip.

But if I were travelling with my wife for a weekend away, it would be
a great way to make the airport experience more enjoyable and a £30
budget airline flight to somewhere more bearable.

Aether is also likely to be popular with travellers who have mobility
issues as has no stairs and every aspect of it – food, drink, toilets,
security – is just a few yards walk.

Business passengers are also likely to enjoy its benefits given the
wifi is unlimited and quick to access, and parts of the lounge can be
partitioned off for more privacy.

Will it be a success? I think so – and we’ll know if it has been as
more Aether lounges are likely to pop up at airports around the world.

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