Fear not Rachel Reeves, you aren’t the only one with cringey relatives

You like to think that even in your toughest moments, your nearest and dearest will have your back. So you’ve just unveiled a national Budget that’s been pretty much panned from every possible quarter? At least you can rely on your relatives to fight your corner, buoy you up and tell you that you’ve done your best, right? Right?

Not if you’re Rachel Reeves. Today, the chancellor will surely be feeling that deep, bone-level sort of mortification that only arises when a family member does something incredibly embarrassing in public. And this sense of cringe will only be multiplied by the fact that, rather than, say, posting conspiracy theories in the local Facebook group, the relative in question is now splashed all over the papers.

Reeves’ uncle Terry Smith, a retiree from Gillingham in Kent, has broken the family omerta and instead decided to start mouthing off about her planned tax hikes in the national press. “It’s the worst Budget I’ve ever heard – and I’m 73, so I have been around for quite a few,” he told The Sun. “Rachel is my niece and is a lovely person, but [the] government is totally out of their depth.” Talk about a backhanded compliment.

Elsewhere, Uncle Terry (who is the brother of Reeves’ mum) has systematically shredded almost every one of his niece’s policies. Accompanying his political pontificating is a selfie that very much looks like it was taken seconds after the journalist asked if he “had any photos to send over to go with the piece”, with Terry sitting in front of a microwave, washing up visible in the kitchen sink in the background.

It’s an unenviable situation, and you can only imagine how awkward things will get around the Christmas table next month. But Reeves can rest assured that every family has a black sheep, that one relative who you could euphemistically call “eccentric” or “a bit of a character”, who everyone dreads being trapped in conversation with during annual get-togethers. If anything, Uncle Terry’s rogue press tour might make the chancellor, whose popularity is in the doldrums right now, seem a touch more relatable.

She’s far from the only public figure who has been left mortified by their embarrassing relative’s very public antics. Just think of how much handwringing “Uncle Gary” Goldsmith must have caused in the Middleton household (and, frankly, in Kensington Palace) over the years. The Princess of Wales’s uncle, who is the younger brother of her mum Carole, is a sentient PR nightmare.

He has the words “Nouveau Riche” tattooed across his shoulders, owns an Ibiza villa once nicknamed the “Maison de Bang Bang”, and is something of a magnet for scandal, to put it lightly. Last year, he entered the Celebrity Big Brother house alongside the likes of The X Factor’s Louis Walsh and former This Morning star Fern Britton. After using his airtime to make a few cursory digs at Kate’s sister-in-law Meghan Markle, he became the first star to be voted out – arguably making the whole affair even more embarrassing than if he’d actually been, you know, popular.

In the world of politics, cringe-inducing kinfolk are practically de rigueur. The late US president Jimmy Carter’s younger brother Billy leaned into a “redneck”, heavy-drinking persona, once urinated in front of a group of news reporters and foreign dignitaries, and loved to crop up on a national talk show. Tony Blair’s sister-in-law Lauren Booth has left the former PM and his wife Cherie red-faced on a number of occasions: she’s publicly criticised his government’s policies (especially the Iraq War), appeared on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, and made headlines when she “divorced” her husband on Facebook by changing her relationship status after an argument (classic boomer behaviour).

And you can only imagine how the mild-mannered John Major might have agonised over the public pronouncements of his older brother Terry Major-Ball (why is it always a Terry?), who was always happy to give a jolly quote to a journalist, and to chat about the family’s garden gnome business, which he inherited. Once, the story goes, he turned up at Downing Street unannounced while his sister-in-law Norma was hosting an official reception (and blithely informed the PM’s wife that he “hadn’t eaten all day”).

So Reeves can at least comfort herself with the fact that she is in good company. And if you are reading this smugly, thinking about how lucky you are not to be cursed with any nightmare relations yourself, then I have some very bad news for you: the chances are alarmingly high that the embarrassing relative is you.

Starmer has another problem – young people are fleeing Britain

The latest net migration figures should afford Keir Starmer and his ministers a certain satisfaction. They’re sharply down, a rare bright spot amid the gloom surrounding the seemingly never-ending battle against the Channel crossings and the advancement of Reform UK and Nigel Farage.

Except in one, perhaps telling respect. Young people have had enough, and are leaving in their droves. A net 110,000 16- to 34-year-olds emigrated from Britain in the year to March, according to the Office for National Statistics, amounting to two-thirds of all departing Britons.

By contrast, among the older age groups, those quitting were relatively slight in number or the figure was actually net-positive, meaning that virtually all of the country’s overall loss of 112,000 Britons was among the under-35s.

