Council tax bills in England are expected to increase by up to 5% next April, amid Tory warnings that local authorities face a £2.4 billion “black hole”.

An 18-year-old man accused of killing three young girls in a knife attack at a dance class in Southport and producing the deadly toxin ricin will go on trial next year.

Shadow equalities minister Claire Coutinho has pressed the Government to clarify the definition of sex. Equalities minister Bridget Phillipson said it was “important that providers have clarity in ...