Keir Starmer will unveil the blueprint to prepare the UK for war at next month’s Nato summit to reassure allies including Donald Trump, despite pressure from Andy Burnham to delay it, The i Paper understands.
The Prime Minister is determined to get the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) over the line before he flies to the summit in Ankara, Turkey, on 7 July – as one of his last major acts in office.
Burnham is expected to take over from Starmer around 10 days later, unless another MP stands for leader and triggers a leadership contest.
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What we know about Bedford train crash as driver ‘passed red signal’
A train driver who died in a crash near Bedford passed a red signal moments before the collision, investigators have said.
Here is everything we know about the incident so far.
Caption: The scene just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6 in Bedford South after two East Midlands Railway (EMR) trains were involved in a collision around 5.15pm on Friday. One person has died, 28 people are still in hospital with nine in a critical condition after after two passenger trains collided near Bedford. Picture date: Saturday June 20, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Chris Radburn/PA Wire
Photographer: Chris Radburn
Provider: Chris Radburn/PA Wire
Source: PA
NEWS
2 min read
What do we know so far?
The driver who died at the scene has been named as 60-year-old Shaun Burton. Burton died when the East Midlands Railway train he was driving hit the back of a stationary train run by the same operator.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said that Burton’s train proceeded past a red signal near the scene of the crash in Elstow, near Bedford, at 5.15pm on Friday.
LIVE
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CRIME
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A closer look at the detail
Images from a CCTV camera on the train show a signal near the scene of the crash “was displaying a red aspect as the train approached and then passed it,” the RAIB said.
Caption: BEDFORD, UNITED KINGDOM – JUNE 20: Officials work at the site of two East Midlands Railway (EMR) trains which crashed into each other in Bedford, United K????ngdom on June 20, 2026. One person has died and several others were injured in a collision involving two passenger trains near Bedford. (Photo by Jacqueline Lawrie/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Photographer: Anadolu
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Source: Anadolu
Caption: Undated family handout photo issued by the British Transport Police of train driver Shaun Burton, 60, who died when two trains collided near Bedford on Friday. The 60-year-old died when the East Midlands Railway (EMR) train he was driving crashed into the back of another on the same line shortly after 5pm on Friday. Issue date: Sunday June 21, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Family Handout/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Photographer: Family Handout
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Source: PA
Copyright: PA
Preliminary analysis shows the train was travelling at 76mph when its brakes were applied nine seconds before the crash. The stationary train involved in the crash had come to a halt “unexpectedly” after a fault with its automatic warning system equipment caused its brakes to apply.
What happens next?
The RAIB said its full investigation will consider “the actions of those involved and any factors that may have influenced them”.
The branch also said it will look at the “positioning, visibility and conspicuity” of the signal that Burton passed.
No timeline has been given for when the investigation will come to a close.
Big Read
4 min read
Why Bill Gates has named three women he had affairs with
Bill Gates has named three women he had affairs with and claimed the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein had “brainstormed” ways to blackmail him about his infidelity.
Caption: BERLIN, GERMANY – OCTOBER 14: Bill Gates speaks at the pledge session of the 2024 World Health Summit on October 14, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. The session raised over USD 1 billion from a variety of international donors. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Photographer: Sean Gallup
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe
Copyright: 2024 Getty Images
Why is Gates speaking out?
Gates revealed information about his affairs while speaking to the US House Oversight and Government Reform Committee as part of an investigation into Epstein.
The House Oversight Committee released transcripts of the testimony by Gates from closed-door depositions before the committee in mid-June.
The committee also released the testimony of former executive secretary of Epstein, Lesley Groff.
The names Gates gave
Caption: NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 26: Bill Gates speaks onstage for a special conversation during “What???s Next? The Future With Bill Gates”at The Paris Theater on September 26, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Netflix)
Photographer: Roy Rochlin
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Gates named two Russian women: Mila Antonova, a bridge player, and Karima Nigmatulina, a nuclear physicist.
Gates also admitted to a third affair with Dr Alice Jacobs Nesselrodt, a medical entrepreneur.
Analysis
4 min read
A closer look at the detail
During the interview, Gates said Epstein discovered the two affairs he had with the Russian women and suggested that Epstein had “contemplated blackmailing me”.
