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This Phone Charger Mistake Can Ruin Your Sleep In A Heatwave

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As the third heatwave of the year begins in earnest, I’ve started to dread the night.

Like most of us, I find that boiling temperatures ruin my sleep.

Speaking to HuffPost UK, Dr Seeta Shah from PANDA London previously said that going to bed half an hour later might help you get some shut-eye (a 2012 paper found that heat affects slow-wave and rapid eye movement sleep, meaning the natural cycles you’re meant to go through when asleep are interrupted).

But the British Red Cross advised doing something a little simpler to control the temperature in your room at night.

Unplugging your electronics might reduce heat

The organisation suggested sleeping on the lower floors in your home, as heat rises, as well as staying hydrated and using some thin, breathable bedding.

So far, so predictable.

But I was surprised to read that “even when in standby mode, electrical items can generate heat”.

The British Red Cross therefore suggested switching them off entirely at night.

“Make sure any in the bedroom are turned off and unplugged,” the site said.

Speaking to Ideal Home, David Rees, an appliances expert from HomeSupply, explained that phone and headphone chargers might pose a particularly toasty risk.

These can “seriously overheat and use a lot of excess energy in the summer if not unplugged,” he warned, suggesting we power our devices “throughout the day, so that they can be unplugged as soon as they are fully charged… this will help to save money and prevent overheating in summer”.

Are there any other ways to keep cool?

Wearing cool socks, donning loose-fitting pyjamas, and maintaining a wind-down bedtime routine can all help, the Red Cross said.

“Many take a cold shower before bed in hot weather, but a shockingly cold shower can actually raise core body temperature as your body works to counteract the sudden cold,” Dr Shah warned.
Closing your windows and curtains or blinds at the hottest parts of the day, and opening them in the evening or early morning can help to keep your home cooler, too.
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I Love ‘Fibremaxxing’ – But Does A Dietitian Think It’s A Good Idea?

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You probably shouldn’t stick to the social media-beloved carnivore diet, heart health experts say – it may end up raising your “bad” LDL cholesterol.

But what about “fibremaxxing,” a recent TikTok obsession which sees some creators eat more fibre in their breakfast than most people eat in an entire day?

I’ve been on the fibre bandwagon for a long time. It’s linked to lower bowel cancer, dementia, and heart disease risk, but 90% of us fail to hit the recommended 30g a day.

Those stats have encouraged me to get 24g of the nutrient in before dinner and devise a breakfast recipe that contains half your daily intake (I suppose I, too, am a fibremaxxer).

Am I in the right, though? Though many of us lack the crucial carb, can “fibremaxxing” go too far?

My "fibremaxxed" breakfast

Amy Glover / HuffPost UK

My “fibremaxxed” breakfast

Most of us really could benefit from “fibremaxxing”

Registered dietitian Brea Lofton from Lumen shared that “most adults in Western countries really consume far less fibre than the general recommendation.”

On average, she said, adults hit 20-15g a day (as little as half the recommended amount).

“The gap in fibre can contribute to higher risks of cardiometabolic diseases, like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and even heart disease,” the dietitian added.

Oats, brown rice, legumes, beans, wholegrain versions of foods like pasta and bread, and fruits and veggies can all provide a fibre boost.

But the expert gave a word of caution; you should up your intake slowly, particularly if you didn’t eat much fibre before “maxxing” it.

Too much too soon can lead to “bloating, gas, cramping, constipation or diarrhoea, and nutrient malabsorption,” Lofton said.

“Diarrhoea and constipation can occur depending on the type of fibre, in addition to how much water an individual is drinking, and malabsorption can occur when consuming excessive amounts of fibre over a significant span of time.”

This might be especially noticeable for those boosting their fibre through fortified food or supplements, which she suggested “may not provide the same microbial benefits as whole foods.”

Upping your fibre isn’t for everyone, either

Though in general, more of us should eat more fibre, Lofton stated that older people, those with IBS, people in the post-surgery period, and chronically ill individuals might want to consult a doctor before eating more fibre.

Feelings of fullness when you haven’t eaten much, a bloated, gassy, or “upset” stomach can all reveal you’re doing too much, too soon.

This happens because “the extra bulk and water absorption properties of fibre can cause intestinal muscles to contract more than usual, sometimes leading to cramping or discomfort,” regardless of your health status.

“The overall message is that fibre is foundational, but more isn’t always better,” Lofton concluded.

