Louis Tomlinson: ‘Fame can be really dehumanising’

While checking into the hospitality area at Glastonbury Festival this summer, the entertainment journalist Ellise Shafer heard a stranger behind her yelling: “Glastoooo!” Only it wasn’t really a stranger, she later wrote. It was an exuberant Louis Tomlinson with a gaggle of friends, hauling a rucksack and primed for a week of live music.

Tomlinson laughs when I tell him about this. The solo artist and former One Direction member has become a regular fixture at Glastonbury – last year he was heralded as a “hero” when he brought a TV to the campsite so revellers could watch England play Slovakia in the Euros. “It’s the kind of place [where] I’m just in a better mood,” he says. “People might see me out and about looking a bit grumpy. At Glastonbury? Definitely not.”

You can understand why he might balk at the idea of going anywhere with large crowds. It’s just over 15 years since One Direction formed on The X Factor and became a global phenomenon, producing four No 1 albums and selling more than 70 million records. Its five members couldn’t go anywhere without being mobbed; their hotels were surrounded; cars blockaded; concerts rammed. Almost 10 years after the band split, the jitters remain. “It’s not about how many times you get recognised – it could just be once, or not at all,” explains Tomlinson. “It’s the potential of being.”

When One Direction split in 2016, he and his fellow band member Liam Payne – who died last year after falling from a balcony in Buenos Aires – appeared to be the ones who struggled most. “I felt a bit petulant about it at the time,” Tomlinson told The Independent in 2020. “It actually hit me like a ton of bricks.” Meanwhile, Niall Horan benefited from his Irish cheeky chappy persona, Harry Styles was singled out as “the star” with his rock’n’roll charm, and Zayn Malik – who quit the band in 2015 – had that brooding, mysterious thing going on (at the same time enduring his own struggles with anxiety).

This is Tomlinson’s – indeed any of the former 1D members’ – first newspaper interview since Payne’s death. I’ve been told that he expects questions about Payne; in fact, the only topic I’ve been asked to avoid is Tomlinson’s girlfriend, TV personality Zara McDermott. “I naively thought that, at this point, I’d unfortunately be a little bit more well versed with grief than other people my age,” the 33-year-old Tomlinson says wearily. “I thought that might mean something, but it didn’t at all.” He’s talking about the loss of his mother, Joanna Deakin, who died from leukaemia in 2016, and the death of his 18-year-old sister Félicité from an accidental overdose just three years later. “It’s something I’ll never really accept. I don’t think,” Tomlinson says of Payne’s death. His eyes are watering a little.

It’s easy, he thinks, in the wake of such devastating news, to “point the finger”. After Payne died, fellow celebrities were quick to demand better protection for artists, particularly those thrust into the spotlight at a relatively young age. But in previous interviews, Tomlinson has said he believes the adults working with One Direction did a good job. “I would probably still stand by that statement,” he says. “Obviously, that statement was made before… [and] I can only speak about my own personal experience, [which] was fine.” He sighs. “Look, in any situation similar to this, hindsight is a really powerful thing. I don’t blame anyone for my experience in One Direction. Was it really hard work? Yes. Did we not have enough days off? Yes. But what was really challenging, more than any of those things, was being young and really famous and having people outside the hotels. If you wanted to just go and get a coffee… even wanting to go for a s*** and having to walk [there] with your security. It’s dehumanising, those kinds of things.” Although at least, in the band, they had each other. “No matter what, there was this feeling of togetherness.”

If there is fault to be found, he believes, it lies in the whirlwind of social media comment and online “journalism” that surrounded everything they did. There was a notorious 2022 interview with Payne on Logan Paul’s podcast, Impaulsive, on YouTube, which today makes for an even more uncomfortable watch than it did at the time. Payne, who appeared to be drinking whisky throughout the conversation, received a huge backlash from fans and the media for what were perceived as “arrogant” remarks about his role in the band – claiming that Simon Cowell formed One Direction around him – and for comments he made about his ex-bandmates, Malik in particular. Payne later apologised (“I was so angry at what was going on around me… I took it out on everybody else”) and revealed that he’d spent 100 days in rehab after the interview aired.

