Andy Burnham’s team has abandoned plans to build Number 10 North on a site linked to Man City’s owners, The i Paper understands.
The Prime Minister has come under fire for his comments about the cheating scandal engulfing the football club. He said he would be “concerned” if the club’s owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG), left the UK as a result, before backtracking to say nobody is “above the rules”.
Burnham was mayor of Greater Manchester between 2017 and 2026. During that period, the group invested tens of millions of pounds in the regeneration of the city that helped catapult Burnham into Downing Street.
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The councils where parents could get potty training support
Caption: Mother training her toddler to use the potty
Photographer: filadendron
Provider: Getty Images
Source: E+
More parents in England are set to receive extra support with toilet training their children before they start primary school.
Here’s what we know.
Potty pilot progress
A pilot, trialled by City of York Council, saw potty-training advice sent to 1,700 families alongside school place offer letters in April, followed by a reduction in the number of children starting reception without being toilet trained compared to last year.
(Photo: Ian West/PA Wire)
Children hardest hit by Covid restrictions have regressed in basic skills, Ofsted has said (Photo: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
A survey of teachers by charity Kindred Squared, which funded the pilot, suggested around one in four children who started reception in 2025 were not toilet trained.
More about the scheme
Workshops
Parent workshops and teacher training sessions were arranged to help with toilet training four-year-olds.
Community collaboration
Leaflets were provided to GPs surgeries and libraries to help encourage families, rather than blame them.
Results
There has been a 42 per cent decrease in the proportion of children starting school not toilet trained in York, the results from the pilot suggest.
‘Teachers losing a day a week’
Felicity Gillespie, chief executive of Kindred Squared, said parents and carers have been calling for “clear, concise, targeted advice” and that on average, teachers have been “losing the equivalent of a day a week of teaching time helping children who are not able to go to the toilet themselves”.
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Outnumbered
5 min read
More classroom time
I think the biggest impact for us has been that we don’t have to spend so much time changing children now.
Jo Mould, a teacher at Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy, one of 55 schools which took part in the pilot, said it allowed teachers to spend more time in the classroom.
‘At the beginning of September this year, my daughter started at her local state school, the result has, so far, surprised me’
(Photo: Giles Jenkyn)
Safeguarding measures mean it takes two members of staff to change a child’s nappy, which takes time away from other children.
Making a ‘real difference’
Toilet training can be one of the biggest milestones in a child’s early years, so it’s encouraging to see this pilot helping more children develop the confidence and independence they need before starting school. When children are supported to take these important steps early, it can make a real difference to how they settle in, make friends and start learning.
Paul Waugh, minister for early education
Ministers insist special schools will always play a vital role for children with complex needs (Photo: 10’000 Hours/Getty)
More to follow?
Some 20 councils in England are now looking at following the York pilot, including:
Suffolk
North Lincolnshire
Hampshire
Rotherham
Halton
London Borough of Redbridge and Solihull
news
Mortgage rates hit three-year high – here’s what to do
Mortgage rates are increasing as inflation is expected to stay higher for longer due to conflict in the Middle East (Photo: Getty)
Mortgage rates are at their highest since 2023, with just nine sub-5 per cent fixed deals available.
The average two-year rate has reached 5.98 per cent and the five-year rate 6 per cent – their highest levels since December and September 2023, respectively.
Iran war stokes inflation fears
The past month has seen major banks hike prices several times, as financial traders have begun to expect that inflation will stay higher for longer as a result of the US-Iran war. Barclays increased fixed rates on four occasions, while HSBC, Lloyds Bank, Nationwide, NatWest, Santander and TSB each made three rounds of increases.
Analysts have warned the Bank of England may have to raise its base rate above 4 per cent if energy prices remain high as a result of the war (Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
3 min read
Vanishing act for fixed deals
1,494
There were 1,494 sub-5 per cent fixed deals at the start of September.
However, 1,385 of these have since vanished, according to Moneyfacts.
Rachel Springall, finance expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said volatility has had a “brutal” impact on fixed mortgage rates.
Nick Mendes, of John Charcol brokers, added that further increases “are likely while markets stay this unsettled”.
