Starmer facing calls for new EU customs union to ‘undo Brexit damage’

Sir Keir Starmer is facing calls for the creation of a new UK-EU customs union in a bid to boost economic growth.

The Liberal Democrats are appealing to Labour backbenchers to support the movement, which the party is expected to bring to Parliament through a 10-minute rule motion on Tuesday. If another MP chooses to speak against the motion a debate can be triggered, but this is not guaranteed.

Ahead of the motion, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey wrote to the prime minister accusing the government of so far “failing to take the steps necessary to begin, properly, the work of undoing the damage” of the deal secured under the Tories.

Last week, Sir Keir insisted Labour would stick to its manifesto, which included promises to strengthen the UK’s relationship with Brussels without rejoining the customs union, single market or freedom of movement.

“The position that we are taking has been clearly set out in the manifesto and then we’ve been following it,” he said.

Tory shadow ministers hit out at Sir Ed, saying the the Lib Dems would “never stop trying to reopen the debates of the past”.

Are the troubles of Nigel Farage weakening Reform UK?

He has been around British politics far longer than any of the other main party leaders, but Nigel Farage has never before endured such sustained scrutiny as he has faced in recent weeks.

In one sense, it is a compliment to Farage’s resilience and the rise of his Reform UK that he is treated in this fashion: consistently well ahead in the opinion polls, set for more gains in next year’s elections in Scotland, Wales and the English local authorities. Farage is now a realistic contender to become prime minister, and he’s survived more scrapes than anyone can remember. But certainly things haven’t been going so smoothly lately…

Mr Farage has been reported to the police by a former member of his own team. His constituency branch of Reform UK is accused of exceeding the election expenses limit during his successful campaign to become MP for Clacton at last year’s general election.

Richard Everett, a former Reform councillor and member of the Clacton team, says there was an overspend relating to leaflets, banners, utility bills and the refurbishment of a Reform UK-themed bar in the campaign office. Mr Farage’s officially declared costs were £400 under the limit (based on the number of voters) of £20,660, but Mr Everett says the undeclared items mean the cap was breached by as much as £9,000. But he also says Mr Farage would have been “blissfully unaware” of any overspend.

Does this mean a by-election?

There’s a long way to go first, and Mr Farage might be able to distance himself from it despite signing a declaration that he had examined the expenses. And even if there was a by-election in Clacton, he’d probably be returned with an even bigger majority.

There have been negative stories about him and his party since the party conference season, and they’ve been difficult to deal with. One was about the source of the funds used to buy his house in Clacton and how his partner had obtained them. Mr Farage didn’t give consistent answers but denies any impropriety and has threatened to sue.

A further upset was the conviction and imprisonment of Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform UK in Wales, on charges of being bribed by the Russians to make speeches in the European parliament. He was a longtime Farage associate.

Other high-profile stories concerned Mr Farage’s behaviour at Dulwich College, where some former classmates accuse him of repeatedly making racist and anti-semitic comments. Mr Farage has offered various rebuttals and explanations about what went on “49 years ago” and his deputy leader Richard Tice has dismissed it as all “made up twaddle”. Mr Farage also attacked the BBC and ITV for hypocrisy, because they broadcast racist television shows in the 1970s. He also denies antisemitism by pointing to his backing for Israel.

On top of all that there’s also been a steady stream of news about the mishaps suffered by newly-elected Reform councillors trying to run local authorities with varying degrees of success.

It has been unhelpful, to say the least. But an arguably more damaging aspect is the way Mr Farage has handled the varied allegations: he often seems rattled, dismissive, peevish, aggressive and inconsistent – in short, not very prime-ministerial. Though it’s fair to add that his fanbase isn’t much bothered.

A bit. The conviction of Nathan Gill struck a particular chord because of Mr Farage’s past comments about how Putin’s invasion of Ukraine had been provoked by Nato expansion “poking the Russian bear” rather than the Kremlin’s imperialism. There’s also the residue of suspicion about Russian interference in the 2016 Brexit referendum.

More broadly, Reform UK has lost some momentum. It has slipped in the opinion polls nationally, from an average of 32 per cent to about 28 per cent now. It’s still a remarkable showing; much higher than its position at the last election and about as popular as Labour and the Conservatives combined. Reform could conceivably be the main opposition in Scotland and Wales, though far less likely to be in office.

