The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an inquiry into Ryanair's £8-per-flight charge, examining whether it is an unfair contract term under consumer law. Money blog: How to reduce your inheritance tax bill Under the airline's terms and conditions, children aged between two and 11 must sit with at least one of their parents. The regulator said it understands Ryanair is the only major airline flying out of the UK to impose such a levy. Another element of the probe is whether the seating fee constitutes a practice known as drip pricing, whereby the full price is not presented until the end and extra charges are added later in the booking process. The practice is illegal in the UK, with businesses required to show a total price including all unavoidable charges so consumers can effectively compare prices and understand the real cost. The CMA said it also understood that Ryanair does not apply the fee on every flight and in a limited number of cases, parents can be seated with their children for free. A 'bogus' investigation But Ryanair has described the investigation as "bogus". "Ryanair's family seating policy fully complies with all relevant laws and regulations and saves families", a spokesperson said. "Ryanair does not charge any fee for children to sit beside their parent or accompanying adult. Like all adults who select a reserved seat, adults travelling with children pay one reserved seat fee, but can select reserved seats beside them for up to 4 children on the same booking free of charge." What next? How the investigation unfolds will depend on the evidence, the CMA said. It could result in a finding of unlawful conduct, the imposition of remedies, or case closure. The watchdog says it is at the beginning of its investigation and has reached no conclusions about whether the airline has broken the law.

Davies said it was "goodbye" from him to Doctor Who but "hello to a big new future for the show", as he shared on social media a drawing of the Tardis - the spaceship from the hit show. The 2026 Christmas special was due to be written by Davies and produced by Bad Wolf, and would follow on from the series finale in May last year, which saw Ncuti Gatwa's incarnation of the Doctor regenerate into Billie Piper. The corporation announced last October there would be a 2026 Christmas special, but confirmed on Wednesday it will no longer happen. Davies, an award-winning screenwriter and TV producer, said on Instagram: "There won't be a Christmas Special - we only cooked that up to guarantee a future when no one knew what would happen, but now we do know, there's no need for it. "You'll have to wait a bit longer for new Doctor Who...but you'll be waiting for more Doctor Who than a one-off. So it's worth it!" He also said he was "excited as anyone to see what comes next" and reflected on the possible changes to come, adding: "Will they keep the theme tune? Will they lose the blue box? Will they bring back the Drahvin?! "It's all up for grabs, which is so Doctor Who - exciting and unpredictable and new! Here comes the future." The BBC said that the series, which launched in 1963, will be put out to "competitive tender" this year as part of its Royal Charter agreement. The broadcaster is inviting production companies to put themselves forward to help co-produce the next series, BBC News reported. Cancelling the Christmas special was "not taken lightly", the corporation said, and the BBC admitted the move will be "disappointing for fans". It added that "in order to set the show up for future series, it was decided that rather than bridge the gap with a one-off special, we are choosing to push forward to invest in the long-term future of the show". A spokesperson for the BBC added: "Doctor Who remains an important part of the BBC and this tender underpins the BBC's continued commitment to Doctor Who, ensuring audiences will enjoy the show for years to come." In addition, the corporation assured that its previously announced Doctor Who animation series, which will air on CBeebies, is currently in production. Read more from Sky News:Henry Nowak protesters jailedUkraine strikes Russian factory Doctor Who is about an eccentric Time Lord who travels in a spaceship larger on the inside, which disguises itself as a 1960s British police box. Tom Baker, Sylvester McCoy and William Hartnell are among the stars who portrayed The Doctor in the original show, which was cancelled in 1989. It was later revived in 2005 by Davies. Actors including Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith and Jodie Whittaker have played the leading role in the last two decades.