Huge impact on households
Caption: Person working at a home desk checking a receipt while entering amounts on financial paperwork with a calculator. Household finance organization, annual filing documents, tax preparation materials and general personal budgeting content.
Photographer: portishead1
Provider: Getty Images
Source: E+
Borrowers coming off fixed rates face a significant jump in payments.
On a £250,000 mortgage with a 30-year repayment term, the difference between a five and six per cent rate is about £150 a month.
2 min read
If you have a mortgage expiring later this year…
Compare a wide range of lenders and banks – don’t settle for the one you’re currently with.
Consider speaking to a broker to help you, as these are professionals who often have access to deals you can’t find online directly.
Most lenders will let you lock in a rate several months before yours ends, help you avoid going on to a standard variable rate.
4 min read
What to do if you’re buying…
Nationwide’s rate reservation tool lets you book a rate for up to 90 days.
Aaron Strutt, of Trinity Financial, said Nationwide’s rate reservation tool offers an exception to the general rule that if you’re buying a home, you need the seller to accept your offer before you can submit a full mortgage application.
Experts say it is still worth considering other lenders, though, to find your best fit.
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New James Bond novel in the works from historian Dan Jones
(Photo: AP Photo/Sony Pictures).
Historian Dan Jones is set to pen a new James Bond novella as part of celebrations for the National Year of Reading.
The story was announced on 5 October, also known as James Bond Day as it was the date the first 007 film, Dr No, which premiered in 1962.
Out this year
Where and when?
The new story will see Bond in Sri Lanka, in 1954 as the British are leaving.
Galle is a highlight of the south coast (Photo: RooM RF/Getty Images)
Caption: Actor Sean Connery on set of the movie James Bond: Never Say Never Again, directed by Irvin Kershner. (Photo by Bob Penn/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images)
Photographer: Bob Penn
Provider: Bob Penn
Source: Sygma
Paying homage
The story, titled All In, will pay homage to Ian Fleming’s fourth Bond novel, Diamonds Are Forever, 70 years after it was first published.
Available soon
It will be published as a special edition via ianflemingshop.com on 3 December.
A James Bond-themed installation at London’s Burlington Arcade (Photo: David M. Benett/ Getty Images)
‘A pivotal moment in history’
Being asked to write a James Bond story is one of the greatest honours in contemporary fiction. I’m very excited to take Bond to Ceylon at such a pivotal moment in world history – and thrilled that Ian Fleming Publications are trusting me to pay tribute to Diamonds Are Forever, which is one of the great books in the Bond canon.
Dan Jones, historian and author
James Bond will be reboote with new stories set in a world of uncertain alliances, the spy’s publisher said (Photo: Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)
Fleming’s character lives on
Fleming wrote 12 Bond novels and two short-story collections between 1953 and his death in 1964. Numerous continuation authors have since added to the canon, most recently Charlie Higson with King Zero, released in September.
On the silver screen, there has been a long-running search for the next actor to play Bond since Daniel Craig’s departure.
Ian Fleming died in 1964, 12 years after completing the first Bond novel, Casino Royale (photo – Getty)
3 min read
YOUR NEXT READ
The five best history books of all time, according to Dan Jones
Dan Jones has spent much of his career bringing some of history’s most colourful characters and turbulent periods back to life. So, when Jones picks up a history book for pleasure, it has a high bar to clear.
BBC appoint Rachel Jupp as news and current affairs director
The BBC has appointed Rachel Jupp, its former director of documentaries and long-form journalism, as the corporation’s new director of news and current affairs.
It comes nearly a year after the previous chief, Deborah Turness, resigned following the fallout over how BBC Panorama edited a speech by Donald Trump.
Big Read
4 min read
Trump-Panorama controversy
The Panorama controversy that led to Turness’ resignation centred on a documentary about Trump’s role in the 6 January Capitol riot in 2021.
The documentary was accused of misleading viewers by splicing together parts of his speech delivered at different points. The row prompted a wider crisis over the BBC’s editorial standards.
