Afternoon briefing Tuesday 23rd June

0:00This episode of the Times Radio News Briefing is sponsored by PwCWC. Staying competitive means getting ahead, not just keeping up. So how do business leaders cut through the noise and focus on what really matters? PwC takes you further with tech, from optimising the systems that put your data to work, to scaling AI from proof of concept to competitive edge. PwC helps you meet tomorrow's tech demands so you can compete at a speed that rewrites the rules. Discover more at pwc.co.uk. Welcome to the Times Radio Afternoon Briefing on Tuesday the 23rd of June. Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has been jailed for five years and three months for embezzling more than£400 ,000 of the party's funds.

0:48A motorhome was among the items he bought with the money. The 61-year-old estranged husband of former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon pleaded guilty last month. He arrived at Edinburgh High Court in handcuffs and was sentenced by Lord Young. It is very difficult to get a clear picture for what drove your actions. Many of the high-value items acquired by you were not even used. And for my purposes today, I think it's sufficient to say that I cannot identify any factors which caused you to offend, which might be considered to be mitigatory factors. Sir Keir Starmer will deliver the long-awaited defence investments plan before he leaves Downing Street.

1:30The Times understands it will be ready for the NATO summit on 7 July. The earliest date that Andy Burnham can become Prime Minister is 10 days later. More details from The Times' political editor Stephen Swinford. Team Burnham, as we revealed this morning, they want Burnham to make the decision on this. They think that Andy Burnham, it's a huge decision which has massive consequences for his premiership. But on the other hand, Starmer sees it as his legacy. So he is intent on announcing it before the NATO summit at the beginning of next month. So that is the first major point of tension of this transition period.

2:04A government minister has told Times Radio that Andy Burnham should become prime minister without having to go through a Labour leadership contest. Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Simmons says the government needs to continue its work following Sir Keir Starmer's resignation. I think that it is important that we get on with that job of delivery. I understand these are big decisions that people are making. Let me reframe the question, Nick. You would rather it was a coronation than an election here? Yes, a swift transition absolutely is what I'm in favour of, Stig. I'm not hiding from that.

2:35Andy Burnham will use a speech next week to pledge to grow the economy and commit to Labour's fiscal rules. The new MP for Makerfield is expected to become Britain's seventh prime minister in a decade. And some schools are expected to be closed today as the heatwave continues. The Met Office has issued a red heat alert for only the second time ever. Meteorologist Joe Wheeler says it could be a landmark week. The UK's highest ever temperature was recorded at RAF Coningsby in July 2022. 40.3 Celsius, but that was with just 5 % humidity. So it was hot, yes, but it was a fairly comfortable hot. This week we're seeing humidity in excess of 20 % or 25%.

3:15Wow. So it's that combination which isn't good. And in addition to that, we've got tropical nights. You can follow the Times Radio News Briefing on Spotify and listen live to Times Radio online. This episode of the Times Radio News Briefing is sponsored by PwC. AI is everywhere. In the news, in our hands, but return on investment, not so much. So how do you get beyond the hype and deliver AI that powers reinvention and growth across your business? Strong foundations unlock AI's potential. That's why PwC takes you further with tech, strengthening the data quality, processes and workflows that shape how well AI performs.

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