Burnham hosts Ireland’s taoiseach as he bids for UK exemptions from EU’s ‘Made in Europe’ plan – UK politics live

It is the first time the PM has used No 10 North to host an overseas visit Retail sales across Great Britain unexpectedly rose last month, the latest economic indicator to defy gloomy forecasts as the chancellor, John Healey, prepares to present next month’s budget. Mark Sweney has the story. Last night Sam Coates at Sky News released details of a 50-page policy memo produced by Keir Starmer’s aides earlier this year as they were struggling to find policies that would help him stay in office. The document, dated 23 April, says it contains “bold ideas that meet the moment”. Coates says it shows how much overlap there is between what Andy Burnham is doing now and what Starmer was doing anyway. Sky News has analysed this document and concluded that of the 50 ideas we studied, 20 were announced by Starmer before his departure in July; six have already been announced by Burnham, a further eight are expected to be announced in weeks. Then there are 16 more ideas worked up by Whitehall but not announced by either PM … Continue reading...