2 min read
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‘An outstanding editorial leader’
Having joined the BBC in 2013, Jupp’s previous roles include editorial executive for BBC Content, editor of Panorama and deputy editor of Newsnight.
Jupp, whose new role starts this month, said she was “honoured” to “lead BBC News”. BBC director-general Matt Brittin described Jupp her as “an outstanding editorial leader”.
Caption: For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only
Undated BBC handout photo of Rachel Jupp who has ben appointed as the new director of news and current affairs for the BBC. Jupp, who is currently director of BBC News documentaries and longform journalism, will begin her new role next month. Issue date: Monday October 5, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: BBC/PA Wire
NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.
Photographer: BBC
Provider: BBC/PA Wire
Source: PA
Analysis
3 min read
Stepping in as redundancies loom
The BBC wants ministers to set a date to switch-off digital TV signals which are being used by fewer viewers in the streaming era (Getty)
Sweeping cuts
Jupp will have responsibility for a team of 4,500 people and will be paid a salary of £400,000.
Sweeping cuts
It comes as the BBC continues to make sweeping jobs cuts.
BBC staff on the picket line at Broadcasting House in central London, protestoing over changes to local radio programming. Journalists face interviews to keep their jobs (photo – PA)
The corporation is set to cut 2,000 jobs under a three-year savings plan (Photo: Jeff Overs/BBC News & Current Affairs via Getty Images)
Bid to save £500m
Between 1,800 and 2,000 jobs are set to be axed in an attempt to save £500m over two years amid “significant financial pressures”.
news
BT agrees deal to save TalkTalk from administration
TalkTalk internet went down for users in London on Thursday (Photo: Getty)
BT has agreed to buy TalkTalk’s consumer and wholesale businesses to save the company from collapse, ending months of speculation over the operator’s future.
Deal provides ‘safety net’ for millions
BT chief executive Alison Kirkby said the £400m deal provided “a safety net” not only for TalkTalk’s 2.5 million customers, but also the company’s 900 staff.
Virgin Media is experiencing issues with email connections (Photo: Getty)
The BT Tower in London (Photo: Jason Alden/Bloomberg)
However, rival operator Virgin Media has called the deal a “stitch up” which allows BT – the UK’s largest broadband provider – to “tighten its grip” over the market.
‘Unprecedented situation’
BT said it stepped in amid a “genuinely unprecedented situation”.
The Government said it took urgent action to intervene after TalkTalk had failed to find a buyer.
TalkTalk’s customers include vulnerable households, as well as connections that support critical national infrastructure providers across several sectors.
All prices and contracts will remain unaffected, and TalkTalk customers can continue to use all services as usual.
Takeover not yet approved
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) must approve the takeover, taking into account what would happen if TalkTalk was forced to exit the market. The regulator has until 19 October to deliver its verdict.
The Government has given itself the power to have the final say, though, citing TalkTalk’s importance to critical public services.
3 min read
‘Genuine risk to life’
Phone and broadband services are vital national infrastructure. If TalkTalk services fail, there is a genuine risk to life and public services – including to hospitals, schools and emergency care. These are unprecedented circumstances that require action now.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy
Caption: LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 30: Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy speaks on the final day of the Labour Party conference at Liverpool Experience Campus on September 30, 2026 in Liverpool, England. Labour leader and Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged to put Britain on a “new path” by rejecting 40 years of privatisation, austerity, and Brexit. In his speech at the Labour Party Conference yesterday, he promised to build an economy focused on the public interest by tackling youth unemployment and the cost-of-living crisis. Key proposals include removing VAT from electricity bills, introducing an NHS-style social care system, and launching a ??4 billion publicly owned Great British Grid to lower energy costs while expanding public control over water, housing, and utilities. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Photographer: Christopher Furlong
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe
Copyright: 2026 Getty Images
Caption:
Research Anti Plague Institute, Irkutsk, 664047, Russia
78 Trilisser Str.,
Research Antiplague Institute,
Irkutsk, 664047, Russia
Copyright: Google
HEALTH news
What to know amid Russian plague outbreak fears
A laboratory worker at an institute in Siberia dedicated to researching the plague has died of a mysterious illness, prompting
Russian authorities to impose “anti-epidemic measures” in the local area.
