a \u00a3100m support package for pubs<\/a> to compensate (at least in part) for the impact of higher business rate costs.<\/p>\nNoon:<\/em> Downing Street holds a lobby briefing.<\/p>\nAfter 12.30am:<\/em> Matthew Pennycook, the housing minister, is expected to make a statement to MPs about the decision to cap ground rents.<\/p>\n2pm:<\/em> The Reform UK Lee Anderson holds a press conference in Gorton and Denton where he will unveil the party\u2019s byelection candidate.<\/p>\n2pm:<\/em> John Healey, the defence secretary, gives evidence to the Commons defence committee.<\/p>\nEvening:<\/em> Starmer leaves the UK for his trip to China.<\/p>\nIf you want to contact me, please post a message below the line when comments are open (between 10am and 3pm), or message me on social media. I can\u2019t read all the messages BTL, but if you put \u201cAndrew\u201d in a message aimed at me, I am more likely to see it because I search for posts containing that word.<\/p>\n
If you want to flag something up urgently, it is best to use social media. You can reach me on Bluesky at @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social. The Guardian has given up posting from its official accounts on X<\/a>, but individual Guardian journalists are there, I still have my account, and if you message me there at @AndrewSparrow, I will see it and respond if necessary.<\/p>\nI find it very helpful when readers point out mistakes, even minor typos. No error is too small to correct. And I find your questions very interesting too. I can\u2019t promise to reply to them all, but I will try to reply to as many as I can, either BTL or sometimes in the blog.<\/p>\n