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Emmanuel Macron Blames Brexiteers For Small Boats Crisis After Striking Migrant Deal With Starmer

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Emmanuel Macron has blamed Brexiteers for the small boats crisis as he agreed a “groundbreaking” migrant returns deal with Keir Starmer in a bid to solve the issue.

The French president said British voters had been “sold a lie” before the EU referendum in 2016.

He made his comments at a press conference marking the end of his three-day state visit to the UK.

Starmer had earlier announced a “one in one out” agreement which will see illegal immigrants who arrive in Dover in small boats being detained and then returned to France.

In return, the UK will accept the same number of immigrants whose asylum claims have been processed in France.

The PM hopes that the scheme will act as a deterrent to stop asylum seekers making the perilous journey across the Channel.

An initial pilot scheme will start within weeks and will initially see 50 migrants per week being sent to France.

However, that is only one in 17 of the total number who cross the Channel.

The prime minister said: “There is no silver bullet here, but with a united effort, new tactics and a new level of intent, we can finally turn the tables.”

But Macron – a fierce critic of Brexit – used the press conference to launch an outspoken attack on those who had campaigned for the UK to leave the EU with promises that it would lead to a fall in immigration.

He said: “Since Brexit, and I’m saying all this quite honestly – I know this is not your case prime minister – but many people in your country explained that Brexit would make it possible to fight more effectively against illegal immigration, but since Brexit the UK has no migratory agreement with the EU.”

Macron said that meant those crossing the Channel know that they will not automatically be returned to France.

He added: “That makes an incentive to make the crossing, precisely the opposite of what the Brexiters promised.”

The French president later said the British people were “sold a lie…which is that the problem was Europe, but the problem has become Brexit”.

In a speech at the Guildhall in London on Wednesday night, Macron said that the UK was “stronger in the European Union”.

He said: “I am not totally convinced that both the European Union and France and the UK are in the best possible position today.

“I am very respectful for the voice of the people and the choice your country made nine years ago, and I’m lucid about the solemnity of the state visit being the first one of a European head of state post-Brexit.

“But I have to say the European Union was stronger with you and you were stronger with the European Union.”

Reacting to the UK-France migrant deal, shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: “Labour’s deal will only return one in every 17 illegal immigrants arriving.

“Allowing 94% of illegal immigrants to stay will make no difference whatsoever and have no deterrent effect.

“This is the latest catastrophic example that when Labour negotiates, the UK loses.”

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MPs Have Passed Labour’s Welfare Bill – But There Is Trouble Ahead For Keir Starmer

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Keir Starmer spent this afternoon in his happy place, rubbing shoulders with Emmanuel Macron and playing the global statesman.

The pair held talks in 10 Downing Street as the French president’s three-day state visit to the UK continued.

Among the topics discussed were how both governments can work together to end the small boats crisis, support Ukraine and increase bilateral trade and investment.

Starmer positively beamed as he stood on the steps of No.10 alongside Macron and the pair’s wives.

However, the PM was brought back to earth with a thump later in the day.

Although MPs comfortably passed the government’s Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments Bill by 336 votes to 242, dozens of Labour backbenchers thumbed their nose at the prime minister.

Some 47 voted against the legislation, with a further 14 abstaining.

That is despite Starmer making a series of concessions which mean the bill itself bears little resemblance to what it did originally.

Plans to make it harder to claim Personal Independence Payments (PIP) have been kicked into the long grass, a move which removed almost all of the £5 billion of savings the bill was meant to deliver.

Nevertheless, Labour rebels remain unhappy at cuts to the health element of universal credit – and were willing to defy their leader and the party whips in order to register their unhappiness.

Keir Starmer and wife Victoria welcome French president Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte to 10 Downing Street.
Keir Starmer and wife Victoria welcome French president Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte to 10 Downing Street.

via Associated Press

And while Starmer’s 165-seat Commons majority meant he ultimately prevailed on this occasion, that may not always be the case.

The rebels have set their sights on the removal of the two-child benefit cap, while government plans to slash the amount of money spent on helping children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) will also be hugely controversial.

A No.10 insider admitted to HuffPost UK that “the handling of the welfare stuff was bad”, but insisted lessons would be learned for future votes.

But he added: “In reality, we don’t have a majority of 165. We’re never going to win over the socialist campaign group who just don’t like Keir, and those sitting on very small majorities are difficult to whip as well.