In broad terms, the over-35s are not leaving – or not to anything like the same extent – and many of those who have previously left are returning. That cannot be said for the younger cohort.

The right have been quick to seize upon the “exodus” as evidence that young people are being driven away by Labour’s high-tax regime. But, bearing in mind that these are figures from the year to March, it is not clear which taxes they might have been fleeing from. Labour’s first Budget was not until the end of October 2024, and any changes Rachel Reeves made that directly affected this cohort did not kick in until April this year.

It’s also the case that few of those measures were aimed specifically at that age group. If onerous taxes were to blame, they were more likely the result of the previous Tory administration.

Still, it was apparent where Labour was intent on taking the country, as was reinforced by Reeves’s second Budget earlier this week.

From her first Budget, in October last year, the hike in employers’ national insurance won’t have helped; it saw many employers postpone hiring and scale back the number of permanent recruits, with school-leavers and graduates in the firing line. The depressed jobs market, especially for the young, is undoubtedly a key influence. As are the increased cost of living and the unaffordability of mounting the property ladder, particularly in the southeast of England.

Reeves’s latest Budget freezes both tax and student loan thresholds, which will result in young people having to pay income tax and pay back their student loans sooner. These factors are likely to have an impact – the next set of annual net migration numbers will be interesting, and possibly depressing for Starmer and Co.

There are other issues at play, aside from taxation. The traditional path – either school and then career, or school, university and career, all while remaining in Britain, close to home – has shifted. Technology, the accessibility of wifi, and the ease of communicating via video calls and phone calls via Teams, Zoom, and WhatsApp, enable people to work from pretty much anywhere. Add in the improvements in transport, with far more frequent, quicker flights, and those who choose to live abroad are not so cut off as they used to be. They can function and earn remotely.

It’s a phenomenon that is having an effect. “Speaking to immigration lawyers, what was keeping them busy was people working remotely in countries where they didn’t have immigration permission to do so,” says Madeleine Sumption, the director of Oxford University’s Migration Observatory.

Some countries, notably in the Middle East, are holding out the prospect of work. In Australia, the youth unemployment rate is under 10 per cent, and Britons can take advantage of the working holiday visa scheme – in terms of nationality, they’re the fastest-growing group of people securing these visas, up 80 per cent from the previous year.

The prevailing view is that they are going because they can. Jobs are difficult to find here; prices are high; housing, owned or rented, is expensive. So why not look elsewhere? They can travel and experience another part of the world.

Things change when people get older and wish to settle down; when the wish for a proper career kicks in, and perhaps the desire to have children. Then they are tied. It’s evident in the drop in the number of emigrants in the over-35 cohort, and the number of those returning: they’ve had their freedom, their fun, and now they want to come home.

That has been made all the more possible, and continues to be, by modern communication. Other parts of the world are also catching up – in many cases, overtaking Britain in terms of living standards and lifestyle. They’re sunnier and warmer, too, which is undoubtedly a major determinant.

The world has become smaller, businesses straddle continents and are interlinked, English is a common language; much more, today, is feasible and accessible. And acceptable – the notion of our grown-up children heading abroad for long periods is now standard, in a way that it never was before.

All this is readily explained, and may provide some comfort to the government. It’s not all young people, but some, and many of those that do leave will return. Meanwhile, plenty of their counterparts from overseas want to come to Britain, to work and to study.

The underlying niggle, though, is that something else is bearing down, which is a palpable sense of drift. It existed pre-Covid, but has hardened since then: a feeling of hopelessness, of Britain no longer having an automatic allure. Currently, we’re a nation shrouded in negativity, which is amplified by social media; for those just starting out in their lives, having left school or university, that could be weighing heavily.

Judging by these ONS figures, and looking ahead to next year’s, ministers, in short, might want to begin thinking of reasons why young people should stay – and fast.

Jessie J walks back 2014 comments about bisexuality ‘phase’

Jessie J has addressed her 2014 comments about her sexuality, which attracted criticism at the time from the LGBT+ community.

The singer-songwriter, real name Jessica Cornish, had been in a relationship a woman, though stated after the break-up that it was “a phase”.

Speaking to The Guardian in a candid new interview, Cornish said that she had misworded her feelings at the time, and said that she was “sure” her words had “hurt” her ex-partner.

“It wasn’t me saying I’m not bisexual,” said the artist, 37. “I think I’m always going to be attracted to women.

“I’m so honest and open about it, but I don’t want a label on it, like ‘Jessie J the bisexual singer’,” she added.

Asked if she remained in contact with her ex, she replied, “no, not any more”.

