Bev Craig, the Labour Party candidate, has been elected as the new Mayor of Greater Manchester, succeeding Prime Minister Andy Burnham. She secured a decisive victory over Reform UK's Sian Astley in a by-election triggered by Burnham's departure to become Prime Minister.

The Independent: Bev Craig Elected Mayor of Greater Manchester

Bev Craig has won the Greater Manchester mayoral election in a significant Labour victory over Reform.

The Labour Party is facing internal discussions regarding welfare policy, with reports indicating that some Labour MPs are prepared to support new benefits cuts. Additionally, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed openness to terminating multibillion-pound asylum hotel contracts ahead of schedule.

The i Paper: Labour MPs Ready to Back New Benefits Cuts

Some Labour MPs are reportedly prepared to support new benefits cuts, with difficult decisions facing Andy Burnham regarding the welfare bill.

The i Paper: Burnham Open to Ripping Up Asylum Hotel Contracts Early

Andy Burnham has indicated he is open to the possibility of terminating multibillion-pound asylum hotel contracts ahead of schedule.

Reform UK is under increased scrutiny following an investigative report detailing a 'tangled financial web' at the core of the party. This development coincides with a decline in leader Nigel Farage's personal approval rating, which has fallen to its lowest point since he assumed leadership of the party.

The Guardian: The tangled financial web at the heart of Reform UK

An investigative piece exploring the complex financial relationships and structures that underpin the political party Reform UK.

The i Paper: Farage's Approval Rating Falls to Lowest Since Becoming Reform Leader

Nigel Farage's personal approval rating has dropped to its lowest point since he took leadership of the Reform party.

The National Trust resorted to funding and deploying a helicopter to combat a wildfire in Suffolk, underscoring a significant lack of dedicated aerial firefighting resources within the UK.

The i Paper: National Trust Used Helicopter to Fight Wildfire as UK Lacked Own Resources

The National Trust funded a helicopter to combat a wildfire in Suffolk because the UK did not possess its own firefighting aviation resources.