“But there will be others among the welfare rebels who we can get back on board with a decent handling plan.”

After just a year as PM, Keir Starmer already finds himself at odds with a significant chunk of his own MPs.

The bad news for him is that things are unlikely to get any easier from now on.

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Here’s Why You Should Place A Torch In Your Fridge This Week

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Bad news for fellow heatwave haters, especially in the south and east of the UK – “hot spells remain possible” this month, the Met Office says.

The BBC has predicted temperatures as high as 31C in parts of the country this Sunday, July 13.

And according to appliance repair company Atomic Tech, that can spell bad news for your fridge (and the food in it).

“Refrigerators are sensitive to heat and may struggle to cool if they are in an environment too hot (or too cold),” they wrote.

That’s why it’s important, they shared, to “keep the doors closed and ensure the gaskets seal completely… to maintain a consistent temperature inside.”

But gasket issues (problems with the accordion-like rubber seal that closes your fridge door) can be hard to spot – unless, of course, you own a torch.

How can a torch help me to spot issues with my fridge door’s seal?

According to House Digest, placing a lit torch (or your phone’s flashlight) in the fridge and then closing the door can reveal any seal issues.

Place the light facing out.

If any light seeps through the gasket, the seal isn’t as tight as it needs to be.

That means air is escaping your fridge, making it harder to keep your food cool.

It could even raise your electricity bill as your appliance struggles to circulate cooling air around your food, the publication says.

It helps if you do this earlier or later in the day, when it’s darker in your kitchen.

Keep other lights off to make the beams easier to spot.

You can also use a sheet of paper or a pound note

Per appliance services company Bodewell, another way to test your fridge’s seal is with a pound note or a sheet of paper.

Shut your fridge’s door on the sheet or note.

Then, try to pull it out.

“You should feel some tension as you do so; if not, the gasket may be weak or broken at this point,” the experts advised.

“Repeat this test around the whole of the gasket’s length.”

If you suspect you’ve got issues with your fridge’s seal, it may be time to buy a new gasket.

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Keir Starmer And Rachel Reeves Could Be Preparing For Their Biggest U-Turn Yet. Here’s Why

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Rachel Reeves could not have been clearer as she delivered her first Budget last October.

The chancellor told MPs that she had considered whether or not to maintain the freeze on income tax and National Insurance thresholds, which were brought in by the Tories and are due to stay in place until 2029.

The effect of the policy is to drag millions of workers into higher tax bands when their pay goes up, raising tens of billions of pounds for the Treasury in the process.

But critics say this is a stealth tax, a sneaky way of giving the chancellor more money to spend without having to increase the rate of income tax or National Insurance.

Delivering her Budget, Reeves told the Commons that under Labour, this practice would end.

“Extending their threshold freeze for a further two years raises billions of pounds,” she said.

“Money to deal with the black hole in our public finances, and repair our public services.

“Having considered this issue closely, I have come to the conclusion that extending the threshold freeze would hurt working people. It would take money out of their payslips.

“I am keeping every single promise on tax that I made in our manifesto. So there will be no extension of the freeze in income tax and National Insurance thresholds beyond the decisions of the previous government.

“From 2028/29, personal tax thresholds will be uprated in line with inflation once again.”

But with the chancellor struggling to balance the nation’s books, all the signs are that she is set to recant on her previous position when she delivers her next Budget in the autumn.

At prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch asked Keir Starmer if he stood by Labour’s election manifesto pledge not to put up income tax, VAT or National Insurance.

The PM delivered a one word answer: “Yes.”

But when Badenoch asked the prime minister if Reeves stood by her promise to lift the freeze on income tax thresholds, he was much more equivocal.

“We are absolutely fixed on our fiscal rules, we remain committed to them,” Starmer said, completely dodging the question.

“We remain committed to our Budget, to our manifesto commitments.”

Badenoch replied: “The whole House would have heard him fail to rule out freezing tax thresholds. He could say with the first question, he could promise, but he couldn’t this time round.”

She said maintaining the freeze meant “millions of our poorest pensioners face being dragged into income tax for the first time ever”.

Once again, Starmer failed to rule out maintaining the Tory threshold freeze, saying once again: “We will stick to our manifesto commitments, we will stick to our fiscal rules.”

Speaking to journalists afterwards, the prime minister’s spokesman repeatedly refused to say whether Reeves stands by her commitment to end the freeze.

