Ministers have launched an expansion of youth apprenticeships to 50,000 places over the next three years in a bid to address unemployment among young people. Meeting McLaren apprentices in Woking yesterday, Sir Keir Starmer said he was "on a mission" to boost training. Apprenticeships have fallen nearly 40 per cent in a decade, with almost a million 16- to 24‑year-olds out of work or study. The government's plan includes abolishing the five per cent levy for under‑25s and creating new roles in AI, hospitality and engineering. By Jennifer McKiernan and Rozina Sini, BBC News.

Schools have been compelled to close or take steps to reduce the spread of illness in recent weeks as a severe strain of flu spreads across the UK. Headteachers have reported having to introduce restrictions to stop the spread of what has been dubbed a "tidal wave of flu", which has seen a surge in pupil absences. Some schools have closed for several days to carry out deep cleans, while others have made adjustments such as cancelling singing in school assemblies. The Independent reports that his year’s flu season started earlier than usual and is yet to reach a peak. By Athena Stavrou.

Dan Close, deputy head of Millfield Prep School in Somerset, which Lando Norris attended, has said the Formula 1 World Champion "kept to his values". Speaking to BBC News after Mr Norris won the title in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, he added: "He's got everything he deserves... We are very proud of everything he's achieved." By Clara Bullock and Joe Sims.

More than half of teenagers have used some form of online mental health support in the last year, with 25 per cent having used artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, according to research carried out by the Youth Endowment Fund. Its study of 11,000 teens in England and Wales also found young people affected by serious violence were even more likely to seek help online. Earlier this year, the NHS urged young people not to use AI chatbots as a substitute for therapy, warning that they can provide "harmful and dangerous" mental health advice. By Athena Stavrou, The Independent.

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