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Away from leadership speculation and debate over Brexit, the government is reportedly considering reversing a planned change to fuel duty.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves may scrap a 5p increase that was set to come into force from September, according to the Times, external.

A reduced tax rate for petrol and diesel was first introduced by the Conservative government after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine pushed prices up in 2022.

Under Labour's Budget, that reduction was to be phased out from September, with fuel duty initially increasing by 1p per litre, followed by a further 2p in December and another 2p in March 2027.

However, with concerns mounting over fuel prices due to the Iran war, the Times reports that Reeves will announce on Thursday those plans have been shelved.

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• The deputy prime minister addressed recent infighting among Labour MPs, saying the last 10 days have been "an extraordinary own goal" and they now need to continue "delivering for the British people"
• Lammy says he was "sad" to see Wes Streeting leave government last week, but would not be drawn on the health secretary's comments about "one day" rejoining the EU
• He says the UK has been made "poorer as a result" of Brexit and is now "reconnecting" with Europe, but reiterated Labour's manifesto pledge to not rejoin the bloc
• Lammy stresses that Keir Starmer will "fight on" and would stand if any leadership contest is triggered, adding the prime minister has his "full support"
• The minister said he would "of course" campaign for Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election and "all of us in cabinet" will be pushing for a Labour win

Makerfield in north-west England finds itself at the centre of the battle to lead the Labour Party and country, with Andy Burnham seeking to stand in the by-election there - and eventually challenge for No 10.

The constituency of around 100,000 people is made up of suburbs in the south of Wigan and the town of Ashton-in-Makerfield.

Labour has traditionally dominated in Makerfield and won it again in 2024 with 45.2% of the vote.

But Reform UK ran the party fairly close in that election, coming second on 31.8%, about 5,400 votes short of a win.

Earlier this month, Nigel Farage's party took around 50% of the vote share in the region during local election, suggesting it could make the upcoming by-election in Makerfield tight.

In the 2016 referendum, 65% of people in Makerfield voted for Brexit, so Reform will hope to make the upcoming by-election close regardless of whether or not Burnham is Labour's candidate.

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Following Labour's poor local election results, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he wanted his government to be "defined" by "rebuilding our relationship with Europe, by putting Britain at the heart of Europe", during a speech intended to reset his premiership.

After his resignation, Wes Streeting went further, saying on Saturday that Brexit was a "catastrophic mistake" that left the UK "less wealthy, less powerful and less in control".

The former health secretary said the UK needs a "new special relationship with the EU", adding that "Britain's future lies with Europe - and one day, back in the European Union".

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy thentold Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that Streeting's comments were "a bit odd" and that she doesn't "understand why the sudden focus on Europe" - despite agreeing the UK should not have left the EU.

Later that day, Andy Burnham said he was in favour of rejoining the EU "in the long-term", but that he is "not advocating that in this by-election".

Earlier this morning, David Lammy said the Brexit delivered by "Boris Johnson and his cronies" left the UK "poorer as a result" and said the government is making "step-by-step" improvement to reconnect with Europe - but will stick to its "red lines" not to to return to the single market, customs union or freedom of movement.

Over on BBC Radio 5 Live, callers are being asked: Should Labour take us back into the EU? You can watch live at the top of this page.

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We have not heard from Andy Burnham today - but the Greater Manchester mayor did tweet last night.

After watching the Everton-Sunderland match, which Everton lost 1-3, he thanks "everyone who came up to speak to me today".

He says the one bit of feedback that "sticks most" in his mind is: "You need to be clearer that Labour left us. We didn’t leave Labour."

He says his "campaign" will aim to "change Labour back to the party people used to know" - a party "solidly on the side of working class people. Make no mistake about that".

He also says: "Appreciate all the advice and agree with the main consensus: 'Get new running shorts'."

Image source, PA Media

Asked why there is currently no timetable for Stamer to step down, Lammy says the prime minister won a "historic majority" in the 2024 election, adding: "Let me say this - personally, he is the most resilient person I know."

Asked explicitly if Starmer will stand if a leadership contest is triggered, Lammy says "yes", before repeating that there is no race as things stand.

He says that "introspection and internecine warfare" and "colleagues lighting the match and standing in the petrol" will only "usher in" Reform UK and Nigel Farage.

Lammy repeats that Burnham and Streeting are free to state their positions on Europe as neither are in government, likening the recent discussions around future EU membership as "sixth form debate".

The deputy prime minister says leadership speculation over the last 10 days doesn't set back Labour's attempts to stay in power and deliver for the people, adding he's less interested in debate, and more on delivering policies.

But he says he would campaign for Burnham in the Makerfield by-election, telling Radio 4: "I've known Andy for over 25 years, we were both protegees under the great Tessa Jowell. He's very able, very committed, of course I'll be working alongside him."

Lammy is asked about Streeting's view that Britain's future lies "one day back in the European Union" and whether a similar position is on the cards for the government.

The deputy prime minister repeats that Streeting is "free to say whatever he wants" as a backbencher, but refuses to be drawn on his own views about Labour's future Europe policy.

He says Labour's manifesto had "clear red lines" on the EU and the government is "committed" to them - adding that he won't speculate about what the party may propose at the next general election.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, now appearing on Radio 4's Today programme, is asked if former Health Secretary Wes Streeting's recent comments on EU were out of touch.