Of course, performing an embarrassing U-turn would not be a new experience for the PM, who has turned it into something of an art form thanks to climbdowns on, among other things, winter fuel payments and welfare cuts – decisions which have left Reeves needing to urgently raise more funds.

Voters tend to be forgiving of politicians who actually change their minds when the tide turns against them.

But they may be less patient when the U-turn in question ends up hitting them in the pocket.

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Vast Majority Of Brits Back A Wealth Tax On The Super-Rich, Poll Reveals

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The vast majority of UK voters back a wealth tax on the super-rich, a new poll has revealed.

According to the YouGov survey, 75% of Brits want to see a 2% charge on those worth more than £10 million.

Pressure of growing on chancellor Rachel Reeves to introduce a wealth tax in the Budget as she tries to plug another multi-billion pound hole in the nation’s finances.

Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock threw his weight behind the calls at the weekend.

He told Sky News: “This is a country which is very substantially fed up with the fact that whatever happens in the world, whatever happens in the UK, the same interests come out on top, unscathed all the time, while everybody else is paying more for gutted services.”

The YouGov poll found that 49% of people “strongly support” a wealth tax, with a further 26% saying they “somewhat support” it.

Only 13% say they oppose it, with 12% saying they don’t know.

According to separate research by the More in Common think-tank, a wealth tax would be the most popular tax policy the government could introduce.

But critics say the policy has never worked in other countries where it has been tried, mainly because the super-rich are highly mobile and simply move elsewhere in order to avoid it.

Reeves has previously ruled out a wealth tax, but No.10 failed to stamp out the speculation on Monday.

A spokesman for the prime minister said: “We have repeatedly said that those with the broadest shoulders should carry the greatest burden and the choices we’ve made reflect that.

“The top 1% of taxpayers contribute nearly a third of income tax.

“Revenue from wealth and asset taxes like capital gains tax and inheritance tax go towards funding tens of billions of pounds for the public services.

“The government is committed to ensuring that the wealthiest in our society pay their fair share of tax.”

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‘I Hated School, I Struggled With All Of It – Until I Had This Diagnosis’

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A young entrepreneur who “hated” school because of an undiagnosed learning disability has opened up about his experience in a bid to raise awareness among parents and teachers.

“I hated school. I thought I was just thick,” said Jamie Wace, from Devon. “I had siblings who were academic, but for me; reading, spelling, and working memory – I struggled with all of it.”

When Jamie was 13, a teacher noticed something “wasn’t quite right” with his school learning. Shortly after, his parents took him for a private assessment and he was diagnosed with dyslexia, a neurological difference which primarily affects reading and writing skills.

After the diagnosis, Jamie was able to adjust his way of learning at school. “My working memory is terrible, and I used to think that was just because I was stupid,” he recalled.

“Now I know that it’s a proper issue, and as a result, I was an avid notetaker at school after I knew this and I think that changed massively for me. I also just like was a bit less harsh on myself when I didn’t get something the first time.

“I was given extra time in exams, which was really helpful, but the main thing was discovering the things I could do well myself, as it is different for everyone.”

Prior to his diagnosis, Jamie said he had been in the bottom sets in classes at school, with predicted grades of Ds and Cs.

But after his diagnosis, his grades soared, with Jamie joining the top sets in all his classes within a year, and going on to achieve As and A*s in his exams.

“I was super lucky that my parents were able to take me for a private assessment,” Jamie recalled.

“I have no idea how long I could have been waiting to be tested via the local authority, and because I was 13, the waits could have meant some big impacts for my GCSEs.”

He’s now using his experience to help other children

Jamie, who is 30, is on a mission to screen one million children across the UK for dyslexia.

He co-founded Talamo, alongside Leo Thornton and Sophie Dick, in 2022. The online screening tool offers schools a way to screen classes quickly and affordably, costing roughly £12 per child.

The tool asks children aged 7-16 years old a number of questions and then offers a report providing a scale of how likely they are to have dyslexia, their strengths, as well as areas where they might need more support – and how teachers and parents can offer that support.

It is 95% accurate, according to the Talamo website – last September, just 10 schools were using it. Fast forward to today and 300 are. Parents can also pay for a online screening test for £69 which culminates in an action plan of next steps for their child at home and school.

