While standing inside Bury market this morning for an interview with the BBC, the Chancellor appeared to get a bit confused as to where he actually was.
Referring to the “world-famous Burnley market” live on air, he appeared to mistake Bury with Burnley during the television interview – despite the Lancashire town being 20 miles away.
It seemed he mixed up the names of two towns, one in Greater Manchester and the other in Lancashire, whilst being interviewed by BBC Breakfast presenter Ben Thompson in Bury.
The error came after Mr Thompson told Mr Sunak he originated from the Lancashire town.
Answering a question that had been put to him about the Conservative party’s ‘levelling-up’ agenda, Mr Sunak said: “It is not just about being in the North by the way, we’re here in Burnley but if you are growing up in a village in the South West or even on the South Coast, people want to feel the opportunity is there for them, wherever they happen to be.
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“I put it down to two things.
“One is having pride in the place you call home and a lot of what we announced yesterday, the levelling-up fund – bids like Burnley market, world-famous Burnley market, benefiting from £20million of investment.
“That’s going to create jobs. It is about improving the everyday infrastructure of our communities.”
Mr Sunak was also put on the spot about his decision to cut air passenger duty (APD) for domestic flights in his Budget ahead of the COP26 Climate Summit in Glasgow – which is kicking off imminently as world leaders descend on Scotland for the world’s most important climate talks to date.
“Of course, it is right that we are consistent with our environmental goals so let me just talk a little about that.
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“Aviation in general only accounts for about 8% of our overall emissions, and of that 8% a fraction – just 4% or 5% – comes from domestic aviation, so it is a tiny part of our emissions.
“So, yes, we’re doing this to support domestic aviation, and regional airports will benefit from this, but we are also introducing a brand new band for ultra long-haul travel.
“Those who fly the furthest will pay the highest rates of APD, that’s consistent with our environmental objectives, that’s a new band that will come into force, and, actually, yesterday the independent watchdog said that our plans in the round will reduce carbon emission and move us further along the path to net zero.”
Featured Image – BBC
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People heading to university to be offered MenB vaccine following Kent outbreak
Emily Sergeant
Thousands of young people who are heading to university this year are to be offered a two-dose MenB vaccine following the outbreak in Kent earlier this year.
Launching ahead of the 2026 academic year, and particularly concentrated on universities – where prolonged contact in halls and at social events can increase the risk of contracting the disease – the Government has confirmed that thousands of young people across England will get protection against meningococcal B disease (MenB) through a one-off vaccination programme.
Meningococcal disease is life-threatening and can result in life-changing disabilities such as amputations, hearing loss, and brain damage, and in around 10% of cases, it is fatal.
The viruses and bacteria that cause meningitis can be spread through close contact with a person who has them – for example through kissing, or sharing drinks or vapes, or having close contact with the person for long periods of time.
The MenB outbreak in Kent earlier this year was the fastest growing and largest ever seen in the UK.
While the response to that incident has now concluded, the Government has conceded that there has been more clusters on MenB ‘than normal’ this year, and some of which have been bigger than expected.
We're launching a one-off MenB vaccination programme ahead of the next academic year to protect young people from a life-threatening disease.
This will help reduce the risk of serious illness and larger outbreaks. Two doses are needed for full protection.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) June 12, 2026
The UKHSA data shows that there were 313 confirmed cases of MenB in England during 2024/25, which accounts for approximately 83% of all invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases.
This one-off vaccination programme will help to protect those at highest immediate risk, while the Government aims to monitor and assess new evidence to determine whether there has been a change in the way MenB affects people and whether any further vaccine rollout response is required.
“The Kent outbreak and recent clusters indicate a possible change to the way MenB affects people,” explained Health Secretary, James Murray.
“While we assess the latest evidence, we are acting now to help protect young people at highest immediate risk as they enter university and residential colleges this autumn.
“By offering a two-doses of the jabs ahead of the academic year, we will help reduce the risk of serious illness and larger outbreaks of this horrendous disease.
“I urge all those students who are eligible to come forward for their two doses in July and August, to give them peace of mind as they head off to continue their studies.”
The one-off programme will make MenB vaccination available to people who complete year 13 of education in the summer of 2026, born between 1st September 2007 and 31st August 2008, as well as people under 25-years old starting university or moving into some residential further education settings for the first time in autumn 2026.
Featured Image – NappyStudio (via Unsplash)
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Girl, 14, charged with attempted murder after stabbing at Manchester high school
Emily Sergeant
A 14-year-old girl has been charged with three counts of attempted murder following a stabbing at a high school in Manchester earlier this week.
In case you need bringing up to speed, officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called to reports of a stabbing at a school on Plant Hill Road in Blackley – confirmed to be Co-op Academy Manchester – on Tuesday morning (9 June 2026), and when they arrived on the scene, they discovered that two students and a teacher had been injured.
A 14-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault, before being taken into custody for questioning.
It was confirmed yesterday by GMP that the girl had been detained under the Mental Health Act, but now, following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), she was charged yesterday evening (11 June) with three counts of attempted murder and two counts of possessing a bladed article on school premises.
The three people injured during the shocking incident earlier this week have now all been released from hospital after being assessed.
Due to circumstances surrounding the incident, the investigation was passed to Counter Terrorism Policing North West, although at this time, it has not been declared as a terrorist incident.
The girl is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court today (Friday 12 June).
Speaking following the charges, Detective Chief Superintendent Jonathan Chadwick, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North West, said: “These are extremely serious charges against a young girl and, working closely with Greater Manchester Police, we continue to support the victims and their families and offer support to the wider school community, who have been deeply affected by what happened.
“Although charges have now been secured, our investigation is still ongoing, and we continue to work with local policing colleagues in the Blackley area.”
Georgina Pellant -
28th October 2021 