“I f***ing forever despise [Logan Paul], horrible, horrible little f***er,” Tomlinson says with quiet venom. “I think that’s also the problem with some of this new ‘media’… I would like to think most journalists” – he corrects himself – “some journalists have a duty of care.” Quite a lot of the fan upset appeared to be motivated by Payne’s claims that he was the de facto band leader. Yet Tomlinson confirms that this was essentially the case. “It was, definitely,” he says. “It was definitely a role that was assigned to him. That is the truth.”

The others looked up to him, he says, including himself (Tomlinson was the eldest of the five), because Payne was already a seasoned performer – “he’d already played at half time [at Molineux, at a Wolverhampton Wanderers game], we’d done s****y school shows” – having been told by Cowell to come back for a second audition after getting more experience. Tomlinson described Payne in a tribute shared after his death as the most “vital” part of the band, and stands by that today. “In between him playing that role and also doing a huge chunk of the songwriting… it’s not even up for debate.”

What are Tomlinson’s fondest memories of him? He smiles. “So many. Just real, fun moments. Liam would always entertain me. If I was bored and wanted to have a laugh, he would play that role.” Payne always showed up, too, whether at the London premiere of Tomlinson’s 2023 documentary, All of Those Voices, about his life after One Direction, or as his guest when he was a judge on The X Factor in 2018. “This is in no way a comment aimed at the other boys – but I know if it was me, I would have struggled with that idea,” Tomlinson says. “There [would have been] a feeling of inferiority there, because you’re the guest. But any opportunity Liam got like that, he was always, always there for me. Even if he might have been struggling, he put himself second and still turned up. Those moments are really testament to the truth of who he was as a person.”

Did his death bring the band’s surviving members closer, in any way? “Definitely,” he says. He gets mildly frustrated with the cycle they end up in, where they will text, saying they need to meet up, then never manage to bring it off. I think this is a plight affecting most thirtysomethings, I reassure him. “Yeah, and the best kind of friends are the ones where, when you eventually do meet up, it’s like no time has passed,” he agrees. “It’s also just amazing to see everyone doing so well in their own right.” He loved Malik’s last record, 2024’s criminally underrated, Americana-influenced Room Under the Stairs: “Everyone got to see a side to him that I’ve always seen.”

Tomlinson has his own new solo record to celebrate. We’ve met not in a plush hotel suite or swanky restaurant booth, but at The Independent’s headquarters in central London. It’s a small but significant sign of how down to earth he’s managed to stay, for all that fame. He pulls up in a blacked-out people carrier and strides up the steps, offering a polite handshake. Clutching his visitor’s pass, he walks with me and his publicist through the lion’s den (the newsroom) with his shoulders slightly hunched, head down. Once we’re in the soundproofed seclusion of a podcast studio, though, he unfolds himself – stretching out and reclining against his chair, wearing artfully ripped jeans, white trainers and a smart zip-up jacket.

His new single, “Lemonade”, the first to be released from his just-announced third solo album How Did I Get Here?, is a big surprise given the rock and indie-leaning sound of his 2020 solo debut, Walls, or the 2022 follow-up, Faith in the Future. Both it and most of the eight other songs I’m sent from the record show Tomlinson embracing the pop music he seemed eager to shake off after One Direction split, despite his evident skill in crafting a hook or memorable lyric (the band co-wrote many of their biggest hits). With its fizzing funk-riff swagger, “Lemonade” is a fantastic thirst-quencher of a track that’s not dissimilar to the euphoric pop-rock Styles excels at. It feels as though Tomlinson has finally found his own sound.

It’s taken a while. The critical consensus around his first two albums was that he had become lost in a “a sea of influences”, from Oasis and Snow Patrol to Arctic Monkeys. Critics complained that it had become difficult to discern who he was, artistically or otherwise.