It’s worth noting this isn’t a formal dyslexia assessment, nor can it provide a diagnosis. Private dyslexia assessments can typically cost £350 and over depending on the provider. The British Dyslexia Association says the cost of an assessment with a specialist teacher is £690 and an assessment with a psychologist is £882, for example.

But the online screening tool could help parents decide whether they should seek (and pay for) a full diagnosis – especially as waiting times can vary, depending on where you’re based and whether you opt for face-to-face or a remote assessment. Even the NHS’s website acknowledges diagnosis to be a “time consuming and frustrating process”.

“I don’t want other children to feel this way,” said Jamie, discussing how growing up he struggled with “mental fatigue and self-doubt” because of his undiagnosed learning difficulty.

“Understanding how my brain worked gave me the confidence to study in a way that suited me, and that changed everything. I knew I wasn’t stupid, I just learn things differently,” he added. “It set me on a path to earning two degrees and even learning Mandarin.”

Research has found as many as 80% of dyslexics leave school undiagnosed. As Kate Griggs, founder of Made By Dyslexia, previously wrote in an op-ed on HuffPost UK: “It means many children and their parents are left to muddle through, not knowing why their children are struggling and without their amazing potential being recognised.”

Symptoms of dyslexia can be subtle

In young children, it can manifest as slow speech development, muddling words up, showing no interest in letters or words, and difficulty learning to sing or recite the alphabet, according to the British Dyslexia Association.

In primary school, it can look like slow spoken or written language, difficulty concentrating and forgetting words. They might spell a word several different ways in a piece of writing, or use unusual sequencing of letters or words. And at secondary school level, pupils with dyslexia might have difficulty with punctuation and grammar, confuse upper and lower case letters, and have difficulty note-taking in class.

“There isn’t one simple checklist to notice the signs, and it can be subtle or less obvious in younger children, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there,” said Jamie.

“Dyslexia doesn’t mean you’re less intelligent, it just means your brain works differently. But too many kids are told they’re lazy or slow, when really they just need the right support.”

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I Thought My Body Was ‘OK’ After Having 2 Kids – Then I Went For A Mummy MOT

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“I want you to squeeze 30%, then 60% and then 90% when I tell you to, OK?” said the physiotherapist, referring to my pelvic floor muscles.

“OK,” I replied, feeling a little overwhelmed. I’d walked into this appointment completely unsure of whether I knew how to do a kegel properly. Thankfully, we swiftly established that I could.

I focused as hard as I could and slowly, carefully clenched my pelvic floor muscles. I squeezed a little, then some more, and then as much as possible.

“Good,” said physiotherapist Maria Elliott. She then proceeded to tell me I was doing it properly, and my muscles were working well, but the muscle was weaker at the back than at the front.

This, she explained, is likely why I’m having occasional trouble with bladder control.

Don’t get me wrong, I can (usually) cough and sneeze and not have any problems. But ever since having two kids, if I’m physically sick, the evacuation of my stomach is usually accompanied by an evacuation of my bladder. Not ideal.

Maria Elliott founded The Mummy MOT in 2015. The specialist postnatal examination, for those who’ve had either vaginal or C-section deliveries, assesses how posture, pelvic floor muscles, and stomach muscles are recovering after childbirth.

The physiotherapist has since gone on to train around 900 practitioners so they can deliver the same service to new parents across the UK.

While I was lucky enough to attend a session with Maria for free for the purpose of understanding how they work, in central London, an hour-long consultation costs around £150 (the same price as a cut and colour at the hairdresser’s), while follow up sessions can be £200 each.

During pregnancy, it’s normal to attend multiple antenatal appointments (roughly seven to 10 depending on whether it’s your first baby or not), but once that baby is born, new mums can often feel like they’re left in the lurch.

Bar a few midwife and health visitor check-ups in the weeks after birth (usually focusing on your baby), a GP appointment at 6-8 weeks postpartum is pretty much all you get – and even that is tacked onto the baby check-up, so if the appointment runs over, you’re left with approximately five minutes to explain where your head, and body, is at.

And let’s face it, at almost eight weeks postpartum, you’re still very much healing and trying to figure out how you feel in your body and mind, all while existing on very little sleep.

I wasn’t really aware of any issues with my pelvic floor at eight weeks postpartum after my second child. It was only months later, when I caught a stomach bug, that I realised it wasn’t working like it should.

Around the same time I started noticing that if my bladder was fuller than usual, the odd sneeze would wreak havoc, too. Now I realise why a relative of mine always crosses her legs when she sneezes.