The content of the letter from Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton is not known, but the fact he felt the need to put his thoughts in writing signals the seriousness of the challenge faced by Sir Keir Starmer as he attempts to finalise the long-delayed defence investment plan. The highly unusual move came after the Treasury is understood to have offered the Ministry of Defence (MoD) around an additional £13bn over four years to help fund the purchase of new jets, submarines, ships, drones and missiles. This is at the lower end of a range of between £12bn and £18bn that had been under consideration – and far short of the actual sum of extra money that the military believes it needs to rebuild its hollowed-out ranks at a time of escalating threats. One source said Sir Richard met with fellow military chiefs to discuss the proposed settlement on Monday. The source said there is thought to have been dissatisfaction expressed by at least one of the service chiefs who were present about the inadequacy of the amount. That has not been confirmed, however. The wait goes on... Whatever went on behind closed doors, an earlier anticipation that the defence investment plan would finally be published this week subsequently evaporated. By Wednesday evening, discussions between the MoD, Treasury and Number 10 were still said to be "live" even though the prime minister had been expected to speak about defence and offer some headline figures on his push to rearm this Friday. That appears designed to coincide with an anticipated announcement on the opening of a new, vast drone testing centre – as reported by Sky News earlier in the week – in Swindon. It is not clear, though, whether the event will still go ahead even though invitations are thought to have been issued to a number of start-up drone companies to attend. The extraordinary display of confusion and paralysis at the heart of government over what is meant to be a strategic priority – the defence of the nation – has left officials inside the MoD, the military and defence industry slack-jawed. John Healey, the defence secretary, was asked whether he would accept anything less than an £18bn uplift. Speaking at a joint press conference with the foreign secretary and their respective Australian counterparts, he declined to talk about specific numbers but indicated that Sir Keir was listening. "The prime minister knows what defence and the nation need," Mr Healey said. "He is set to make his announcement soon." UK under mounting pressure A gap in funding to rebuild the Royal Navy, army and Royal Air Force was already thought to be at least £28bn before new expectations were added following the publication of a sweeping view of defence last June. Upping the pressure is wider war in the Middle East and increased demands by Donald Trump for the UK and other European NATO allies to take up a much greater level of responsibility for their own defences. The UK presents itself as a leading member of the alliance. Yet it does not plan to hit a new NATO target to increase defence spending to 3.5% of GDP from the UK's current level of around 2.3% until 2035 – the furthest possible date that allies set to achieve the new funding baseline. Some other countries are moving a lot faster. More from Deborah Haynes:Could a drone cause UK blackouts?'Almost 500,000' Russians killed in UkraineWhy is public being kept in dark about threat of war? Last year's Strategic Defence Review was meant to be the defining document on the armed forces of the Starmer government, outlining the prime minister's stated desire to rearm. It should have been followed last autumn by the defence investment plan, which would explain how the vision would be funded. But disagreement on the size of the uplift meant the publication date has been repeatedly pushed back. The prime minister has promised to release it before a NATO summit on 7 and 8 July. Asked previously about the defence investment plan, a MoD spokesperson has said: "The defence investment plan will deliver the best kit into the hands of our armed forces. We are working hard to finalise it, and it will be published as soon as possible."

Sky Sports News understands McKenna was high on Fulham's list of potential candidates to take over at the club but McKenna will not be making the move to Craven Cottage, nor any other club, as he wants to spend more time with his family. McKenna was under contract with Ipswich until 2028, having signed a new deal in the summer of 2024. Ipswich are protected financially should he decide to take up a new role in the next 12 months. They would be due compensation in line with the remaining time left in his contract up until the one-year mark. The current figure stands at around £7m. Transfer Centre LIVE! | Ipswich transfer news & gossipGot Sky? Watch Ipswich games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺Choose the Sky Sports push notifications you want! 🔔 Speaking in a statement confirming his departure after five seasons in charge at Portman Road, McKenna outlined that it was the right time for him to step aside after securing a third promotion in the last four years with the club. "It is with a mixture of gratitude, pride, sadness and contentment that I have decided to step down from the honour of managing this historic football club," McKenna said. "When you have the connection that we have built at this club, there is never a good time to say goodbye. "However, having achieved a second promotion to the Premier League last season, with another memorable final day in our stadium, and after reflection over the last couple of weeks, I feel this is the right time for me to step aside. "I do so with great pride at the incredible progress we have made and with huge hope and optimism for the future of the club. "After giving so much to the role over the previous five seasons, I now look forward to taking a break from management and dedicating some time to my family, who have been with me every step of my career so far." McKenna joined the Tractor Boys in December 2021 while the club was in League One. Back-to-back promotions from the 2022/23 season would then follow as he guided Ipswich from the third tier to the Premier League for the first time in 22 years. Relegation followed in 2024/25 and despite heavy links with a potential exit from Ipswich, McKenna remained at the club and secured promotion back to the top flight for the upcoming season after finishing as runners-up in the Championship. In total, he took charge of 222 games at the club, winning 105 of those fixtures and watching his team score nearly 400 goals. McKenna's Ipswich timeline December 2021: Appointed as Ipswich manager. April 2023: Wins promotion from League One to Championship. June 2023: Signs new four-year Ipswich contract. May 2024: Clinches second consecutive promotion to reach Premier League. May 2024: Signs another new four-year Ipswich deal despite interest from Chelsea and Brighton. April 2025: Relegated back to the Championship. May 2026: Wins promotion back to the Premier League at first time of asking. June 2026: Steps down as Ipswich boss to take break from football. 'McKenna leaves with legend status secured' Sky Sports' Ali Stafford: "Kieran McKenna has brought generational joy to Ipswich Town and their fans during his time in Suffolk, with him leaving an early setback in their ambition for Premier League survival. "McKenna's back-to-back promotions from League One to a first Premier League campaign in 22 years exceeded expectations, but the squad rebuild last summer - that ultimately led to an immediate return to the top-flight - was arguably just as impressive. "The Northern Irishman can leave Ipswich this summer with his club legend status secured, having won three promotions in four years and delivered levels of success not seen at Portman Road in decades. "An opportunity to join an established Premier League club would surely have been an attractive proposition to McKenna and a logical 'next step' in his career, having seen his reputation continue to grow during his time at Ipswich, so the decision to take a break will come as a surprise. "Relegation - however expected - was the only blotch on McKenna's report card during his time at Ipswich. He leaves behind a squad better equipped to stay in the Premier League than the one he took up two years ago, although a big summer of recruitment for Ipswich now extends beyond just players."