“I’m sure it hurt her because our relationship was amazing and we were really serious,” she continued. “We lived together for a long time: around three years.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Cornish opened up about her treatment for cancer earlier this year, experiencing a miscarriage, and her devastation after the suicide of a close friend.

In her new song “I’ll Never Know Why”, Cornish sings about the loss of someone she describes as “lost and hopeless”, confirming in the interview that this was written about her bodyguard and close friend Dave Last, who she says died by suicide in 2018.

“I miss him so much, man,” she said. “He was my guy for seven years. He was like my big brother. It makes me so sad that there was a loneliness there that meant it got to that before he would call me.

“I hope it’s a song that can help people who are left behind. And I also hope it helps people who are thinking of doing it to see a different perspective of what they would leave behind and how much they’re loved and wanted.”

She also spoke about her recent health struggles, which included treatment for breast cancer earlier this year.

“My mum and dad always did such a great job of not making that the definitive thing in my life, and not making me define my character by my worst days,” she said. “That was amazing and has carried through to now.

“[My health struggles] have made me live life more, eat better, work out more,” she said. “Made me live in the moment.”

Jessie J’s new album Don’t Tease Me With a Good Time is out now.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.

Euromillions £157m winner revealed as one ticketholder scoops jackpot

One lucky player has won the Euromillions jackpot for a life-changing sum of £157 million.

The ticketholder, from France, can claim £157 million (or 179 million euros) after they correctly selected the five winning numbers and two lucky stars. It remains unknown who won the lottery prize, or if they have yet come forward to collect the jackpot.

The winning combination was revealed by The National Lottery last night as: 5, 29, 33, 39, and 42. The Lucky Stars were: 3, and 9.

Already, the National Lottery has announced the £14 million jackpot for next Tuesday and a festive £105 million EuroMillions prize for next Friday.

Simon Horne from the National Lottery said: “Congratulations to the lucky French ticket holder who banked last night’s jackpot. Closer to home, one UK player won £1M in the UK Millionaire Maker, and we look forward to their claim.

“On Friday next week (5th) there is a special festive £105M EuroMillions jackpot up for grabs. Players across the UK could add even more sparkle to Christmas if they won at the start of December.”

The £157 million prize was one of the largest EuroMillions jackpots of the year so far, but the largest EuroMillions win ever in the UK stands at £195 million jackpot. Only 19 UK players have won prizes of more than £100m in its history.

When people win the lottery, a 180-day countdown starts from the day the numbers are drawn to claim their prize. After that time, all unclaimed money – and any interest earned – goes to the National Lottery Good Causes fund.

Patrick Lisoire, consumer communications manager at National Lottery operator Allwyn, told The Independent that people with paper tickets are less likely to claim their wins than online players.

He said: “It’s retail tickets that may go unclaimed because you buy a paper ticket, if you misplace it, if you don’t get around to checking it in time, although it is nearly 6 months, those tickets could expire.”

Online players are reminded repeatedly to check their login via phone and email, so people are more likely to claim them.

Your Party reveals new name options after months of indecision

Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana have revealed the options under consideration for the new name of their political party, currently known as “Your Party”.

After months of indecision and confusion over the party’s name, its members will use this weekend’s inaugural conference in Liverpool to vote on several options.

These include four options: Your Party, Our Party, Popular Alliance, and For The Many.

It comes after the crisis-hit party earlier this week ruled out having co-leaders, following a series of public spats between Mr Corbyn and Ms Sultana.

At this weekend’s conference, members will vote on a new leadership model for the party, with options including a “collective leadership model” or backing a single leader.

But in the longer term, Your Party could look to bring back the option of co-leaders, with a member-led review of leadership structures exploring options of deputy leadership, co-leadership and the relationship with the party’s leadership in Wales and Scotland once the party has been established in each nation.

It comes after a turbulent first few months for the party, marred by internal division, with a dispute between Mr Corbyn and Ms Sultana resulting in a botched membership launch and threats of legal action.

Ms Sultana complained she had been subjected to a “sexist boys’ club” after supporters were invited to officially sign up and give the party financial backing.

But Mr Corbyn described this as an “unauthorised email” and just hours later warned people in a statement posted on social media not to sign up via the link.

To make matters worse for the party, two of the MPs who helped to set up the outfit have now quit.

Last week, Iqbal Mohamed said in a statement that he had decided to leave Your Party and continue to serve his Dewsbury and Batley constituency as an Independent MP.

It comes after MP Adnan Hussain said earlier this month he was withdrawing from the party’s “steering process”, citing concerns about factionalism and “veiled prejudice” against Muslims.

