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A Labour government would freeze council tax bills this year, Sir Keir Starmer will say as he launches his party’s campaign for the May local elections. Speaking in Swindon, Wiltshire, the Labour leader will say the move would be funded with a “proper” windfall tax on the profits of the oil and gas giants. With the party hoping to pick up seats in the May 4 polls in England, Sir

Anthony Joshua has laughed off Jermaine Franklin’s threat of a knockout on Saturday and insisted this is the “worst time” to face him. The former heavyweight champion will make his long-awaited return to the ring this weekend at the O2 Arena but for the first time since 2015 no world title is on the line. Joshua is looking to bounce back following consecutive defeats by Oleksandr Usyk and he faced

Ministers have unveiled plans to house asylum seekers in disused military bases to accommodate their “essential living needs and nothing more” despite legal threats from local Conservatives. Robert Jenrick, the immigration minister, also announced on Wednesday he is “continuing to explore the possibility” of using ferries and barges to reduce the “eye watering” reliance on hotels. Despite opposition from within the Cabinet, he confirmed that up to 3,700 people will

Sir Elton John and It’s A Sin creator Russell T Davies have paid tribute to Paul O’Grady – remembering him as “ferocious in the fight against Aids” – after his death aged 67. The TV and radio presenter died “unexpectedly but peacefully” on Tuesday evening, a statement shared with the PA news agency via a representative said. Queer As Folk creator Davies said on Instagram: “The saddest news. What a star. What