Plans for pubs to get greater protection from noise complaints

Labour said the changes would bring "vibrancy" to struggling towns, but the Conservatives said tax policy was responsible for "crippling the hospitality industry".

The government hopes the changes in England and Wales will make it easier to open new bars in disused shops, promote outdoor drinking and dining, and reverse the decline in the pub industry.

Under the reforms, developers seeking to build new properties near existing venues would be told to soundproof buildings, while permissions would be fast-tracked for new businesses and al fresco dining in dedicated areas.

Pubs and music venues could benefit from fewer noise complaints under proposed changes to planning and licensing rules.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Murray said Labour was committed to removing "some of the red tape" that prevented new cafes, pubs and music venues from opening.

Murray said there was "too much bureaucracy" standing in the way of economic growth, but also accepted that the government's decision to raise National Insurance and to increase the Minimum Wage had "consequences for businesses".

The British Beer and Pub Association says the number of pubs in the UK has steadily decreased every year since 2000, and estimated that 378 pubs would close in 2025 across England, Wales and Scotland, amounting to more than 5,600 direct job losses.

It comes after several well-loved pubs and music venue were left facing possible closure over noise complaints, leading to campaigns in some cities.

Last December, Moth Club, an independent music and comedy venue in east London, launched a petition challenging plans to build a new block of flats next door, over fears it could be shut down.

"Without being able to make noise, we can't make money," its manager told the BBC at the time.

In Manchester, venue Night and Day Cafe was subject to a three-year legal battle with the council over noise complaints lodged by a neighbour in 2021.

It was eventually permitted to continue operating as a nightclub with noise-limiting restrictions in place.

On Tuesday, pub chain Brewdog was the latest to announce cuts, with 10 bars across the UK closing due to "rising costs, increased regulation, and economic pressures".

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said "pubs and bars are at the heart of British life" as the government launched a consultation on the changes.

She added: "For too long, they've been stifled by clunky, outdated rules. We're binning them, to protect pavement pints, al fresco dining and street parties - not just for the summer, but all year round."

Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, said: "Though any cutting of red tape for hospitality businesses is welcome, this is pure hypocrisy and inconsistency from Labour."

He accused Labour of "crippling the hospitality industry by doubling business rates, imposing a Jobs Tax and a full-on strangulation of employment red tape".

Astronomer's 'clever' PR move embracing CEO scandal - featuring Gwyneth Paltrow

32 minutes ago Share Save Jamie Whitehead BBC News Share Save

Astronomer

The US tech firm, whose CEO and chief people officer resigned after being caught on camera embracing at a Coldplay concert, has released a tongue-in-cheek promotional video featuring Gwyneth Paltrow as a "temporary spokesperson". In the 60-second clip posted on Astronomer's X account, Hollywood star Paltrow - who was married to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin for more than 10 years - says she wants to answer "the most" common questions the company has recently been asked. The first of these questions, appearing as captions on screen, reads "OMG! What the actual f", to which Paltrow responds: "Yes, Astronomer is the best place to run Apache Airflow", she ends the answer by claiming the company is "thrilled so may people have a "newfound interest in data workflow automation." When a follow up question asks how the company's social media team is "holding" after the clip went viral, Paltrow says spaces are still available for a forthcoming conference. Paltrow signs off the clip, which has been viewed over 27 million times by thanking viewers for their "interest in Astronomer", saying the company will now be returning "to what it does best."

"It's a really clever video," Jordan Greenaway, CEO of PR firm Profile says. "Everyone has heard about this scandal, everyone has seen the video. But if you'd gone down the street and asked someone who the CEO of Astronomer was, they'd say 'the guy in the Coldplay video', but if you then asked 'what does Astronomer actually do or sell, they would probably say 'they're kind of a tech company.'" Greenaway says the video going viral probably won't have too much of a negative impact on Astronomer going forward, as the viral scandal "doesn't strike at the heart of the quality of their product". He says the company's goal was to create brand awareness amongst the mass public so the company isn't just known as the one whose CEO had an affair. "I know there are some PRs whose default it is to lean into humour to bridge the scandal and get over the hump." "In most cases that doesn't work. "But this is what Astronomer is attempting to do in this case," he says. "Rather than sidestepping things, they're jumping in with both feet. That's often a good strategy when a crisis is so big and well-known that you cannot easily duck it."

Greenaway compares it to the horsemeat scandal of 2013, when horsemeat was discovered in beef products across Europe, and says "it would not have been right to dress that up in humour by posing as a horse, for example, and giving a response". "That could lead to your customers saying 'this is something that attacked the quality of your product, and you're making light of it'". The nature of this scandal gives Astronomer the flexibility to approach their response with a bit more humour because the company sells a data service, Greenaway continues. "They're not making fun of the quality of their product, they're making fun of their CEO, who has now resigned."

