Tens of thousands of passengers were disrupted when French ATC staff walked out on July 3 and 4 in a dispute over working conditions.

The Office for National Statistics said the rate of UK unemployment increased to 4.7 in the three months to May.

Marcus Smith has defied expectations by winning a place on the bench for the British and Irish Lions’ first Test against Australia, but Owen Farrell and Henry Pollock miss out on selection.

Abbott was suspended by the Labour Party in 2023 after a letter comparing different forms of racism but was readmitted a year later.

The 53-year-old, who won back-to-back Claret Jugs in 2007 and 2008, was given the honour of hitting the opening shot.