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Rishi Sunak has insisted “the economy is turning a corner” and urged Tory MPs to “stick to the plan” amid reports of a plot to oust him before the election.

The prime minister is seeking to shift the political debate to the gradually improving economic outlook as he tries to shore up his leadership.

With many Tories increasingly fearful about losing their seats, there have been claims some MPs are considering replacing him with Commons leader Penny Mordaunt.

Launching a fightback, Mr Sunak vowed that 2024 “will be the year Britain bounces back” in remarks issued by Downing Street on Sunday night.

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Sunak ‘will lead Tories’ in election

He faces another tough week with his Rwanda Bill returning to the Commons and an appearance before the backbench 1922 committee.

Mr Sunak said he hopes to see “more progress” on inflation when the Office for National Statistics releases the latest inflation data on Wednesday.

“There is now a real sense that the economy is turning a corner with all the economic indicators pointing in the right direction.

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“This year, 2024, will be the year Britain bounces back.

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“Inflation has more than halved, with the OBR (Office for Budget Responsibility) forecasting it will hit its 2% target in just a few months’ time, a full year ahead of what they were forecasting just a few months ago.”

On Monday, Mr Sunak will set out reforms to boost apprenticeships and cut red tape for small businesses at a conference in Warwickshire.

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MPs will later consider changes made to his Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill by the House of Lords.

The government will seek to overturn peers’ amendments after it suffered 10 defeats in the upper chamber.

But a poll by Focaldata commissioned by the British Future think tank found majority public support for almost all of the changes proposed by the Lords to introduce extra safeguards.

The deportation policy also faces fresh criticism after a cabinet minister failed to guarantee migrant flights will take off before the general election and reports that Kigali has insisted on a staggered approach to the implementation of the policy.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper on Sunday said it was the government’s “intention” for flights to begin before voters go to the polls, but refused to guarantee it.

The Times reported that the first flights are unlikely to take off before mid-May, and that Kigali wants to test the policy with a pause of two months after it accepts the first migrants.

Labour’s shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper tweeted: “Unbelievable. Govt finally admitting here that Tories’ flagship £500m Rwanda scheme will only cover around 150 people.

“Probable cost of this failing gimmick to British taxpayer is near £2m per person.”

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Boy, 14, stabbed to death on bus in Woolwich, southeast London

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Boy, 14, stabbed to death on bus in Woolwich, southeast London

A 14-year-old boy has been stabbed to death on a bus in Woolwich, in southeast London.

Police were called around 2.30pm to reports of a stabbing on a bus on Woolwich Church Road near the junction with the A205 South Circular Road.

A boy who police said had received stab wounds was treated by paramedics, but he died at the scene shortly after they arrived.

Officers have launched an investigation into the incident.

No arrests have been made so far but police are appealing for witnesses of the incident on the 472 bus.

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A cordon and road closures were in place as of shortly before 5pm.

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Liverpool hospital declares critical incident over ‘exceptionally high’ demand on A&E amid rising flu cases

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Liverpool hospital declares critical incident over 'exceptionally high' demand on A&E amid rising flu cases

The Royal Liverpool University Hospital has declared a critical incident due to “exceptionally high” demand on A&E and patients being admitted to wards.

The hospital said there had been a spike in people with flu and respiratory illnesses going to emergency departments in recent weeks.

The number of people in England’s hospital with flu quadrupled in the last month, according to NHS data.

A spokesperson for the hospital said it had a “comprehensive plan in place” and was “taking all the necessary actions to manage the challenging circumstances”.

“We are working with partner organisations to ensure those that are medically fit can leave hospital safely and at the earliest opportunity,” they added.

The hospital warned some people would experience delays as it prioritises the sickest patients.

People whose case isn’t an emergency are being asked to see their GP, pharmacy or walk-in centre – or call the 111 service for advice.

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The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is in the city centre and is the biggest hospital in Merseyside and Cheshire.

Declaring a critical incident can happen when a hospital is experiencing exceptional demand, or sometimes if there is a serious problem with staffing levels.

It indicates it can’t function as normal and allows it to take extra measures to protect patients, such as prioritising the most unwell people and getting support from other agencies.

It could last hours, a few days, or weeks if necessary.

A critical incident was also declared on Friday by the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board.

It said it had seen almost four times as many inpatients compared with last year and urged people with flu to avoid going to A&E.

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There have been warnings this winter of a so-called “quad-demic”– with flu, vomiting bug norovirus, COVID and RSV circulating at the same time.

The NHS provides vaccinations against three of the four; flu, COVID-19 and RSV (a common cause of chest infection in babies).

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Zendaya and Tom Holland engagement rumours swirl after Golden Globes

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Zendaya and Tom Holland engagement rumours swirl after Golden Globes

Zendaya and Tom Holland are rumoured to be engaged after the 28-year-old actress appeared at the Golden Globes wearing a massive diamond ring on her left ring finger.

They met after working together on 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming and confirmed their relationship in 2021.

Sky News has contacted representatives for Zendaya and Holland for comment.

Zendaya and Tom Holland pose for photographers at the photo call for the film ''Spider-Man: No Way Home''.
Pic:Invision/AP
Image:
Zendaya and Tom Holland pose for photographers at the photo call for the film ”Spider-Man: No Way Home”. Pic: Invision/AP

Zendaya chatted to journalists on the Globes red carpet, where she was nominated for best actress in a musical or comedy for her role in the romantic sports drama Challengers.

Despite being pipped to the prize by Demi Moore, who won for her role in body horror The Substance, there was plenty of buzz around Zendaya’s large diamond ring, which was clearly visible throughout the show.

A Los Angeles Times reporter appeared to ask Zendaya about it, holding up her own engagement ring and pointing to it. Zendaya responded by showing her left-hand ring.

Zendaya arrives at the 82nd Golden Globes.
Pic: Invision/AP
Image:
Zendaya arrives at the 82nd Golden Globes. Pic: Invision/AP

The reporter then asked if the actor was engaged and “she kept showing her ring, smiled coyly and shrugged her shoulders mysteriously”.

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Holland, who is also 28, wasn’t at Sunday’s Globes.

Zendaya arrives at the 82nd Golden Globes.
Pic:Invision/AP
Image:
Zendaya arrives at the 82nd Golden Globes. Pic: Invision/AP

Zendaya wore an orange Louis Vuitton ball gown, and diamond jewellery from Bulgari – for which she’s an ambassador – on the Globes red carpet.

But while the Dune star’s other jewellery items were listed in a press release, there was no mention of the ring on her left finger.

Zendaya, who rose to fame after her breakout role in Disney sitcom Shake It Up, became a household star after starring in Euphoria.

Tom Holland, who is the son of British actor/comedian Dominic Holland, won a role in Billy Elliot The Musical as a child, and has gone on to achieve global fame playing Spider-Man in six Marvel Cinematic Universe movies.

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