Here’s what we know so far…
‘Unknown origin’
Darya Shipilova was exposed to a pathogen after accidentally breaking a test tube at the Anti-Plague Research Institute in Shelekhov, local media reported.
Shipilova was hospitalised on 29 September with severe pneumonia of “unknown origin,” according to Rospotrebnadzor, Russia’s infectious disease agency.
She was placed on a ventilator but died shortly after.
3 min read
Three-week quarantine imposed
Hospitals close
Several hospitals in the city of Irkutsk have closed for a three-week quarantine, local outlet Lyudi Baikal reported.
A medical staff member in full PPE (Photo: Steve Parsons/ Getty)
Caption: SARS-COV-2 pcr diagnostics kit. Epidemiologist in protective suit, mask and glasses works with patient swabs to detect specific region of 2019-nCoV virus causing Covid-19 viral pneumonia
Photographer: Sebastian Condrea
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF
Medical isolation
About 200 people suspected of having direct or indirect contact with Shipilova are said to be in medical isolation.
Closely monitored
Over 100 individuals are being monitored in hospital wards.
Caption: TOPSHOT – Aleina (L) looks on as nurses tend to her baby Snizhana seconds after giving birth in the maternity ward while sirens announce air raids in Mykolaiv on 14 March 2022. – Almost half of the 49 women have had to give birth in the basement since 24 February. Mykola??v is the scene of violent clashes, as Russian troops want to break down this last lock before the large port of Odessa, 130 km further west on the Black Sea. (Photo by BULENT KILIC / AFP) (Photo by BULENT KILIC/AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: BULENT KILIC
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
White House monitoring situation
Irkutsk governor Igor Kobzev urged residents to remain calm, writing on Telegram that an anti-epidemic commission had met to address a “suspected case of a particularly dangerous infection”.
The White House is also monitoring the situation, a US official told Axios.
Caption: WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 20: The White House is seen from the South Lawn on September 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Supreme Court let construction resume on the ballroom on August 31 in a 5-4 ruling. The Trump administration has also built a new heli-pad on White House grounds and is moving forward with plans for a “triumphal arch”. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
Photographer: Samuel Corum
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images North America
Copyright: 2026 Getty Images
Analysis
3 min read
Criminal investigation opened
The Anti-Plague Institute is a major research and public health facility responsible for monitoring and preventing outbreaks of high-risk bacterial and viral infections across Siberia and Russia’s Far East. It employs around 95 researchers, per its website.
Russian law enforcement agencies have reportedly opened a criminal investigation into potential workplace health and safety violations resulting in the lab worker’s death.
2 min read
Dispatch
4 min read
No signs of ‘spread’
Kobzev said none of the deceased woman’s contacts were showing any signs of illness and testing had come back negative.
Gennady Onishchenko, a former head of Rospotrebnadzor, said on Friday the infection was “most likely not the plague, but even if confirmed, there will be no spread of this disease”.
Easily transferable
There are no plague outbreaks.
Alexei Tsydenov, head of the neighbouring republic of Buryatia, said the employee died “possibly from the plague” but noted that “there are no plague outbreaks” in Buryatia.
Pneumonic plague, one of the three types of plagues caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, can be transmitted between people through respiratory particles.
news
Andrew taking legal action over police search warrants
Caption: Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, younger brother of Britain???s King Charles, formerly known as Prince Andrew, leaves Aylsham Police Station on a vehicle, on the day he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, after the U.S. Justice Department released more records tied to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in Aylsham, Britain, February 19, 2026. REUTERS/Phil Noble
Photographer: Phil Noble
Provider: REUTERS
Source: REUTERS
Copyright: REUTERS
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is taking legal action against Thames Valley Police in a bid to quash search warrants which led to his arrest. Here’s what we know.
Police investigation
Mountbatten-Windsor has been accused of sharing sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein.
The former prince, who denies any wrongdoing, was detained on his 66th birthday in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
He was interviewed under caution and released under investigation after being held in custody for around 11 hours.
It came after emails appeared to show him sharing official documents with Epstein and others while serving as the UK’s trade envoy from 2001 to 2011.
