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Keir Starmer marked a significant milestone Wednesday with his first PMQs as Prime Minister, and the first for a Labour leader in over a decade. Here are some key takeaways: - The tone was notably more amicable than in past sessions. The leader of the opposition, Rishi Sunak, even made a self-deprecating joke, saying Team GB wouldn't want his advice on "how to win." - Sunak focused his questions on national security, an area where both Conservatives and Labour show strong support, particularly for Ukraine. - When Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for more support for carers, Starmer commended Davey as a "tireless campaigner" for carers' rights. - The SNP's Stephen Flynn adopted a more confrontational approach, criticizing the prime minister over the two-child benefit cap. - Several new faces appeared in the Commons. Questions came from Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay and Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe, while Reform leader Nigel Farage observed the proceedings. This PMQs session highlighted a mix of unity and contention as new leaders and members engaged in the debate.

Sir Keir Starmer has suspended seven Labour MPs for six months after they voted to scrap the two-child benefit cap, opposing the government. The MPs—Richard Burgon, John McDonnell, Imran Hussain, Apsana Begum, Zarah Sultana, Rebecca Long-Bailey, and Ian Byrne—joined forces with Liberal Democrats, Green Party, Plaid Cymru, the SDLP, the Alliance Party, and independent MPs like Jeremy Corbyn to support an SNP amendment to the King's Speech. Starmer's decisive action underscores his demand for loyalty within the party. Despite a majority of over 174, he quashed the rebellion with a 363 to 103 vote. Rumors of threatened suspensions before the vote quelled a potentially larger revolt. Ms. Sultana, upon her suspension, voiced her commitment to aiding vulnerable children. Another Labour MP who voted with the government expressed confidence in its commitment to reducing child poverty. The two-child benefit cap, introduced by George Osborne in 2015, restricts Universal Credit or child tax credits for families with more than two children. The policy has been linked to increasing child poverty. Although Starmer previously advocated for its removal, he reversed his stance due to financial concerns. Scrapping the cap is estimated to cost around £3 billion.

Evangelicals have downplayed the commissioning of 20 “overseers” to provide pastoral support to those opposing same-sex blessings in the Church of England. The Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) organized this alternative spiritual oversight. Among the commissioned overseers is former Bishop of Willesden, Rt Revd Pete Broadbent, who emphasized their role as senior friends offering advice and prayers, not as substitutes for bishops. The initiative aims to help Evangelicals considering leaving the Church of England to stay. The Bishop of Leicester, Rt Revd Martyn Snow, and Rt Revd Henry Scriven both described the move as a supportive structure rather than a significant departure from Church norms. The commissioning liturgy clarified that it was not an ordination or consecration. Overseers were selected through interviews and references, underwent safeguarding checks, and were asked to commit to teaching faithfully and respecting Church discipline. Only two of the 20 overseers are women, reflecting the CEEC's commitment to diverse evangelical traditions. This move follows the General Synod’s vote to allow blessings for same-sex couples, which the CEEC regards as a watershed moment, necessitating a structurally secure space for Evangelical clergy and congregations.

Market expectations for an August interest rate cut diverge from economists' predictions. A Reuters poll of economists indicates that the Bank of England is expected to cut interest rates next week for the first time in over four years. Most economists surveyed—over 80%—anticipate the rate will drop to 5% from the current 5.25%, which is the highest it has been in over 15 years following 14 consecutive hikes. However, market sentiment is less certain. A slight majority (54%) believe rates will be held steady, while 46% anticipate a cut. Earlier predictions were more confident about a rate reduction, with 97% of economists in a June poll expecting a cut before the latest inflation data was released. The anticipated rate cut would make borrowing cheaper, as evidenced by Nationwide offering a five-year fixed-rate mortgage deal at less than 4%. The last interest rate cut occurred in March 2020 during the onset of COVID-19 in the UK. The Bank of England has maintained higher rates to combat inflation, aiming to bring it down to 2%. Despite recent drops in inflation, rates have remained at 5.25%.