The Microsoft founder said: “As you look at these emails, you know, it looks like Mr Epstein’s brainstorming was going in that direction.”
OPINION
4 min read
Big Read
5 min read
Gates questioned about Andrew
Gates was also questioned about his connections to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who had a long-term association with Epstein.
Caption: (COMBO) This combination of files photographs created on February 1, 2026 shows Britain’s Prince Andrew (L), Duke of York arriving to attend a Requiem Mass, a Catholic funeral service, for the late Katharine, Duchess of Kent, at Westminster Cathedral in London on September 16, 2025 ; and an undated handout photograph obtained on July 11, 2019 courtesy of the New York State Sex Offender Registry showing Jeffrey Epstein (R). A second Jeffrey Epstein accuser has alleged the late US sex offender sent her to Britain for a sexual encounter with former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the BBC reported. (Photo by Jordan Pettitt and Handout / various sources / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO / New York State Sex Offender Registry” – HANDOUT – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
Photographer: JORDAN PETTITT,HANDOUT
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Source: AFP
Caption: LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 18: (L-R) Bill Gates talks to the Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales during the Malaria Summit in Northumberland Avenue on April 18, 2018, in London, England. The Commonwealth Business Forum (CHOGM) will discuss practical ways to enhance trade, showcase investment opportunities and promote sustainable development. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Photographer: WPA Pool
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Source: Getty Images Europe
Gates said he had met the former prince twice, but that the meetings weren’t arranged through Epstein. When questioned about another Epstein affiliate, Peter Mandelson, Gates said he had not met the former ambassador to the US.
‘Humid heat is harder heat,’ one expert says (Photo: Getty)
Weather
All the best ways to sleep in a heat wave
A brutal heatwave is descending on the UK this week as a “heat dome” continues to scorch Europe. Forecasters are warning of soaring temperatures and tropical nights.
Here are some top tips on how to stay chilled in your bed this week.
Top tips for better sleep
Draw the shades, curtains and blinds during the hottest part of the day.
Have a cool or lukewarm shower or bath just before going to bed.
Wet your face and arms with a towel, then stand in front of a fan.
Soak your feet in cold water for 10 minutes before going to bed.
Apply cool wet cloths, cold water or ice packs to the skin.
Remove winter bedding and opt for lightweight covers, perhaps just a sheet.
Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
Drink plenty of water during the day to keep your body hydrated and cool.
When using a fan, have the bedroom door open to allow for airflow
Flip the pillow to the other side if you wake up hot.
What should you avoid?
1Do not exercise close to bedtime, as it will increase your internal temperature.
2Avoid hot, heavy or spicy food/meals, particularly near bedtime.
3Alcohol and caffeinated drinks increase dehydration and should be avoided.
4Do not sleep in your car with the air-conditioner running when the car is not moving, as there may be a build-up of carbon dioxide.
What is the latest forecast?
After slightly lower temperatures for the next couple of days, the heat is set to build over the weekend, with temperatures in the high 20s and reaching 30°C in some areas on Sunday.
Caption: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – JUNE 22: People use umbrellas as hot weather continues in London, United Kingdom, on June 22, 2026. The UK Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for parts of England and Wales ahead of an expected heatwave later this week. (Photo by Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Photographer: Anadolu
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Source: Anadolu
Experts warn of infrastructure breakdown and excess deaths in the UK as the world heats up faster than predicted (Photo: Brook Mitchell/Getty)
Temperatures could peak in excess of 35°C in central and south-east England, and more widely around 32°C within the area covered by the warning, with Monday and Tuesday most likely to see the peak of the heat.
How a five minute walk could make you feel happier at work
Taking five-minute “movement snack” breaks every hour is the best way to boost wellbeing without losing efficiency, a study has found.
(Photo: Digital Vision/Getty).
What you need to know
Portrait of happy businesswoman holding laptop at office – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
The study by Columbia University surveyed over 11,000 US employees after asking them to try walking breaks at work for two weeks.
A five-minute walk each hour led to the biggest improvement in the employees’ productivity, mood and alertness.