As a reminder, Streeting - who resigned from government last week - called Brexit a "catastrophic mistake" and said the UK should "one day" rejoin the EU.

Lammy says the conflict within Labour has been "an extraordinary own goal" for the past 10 days, and says it is "important that we come together, that we unify, and that we remember that we're in government".

He again says that he is "very sad" to see Streeting resign from cabinet.

Reiterating points he made earlier on BBC Breakfast, he says Brexit has made the UK poorer, and that the UK is now "reconnecting" with Europe, highlighting work experience and defence deals.

Before Lammy speaks to Today, we've been hearing from Jonathan Hinder, Labour MP for Pendle and Clitheroe.

He is highly critical of the EU stance set out by Wes Streeting, saying his constituents would say "you are off your rocker" if he proposed restarting the Brexit debate.

Hinder calls the discussion a "staggering level of out of touch", and says it would lose the Labour Party support in working class areas.

He suggests debating Brexit "is not a priority" for British people, adding: "We're doing that again? It's absolutely brainless."

We're about to hear from Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy again, this time on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

You can watch liveat the top of this page and we'll bring you updates here.

The Times has comments from Burnham's supporters, who accuse Streeting of "sabotage" by seeking to make EU membership a central part of any future leadership contest.

The paper also quotes one cabinet minister who says Streeting and Burnham's battle makes the PM look like an "island of stability and sanity".

The Mail also headlines on "Backlash over Brexit betrayal", while the Independent says Streeting has been accused of restarting "Brexit wars".

The Guardian carries quotes from someone it describes as a Burnham ally, who says the Manchester mayor has a 45% chance of winning the Makerfield by-election.

Meanwhile, the Telegraph says Burnham is distancing himself from calls to rejoin the EU, with a spokesman insisting he would be campaigning on local issues and would not be standing on a "national manifesto".

The Financial Times also says Burnham is "play[ing] down" the EU issue, while the i Paper says Streeting "will stand for PM on pledge to rejoin the EU".

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Lammy says "of course" he will go to Makerfield to campaign for Andy Burnham in the upcoming by-election, if Burnham is to be selected as Labour's candidate.

He says he and Burnham were "proteges back in the Tony Blair government" and describes him as a "great guy, a very able politician, wonderful communicator".

"It would be great to have him back in Parliament," he adds.

Asked if Starmer himself will be campaigning for Burnham, Lammy says "all of us in cabinet" will be pushing for a Labour win.

Pressed about a potential leadership contest, Lammy says: "I believe in loyalty, I believe in trust, I believe in conviction."

He says he spoke to Starmer twice yesterday and that he stands by him, adding that Labour needs to "get back on the pitch" after 10 days of infighting.

"Let us get back on the pitch after 10 days of introspection and infighting, back on the pitch delivering for the British people in government with the levers of power. We've got three years," Lammy says.

Asked whether Starmer would fight a potential leadership challenge, Lammy says he has been "crystal clear that he fights on", adding that the prime minister "has my full support".

Asked if he personally wants the UK to rejoin the EU, Lammy says: "Everyone knows that the Brexit that was delivered by Boris Johson and his cronies damaged the British economy."

He says the UK is "poorer as a result" and with increased, rather then lowered, immigration.

The UK is now "reconnecting" with colleagues in Europe, he says, and that the UK will make "step-by-step improvements".

"I'm very proud that we led us down that road," he adds.

Asked about Wes Streeting's comments about Brexit over the weekend, Lammy says he is sad the former health secretary left government, but that ministers who do so are "free to say whatever they want".

He says "collective responsibility matters" in government, and points to Labour's manifesto promises, which set out red lines on not rejoining the European Union.

Lammy says he won't speculate about what a future Labour manifesto might say on Europe.

Labour's manifesto at the last election said: "There will be no return to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement."

We're about to hear from Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy on BBC Breakfast. You can watch live by clicking play above and we'll bring you text updates here.

He is also being asked about a planned overhaul of the youth justice system, which sets out how young people vulnerable to falling into lives of crime will receive earlier support.

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We haven't heard directly from Andy Burnham or Wes Streeting since Saturday, when both began to set out their stalls for a potential leadership contest.

Streeting confirmed he would stand in any future race, saying: "We need a proper contest with the best candidates on the field, and I will be standing."

He also said leaving the European Union had been a "catastrophic mistake" and the UK should "one day" rejoin the bloc.

Burnham told the BBC that Labour "needs to be better", adding: "We've got to see this as a moment to reclaim the Labour Party, to save it from where it's been - we can't just carry on as we are."

The Makerfield by-election is likely to be held on 18 June, the BBC understands.

Labour candidate applications close at midday today.

Labour's ruling body cleared Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to run for selection last week, having previously blocked him from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election in February. This paves the way for him to return to Westminster, should he stand and win.

It's not yet clear when the other parties will hold their selections.

At the general election in 2024, Labour won the seat with 45.2% of the vote, a majority of 5,399. Reform came in second with 31.8%.

But local elections earlier this month showed Reform taking roughly 50% of the vote - albeit council ward boundaries do not fully align with constituency boundaries.

Party leader Nigel Farage shared pictures on X over the weekend showing Reform activists campaigning in Makerfield.

Image source, UK Parliament