Police searched Mountbatten-Windsor’s property at Marsh Farm in Sandringham and his former Windsor home, Royal Lodge, for days after his arrest.
Andrew requests judge examine lawfulness of search warrants
Thames Valley Police is continuing its investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor, who is now taking legal action against the force.
He has requested that a judge examine the lawfulness of the search warrants, which were issued by an Old Bailey judge.
Caption: LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Prince Andrew, The Duke of York arrives for the Requiem Mass service for the Duchess of Kent, at Westminster Cathedral on September 16, 2025 in London, England. Katharine, Duchess of Kent was married to Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, the first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. She died on September 4 at the age of 92 at Kensington Palace surrounded by her family. Having converted to Catholicism in 1994, her funeral takes place at Westminster Cathedral and is the first Catholic funeral to be held for a member of the royal family in modern British history. Her Royal Highness will be laid to rest at the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, Windsor. (Photo Aaron Chown – Pool/Getty Images)
Photographer: Pool
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe
Exclusive
6 min read
Hearing to begin this week
A hearing into Mountbatten-Windsor’s legal claim will take place at the High Court at 2pm on Thursday, a judicial spokesperson confirmed on Monday.
The spokesperson said it will feature a bid by Thames Valley Police to restrict access to court documents, with the hearing to begin in private.
Caption: Duke of York ( Prince Andrew ) interviewed by Emily Maitlis for BBC Newsnight about his friendships with Jeffrey Epstein
DM pic desk grab
Provider: BBC
Copyright: BBC NEWS
It is currently not known whether Andrew will attend the hearing.
First public pushback since arrest
Mountbatten-Windsor’s legal action against the police is his first public pushback against his arrest.
Mountbatten-Windsor has already been stripped of his home and titles by King Charles, after emails showed he continued his relationship with Epstein beyond when he publicly said such links had been severed.
2 min read
Explained
3 min read
The case has sparked renewed scrutiny of the UAE’s influence in Britain.
It was reported at the weekend that Manchester council signed a “sweetheart” deal with ADUG in 2015, which gave the City owners exclusive “first refusal” to develop any public land in a large area next to central Manchester.
The i Paper revealed how this included a former retail park in Ancoats which was being lined up as the long-term home of Number 10 North, Burnham’s flagship project to shift power and funding out of Whitehall and into local authorities.
A property source said they were astonished that Central Retail Park had been chosen by Burnham’s team, describing it as ‘the most controversial site in Manchester’.
The site was first purchased by Manchester council in 2017 for £42.35m. It is still believed to be the most expensive land purchase in the city’s history.
A rival developer has claimed the purchase was “unlawful” because of a lack of sufficient valuation reports, but the council deny this.
ADUG’s “sweetheart” deal expired in December 2025. The council has since sold half the 10.5 acre plot to the government, which has plans to build a “digital campus” for up to 9,000 civil servants.
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak (L) talks with Andy Burnham (Photo: Paul Ellis/AFP)
Shortly before Burnham became Prime Minister in July, Labour’s Deputy Leader and Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell confirmed reports the campus would now also include the “Number 10 North” outpost, writing on X that she was “delighted” with the decision.
However, after our story, a Downing Street source said the Ancoats site is no longer being considered.
The source said the decision was not due to the site’s historic links to Man City’s owners and that it had been made before the cheating scandal erupted.
A small team of staff are currently operating out of Heron House, an office building in Manchester’s Albert Square which was already occupied by the intelligence agency GCHQ.
It is understood a new location has been identified and details are expected to be confirmed soon.
It comes as Sir Richard Leese, the former Labour leader of Manchester council and Burnham’s former deputy, has defended ADUG’s dealings in the city and insisted that he believes Man City are innocent.
Speaking to the Observer, Leese, who led the council between 1996 and 2021 and remains the “honorary” president of Man City, said: “They are quite clear they are innocent and that they are going to prove it.”
He later told the Today programme: “I think you can’t go back in time and what has been created in Manchester City is phenomenal really.
“That has to be maintained in some way, whatever the final outcome of the allegations against them.”