“I appreciate you being honest about that,” Tomlinson says when I bring this up. “It’s definitely something that I’ve been aware of.” When he first emerged blinking from One Direction, his instinct had been to “push back” and run as far as he could in the opposite direction. “But actually, the most confident thing I could [have done] was to really embrace those pop sensibilities and bring more people to the party. I’m ready now to accept what I’m great at, which is a cool thing to be able to say out loud, to be honest.”

Tomlinson and I are the same age, but it feels as though he’s lived a few extra lives. During our conversation, I’m moved by how thoroughly decent he seems, and how surprisingly open he is, despite having every reason to clam up or be a bit prickly. Many of his friends are getting married, having kids. He’s a father himself to nine-year-old Freddie – born from Tomlinson’s brief relationship with Californian stylist Briana Jungwirth – and spends a lot of time in Los Angeles, where Freddie lives with his mum. “I’m pretty much playing full-time dad when I’m out there,” he says. “I don’t do loads of work or even [much] socialising.” Freddie is “good as gold”, according to Tomlinson, who loves dropping him off at school. “I’m still the youngest dad there,” he says, flashing a smug grin. “It kills me in the mornings though… I’ve never been great at early starts.”

Despite being three albums deep into his own solo project, he’s still afflicted by feelings of imposter syndrome. But he knows he has enough love from his fan base not to worry about them too much. “On my rainiest day, vocally, performance-wise, my fans are still going to be there for me,” he says. “I just got a cover shoot for Rolling Stone UK, and they told me that I was one of the most requested people to be on [the cover]. I wonder if I would have got that gig if my fans didn’t fight so hard for it. They get me what they think I deserve, which is beautiful. It’s really lovely.” That same humility shows up again when he speaks about the fellow artists and producers he got to collaborate with on this record, who helped bring a new vulnerability to his songwriting. “When I entered the music industry, I was in a band where we were working for each other as well as ourselves,” he says. “I think I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since.”

‘How Did I Get Here?’, the new album by Louis Tomlinson, is out on 23 January 2026. The single ‘Lemonade’ is out now

Paul Gascoigne: I’ll never stop drinking and would rather die as Gazza

Paul Gascoigne says he will “never stop drinking”, admitting he would rather “die as Gazza” than give up alcohol altogether.

The Gateshead-born star rose to fame as one of England’s most gifted footballers, making his name at Newcastle United before spells with Tottenham, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough and Everton.

His life off the pitch has often been turbulent with well-documented battles against alcoholism and depression.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, the 58-year-old said he continues to relapse despite multiple stints in rehab.

“I have not changed, I cannot change, I would not know how to change,” he said.

“I will probably die as Gazza. But I have nothing to hide. The whole country knows what I have done now.”

But the former England midfielder says he has “no regrets”.

“I have had a great life, travelled the world, had everything money can buy,” he told the newspaper.

Gascoigne, who earned 57 caps between 1988 and 1998 and scored 10 international goals as he helped England to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 1990 and Euro 96, said he has long accepted his public image.

“Jimmy Greaves stopped drinking, but that is Jimmy Greaves,” he said, referring to the former England striker.

“I am not Jimmy Greaves and I am not George Best. I don’t get drunk because I hate my mum and dad or I hate the public. It is not about that. I do it for the sake of it.

“I might regret it. But I don’t think about yesterday, I don’t think about tomorrow. I just think about today and live for today.”

Gascoigne is set to release a new book, Eight, in which he promises to reveal the “real Gazza” for the first time.

Reeves plots £1bn cut to Motability scheme in Budget

Rachel Reeves is planning to restrict disabled people’s access to cars through the benefits system in a bid to save £1bn, it has emerged.

The chancellor is reportedly considering reforming the Motability scheme in a bid to save money and boost public confidence in the welfare system.

She is said to be ready to axe tax breaks worth around £1bn each year in next month’s Budget, cutting an exemption which lets cars leased under the scheme avoid paying VAT or insurance premium tax.

And, in another change, luxury cars including Mercedes and BMWs could be removed from the scheme, The Times reports.

