Adult Social Care Push: Prime Minister Andy Burnham says England and Wales must fix palliative and adult social care funding before any assisted dying debate, signalling reluctance to back the revived bill when MPs return in September. Assisted Dying Politics: Burnham declined to commit on assisted dying, arguing it’s “very challenging” to introduce wider change while people aren’t getting care and “peace of mind.” Local Media Access Row: A regional daily was blocked from questioning Burnham during a Derby visit, with the reporter told a senior minister would handle media—sparking criticism of access and localism claims. Cross-Party Social Care Talks: Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is locked out of cross-party discussions on social care after storming out, turning the issue into a fight over who’s “in the room.” Energy Bills Tax Cut: Burnham’s government scraps 5% VAT on domestic electricity bills from 1 October, cutting typical household costs by about £45 a year. Population Trends: England and Wales population growth slowed to the lowest rate since Covid, driven by falling net migration. Drought Warning: Government says 51.4% of England is now officially in drought amid record-low rain and heatwaves.