Burnham urged to rule out welfare cuts to fill £5bn defence black hole

Plus: Harry Kane inspires thrilling England World Cup comeback

Thursday, July 2, 2026 Good morning and welcome to your daily news briefing from The Independent   Andy Burnham is under pressure to rule out using welfare cuts to fill the £4.7bn black hole in the defence spending plan, Harry Kane’s double lifted England past DR Congo, and two police officers involved in the arrest of Henry Nowak are being investigated for potential gross misconduct. Top stories 1 | Burnham urged to rule out welfare cuts to fill £5bn defence black hole Read more 2 | Harry Kane inspires thrilling England World Cup comeback Read more 3 | Police watchdog investigates Henry Nowak’s arresting officers for gross misconduct Read more 4 | June was the hottest on record for England, says Met Office Read more 5 | Two people killed after plane crashes into field Read more Read deeper Women relying on just midwives aren’t safe giving birth in the UK How weight loss drugs are affecting Serena Williams’s Wimbledon game We’ll all pay the price for Donald Trump’s crypto windfall Keir Starmer is trying to blow up Andy Burnham before he’s even begun Football not Farage: The Gen Z England fans reclaiming the flag Your Views Your Views ‘It’s not the schools’: Readers on working-class pupils falling behind A major report into white working-class educational outcomes has sparked passionate debate among our community on everything from the role of parents and poverty to whether schools are too focused on academic success. Share your opinion and read the full debate here.   I teach at university, but it has always amazed me that there is no comparable route for people wanting to become qualified in trades. It is an enduring class prejudice that regards ‘academic’ achievements as more significant and refined than skill or craft accomplishment, and those who achieve them as more intelligent.   Elizabethz   WATCH  Suspected drink driver busted after returning to scene of the crime in tractor STAT OF THE DAY 13 Goals scored by Harry Kane across three World Cups, taking him ahead of Pele and level with French legend Just Fontaine. Read more QUOTE OF THE DAY “We are one of the most over-centralised countries in the developed world. Too many decisions affecting the many are made by too few.” Angela Rayner has launched her pitch to lead Andy Burnham’s devolution revolution. Read more Today's top deals Jetting off? There's up to 40% off premium luggage in the Antler sale.   Refresh your summer socks for less at Peper Harow with discount code SAVE15. Other stories you might like Kane justifies Tuchel decision but England have big World Cup problems Keir Starmer is trying to blow up Andy Burnham before he’s even begun ⁠So long, London: Taylor Swift’s forgotten English chapter Why Andy Burnham might not be ready for No 10 On what would be his third attempt at the Labour leadership, Burnham could be prime minister by mid-July – and the UK’s seventh in ten years. But with the clock already ticking, is his team prepared for power? Why Andy Burnham might not be ready for No 10 On what would be his third attempt at the Labour leadership, Burnham could be prime minister by mid-July – and the UK’s seventh in ten years. But with the clock already ticking, is his team prepared for power? LISTEN NOW Join the conversation and follow us Download our apps: Please do not reply directly to this email   You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Evening Headlines newsletter.   To unsubscribe from The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our privacy policy and cookie policy