It comes as the chancellor has been warned by the Institute for Fiscal Studies that she needs to find at least £22bn of tax hikes or spending cuts in her November Budget in order to avoid a financial “groundhog day”.

The Motability scheme provides cars to around 815,000 users, including around 40,000 luxury vehicles. It is open to people who claim a qualifying mobility allowance, most commonly through the personal independence payment (PIP).

But it has come under fire in recent months, and formed a major part of Kemi Badenoch’s speech at the Conservative Party conference, with critics claiming online “sickfluencers” are teaching people to game the system in order to claim free cars.

In her speech in Manchester, Ms Badenoch said: “Those cars are not for people with ADHD.”

While her shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately said: “Millions are getting benefits for anxiety and ADHD, along with a free Motability car.

“TikTok videos tell you how – and some people even pay for VIP services to boost their chances of a successful benefits claim.”

Disability groups slammed the proposed changes, saying they would make life more expensive for those with serious health conditions.

But sources told The Times the changes are about fairness, not simply cost-cutting. One pointed out that the Motability Foundation, which oversees the scheme, paid its chief executive £658,000 last year, while it made a £748m profit in 2023. That fell to a £565m loss last year.

It currently costs taxpayers £2.8bn, and sees a portion of a claimant’s disability benefits spent on a new car.

Emma Vogelmann, co-chief executive of the Transport for All disability group, said public transport is “often unusable” for disabled people, with broken pavements and “non-existent bus routes”.

“A Motability car changes that – it allows us to work, shop, and do the school run. Scaling back the scheme would lock disabled people away from daily life. Does the chancellor want to take away our freedom?” she said.

Meanwhile, charity Scope warned the changes could “heap extra costs onto disabled people all over Britain”.

“Restricting eligibility to Motability could hit disabled people on lower incomes hard,” strategy director James Taylor told The Independent.

Reform UK has also attacked the Motability scheme, with policy head Zia Yusuf saying spending on the scheme has “spiralled out of control”.

“The Motability schemes were designed to support those with genuine, life-limiting disabilities, and many of those exploiting these schemes are not even physically disabled. Targeted support must only go to those who truly need it,” he said.

The former head of Motability at the Department for Work and Pensions, Matt Ryder, has also called on the chancellor to reassess whether the subsidies given to the scheme are “giving genuine value for money”.

A Treasury spokesperson said: “We do not comment on speculation around changes to tax outside of fiscal events.”

David Attenborough becomes oldest ever Daytime Emmy winner

Sir David Attenborough has broken an impressive record after becoming oldest person to win a Daytime Emmy.

On Friday (17 October), eight months before his 100th birthday, the 99-year old won the award for Netflix series Secret Lives of Orangutans.

Attenborough surpassed Mary Poppins star Dick Van Dyke, who, at 98, set the record last year after winning the guest performer award for his role in Days of Our Lives.

Secret Lives of Orangutans, which won three awards in total, won Best Outstanding Daytime Personality for Attenborough, with the star beating Marvel star Anthony Mackie and Martha Stewart to the trophy.

Mackie was nominated for his nature series, Anthony Mackie: Gulf Coast, while Stewart was recognised for Martha Gardens, in which she shares gardening tips and lessons from her farm.

Attenborough also won over Brad Bestelink (Living with Leopards) as well as Andi Sweeney Blanco, Courtney Dober, Rob North and Kirin Stone for The Fixers.

Earlier this year, Attenborough reflected on approaching “the end of his life” while sharing what he believes will save the planet from destruction.

The veteran naturalist addressed his mortality in documentary Ocean: With David Attenborough, which was released on his 99th birthday in May.

In the film, the former BBC Two controller expressed his sadness with the current state of the world’s ecosystems, but said that he has worked out what Earth’s “most important place” is “after living for nearly a hundred years on this planet”.

He said that the key to saving the planet “is not on land, but at sea”, stating: “When I first saw the sea as a young boy, it was thought of as a vast wilderness to be tamed and mastered for the benefit of humanity.