Don’t be silly. Having said that, the far right of British politics (like the far left) is notoriously prone to infighting, splits, factions and chaos, and Reform is no different. Historically, Mr Farage has fallen out with rivals (real or imagined) such as Robert Kilroy-Silk and the Tory defector Douglas Carswell (who preceded him in Clacton), as well as others more recently.

Thus, one of his newly elected MPs, Rupert Lowe, has already defected, while another, James McMurdock, left after allegations about his business dealings. Another prominent figure, the former deputy leader Ben Habib, has left to start his own party, Advance. Various Reform councillors have also been caught up in rows, resignations and ruckuses. The “professionalisation” of Reform UK remains a work in progress. A succession of defections to Reform by former Tory MPs tends to suggest Reform is merely a mark-2 Conservative Party, if not a home for deadbeats looking for their old jobs back.

On policy, Mr Farage has tried to make the party seem more fiscally responsible, but the promised Doge-style cost savings in local councils haven’t really materialised. Mr Farage’s signal achievement, Brexit, is more unpopular than ever and the party is also vulnerable on the NHS, its proposed programme of mass deportation for anyone with “indefinite leave to remain” in the UK, and lack of experience. It’s still not obvious exactly how Reform would “stop the boats”. Rumours of a pact with the Tories are also destabilising things internally; mischievously, Mr Farage has invited the Tory shadow minister Robert Jenrick (a “unite the right” advocate) to join his team.

Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch is starting to improve as Conservative leader and may well pull a few of her lost voters back. In short, Mr Farage is going to find the next few years much tougher than anything he’s known before. The next election is far away: Farage may find he has peaked too soon.

Adult content creator Bonnie Blue detained in Bali over porn charges

Former OnlyFans creator Bonnie Blue has been detained in Indonesia for allegedly producing pornographic content in violation of the Muslim-majority country’s morality laws.

Ms Blue, 26, a British adult content creator whose real name is Tia Billinger, faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in jail and a fine of about £270,000 if convicted.

The creator, known for organising controversial sex “challenges” with large groups of young men, was arrested during a police raid on a rental studio in Bali on Thursday.

The raid followed public complaints that she had hired a bus to travel around the resort island to film explicit material during “schoolies week”, a post-high-school celebration similar to Freshers’ Week in the UK, with more than a dozen men.

Her group included at least 17 male tourists aged 19 to 40, of British and Australian nationalities, police said.

The police released 14 of them, all Australians, without charge, but held an Australian man and two Britons in custody a little longer.

Ms Blue was also released, but her passport remained seized, and she was transferred to immigration authorities for further interrogation over the next 48 hours.

Police said Ms Blue’s group were allegedly creating “content containing pornographic or immoral elements”.

Indonesia has strict laws banning the production, distribution and public display of pornographic material, with harsher penalties for offences involving minors.

Authorities said they seized “school Bonnie Blue” outfits, cameras, condoms, flash drives, lubricant, pink necklaces, and two sheets of Viagra pills from the studio.

“It is suspected that the place was used by the alleged perpetrator to produce pornographic videos,” Badung police chief M Arif Batubara told reporters.

Ms Blue was visiting Indonesia for the first time, according to intelligence and immigration enforcement office chief Raja Ulul Azmi, as reported by DetikBali.

He said Ms Blue and her group had obtained visas on arrival in Bali, a facility available to foreigners travelling to Indonesia for tourism.

Ms Blue, one Australian man and two Britons were due to be questioned further on Wednesday, he added.

Mr Raja Ulul said officials were deciding how to proceed with the case that was being handled by the immigration department as well as the Bali police.

Ms Blue had announced her Bali visit on social media, writing: “Hey boys, those that’re going to Schoolies and to those who are barely legal, cannot wait to meet you – and I’m in Bali, so you know exactly what that means.”

Ms Blue is known for performing controversial stunts, and was banned from OnlyFans earlier this year after making headlines for reportedly sleeping with 1,057 men in just 12 hours. The stunt, if verified, would surpass the record set in 2004 by Lisa Sparxxx, who had sex with 919 men in 24 hours.

The true meaning behind Salah’s rant and how Liverpool can fix him

If we now know most of what is on Mohamed Salah’s mind, the great question is what Arne Slot and the Liverpool hierarchy are thinking behind the scenes.

The Egyptian did not travel to Milan for the important Champions League match with Inter Milan after his extraordinary tirade, and these are strong optics, but it is not being presented as some final decisive call.

Slot has already said that his relationship is not broken, and that after this game, they will look at the situation again.

Those who know the Dutch coach well say that he is pragmatic and that no door is ever fully closed for him in situations like this, as he put it on the eve of the Inter game.