Awkward moment for couple on screen at Coldplay gig

But Greenaway says while Astronomer can come out of this relatively unscathed, that isn't the case for Andy Byron. "He and his reputation are a different matter," he says. "If Andy Byron had made light of this, that would have been very unfair and very unethical, because he was the one undertaking in the bad behaviour." Byron had been CEO of Astronomer for two years when he and Kristin Cabot were caught on the giant screen at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on 16 July. Greenaway says he would have taken "by and large the same strategy," that Astronomer has had he been involved in a situation like this. "I would have got rid of the CEO sooner. If possible I would have liked to have shown these type of leadership ethics at Astronomer are unacceptable. "But in terms of moving the discussion back to the company, and what it actually does, I don't think this is a bad way to go about it. "I don't know if I would have had the courage to do what they are doing, but I hope I would have."

Getty Images Coldplay's US tour concludes this weekend in Miami, before they play their next shows in Hull

Trump back on the golf course for day two of Scottish visit

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EPA Donald Trump will play his second round of golf at Turnberry this weekend

Donald Trump will spend the second full day of his visit to Scotland back on the golf course before meeting the EU Commission president for trade talks. The US president will again play a round at Turnberry in South Ayrshire with guests and family, including his son Eric. It is believed his only major business meeting will be with Ursula von der Leyen‬, who has said they will discuss "transatlantic trade relations, and how we can keep them strong". Trump is due to meet UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Scotland's First Minister John Swinney on Monday, as well as opening a second 18-hole course at his estate in Aberdeenshire.

The president arrived in Scotland on Friday evening, with Air Force One touching down at Glasgow Prestwick Airport before his entourage travelled to nearby Turnberry. He has said he "it's great to be in Scotland" and has praised Starmer and Swinney ahead of meeting them. A major security operation was ramped up at Turnberry before Trump played 18 holes on Saturday. He waved to photographers and the assembled media as his day passed without incident. Several roads remain closed in the area while police and military personnel have been carrying out checks around the resort.

Getty Images Ursula von der Leyen is expected to meet President Trump

A security checkpoint has been put in place outside the hotel and a large fence has been erected around the course. Elsewhere, several hundred demonstrators gathered in both Aberdeen and Edinburgh on Saturday to protest against the visit. Trump is expected to meet Starmer and Swinney on Monday before officially opening his new golf course at Menie in Aberdeenshire. The US president will travel back to Washington on Tuesday and is due to return to the UK for an official state visit in September.

On Friday, Amorim outlined his plan to drop Fernandes deeper this season rather than push him into one of the two number 10 roles crucial to his system.

Maybe we should learn not to pay too much attention to the head coach, who picked Fernandes as the right-sided number 10 alongside Cunha, as £65m new arrival Bryan Mbeumo is not deemed fit enough to be involved just yet.

It meant there was a familiarity about the way Fernandes drifted into space in search of the ball and when he got it, generally tried something inventive.

But on another of those nights when United created a number of chances, it was Fernandes who found the net, scoring from the penalty spot after Areola had fouled Ayden Heaven.

His second came from another Areola mistake, when the keeper's poor pass was pounced on by Kobbie Mainoo. He found Fernandes, who lifted a shot into the far corner.

Fernandes brought more to the game than his goals. He had played in Rasmus Hojlund in the first minute, with the Denmark striker bursting on to the ball, showing good strength as he went shoulder to shoulder with Hammers defender Max Killman before rattling the post with his shot.

It was an overall performance that will leave fans thankful that the Portugal midfielder, the club's player of the year, rejected a huge offer from the Saudi Pro-League club early in the summer.

After the match, Amorin praised Fernandes for being a "leader, not just on the field, but also off it" and said the 30-year-old "will have more help this season".

'We need a real solution': Gazans welcome aid plan but fear it will not end crisis

18 minutes ago Share Save Rushdi Abualouf Gaza correspondent, reporting from Istanbul Share Save

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Residents of Gaza have cautiously welcomed reports of a temporary humanitarian pause to allow aid into the besieged enclave, but many say the relief must be the beginning of a broader, lasting solution to the deepening crisis. Israel's military said it will open humanitarian corridors to allow convoys of food and medicine to enter, after warnings of starvation and weeks of international pressure. For months, Gaza's population of more than two million has faced extreme shortages of food, clean water, and basic medical supplies as bombardment and border closures have brought daily life to a standstill. "Of course I feel a bit of hope again, but also worried that starvation would continue once the pause is over," said Rasha Al-Sheikh Khalil, a 39-year-old mother-of-four in Gaza City.

She added: "One convoy of aid or a few air drop packages won't be enough. We need a real solution, an end to this nightmare, an end to the war." Israel's announcement on Sunday came after it said it made an airdrop of aid into Gaza of "seven packages of aid containing flour, sugar and canned food". Jordan and the UAE also say they have a plan, backed by the UK, to drop aid into the territory, but aid agencies have said such moves would do little to mitigate the hunger of Gazans. "This isn't just about quantity of food, it's about quality," said Neveen Saleh, a mother-of-six. "We haven't eaten a single fresh fruit or vegetable in four months. There's no chicken, no meat, no eggs. All we have are canned foods that are often expired and flour."