“Now, as I approach the end of my life, we know the opposite is true.”

Attenborough added that the planet “is in such poor health” that he “would find it hard not to lose hope” were it not for the ocean, which he called “the most remarkable discovery of all”.

He concluded: “If we save the sea, we save our world. After a lifetime of filming our planet, I’m sure nothing is more important.”

Attenborough’s screen career spans seven decades. He first started working at the BBC in the 1950s, hosting wildlife show Zoo Quest, but released his first nature series, Life on Earth, in 1979.

In the last 25 years, Attenborough has released Planet Earth, The Blue Planet and Dynasties, which focused on vulnerable and endangered animal species fighting for survival.

Borders chief can’t name a way Brexit helped control UK borders

The UK’s borders chief was unable to answer when asked by MPs to name any way in which Brexit has helped “control our borders”.

Martin Hewitt, the new border security commander, said he did “not immediately” have an answer to the question.

The pro-Brexit campaign promised that the UK could “take back control” of its borders, but since then the number of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats has not decreased.

As the number of crossings hit a record high last month, US president Donald Trump even advised Sir Keir Starmer to “call out the military”.

Mr Hewitt, who has been in post for a year, told MPs on the Commons home affairs committee that the number of arrivals on dangerous small boats was “frustrating” and “really challenging”.

More than 36,000 people have made the perilous journey so far this year, around a third higher than at the same point in 2024.

Asked if there were any examples where Brexit has helped the UK “control our borders, helped you do your job, or helped us reduce the issue of undocumented migrants”, both he and Rob Jones, director general of the National Crime Agency, who was also giving evidence to the committee, were stumped.

After a long pause, Mr Hewitt told MPs: “Certainly not immediately.”

He went on to tell the committee, “I will ponder on that”, and said he would write to them with any answer.

Paul Kohler, the Lib Dem MP who asked the question, told Mr Hewitt he was “not surprised” by his answer.

Mr Hewitt did tell MPs, however, that he saw the potential in the government’s proposed digital ID cards, which it wants to use to tackle illegal working and deter migrants from coming to the UK.

He said: “There is no doubt that having an ability to make it significantly harder for somebody to work illegally is absolutely key. But the concept of a digital ID that makes it even harder for somebody to be in a position to try and work, I think, potentially has an advantage.

“I think it’s going to be really important, and I know that there is a consultation process that’s going to work through how that could work and add value to the work that we’re doing.”

A Liberal Democrat spokesperson said: “As the border security commander made clear himself, Brexit’s list of helpful achievements is precisely zero items long. We doubt this will be the last time Farage and Reform are proved wrong. It’s time the public knew about it.”

Mr Hewitt was appointed as the UK’s first border security commander last September, as part of a shake-up when the new Labour government came to power.

Hidden gem holidays: An insider guide to the Dominican Republic

The advent of autumn sees us thinking ahead to how to keep that sunshine feeling going through till winter; and there’s nothing better for keeping our spirits up than the idea of booking a holiday somewhere tropical. Enter the Dominican Republic, a warm and welcoming Caribbean nation perched to the south of the Turks and Caicos islands, and east of Jamaica. Known for its beautiful beaches, premium resorts and some legendary golf courses, there is, as the saying goes, genuinely something for everyone. If you want to make your holiday more than just a fly and flop, there’s plenty to explore, from Pico Duarte, the Caribbean’s tallest mountain, to historic sites in the country’s lively capital, Santo Domingo.

But first, where’s the best place to stay? Consider Costa Esmeralda, in the Miches area on the Island’s northeastern coast, a picturesque and pristine stretch of sand fringed with coconut palms that lean over the calm, turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Neighbouring Punta Cana and the wider Bávaro area combine to form what’s known as La Costa del Coco, or the Coconut Coast, an area of lavish, all-inclusive hotels which is also popular for windsurfing, kayaking and sailing.

