'Healey to defer defence spend target' and 'Fergie's coming home'

Chancellor John Healey is set to delay his own target of increasing UK defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030, as reported by the Financial Times ahead of his first Budget in October. The announcement comes amid growing scrutiny over defence funding and international pressure on Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government.

Healey, who resigned as Defence Secretary in June in protest over Keir Starmer’s spending plans, now faces criticism for scaling back his own commitment. The Daily Mail described him as a "hypocrite," while the US has reportedly considered opposing British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands to pressure the UK into meeting NATO’s 5% defence spending pledge, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Meanwhile, Burnham’s decision to abstain from the upcoming assisted dying vote has drawn relief from campaigners, as reported by the Daily Express. The Prime Minister’s neutral stance contrasts with Labour’s broader political strategy, though the Guardian notes he has no intention of influencing the vote’s outcome.

King Charles III has written to the families of the two police officers killed in the A66 crash, with a royal source calling the incident "shocking." The tragedy has drawn national attention, with the Daily Mirror highlighting the King’s personal response.

New polling for the i Weekend suggests Labour has overtaken Reform UK in voter preference, with Burnham maintaining a positive approval rating. Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, however, is losing support to the Restore Britain party. Economic adviser Lord Jim O’Neill of Gatley has criticised potential tax rises in the Budget, arguing they would undermine growth incentives, while former Institute for Fiscal Studies director Paul Johnson suggests reducing welfare spending to address financial pressures.

Internationally, the UK’s economic challenges are highlighted by the Independent’s report that Brexit has cost British trade £11.7 billion. Meanwhile, Sarah Ferguson is returning to the UK after months abroad, following revelations about her past ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The Sun reports she is renting a £10,000-a-week property in the Home Counties as she resumes public life.

Closer to home, TV personality Joey Essex told the Daily Star he still struggles with basic tasks like telling the time, adding a lighter note to the day’s headlines.

#UKDefence #ChancellorHealey #AndyBurnham #FalklandIslands #AssistedDying #KingCharlesIII #SarahFerguson #BrexitImpact