“I am a firm believer there’s always a possibility to return,” he said in Milan.

That’s a view that would be consistent with the club’s current stance: they want to keep the Egyptian.

That might just be a negotiating position, as they attempt to navigate what is a highly complicated crisis.

By the same token, Slot has never been in this kind of situation before, so there’s no suggestion of what his own response is going to be. In a mere nine years in coaching, he’s only known an upward trajectory, and never any real difficulties with elite stars who also happen to be historic legends at mega-clubs.

Figures close to the situation have suggested that part of the problem might be how Slot spoke to Salah amid all of this.

Slot isn’t really a coach to politick behind players’ backs, or play psychological games with them. He tends to give them his reasons in a straightforward way, and matter-of-factly tells them why a certain decision has been made.

It’s possible, however, that this wasn’t sufficient for Salah. Most stars of his level tend to have to function with a certain tunnel vision, but the Egyptian’s personality is more particular than most. Multiple sources say he requires a more nuanced man-management, that Slot perhaps isn’t prone to give.

This is maybe what Salah was getting at in talking about how much he’s done for the club, and the constant suggestions he feels he deserves more.

Or, it’s just possible that a player of his status was never going to react well to being dropped at all.

This, as has been argued on these pages before and in the Inside Football newsletter this week, is why Sir Alex Ferguson tended to make hard decisions on stars first: specifically to prevent situations like this.

Instead, Liverpool now face multiple complicated problems, some of them admittedly needless, but all of them stemming from some relatively simple equations.

The club gave a 33-year-old the biggest contract they’ve ever written, primarily based on incredible output over eight years in a specific tactical framework.

That framework is now gone, along with most of the players required for it, and Salah’s output has drastically dropped.

That form began to coincide with the worst spell of results the modern Liverpool have ever experienced, which has necessarily required Slot to start thinking about things differently.

It was already fair enough to try and build a new tactical framework along different lines, and eminently reasonable that they aren’t shaped around a player entering the final years of his career.

In the spell in which it hasn’t worked, it is similarly fair enough for one of Slot’s attempted solutions to be to drop Salah. The team needs the jolt.

The biggest shock has been in the extent of Salah’s reaction. Ultimately, it feels entirely disproportionate to what has actually happened: a mere three games on the bench.

Now, make that four, but only after his latest outburst.

And again, while the great question has been over Salah’s exact motivation for this, more relevant is what response it causes.

That pressure will be felt all the more keenly since the Liverpool hierarchy thought they’d already made the big decision on their star.

They’d gone through months of negotiations, weighing up everything.

And here they are again, having to consider everything anew, not least his relationship with Slot.

It’s been suggested that might actually be the least of the problems.

There is, nevertheless, considerable irritation at higher levels of the club because of the timing of these comments as well as the content.

It comes when everyone feels vulnerable, not least the manager.

Liverpool are intent on standing by Slot, and they absolutely won’t let any individual player’s words influence their approach.

There may also be an inclination to try and ride this out, a little like results.

Salah is about to go to the African Cup of Nations, after all. Results might steady.

Maybe there is space for a rapprochement, as those who know Slot state he is always open to.

But it’s a considerable risk. A lot can change. This can get worse.

There’s going to be a lot to think about.

Great British Railways unveils ‘striking’ branding under nationalisation plans

Trains across the UK are set to receive a distinctive red, white, and blue paint scheme, inspired by the Union flag, as part of the government’s ongoing rail nationalisation efforts.

The state-owned Great British Railways (GBR) unveiled its new branding, confirming it will be rolled out across trains, websites, and stations from next spring.

Described by the Department for Transport as a “striking and memorable design”, the livery was developed internally to maximise value for money.

This move will see a significant aesthetic change, as the seven major train operators already brought under state control have, until now, retained their previous operators’ branding.

It also marks a stark departure from the iconic “Rail Blue” colour scheme that characterised publicly owned British Rail’s trains from the mid-1960s through to the 1980s.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “I’m immensely proud to unveil the new look for Great British Railways as we deliver landmark legislation to nationalise our trains and reform the railway so it better serves passengers.

“This isn’t just a paint job, it represents a new railway, casting off the frustrations of the past and focused entirely on delivering a proper public service for passengers.

“With fares frozen, a bold new look and fundamental reforms becoming law, we are building a railway Britain can rely on and be proud of.”

The branding will gradually be rolled out across a number of publicly owned train operators from next spring.

