Rhiannon James

Andy Burnham has condemned FIFA’s proposal to create Fifa Forward Enterprise, a private company intended to consolidate the sale of commercial rights and tournament operations, arguing that the World Cup belongs to fans rather than investors. UEFA has issued similar warnings about the plan’s lack of transparency and its implications for football governance. FIFA says it will retain exclusive control over sporting and regulatory matters and claims the venture could increase development funding for national associations to more than $10 billion over four years. Thrive Eternal, led by Joshua Kushner, is expected to spearhead the investor group, while FIFA president Gianni Infantino could potentially become the venture’s commissioner or chief executive from 2031.

Conservative peers are seeking a House of Lords debate to scrutinise Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s policy plans following the early start of the Commons summer recess. Lord True accused the new government of avoiding accountability and urged ministers to answer questions in the Lords. The move follows previous disputes over parliamentary scheduling, including a cancelled Opposition Day. Conservatives also attempted to postpone the recess to allow Burnham to outline his agenda, while Commons Leader Alan Campbell defended the current timetable.

Kemi Badenoch plans to accuse Keir Starmer of heading to the NATO summit as a weakened outgoing prime minister with a defence investment plan lacking proper funding. She will argue that Labour has failed to address a multibillion‑pound shortfall and criticise Andy Burnham for limited engagement on national security issues. Badenoch will also condemn Reform UK over scandals and its narrow focus on immigration. She contrasts this with what she presents as her own seriousness on defence while acknowledging past Conservative failures on immigration and promising tougher future policy.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is pushing a vote to exclude all sex offenders from the government’s early release scheme, arguing Labour’s Sentencing Act 2026 allows dangerous criminals to be freed early. Conservatives accuse Labour of failing to protect victims and call for exemptions covering all sexual offences. Andy Burnham is examining ways to tighten the scheme, while Jess Phillips also supports more exemptions. The Conservatives have launched a petition urging changes, and party figures argue serious sexual offenders must remain imprisoned, pressing Labour and the Liberal Democrats to support the proposed motion.