They had been among the six MPs helping to set up the party, alongside Mr Corbyn, Ms Sultana and independents Shockat Adam and Ayoub Khan.

Blackburn MP Mr Hussain said earlier this month that he had initially agreed to support the foundation of Your Party because he believed in “building a political home with mass appeal” and “a force capable of challenging the rise of far-right rhetoric”.

But in a statement published on X/Twitter, he said he had been disillusioned by “persistent infighting, factional competition, and a struggle for power, position and influence rather than a shared commitment to the common good”.

This week’s conference – which will include speeches from both Mr Corbyn and Ms Sultana – will also include political debates around the party’s identity, including whether it should explicitly identify as socialist.

Black Friday cruise deals – enjoy luxe all-inclusive trips for less

Already dreaming about your next unforgettable escape? Picture this: gazing at a postcard-perfect horizon, margarita in hand, before tucking into delicious, made-to-order dining amid superyacht inspired luxury…

Well, it’s time to make waves, Sailor: Virgin Voyages’ Black Friday offers are here, running from 21 November – 4th December, with epic savings to be made across 2025, 2026, and their newly-launched 2027 sailings. What’s more, you can get 80 per cent off a second ‘Sailor’ and up to $500 in free drinks – find out more at Virgin Voyages.

And these aren’t just any cruises; these are award-winning, exclusively adult cruises, providing a playground at sea for discerning grownups, with no buffets, and certainly no beige (they favour red, instead). There’s over $1,000/£750 in value built right in, from WiFi and group fitness classes to essential drinks and award-winning dining – all with no hidden extras. Prices are all-in, and stay that way, leaving you to focus on pure, effortless indulgence.

Exemplifying the modern luxury and romance of sailing, there are no  lacklustre, elbows-at-the-ready meals to be queued for here: instead you’ll enjoy freshly prepared food from over 20 unique eateries, guaranteeing culinary flair with distinct, delicious flavours. And prepare to have dinner with a view – every single restaurant on board has panoramas out to the ocean.

When you’re not eating (or sipping), explore the ship’s sleek, design-led spaces. Think nautically cool cabins with roomy rain showers and heavenly hammocks made for lazy afternoons. Hit The Manor, Virgin’s sexy, disco-glam nightclub reached through a mirrored corridor straight out of a K-pop video. Or lose yourself in The Red Room, where cutting-edge shows and dance parties keep the energy high till sunrise. Then there’s The Groupie – your private karaoke den for those ‘we’re definitely forming a band’ moments (crafted cocktails highly encouraged).

Need inspo for which cruise to choose? How about this one: 2026 sees the introduction of one of Virgin Voyages’ most highly anticipated routes – the debut of its sailing to Alaska, running from May to September aboard Brilliant Lady.

The ship will take 16 memorable journeys roundtrip from Seattle (with some from Vancouver), lasting from between seven to 12 nights. You’ll experience the region’s wild beauty and authentic ports which most cruise lines skip, from the dramatic fjords of Tracy Arm to hidden gems like Haines (the Bald Eagle capital of the world) Icy Strait Point, an indigenous-owned destination perfect for whale watching and adventure, and Sitka – where you’ll find a blend of Russian and Native heritage – taking you deeper into America’s Last Frontier.

You can also immerse yourself on-land via Virgin Voyages ‘Shore Thing’ experiences, with over 250 excursions crafted for adults, including bear spotting, dog sledding, glacier hikes, and indigenous-led cultural immersions, designed for adults – not busloads. And with longer port times, you’ll be able to explore exciting destinations like Alaska’s capital, Juneau, without feeling rushed; there are no early departures here, so you can spend a generous eight unhurried hours marvelling at the epic panoramas from the Mount Roberts Tramway, watching whales in Auke Bay, or visiting epic natural wonders like the Mendenhall Glacier.

And it’s never too late to think even further ahead; Virgin Voyages has also just launched its new 2027 itineraries, expanding to a range of fresh destinations. Feeling hot, hot, hot? A few of them depart from Miami and take in the Caribbean, such as the St Thomas, US Virgin Islands cruise – a brand new port which also stops at Tortola, Antigua and St Kitts and Nevis – and the shorter Cayman Isles and Bimini Beach cruise, where you can swim with stingrays, bask in the sun, and savour authentic Caribbean cuisine.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, there’s the Greenland & Transatlantic cruise, where you’ll sail from  Iceland’s hip capital, Reykjavik to Greenland’s colourful villages, Qaqortoq and Nuuk, before making your way towards New York City. And the best part? If you take advantage of Virgin Voyages’ Black Friday offers, from 21 November – 4th December 2025, you’ll make significant savings plus get up to $500 in free drinks. Which leaves all the more money to spend on Christmas presents….