The news comes as rail fares will be frozen for the first time in 30 years. This unprecedented decision is projected to save millions of passengers hundreds of pounds, with commuters on pricier routes potentially saving over £300 annually on season tickets, peak, and off-peak returns between major cities.

Ministers indicated the changes are integral to plans for a publicly owned Great British Railways, aiming to deliver better value.

This includes modernising ticketing with tap-in, tap-out and digital options, alongside investing in superfast Wi-Fi.

The announcement applies to England and services run by English train operating companies.

Winter Warning: Flu is not just a bad cold

As winter sets in and viruses circulate more easily in our homes, workplaces and public spaces, the NHS is encouraging people aged 18 to 64 with long-term health conditions to get their flu vaccine. Many don’t realise they’re eligible, or that their condition puts them at greater risk of serious complications if they catch flu.

Flu is not a bad cold. It’s a contagious respiratory virus that can cause high fever, body aches and exhaustion lasting for weeks. But for people with certain long-term conditions, it can also trigger severe complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis or organ failure.

The statistics are stark. Those with respiratory diseases like severe asthma or COPD are seven times more likely to die if they catch the flu. People with diabetes are six times more likely, and those with heart disease are 11 times more likely. For anyone with a weakened immune system, the risk rises even higher.

In 2022–23 alone, more than 49,000 people were hospitalised with flu, and 2,000 were admitted to intensive care in England. The majority of severe cases involved people with underlying conditions, many of whom thought flu “wasn’t a big deal.”

Many people with long-term health conditions manage them well and may not think of themselves as vulnerable. But flu can place a sudden strain on the body and make existing conditions harder to control. Someone with severe asthma, for example, may experience severe attacks; those with diabetes can find their blood sugar levels become unstable; and for people with heart or kidney disease, flu can significantly increase the risk of hospitalisation.

Because flu viruses change from year to year, immunity from previous infections or vaccines doesn’t last, so getting vaccinated annually is the best way to stay protected.

Flu vaccines are available free of charge for eligible people at most GP practices and participating pharmacies, and booking takes just a few minutes. You can book online at nhs.uk/book-flu, through your GP surgery, on the NHS APP or by visiting your local pharmacy directly.

The vaccine cannot give you the flu, and side effects are generally mild: a sore arm or slight fatigue for a day or two. What it can do is reduce your risk of getting the flu and, if you do catch it, make your symptoms milder and recovery faster. Studies show that people with eligible conditions are nearly half as likely to be hospitalised with flu if they’ve been vaccinated.

Vaccination doesn’t just protect the individual, either; it helps protect everyone. When fewer people catch and spread the virus, it reduces pressure on hospitals and helps shield those who are most vulnerable, such as older relatives, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.

In a busy winter full of colds, coughs and competing priorities, booking a flu jab can easily slip down the list. But for millions of people living with long-term health conditions, it could be the difference between a short recovery at home and a serious illness requiring hospital treatment.

Getting vaccinated is quick, safe and effective, and one of the simplest ways to protect your health this winter.

Check if you’re eligible and book your NHS flu vaccine today here

Banks fight mortgage war as rates plunge in major boost to buyers

Homeowners and prospective buyers are facing a mortgage boost as lenders collectively battle for business and drop rates as low as 3.51 per cent.

Those on fixed-term five-year deals taken out during the post-lockdown buying spree in 2020 will have been watching with concern as they would be due to renew at the end of this year. At the time, they would have been on mortgage products with extremely low interest rates attached – but across 2022 and 2023, rates rose rapidly to combat inflation.

While both have been on the downward march since then, rates remain higher. But with Budget uncertainty leaving people unsure whether they should sell up in the latter part of the year, the property market has stalled – and lenders have taken measures into their own hands.

A succession of mortgage product drops in the lead-up to the Budget and in the weeks since has seen the likes of Barclays, Santander, NatWest, Nationwide and others all lower their best-available rates, with the expectation that the Bank of England’s vote next week will see the base rate lowered by the Monetary Policy Committee.

Mortgage deals are based on swap rates rather than directly from the base rate – the Bank of England’s interest rate – and the expectation is that some deals could continue to drop as the battle for customers heats up.

It is notable, then, that the average two- and five-year fixed deals are now both below 5 per cent, their lowest rate since September 2022 and just before the mini budget under Liz Truss, according to Moneyfacts.

Barclays will see some remortgage deals go as low as 3.7 per cent from Tuesday, NatWest has a 3.62 per cent offering, and Santander has one product going as low as 3.51 per cent.