Base yourself at Zemi Miches Punta Cana All-Inclusive Resort Curio by Hilton, an oceanfront resort boasting 800-metres of secluded beach on the shores of Playa Esmeralda. Located just 90 minutes’ drive from Punta Cana International Airport, the emphasis here is firmly on fun and relaxation. It features six restaurants, six bars and lounges, four pools and several water slides, and for those who like to keep fit while away, there’s a pickleball court, a paddle tennis court, and a full-service fitness centre which offers yoga and pilates classes. The Acana spa aims to reconnect soul and spirit with therapies inspired by ancient traditions, while you’ll also find a daily programme of art and cultural activities, plus live nightly entertainment. Bringing the kids? They’ll love spending time at the Coki Cove Kids Club or Palmchat Teens Club.

There’s a choice of rooms, suites or bungalows, all tastefully decorated with Caribbean flair, and offering stunning views. Select accommodations even feature private plunge pools, and Club Azure and bungalow guests have access to additional dining options and a rooftop pool. Talking of dining, you’ll experience a world of flavour, with menus inspired by the traditions of the Caribbean, Thailand, and the Amalfi Coast; think spicy, street-food inspired dishes, wood-fired pizzas, and local favourites. All this, and unlimited drinks and cocktails, too!

What’s more, booking with British Airways Holidays means you can secure your holiday now with a low deposit and spread the cost with flexible payments*. Once you’re ready to jet off, you can enjoy increased checked baggage allowance, a dedicated 24-hour helpline during your trip and the option of quality car hire with no hidden fees, 24-hour support and roadside assistance.

Upgrade to Club World and you’ll also get lounge access**, increased baggage allowance, priority check-in and boarding, and a spacious seat that converts to a fully flat bed. Members of The British Airways Club enjoy even more benefits in the form of collecting Avios (British Airways’ frequent flyer currency) and earning tier points, which unlock frequent flyer status and other benefits. Avios can also be used towards the cost of your holiday, presenting even greater value for money for members.

All this means you can totally relax during your stay at Hilton Zemi Miches Punta Cana All-Inclusive Resort, knowing you’re getting the quality and peace of mind you’d expect from a British Airways Holidays.

If you can tear yourself away from the resort – tough, we know – there’s lots to experience throughout the Dominican Republic. Take a day trip to Santo Domingo, one of the Caribbean’s oldest cities; its walled, cobblestoned, historic centre, the Zona Colonial, has impressive Spanish buildings dating back to the 16th century, including the Gothic Catedral Primada de America and the Alcázar de Colón palace, which sits on the laid-back, cafe-lined Plaza de España. The latter is now one of the city’s many museums, displaying striking medieval and Renaissance art. In the pretty Parque del Este is the Faro a Colón, a large mausoleum and museum dedicated to Christopher Columbus, who landed on the island known as Hispaniola (now divided into the Dominican Republic and Haiti) in 1492. For a taste of life in bygone times, visit Altos de Chavón, a fascinating replica of a 16th century Mediterranean village, featuring art galleries and studios, boutiques and a striking amphitheatre.

Looking for something a little more adventurous? Get back to nature at Los Haitises National Park, where you can explore mangrove forests, caves and unique rock formations, or the 27 waterfalls of Damajagua, a series of tumbling falls perfect for swimming, splashing and jumping into. And don’t miss the incredible Hoya Azul, a cenote, or sinkhole, with crystal-clear, aquamarine waters; it’s located in Scape Park, a natural adventure park featuring lush jungles and jaw-dropping cliffs, where you can go zip-lining or explore the caves. There is whale watching in Samana Bay – humpback whales can be found here during their breeding season, January to March. While Lago Enriquillo, a salt lake with surrounding wetlands, is home to crocodiles and various bird species, including flamingos. All in all, your holiday to the Dominican Republic is guaranteed to be unforgettable; so get booking now!

British Airways Holidays packages include a generous baggage allowance for each customer and come with full ATOL protection for complete peace of mind. Secure your holiday to Hilton Zemi Miches Punta with a low deposit and enjoy flexible payments until you fly*.

*Based on two sharing. Full balance due seven weeks before departure. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.

