"How anyone clings to the notion that a system which delivers, so consistently, majority Conservative governments on a minority of the votes cast is best for working people simply baffles me," Labour's Mark Drakeford said.

"Oo check it out, my concrete plants have shot up over the summer! Trick is: plenty of sunlight, not too much water."

Heavy downpours in Cumbria could make it difficult for some to reach COP26.

“Now we need to speak the language of force because, unfortunately, that seems to be the only thing this British Government understands," said Clement Beaune.

The Daily Express, the Daily Mail and The Telegraph all put a positive spin on the Tories' Budget announcement to mask the biggest tax increase in decades.

The government had promised to match lost EU funding for deprived areas - but Rishi Sunak had other ideas.

By contrast, Scottish Water - which is publicly owned - has invested nearly 35 per cent more per household in infrastructure than the privatised English firms, charging 14 per cent less and not paying out dividends.

"You say that we have to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions and yet presumably you breathe it out every day."

Biersuppe (Beer Soup) A soup flavoured with beer, stock and cream, topped with ham and cheese gougères. BlenderStand mixer with paddle attachment (recommended but not essential) 30 g butter4 shallots (peeled and chopped)120 g breadcrumbs500 ml good-quality beer (such as lager or wheat beer)750 ml chicken stock1 tbsp brown sugar3 ...