As new prime minister briefs cabinet on ‘cost of living government’, critics ask where money will come from

Andy Burnham is under mounting pressure to explain how he will pay for his policy pledges as he implored his new cabinet to examine “all possible ways” to tackle the cost of living crisis.

On his first full day in power, the prime minister faced questions about how he would fund the removal of VAT from electricity bills and an expected uplift in defence spending – an issue that led his new chancellor, John Healey, to resign as Keir Starmer’s defence secretary last month.

Meta, YouTube and Snapchat say ban, which would stop children using their platforms, will drive them to ‘less safe services’

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Britain’s plans to ban social media for under-16s will push teenagers towards more harmful platforms, the world’s biggest technology companies have said as ministers push to enact the new restrictions by next spring.

Meta, YouTube and Snapchat have all criticised the ban, which was announced by Keir Starmer on Monday and would stop younger teenagers from using their services.

PM ‘furious’ as spokesperson insists Downing Street repeatedly sought facts of the case without being told

Keir Starmer has said it was “unforgivable” that he was not told that Peter Mandelson had failed his security vetting before taking up his role as ambassador to Washington.

The prime minister said he was “furious” about what had happened, as he insisted he had not known that security officials had recommended that Mandelson be denied clearance.

Run for parliament by Greater Manchester mayor on 26 February would ‘divert resources’, says prime minister

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Keir Starmer has defended Labour’s decision to block Andy Burnham from standing for parliament, a move which has triggered a major backlash against the prime minister from parts of his own party.

Starmer said on Monday that he and his fellow officers on Labour’s ruling executive committee had decided not to let Burnham quit as mayor of Greater Manchester to avoid triggering a costly mayoral election.