Bobby Bloomfield was left serious injuries after he was hit by a vehicle in Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood, Essex on Sunday and died a short time later in hospital, Essex Police said. William Lunnon, 43, of Pilgrims Hatch, and a 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have both been charged with murder. They will appear in magistrates court on Thursday and have been remanded in custody. Police were first called to reports that a vehicle had collided with a child on Ashwells Road at 5.40pm on Sunday. On Tuesday, four more people were arrested as part of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision. Two men, aged 65 and 54, and two women, aged 65 and 45, all from Pilgrims Hatch, remain in police custody on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood said: "This remains a complex investigation, and we have made significant progress, including bringing charges and making further arrests. "Our focus remains on establishing the full circumstances and supporting Bobby's family, who have suffered an unimaginable loss." Read more from Sky News:Henry Nowak murder protesters jailedBelfast attack victim's family call for calm He added: "I continue to urge anyone with information to come forward. Even the smallest detail could help us build a clear and accurate picture of events. "If you were in the area at the time, or have anything that could assist our investigation, please report it via the public portal." Bobby's family paid tribute to the 12-year-old earlier this week. "Losing a child is every parent's nightmare," they said. "We are living that nightmare and no words can ever explain how we are feeling. "Bobby brought light and life into all our lives and we have lost that forever."

Artist Talay Riley, whose real name was Mark Orabiyi, died after he was found with stab wounds in Silvertown on Friday, the Metropolitan Police said. The Grammy award-winning songwriter was pronounced dead at the scene. The musician worked with Dua Lipa, Britney Spears, Ellie Goulding and numerous other artists. He has almost 77,000 listeners on Spotify and had toured with Usher and other artists. In a tribute on social media, his brother, artist Scribz Riley, whose real name is Michael Orabiyi, said: "My heart is shattered! This doesn't feel real. It feels like a bad dream. Just before he went to sleep we spoke about the future, staying positive and about everything we still had left to do. I never imagined that would be our last conversation." He added his brother was a "friend to many, a mentor, an inspiration, and a light in so many people's lives". "He loved deeply, gave freely, and touched countless people through his talent, kindness, and spirit," he said. Rapper Stormzy commented on the post: "I'm sorry bro", while singer Kehlani wrote "Big hugs Scribs I'm so sorry" and British rapper Wretch 32 said: "Sending love to you & your family bro. Your brother was a gem & will be missed & never forgotten, Never! RIP." Craig David, Paloma Faith and Oritse Williams also joined in the social media tributes. "Omg I am in shock. I had no idea I worked with him quite a few times and he was such and amazing talent and fun person to be around," Paloma Faith said. In a statement, Orabiyi's family said: "Mark was a beloved son, brother, uncle and friend. He brought love, light and joy to our family and to all who knew him. "We will always cherish his kindness, beautiful spirit and remarkable talent. His presence touched many lives, and his memory will remain in our hearts forever. "May his soul rest in perfect peace." A second man in his 20s, who suffered stab wounds in the incident on Friday, remains in hospital, police said. His condition is not believed to be life-threatening. Three people have been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident, the Metropolitan Police said. A 27-year-old man has been released on bail pending further inquiries. A 24-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman were released with no further action after police questioning. The artist received a writing credit for the song Lights On on R&B artists H.E.R's self-titled album, which won a Grammy in 2019.

Andy Burnham's political opponents are finding plenty of attack lines to throw at him. Are past comments and policy positions - from WASPI women to calls for an early election - coming back to haunt the Burnham campaign? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy also wonder who is to blame for Keir Starmer's troubles? According to a focus group of Labour members - it's all the media's fault. The duo unpack the mood within the party and the continued paralysis at the heart of government - affecting everything from the delayed reset of relations with the EU to the even more delayed Defence Investment Plan. You can see all the candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election here.