Only one in ten workers would be happy to work less and earn less, according to the think-tank. (Photo: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
(Photo: Layla Bird/Getty).
The researchers also found that taking walking breaks every 30 minutes was disruptive to the employees’ work.
The expert view
A walk break every hour for five minutes is enough to improve mood and lower fatigue. And people found this realistic and attainable…Even though it may seem counter-intuitive, movement breaks actually can boost work performance.
Lead researcher Keith Diaz told the bbc
44 per cent of working-age adults in the UK experienced conflict at work last year (Photo: Getty)
Who else supported the findings?
Emily McGrath, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, supported the findings, saying that “simple additions of movement can improve overall health”.
However, she cautioned, “the study relied on self-reported data and was short-term, so longer research is needed”.
WELLBEING
7 min read
LIFESTYLE
4 min read
Martha’s Rule gives patients and their loved ones the right to a second medical opinion. Martha (pictured) died of sepsis in 2021 (Photo: Mills/Laity family photograph/PA Wire)
maternity
Martha’s Rule to be rolled out to maternity settings in England
Mothers and babies will be protected by Martha’s Rule in England after a review at an NHS trust found opportunities had been missed to prevent harm, the Government has said.
Here is everything you need to know.
What is Martha’s Rule?
Martha’s Rule will give families formalised, 24/7 access to a second opinion.
The scheme was created after 13-year-old Martha Mills developed sepsis while under the care of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in south London in 2021.
A coroner ruled she would have survived if medics had picked up on the warning signs of her condition.
A separate review into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust found leaders at the trust knew there were serious issues in its maternity department but failed to take action.
Some of the key findings of the review were that women and families were consistently not listened to which led to missed opportunities to prevent harm.
How will the rule be rolled out?
The Department of Health and Social Care said Martha’s Rule will be extended to all maternity settings in England, allowing parents to request a rapid review if a baby or mother’s condition is deteriorating and they are concerned staff aren’t responding.
Doctors are receiving a 3.5 per cent headline pay rise in their June pay packets which is backdated to April (Photo: Peter Byrne/PA)
Caption: A medical worker assists a premature Palestinian baby who lies in an incubator at the maternity ward of Shifa Hospital, which according to health officials is about to shut down as it runs out of fuel and power, as the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas continues, in Gaza City October 22, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed Al-Masri
Photographer: STRINGER
Provider: REUTERS
Source: X80002
The scheme has been rolled out for patients at every acute hospital in England and has been piloted in 15 maternity and neonatal settings. Its further expansion is expected this year.
What else will change?
1The Department of Health said there will be new checks and measures on mortuaries to ensure the remains of children are treated with dignity and respect.
2Staff who deliberately withhold information about failures during reviews could face up to two years in prison.
3The Human Tissue Authority will require all mortuaries to review their internal records dating from 2015 to 2026 to ensure incidents have been reported.
Health Secretary’s remarks
No family should ever have to battle the system that is meant to care and protect them, that is why Martha’s Rule is so fundamental.
james murray, HEALTH SECRETARY
James Murray arrives at Downing Street for a cabinet meeting on 19 May (Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Caption: Embryo selection for IVF, light micrograph.
Photographer: Science Photo Library – ZEPHYR
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Brand X
fertility
Most add-on IVF treatments ‘do not improve chances of a baby’
Most “add-on” IVF treatments cannot be shown to improve fertility and may be a costly waste of time, research suggests.
Patients are being bombarded with widespread misinformation, while clinics, forums and social media can overstate the benefits, experts said.
What the study found
The study, published in the journal Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women’s Health, looked at 85 existing clinical trials on fertility add-ons.
These include steroids to reduce inflammation, plasma injections and genetic testing.
Researchers found either no effect on fertility, inconclusive results or a small but uncertain benefit for a handful of procedures.
LIFESTYLE
5 min read
What did the researchers say?
In many cases, the quality of evidence was poor, contributing to uncertainty regarding effectiveness, and many studies [of those originally considered] were excluded for trustworthiness concerns.
Couple doing IVF In Vitro Fertilisation – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
A closer look at the findings
The study found either no effect on fertility or inconclusive results for:
Acupuncture (inserting thin needles into points on the body).
Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and suppress immune system activity.
Endometrial receptivity testing (a biopsy to assess gene expression patterns).
Intralipid infusion, when a liquid containing fats is put into the blood.
Injection or infusion of platelet-rich plasma into the blood or womb and pre-implantation genetic testing to check whether embryos have the expected number of chromosomes.
Some benefits identified
The review found weak evidence for some possible benefit for three IVF add-ons, including EmbryoGlue (thought to improve the chance of the embryo implanting in the womb).
The study found this may increase the probability of pregnancy by about 25 per cent and some improvement in the proportion of live births, however the effect on live birth rates was not considered robust.
LIFESTYLE
4 min read
LIFESTYLE
6 min read
heatwave
What is an omega block – and how is it causing extreme weather?
A red weather warning for extreme heat covering an area stretching from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham was issued by the Met Office (Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
The intense heatwave currently gripping Western Europe is being sustained by a weather pattern known as an omega block.
Here is everything you need to know about omega blocks – and if climate change means they could become more frequent.
What is an omega block?
An omega block takes its name from the shape of the Greek letter Ω — with a bulge of warmer, settled high pressure held between two cooler low pressure systems.
The “blocking” element refers to how the high pressure area of warm air gets stuck.
LIFESTYLE
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LIFESTYLE
5 min read
What is the result?
Under normal conditions, the jet stream carries weather systems steadily from west to east. But during an omega block, that flow becomes disrupted and can buckle dramatically north and south.
Last month saw the hottest ever May temperatures on record, with the mercury rising to 35.1C (Photo: Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)
Heatwave conditions come to an end this weekend but there are signs they will be back next month (Photo: Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu/ Getty)
The result is that hot, still air gets lodged over the same area. Omega blocks typically last between three and 10 days, but can persist for weeks.
What happens during an Omega block?
Caption: A commuter uses a fan in an attempt to cool down, as they exit a London Underground tube carriage, in London on June 23, 2026. Multiple schools in England shut early on June 23 and set to remain closed for two more days with a heatwave expected to set new records in the UK as it spreads across Europe. (Photo by Toby Shepheard / AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: TOBY SHEPHEARD
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors
Under the high-pressure area, conditions become hot and dry.
The high pressure also suppresses cloud formation, resulting in clear, sunny skies that allow temperatures to climb.
OPINION
2 min read
Is climate change to blame?
Scientists have not yet agreed upon how climate change is affecting the frequency of blocking events. However, scientific consensus is clear that climate change is increasing the frequency of heatwaves.
Greenhouse gas emissions have heated the planet by about 1.3°C since pre-industrial times. That warmer baseline means heatwaves reach higher temperatures.
Analysis
3 min read
Analysis
3 min read
MOTORING
Major cities could lose one in seven parking spaces from ‘carspreading’
Caption: A busy street with traffic in London, England
Photographer: MarioGuti
Provider: Getty Images
Source: E+
London and other major European cities risk losing up to one in seven on-street parking spaces if car sizes continue to increase at the current rate, new analysis warns.
Here is everything you need to know.
Too many ‘oversized’ cars
Think-tank Transport and Environment, which conducted the study, warned that the trend towards larger cars – which critics refer to as ‘carspreading’ – could increase road deaths.
Current laws only give police the power to fine drivers who leave their vehicles in a dangerous position or cause an obstruction (Photo: Sue Thatcher/Getty)
Ministers in talks with more local authorities to expand national parking app (Photo: Getty)
The study claimed streets are becoming dominated by “oversized” vehicles that cities “simply weren’t designed for”.
What could happen if trends continue?
The research found that cars have increased in length by 1.2cm and height by 0.5cm per year since 2000.
Capacity for on-street parking in cities will drop by between 8.5 per cent and 14 per cent by 2040.
Following this trend, London would lose 100,000 parking spaces.
The rise of larger cars could lead to about 400 additional road deaths annually by 2040 across the UK and European Union.
The UK car industry is concerned about the impact of tariffs (Photo: AFP via Getty Images)
The expert view
Our streets are dominated by oversized SUVs
Transport and Environment UK director Anna Krajinska said: “After 25 years of relentless growth, our streets are dominated by oversized SUVs that cities simply weren’t designed for.
