Britain faces potential new tariffs from the US unless it makes concessions on its digital services tax, prompting urgent trade talks aimed at averting serious economic repercussions.

The war remains on a knife-edge as uncertain ceasefire talks persist, with the aggressor’s contentious demands meeting strong resistance from Britain and its allies, who stand firmly with those defending their territory.

New checks on sick benefit claimants will be introduced under plans to reduce spending, although the most severely disabled may be exempt and additional support is proposed to help claimants return to work.

Politicians are clashing over proposals to tighten disability benefits, with warnings that claimants could be trapped in poverty and calls for tougher scrutiny of medical sign-offs.