Nationwide’s lowest rate, meanwhile, appeared last week at 3.58 per cent – the first time in more than three years that the building society – the second-largest mortgage provider in the UK – has offered a fixed mortgage rate below the 3.6 per cent mark.

It should be noted that the very best headline deals are usually reserved for around the 60 per cent loan-to-value arrangements, and can often have fees attached to them, so they are not always the best for everyone’s particular circumstance.

But they still indicate the lowering across the board of many products with different lenders, which is better for consumers as more choice in their price and loan range becomes likely.

Property prices across the UK have only marginally risen month to month of late, but digging deeper into the data, Jonathan Hopper of Garrington Property Finders pointed out the regional differences made for a “K-shaped” development: “Prices in the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland ratcheted up while they fell in London and surrounding counties,” he said.

“The slide in London prices accelerated. Across the capital, they fell by 1 per cent in the year to November, but in prime areas the falls have been even sharper.”

The expectation is that this might push mid-market and first-time buyers into action in the new year, as prices and mortgage deals both become more attractive.

“In a year when Budget speculation kept a lid on demand for most of the final six months, steady mortgage rates underpinned housing market activity. We expect rates to keep drifting lower in 2026 and sub-4 per cent mortgages will become available across a wider range of loan-to-value deals,” said Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank.

“The tougher financial landscape for buyers after the Budget, including the income tax threshold freeze, will increasingly keep demand in check.”

Shaun Sturgess, director at Sturgess Mortgage Solutions, added: “It feels like lenders are handing borrowers an early Christmas gift, and you can really sense the battle to be the most competitive is heating up.

“After a challenging 2025, this momentum is exactly what buyers and homeowners have been hoping for. Any reduction on core two-year products makes a real difference to affordability, and it brings a renewed sense of optimism as we move into the new year.”

One in four teenagers turning to AI chatbots for mental health support

A quarter of teenagers in the UK have turned to AI chatbots for mental health support in the last year, new research has revealed.

A study of 11,000 children aged 13 to 16 in England and Wales has found that more than half of teenagers have used some form of online mental health support in the last year, with 25 per cent having used AI chatbots.

The research, carried out by charity the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF), also found young people affected by serious violence were even more likely to seek help online.

Some 38 per cent of children who were victims of serious violence said they’d turned to AI chatbots for support, while 44 per cent of children who had been perpetrators of serious violence said they had done the same.

The YEF said AI chatbots could appeal to struggling young people who feel it is safer and easier to speak to an AI chatbot anonymously at any time of day rather than speaking to a professional.

Ajada, a YEF youth advisory board member, said: “AI really scares me. If you’re really struggling and are thinking about doing something harmful to yourself, you can ask AI for support. It will give you the information, but what you do with it is up to you.

“So, we lose that emotional, personal experience that comes with positive human interactions.”

Charity leaders also warned this could be happening due to a lack of support available for teenagers’ mental health, stressing: “They need a human, not a bot.”

“Too many young people are struggling with their mental health and can’t get the support they need. It’s no surprise that some are turning to technology for help.” Jon Yates, CEO at the Youth Endowment Fund, said.

“We have to do better for our children, especially those most at risk. They need a human, not a bot.”

He added: “For those affected by violence, the understanding and empathy of a trusted adult can make all the difference – someone who listens, reassures them and helps them see they don’t have to face their problems alone.”

The research also found that more than one in four of all teenagers reported symptoms associated with high or very high levels of mental health difficulties.

A quarter of teenagers surveyed have received a formal diagnosis of a mental health or neurodevelopmental condition, while a further 21 per cent believe they may have a condition but have not been formally diagnosed.

Concerningly, 14 per cent said they had self-harmed in the past year, and 12 per cent had thought about ending their life.

Earlier this year, the NHS urged young people to stop using AI chatbots as a substitute for therapy, warning that they can provide “harmful and dangerous” mental health advice.

NHS leaders have said the rise in so-called “AI therapy” is a worrying trend, particularly among teenagers and young adults, with experts warning that these tools are not equipped to handle serious mental health conditions and could worsen symptoms.

“We are hearing some alarming reports of AI chatbots giving potentially harmful and dangerous advice to people seeking mental health treatment, particularly among teens and younger adults,” Claire Murdoch, NHS England’s national mental health director, told The Times in September.

She said AI platforms should “not be relied upon” for sound mental health advice and “should never replace trusted sources” of information from registered therapists.

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 or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 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