“The result is a lose-lose: councils are forced to reshape streets around larger vehicles, sacrificing parking capacity, public space and safety in the process.”
It is understood that the former mayor of Greater Manchester was pushing for a delay so he could go through the details of the plans himself as prime minister and amend them if necessary.
Starmer met Burnham for private talks on Tuesday but both camps declined to discuss details. It is, however, likely that they talked about the defence plan which has reportedly been the subject of a dispute between them.
Starmer refusing to delay publication
But despite months of delays to the DIP, Starmer is refusing to postpone publication of the plan, which will detail what military kit is needed to equip Britain for possible war with Russia.
It has been delayed by months of wrangling between the Treasury and the Ministry of Defence over funding, with John Healey quitting his role as defence secretary earlier this month over failing to secure more than £13.5bn against an estimated £18bn gap.
The resignation of Healey, a Starmer loyalist, proved to be fatally undermining to the Prime Minister, who resigned on Monday.
An insider said it was important that the blueprint was presented to Nato allies at the Turkey summit to reassure them that the UK has a plan for war.
New Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis is working on finalising the plan as a priority and it will not be delayed, they said.
Jarvis has been in close talks with Chancellor Rachel Reeves about more money for the DIP, in addition to the £13.5bn already on the table.
A source characterised the talks as “productive” and “good conversations”.
“We are confident it is the right and sensible thing to do to get the DIP out before the Nato summit,” a Whitehall source said.
UK needs to demonstrate leadership to allies, source said
The UK had made very clear commitments that it needed to demonstrate leadership to its allies, who were waiting for the announcement of the DIP at the Nato summit, a source said, and it needed to “land” before Starmer and Jarvis go to Ankara, a source said.
And Starmer’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister has been clear that national security is the first duty of any government.
“The Defence Investment Plan remains an important part of our work to keep our country safe and ensure our Armed Forces can face the threats of the future, and that’s why we’re working to finalise and publish the plan before the Nato summit.”
The spokesman added: “There is no change in the urgent need to produce the Defence Investment Plan, and whilst the Prime Minister is in office.
“The core business of government will continue as normal as you’d expect, and the Defence Investment Plan remains an important part of that work to keep the country safe.”
Jarvis has said he wants to get the “best deal” for defence, but a source said “we are not quite there yet” – in a sign that negotiations on whether Reeves will give more money are ongoing.
“We are feeling confident we will have a good DIP before the Nato summit,” an insider said.
More money for war preparation
A Treasury source did not deny that there might be more cash for the DIP but said they were not going to pre-empt the announcement.
Whitehall insiders suggested that if Burnham was unhappy with the DIP being published before he arrives in Downing Street there were plenty of other opportunities to increase defence spending when he becomes prime minister.
The UK has a target for defence spending to reach 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2035, and the new prime minister and chancellor could use this autumn’s Budget as well as next year’s Whitehall spending review to boost funding for the military.
The DIP is not the end of defence spending but a “milestone” on the route to the 2035 target, a source said.
A Whitehall source said: “The idea that we are going to stop talking about defence spending the day after the DIP is bonkers.
“We know there is much more to do. Every fiscal event that comes up will be an opportunity to take another step forward on defence spending.”
Starmer has told European allies on Wednesday that the Defence Investment Plan will not just “increase how much we spend on defence but completely overhaul how we spend it to learn the lessons of Ukraine and to ensure that we’re ready to meet the threats of today and of tomorrow”.
Speaking in Berlin at the E5 meeting of leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Poland, the Prime Minister said it was time to “lead a decisive strengthening of European leadership and sovereign capabilities, working of course in full coordination with the United States”, adding: “Because we know that is what it will take to keep our countries safe, deter those who would do us harm and preserve the most successful military alliance in history.
“It is clear that this renewal of European defence must be fuelled by a generational shift in European industrial co-operation. The reality of modern warfare is that as well as outmanoeuvring the enemy, we must be able to out-innovate and out-produce them as well.
“More than ever, economic and technological power is the basis for military power and so we must harness this moment to boost our co-operation and at the same time boost jobs, growth and opportunity for all of our people for many years to come.”