**Subject to availability

Minister spends £115k on ‘influencer marketing’ in less than a year

The government has forked out nearly £115,000 for “influencer marketing” in less than a year, despite pledges to cut wasteful spending.

The Conservatives have said the spend “makes a mockery” of Labour’s pledge after Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said the cash had supported “multiple campaigns” since the creation of a new government communications unit at the start of this year.

It comes after the prime minister hosted a reception for online content creators over the summer, and Downing Street hailed the “content creators shaping Britain”.

In response to a written question from shadow minister Mike Wood, Mr Thomas-Symonds said that the “total amount spent on digital influencer marketing by the New Media Unit since its establishment is £114,769.51.”

He went on: “This investment has supported multiple campaigns of varying scale and reach.

“Influencers have proven to be effective in reaching audiences that traditional marketing channels find hard to reach.”

The existence of the unit was first reported on in November 2024, but it is understood that it has been up and running since January 2025.

Pushed further on explicitly how much money had been spent on specific campaigns, or which influencers have received money, the Cabinet Office declined to go into further detail.

Shadow cabinet office minister Mr Wood described the money as a “bung to influencers”.

He told The Independent: “This makes a mockery of the government’s pledge to take ‘decisive action’ to reduce wasteful spending on government communications.

“This £114,796.51 bung to influencers to promote this deeply unpopular government is another slap in the face for taxpayers just as Rachel Reeves prepares to announce more tax grabs.

“Only the Conservatives have a plan to tackle government waste by cutting the civil service headcount, ensuring taxpayers get value for money.”

A Cabinet Office source told The Independent that “it is really important in a changing media landscape that the government works with creators, influencers and smaller platforms to tell our story alongside traditional media”.

Ahead of the spending review earlier this year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves pledged to wield an “iron fist against waste”.

The New Media Unit is part of the government Communications Service (GCS), which describes itself as “supporting ministers’ priorities, enabling effective operation of public services and improving people’s lives”.

According to a job advert posted for a position at the media unit earlier this year, the unit wants to “connect and rebuild trust with audiences in the most effective way possible”.

In July it was announced that former Sun editor David Dinsmore would be appointed the new head of the GCS.

Budget airline jet almost dives into ocean moments after take-off

An investigation has been launched after a passenger plane leaving an airport in Sicily veered dangerously close to the sea, triggering an emergency pull-up message.

The Air Arabia Airbus A320 plane had just taken off from Catania airport, on Sicily’s east coast, and was bound for Queen Alia International Airport in Jordan.

The plane left at 9.57pm on 20 September and shortly after take-off started flying dangerously close to the Mediterranean sea. The plane’s Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) went off and issued a pull-up message, alerting the pilots to what was happening.

The Italian aviation authority, ANSV, said the pull-up message “occurred as the aircraft approached the sea surface, reaching a short distance from it”.

ANSV has now launched a safety investigation, classifying the event as a “serious incident”, after a preliminary review of information from the operator.

In a statement issued this week, they said that the flight continued without further incident. There were no passengers on board, but two pilots and four cabin crew members were present.

According to Italian news website Corriere Della Sera, the plane reached a terrifying 200ft above the sea at a speed of over 480 kilometres per hour.

The bizarre sequence occurred in good weather conditions, the paper reported.

Two Airbus A320 captains interviewed by the Italian media outlet said they were surprised that the plane had made such a dangerous manoeuvre. One suggested that there could have been a bird strike or an error in calculating the takeoff weights.

A spokesperson for Italian aviation authority ANSV said: “On 20 September 2025, at 21.57 UTC, shortly after takeoff from Catania Airport, an Air Arabia Airbus A320 aircraft, registration CN-NML, bound for Queen Alia International Airport (Jordan), received a Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) pull-up message. This occurred as the aircraft approached the sea surface, reaching a short distance from it.

“The flight continued without further incident. There were no passengers on board, and two pilots and four cabin crew members were present.

“After a preliminary review of the information received from the operator, ANSV opened a safety investigation, classifying the event as a serious incident.”