But England have turned instead to former captain Joe Root to take over from Stokes in the interim, raising questions over Brook's credentials for captaincy amid his own off-field struggles. Stokes is considering his future in the role after breaking his side's midnight curfew during a nightclub incident involving Gus Atkinson and a Saracens academy rugby player. Stokes and Atkinson have been dropped for the second Test against New Zealand, which is live on Sky Sports, and are under investigation by the ECB and the Cricket Regulator. With Root back leading England for the first time since 2022, the future of England's Test captaincy is suddenly looking uncertain. Ben Stokes considering his future after nightclub incidentGot Sky? Watch England vs NZ live on the Sky Sports appNot got Sky? Get instant access with NOW - no contract'Irony' of Brook captaincy would be damaging for ECB, says Athers On the surface, vice-captain Harry seems to represent the ideal replacement to take over from Stokes as Test leader. He is also captain of the limited-overs team. The Yorkshireman is ranked as the No 1 Test batter in the world, and a brilliant 56 off 71 in challenging batting conditions at Lord's last week reinforced his on-field eligibility for the role. The difficulty in appointing Brook, though, lies with his off-field conduct. He was disciplined with an ECB maximum fine of £50,000 in February for an incident involving a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand before the Ashes tour of Australia, highlighting the challenges of appointing a new captain who has suffered from the same behavioural issues as Stokes. "The would-be irony would not be lost on [the ECB] if Brook takes over at this point," former England captain Michael Atherton said. "The whole reason for that curfew coming in in the first place was broadly because of what Harry Brook did in Wellington." "Imagine the first press conference," agreed former England captain Nasser Hussain. "Let's talk drinking culture. And here's Harry Brook, who had that incident in New Zealand." However, both former England skippers also think that making Brook Test captain at this point in his career could have further drawbacks given the weight of responsibility he already holds for England in limited overs cricket. "Brook is already the white ball captain," Atherton said. "[The ECB] may just feel with all that white-ball cricket coming up against India, there's a lot of white-ball cricket. "And then The Hundred. And then the Test series on the back of a winter where he was out [on tour], you've got New Zealand, Ashes, T20 World Cup. "They may just feel that at this point, they don't want to overburden him and don't want to add to his undoubted workload." Root 'is the man for the moment' England's all-time leading run scorer Root represents a solid option in the meantime and will captain a record 65th England Test against New Zealand next week - but he comes back into the role with his own fair share of baggage. He won just one of his last 17 Tests as England captain, and stepped down citing the "toll" and "impact" the role had on him after five years in the role. Root's appointment would surely be short-term considering his previous lengthy tenure in the role - but both Hussain and Atherton feel the call to reinstate Root for now is a sensible one. "At this point, when it's a bit of a crisis moment, who better than your elder statesman with an unblemished kind of record on and off the field, Joe Root, although he gave the captaincy away four years ago at the end of a period where England were in the doldrums a bit. "But he was not an unsuccessful England captain in the grand scheme of things. It finished badly, as it usually does [with England captains]. Root had many triumphs as an England captain as well. "And so you put all that together, they may just feel that sensible elder statesman who's done it before, has been around the block, knows what it's about - he's the man for this moment." Athers: I hope Stokes continues Stokes' infraction is the latest in a career riddled by drama, including most notably a lengthy criminal trial for a nightclub melee in Bristol in 2017, where he was ultimately cleared of any charges, but it's his achievements on-field that still stand out. Stokes has won 24 of his 43 Tests as England captain and said he has "so much more to offer" as England skipper before the summer - something Atherton echoes, despite his shortcomings. "Most captaincy careers end in failure. That's the nature of them," Atherton said. "It would be curious if Ben didn't captain England again, because obviously they've just had a resounding win at Lord's. "And of course, he's got the second best win percentage ratio of any England captain after Mike Brearley. So that would be a curious set of circumstances. "I hope that doesn't come to pass and I hope he continues. "If he didn't and you're looking back at a career, he's been a fantastic cricketer and I think a fantastic captain as well. "He's led with bravery and conviction and in a distinctive style. You can look at a team and know it's a Ben Stokes-led team with the way that they've played. "He did it his way." England vs New Zealand - results and schedule All times UK and Ireland, all games live on Sky Sports First Test (Lord's) - England won by 115 runsSecond Test (The Kia Oval) - June 17-21 (11am)Third Test (Trent Bridge) - June 25-29 (11am)