But we shouldn’t have to put up with this, stressed Maria.

I thought my pelvic floor issues weren’t that bad, and that other women had it far worse. I’ve interviewed women left with devastating bowel injuries after giving birth, so it seemed acceptable almost to just keep calm and carry on. But during my appointment, which took just over an hour, we addressed a handful of issues, spanning from sex to posture and continence.

Yasmine Ghadache, an osteopath, was also on hand to help. In a weird turn of events, the night before my appointment I somehow managed to pull a muscle in my back and was in a lot of pain – she explained it was likely as a result of me carrying my baby (now a two-stone toddler) repeatedly on one side.

She manipulated the area and within a couple of days, I was back to normal.

Both Yasmine and Maria were very knowledgeable and so passionate. Sitting with them, talking about women’s health, I dared to imagine a world where women got proper postnatal care.

The sessions are up-close-and-personal at points. To check how well my pelvic floor muscles were working, Maria popped a gloved finger into my vagina (she did ask first) and told me to squeeze – all while we had a friendly chat.

During the exam, she discovered I have a very tight internal pelvic floor muscle, which needs some follow-up work. (I’m going to be honest, I didn’t fully know what a pelvic floor muscle was before this session and now we are WELL acquainted.)

Both Maria and Yasmine made me feel incredibly comfortable throughout the process, though. It wasn’t painful at any point. I felt genuinely supported and cared for. These women clearly wanted to help me feel my best.

With a rapid national investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal services underway, it’s as clear as day that too many mothers and birthing people are not supported enough during pregnancy, birth and beyond.

Roughly one in three women experience urinary incontinence three months after pregnancy, around one in seven experience anal incontinence six months after birth, and one in 12 women report symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse.

All of these issues can affect a woman’s ability to work, as well as their sexual and social relationships, and their mental health.

Mums put everyone but themselves first, but we should also be able to stand up and say: I deserve to feel good about myself, too. If Mummy MOTs were available to every birthing parent on the NHS, well, I think we’d be unstoppable.

Alas, they’re not. But if you have had a baby – whether six weeks or six years ago – and you’ve been struggling with pelvic floor issues, or problems with separated stomach muscles or posture, I would recommend a consultation.

You deserve to have your body back – you’ve certainly given enough.

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Another Blow For Starmer As Two-Thirds Of Brits Say PM No Longer Respects Them, Poll Finds

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Two-thirds of Brits believe Keir Starmer does not respect people like them, according to a new poll.

Researchers at More in Common and UCL Policy Lab found 63% of the 7,000 people polled in June say the prime minister does not respect them now, compared to 32% a year ago.

Only a quarter (24%) of respondents said they still believe he does respect them.

Meanwhile, 65% of voters say the Labour Party as a whole lacks respect for them – double the amount who said that in 2024.

The results are yet another blow to the prime minister, who has just marked a year in office, but has very little to celebrate.

Last week, he was forced to water down his welfare reforms to prevent his own backbenchers from voting them down, although 48 Labour MPs still rebelled.

The decision also blew a £5 billion hole in chancellor Rachel Reeves’ autumn Budget, leaving more tax rises all-but inevitable.

So it’s no surprise that Brits told More in Common and UCL Policy Lab they would give the party an E on their report card after a year in office.

Most voters said nothing had changed in the year since the last Tory government was kicked out of office.

Only three in five Labour voters from last year would still support the party now, the researchers found.

Former Labour supporters are now heading to other parties – 11% to Reform, 8% to the Lib Dems, 4% to the Greens and 4% to the Conservatives.

More than a third of those disillusioned voters (36%) said they were moving away from Labour due to broken promises and U-turns.

A further 31% blamed the government’s inability to reduce the cost of living, and 27% cited the changes to the winter fuel allowance.

Other top reasons included a lack of control over immigration, improving the NHS and changes to the benefit system.

But, despite believing he does not respect them, only 13% said they would not vote for Labour because they don’t like Starmer, the same proportion who said the party is now too right-wing.

Meanwhile, the poll found Reform UK’s Nigel Farage is now seen as the most respectful political leader.

A third (33%) said the MP for Clacton respects people like them, compared to 24% who felt the same about either Starmer or Tory leader Kemi Badenoch.

Half (50%) of Brits said Farage felt the opposite – but that’s still significantly lower than those who feel the same about Starmer (63%) or Badenoch (56%).

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