Anchors away! To set sail in style, book now at virginvoyages.com

Hamilton gives crushing six-word interview after latest F1 nightmare

Lewis Hamilton could not hide his deflation after only qualifying 18th for the sprint race in Qatar on Friday night.

The 40-year-old British driver, who has endured a torrid debut campaign for Ferrari, qualified dead-last in 20th at the last race in Las Vegas for the first time, on pure pace, in his 19-year F1 career.

A week on, Hamilton fared no better over a single lap and was knocked out in SQ1 on Friday night at the Lusail International Circuit, as the seven-time world champion once again struggled to get to grips with his capricious Ferrari car.

Immediately after, a somewhat perplexed Hamilton said on team radio to race engineer Riccardo Adami: “Ah man, the car won’t go any faster.”

Asked about the session by Sky Sports F1 afterwards, Hamilton replied: “Same as always.” Queried further about whether he can look forward to anything positive on Saturday in the Gulf region, Hamilton simply said: “The weather’s nice.”

Hamilton is currently sixth in the championship standings and is facing his first season without a podium, ahead of the final two rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. His replacement at Mercedes, teenager Kimi Antonelli, is only 15 points behind him in the leaderboard.

Hamilton labelled his year the “worst season ever” last weekend in Vegas and his mood did not improve after a day to forget in Qatar.

Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri took pole position for the sprint race with McLaren teammate and championship leader Lando Norris only third; George Russell separates them in second.

As for Max Verstappen, he could only manage sixth on the grid. The Dutchman and Piastri trail Norris in the standings by 24 points but, for the first time in over a year, Verstappen qualified behind his teammate at Red Bull: Yuki Tsunoda will start a spot ahead in fifth.

Hamilton’s teammate Charles Leclerc could only qualify ninth, in another desperately disappointing showing for the men in red, with pressure building on team principal Fred Vasseur.

Hamilton and Leclerc played down words from Ferrari chairman John Elkann three weeks ago, which encouraged the star driver pairing to “talk less and focus on driving.”

Star-studded lineup unveiled for Princess of Wales’ annual carol service

The Princess of Wales is set to host her fifth annual ‘Together at Christmas’ carol service at Westminster Abbey, featuring performances from singer-songwriter Katie Melua, Cornish folk group Fisherman’s Friends, and rising star Griff.

The event will gather 1,600 guests to celebrate love in its many forms, from family and friendships to community spirit and kindness among strangers.

A new element this year will see an illustrator capturing live snapshots of the Abbey’s atmosphere on 5 December.

Kate will be accompanied by her husband, Prince William, who is scheduled to give a reading.

Royal fans are also anticipating an appearance from their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, alongside other members of the royal family.

Melua, Fisherman’s Friends and Griff will perform on a roster also featuring actor Hannah Waddingham and Dan Smith from pop rock band Bastille.

The service will celebrate people from across the UK who may have dedicated or volunteered their time to be present with others, led initiatives that bring those in their community together, or offered a helping hand to those around them.

During the event, readings linked to the theme of love, compassion and connection will be delivered by Hollywood stars Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor, comic Babatunde Aleshe and rising actor Joe Locke, with the speakers accompanied by pianist Paul Gladstone Reid.

Guests will see candles lit by people who William and Kate have met in recent years.

The service will also showcase the stories of some of those invited, who are helping to create a more caring and connected society.

They will be greeted by a festive display created by horticulturist Jamie Butterworth based on the importance of nature in our lives, while the Royal Horticultural Society is set to donate wreaths made by their ambassadors, including Dame Mary Berry, and schoolchildren.

The congregation will be able to add their names to a “connection tree” symbolising the power of togetherness and the importance of moments of connection with one another.

The late Duchess of Kent’s charity Future Talent, which she co-founded to support musically gifted children from low-income backgrounds, will also feature during the service with a brass ensemble of eight teenagers playing as guests arrive.

Some 15 community carol services, held in places including the Coronation Street Visitor Centre, an arts centre in Newbury and a community farm in Gwent, are also set to take place across the UK with the same love and togetherness theme.

Armagh, Berkshire, Derbyshire, Dumfries, Dyfed, East Riding, Gwent, Greater Manchester, Isle of Wight, Lanarkshire, Nottinghamshire, Renfrewshire & Ayrshire, Suffolk, Wiltshire and Worcestershire are the locations for the community services which are to be hosted by lord-lieutenants and supported by The Royal Foundation.

The Westminster Abbey service is to air on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve and will be repeated on Christmas Day.