The Hamas-run health ministry said dozens of people were dying from malnutrition. On Saturday it put the toll from the last few days at 125, including 85 children. Israel denied what it called "the false claim of deliberate starvation" in Gaza. Medical experts in Gaza say malnutrition is becoming widespread, especially among children and those with specific dietary needs. One of the most affected groups are those with gluten intolerance, who are unable to consume wheat-based products like bread, which now make up the bulk of available food. "My wife and one of my five children have celiac disease," said Rami Taha who lives in central Gaza. "Before the war, I used to buy them gluten-free products. Now, there is nothing. I have to take them to the hospital every few days just to get IV fluids."

AFP via Getty Images A convoy of aid trucks waits on Sunday at Gaza's Rafah border with Egypt

Wiegman is also ruthless.

She dropped former England captain Steph Houghton in 2022, and told goalkeeper Mary Earps she would not be the number one for Euro 2025.

Her honesty is appreciated by many, but not all.

"Sarina has always been direct, she always says it how it is, whether you like it or not, and it's something you have to take on the chin," said midfielder Georgia Stanway.

"Get the people around you that you need and if she gives you some negative feedback then you know that the rest of the staff are going to help you to fix it."

Kirby went from being a starter in 2022, to the fringes of the squad before she was told she would not make the cut for 2025.

The Brighton midfielder announced her international retirement early as a result but says Wiegman learned quickly what style of feedback people could handle.

"If it's not right for the team, she will be direct with you, regardless of what you are feeling," said Kirby.

"But she gets to know you, so you have that respect for her when you do have to have that difficult conversation. You know that it's not personal, it's just she needs more from you or she needs you to do more for the team.

"She is just consistent with everyone, regardless of whether you've got 80 caps or five. Everyone is treated the same."

White says they had regular one-to-one conversations when Wiegman first took over and they often discussed analysis on Zoom away from camp.

"She visits clubs as well, and has communication with club managers. She'll always pick up the phone to you no matter what time it is," added White.

"She's so approachable. Yes, she is the manager, but she is a human being. She wants what is best for you."

Bardsley's injuries meant she had to retire before making an appearance under Wiegman but she had regular contact throughout her attempted comeback.

The ex-goalkeeper was given a six-week deadline to return to play and when it was clear she wouldn't make it, she called Wiegman, who was "very empathetic".

"She is really emotionally intelligent and could feel I was disappointed. It probably made her selection headache a lot easier but she said lots of nice things about my career. I was just grateful," said Bardsley.

"I would have loved to have played under her. She took the time to have a chat and I really appreciated that because she didn't have to do that."

But Houghton did not feel she was given the same treatment and has been critical of Wiegman's approach to her.

Writing in her book, Houghton said she felt Wiegman was "pretty brutal" in how she communicated that she would not be part of her squad for the 2023 World Cup.

"We were told we would know the final World Cup squad on Tuesday," Houghton wrote.

"On the Monday, I had an appearance at St George's Park for Nike. When I went back to the changing room, I had a missed call from Sarina. She didn't know I was there, so when I told her, she asked me to go and meet her in the canteen, where she told me she wasn't taking me.

"I found myself wondering if this would have been a face-to-face conversation if I hadn't already been at St George's Park. Sarina told me that I probably wouldn't play for England while she was in charge.

"She obviously made her mind up, which is fine and I've got to respect that. The problem was more that I think she'd intended to have this conversation over the phone, and she knew she was going to tell me I wasn't in her plans at all. I thought that called for a face-to-face conversation given the career I'd had."

The BBC and ITV have secured the broadcasting rights to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, ensuring the biggest tournament in women's football remains free-to-air for UK audiences.

The broadcasters will split games evenly between them in the group and knockout stages but will both show the final.

"Extending our partnership with Fifa alongside ITV ensures that the drama and spectacle of the Women's World Cup remains free-to-air," said BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski.

"BBC Sport has been a longstanding champion of women's football, helping to elevate the game to where it is today – a sport experiencing unprecedented growth in popularity and reach across BBC Sport platforms.

"From domestic leagues to major international tournaments, we've brought the defining moments to millions across the UK already, including this summer's Women's Euro tournament."

BBC Sport will show live coverage on TV and iPlayer as well as bringing coverage to the website and across radio and social media platforms.

ITV will also have live games on TV as well as coverage on social media and ITVX. In addition, the broadcaster will show all of England's qualifying matches and friendlies.

"The Fifa Women's World Cup 2027 is sure to be another standout tournament and we look forward to continuing our relationship with both Fifa and the BBC," said Niall Sloane, ITV director of sport.

The 32-team tournament will start on 24 June 2027 and conclude on 27 July.

Spain are the defending world champions after beating England 1-0 in the final in 2023.

The pair will go head-to-head again in Sunday's Euro 25 final.

You can follow that game from 17:00 BST on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, listen on BBC Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, and follow live text on the BBC Sport website and app.