Following their success in the Euros, coming in  second, it is encouraging to know that several members of the England football team openly share their Christian faith, crediting it for their personal and professional success. Ivan Toney prays before each match and has Christian tattoos, viewing his faith as a source of strength and redemption. Eberechi Eze places God at the centre of his life, finding perspective and resilience through his beliefs, especially during injuries. Bukayo Saka reads his Bible every night, trusting in God's plan, which bolsters his confidence on the pitch. Marc Guéhi prays before games, aiming to showcase God's glory through his actions both on and off the field. Their faith plays a significant role in their lives, enhancing their performance and providing a strong foundation for overcoming life's challenges.

Chris, known at Speaker’s Corner as ‘The Iceman’, once struggled as a 13-year-old indulging in heavy drinking. Raised agnostic, he followed friends into dangerous behaviour, leading to alcohol abuse and deep depression. By 14, his drinking got so bad that once he passed out and was carried home. His relationships deteriorated, and he became isolated and suicidal. At 17, recalling his childhood happiness tied to his belief in God, he prayed for help, experiencing a profound sense of divine love. Embracing Christianity, Chris transformed his life, cutting ties with negative influences and diving into apologetics. He improved his relationships with his family and joined the Christian Union in college, where he found a supportive community. He now debates Muslims at Speaker's Corner, sharing his journey from despair to faith and purpose. His story is a testament to the transformative power of faith and the impact of a supportive community in overcoming personal struggles.

King Charles has outlined the new Labour government's law-making agenda in his speech to Parliament, presenting 39 bills for the upcoming session. These include: Planning and Infrastructure Bill, to streamline approval for critical infrastructure. Renters' Rights Bill, to ban no-fault evictions. Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill, to curb ground rent and ban forfeiture over small debts. Energy and Infrastructure Bill, to regulate water companies. Transport Bill, to renationalise rail services. Crime and Borders Bill, to enhance police powers and enact Martyn's Law for terrorism protection. Migration Bill, to use counter-terror powers against smuggling gangs. Employment and Equality Bill, to ban exploitative contracts and expand equal pay claims. Health and Education Bill, to introduce gradual smoking bans, tighten mental health care, and promote children's well-being. Technology Bill, to regulate digital IDs and cybersecurity. Constitutional Measures, to phase out hereditary peers and extend female bishops' presence. Tax and Spending Bill, to update pension schemes. Other bills include football governance and armed forces commissioner legislation.

Jay Slater's body was discovered near Masca, Tenerife, after nearly a month of searching. His mother, Debbie Duncan, is appealing for more donations on GoFundMe to repatriate his body and cover funeral expenses, aiming for £60,000. She expressed gratitude for the support received and thanked the Dutch search team, Signi Zoekhondon, and LBT Global for their assistance. Spanish authorities believe Jay's death resulted from a fall in the rocky area. Debbie wants to give Jay the funeral he deserves, so continues to seek contributions and support during this difficult time.

Wales' first minister Vaughan Gething has announced his resignation just four months after taking office. This decision follows the resignation of three government ministers and his top legal adviser, who called for his departure due to ongoing controversies. Gething has faced scrutiny over a £200,000 campaign donation from a convicted businessman. In his resignation statement, he denied any wrongdoing and lamented the loss of the burden of proof in politics. Sir Keir Starmer thanked Gething for his service, acknowledging the difficulty of his decision. Plaid Cymru called for a snap election; Labour holds 30 of the 60 Senedd seats, so requires support from opposition to govern. Gething was the first black leader of a national government in Europe. His brief tenure was marked by internal conflict and external controversies, ultimately leading to his resignation.

Labour has admitted that Britain is facing a small-boat crisis in the Channel, just days after scrapping the Tories' Rwanda deportation scheme. 427 people made the crossing on Monday, bringing the total since Labour took power to 1,185. Home secretary Yvette Cooper noted that small-boat crossings were at a record high and indicated a challenging summer ahead. The Conservatives argue that Labour's approach relies too heavily on European cooperation and lacks effective deterrents. Instead, Starmer plans to establish a 1,000-strong immigration task force as part of a new Border Security Command, to address people-smuggling. Migration will be a key topic at the upcoming European Political Community summit, where Starmer aims to build support for his new strategy. Critics warn that Labour's policies could lead to increased illegal arrivals and costs for taxpayers.