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Our original cruise, the Three Bridges Cruise is quite simply one of Scotland’s best days out.

Relax onboard your 1.5 hour sightseeing cruise of this UNESCO World Heritage site and listen to the guided commentary while you enjoy a beverage or snack from the bar. Take in the spectacular  Three Bridges, the beautiful panoramas of the Edinburgh skyline, Inchcolm Island with its medieval abbey, and look out for the seals and marine wildlife.

THIS CRUISE DOES NOT INCLUDE A LANDING ON INCHCOLM ISLAND 

If you wish to include a landing on Inchcolm Island please book our Inchcolm Island Cruise .

Wildlife & the sights!

On your Three Bridges Cruise look out for the marine wildlife including many seabirds, seals, puffins, and watch out for the occasional porpoise.

Guests are welcome to enjoy the sea breeze and views from the outside decks. If the weather is less inviting, the observation lounge has fantastic views. A guided commentary means you won’t miss a thing wherever you sit. And, of course, you will get to see the Three Bridges as you have never seen them before.

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Hawes Pier South Queensferry, EH30 9TB OR Port Edgar Marina South Queensferry, EH30 9SQ

Please check our timetable to confirm departure point

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Can't decide? Why not browse all of our day tours and get some inspiration. Adventure Awaits!

Book with Confidence: 100% refund if you cancel a 1-day tour with more than 24 hours notice.

Edinburgh Shore Excursion: City Tour and Royal Yacht Britannia

Accommodation needed for this tour

We highly recommend letting us sort the accommodation for you for an extra cost. But you are more than welcome to book your own accommodation if you wish.

Our one-day Edinburgh shore excursion travels through the ancient capital city of Scotland. Spend time exploring the Royal Yacht Britannia, learn all about the secrets of the Royal Mile, visit the historic Edinburgh Castle, enjoy a panoramic tour of Edinburgh City Centre, followed by a photo stop at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Upon leaving the port, our Edinburgh shore excursion will head to the Royal Yacht Britannia*, the former royal yacht of the British monarchy. Board the ship and explore where the Queen and Prince Philip used to spend their voyages. After this, you will enjoy a panoramic tour of Edinburgh City Centre; see the city, the Old Town streets and enjoy magnificent views across the city from Arthur's Seat (Mon-Sat only).

Your Edinburgh Shore Excursion will then travel to the Royal Mile to visit historic Edinburgh Castle*, Scotland’s most iconic castle which stands proudly atop Castle Rock which has been occupied since around the Iron Age. Spend time touring the castle, learn all about its centuries of history and even see the famous Stone of Destiny; the traditional crowning seat of the ancient Scottish monarchs.

After a tour of the Castle, enjoy free time for refreshments and explore Castlehill, the city’s oldest street, and discover one of the many atmospheric ‘closes’ or alleys running off the back-bone of the Royal Mile, and attractions such as St Giles Cathedral.

Following this, there will be a photo stop at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British Monarch in Scotland since the 16th Century. It has played host to countless members of the Royal Family and many official events and gatherings have been held here. After this, we will return to the ship, taking in more of Edinburgh's beautiful streets on our way.

*Optional Extra

Tour Overview

Tour highlight.

60 mins panoramic tour of Edinburgh

Royal Yacht Britannia

Holyrood Palace

Edinburgh Castle

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the departure point.

The Driver-Guide for your Edinburgh shore excursion will meet you at the port (see port listing below). We kindly ask all passengers to ensure they are 15 minutes early.

Are the optional extras included?

No, optional extras are not included in the tour price. The price of your shore excursion includes the services of a friendly, knowledgeable and experienced Driver-Guide, and transportation on one of our luxury coaches. All optional extras – attraction entrance fees and meals – are not included in the price of your tour and are payable on the day of travel. This is to allow our guests the freedom to choose which optional extras they would like to take part in on the day. Optional extras for your tour are as follows:

• Royal Yacht Britannia: Adult: £16.50, Concession: £14.50, Child: £8.75
• Edinburgh Castle: Adult: £18.50, Concession: £15, Child: £11, Child (Under 7): Free

Prices valid from April 2023

Do I need to pre-book the optional extras?

No, you don't need to worry about pre-booking any of the optional extras.

All the optional extras can be booked on the day and your Driver-Guide will advise you of how to book. We recommend bringing enough cash to pay for your attraction tickets. 

If you have any questions about this please contact our Reservations Team on +44 (0)131 226 6066 - open 07.00 - 22.00 daily.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, all of our tours are in English. Your trip to Edinburgh will be taken by an experienced, knowledgeable and friendly English-speaking Driver-Guide.

What should I bring with me?

As we like to give you as much time off the coach as possible with the opportunity for walks, we recommend you bring warm and/or waterproof clothing, wear comfortable walking shoes and take sun-block or a hat for sunny days. Don't forget your camera to capture all of Edinburgh's stunning scenery to show to all of your friends and loved ones. Since we cannot allow hot food on our buses you could also bring a cold packed lunch with you to make the most of your time at each stop, this would be particularly time-saving in the busier months!

Can children travel on this tour?

We welcome children over 4 years old on our tours, and children aged between 4-16yrs are eligible for the concessionary rate. We regret we are not able to carry children under the age of 4.

Worry Free Shore Excursion

We always ensure passengers return back to their port on time, however in the rare case we can't make it, we will transfer you to your next port of call.

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Sneak Peek Inside The Royal Yacht Britannia Edinburgh & Tour Review

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Catch a glimpse of Queen Elizabeth’s preferred room, see the honeymoon bed requested by Charles, and find out why a wombat takes pride of place in a roof fan during this self-guided tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh. After 44 years of royal service, HMY Britannia is berthed at Ocean Terminal in Leith and open to visitors who want to learn more about how the royals live.

However, a tour of Britannia is much more than just pulling back the curtains on an episode of The Crown, the tour goes deep into life at sea logistics, touches upon UK history and discusses the engineering of this floating palace.

You’ll get a sneak peek at the bowels of the Britannia as well as its bow. So let’s dive into the Royal Yacht Britannia tour review and photography.

Visit The Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh

Setting and location.

While there is no shortage of royal attractions in the Old Town, the Royal Yacht Britannia is actually located in the lesser-known, very hip and adored Edinburgh neighbourhood, Leith .

You can get to Leith via public bus, taxi or the hop on/hop off bus tour using the Majestic Tour line .

If you have a car, the Royal Yacht Britannia is one of the very few Edinburgh attractions that you can park at for free.

Parking is available at the Ocean Terminal shopping centre/mall where you will find the entrance of the yacht reception area.

Once you go through reception you will see a number of storyboards and artefacts as you move through to collect your audio guide.

Guest restrooms are located in this area and on the yacht.

Royal Yacht Britannia Audio Guide

The audio guide is narrated by the dreamy BAFTA award winner Mark Bonnar who you may recognise from the outstanding UK TV show, Line of Duty and the Scottish TV series, Shetland.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mark Bonnar (@mark_bonnar)

Visitors can choose between the sanitised audio device which is held up to the ear or using their own headphones and phone.

At each station, you type in a number to access the corresponding facts and stories about the exhibit.

The audio tour comes in 30 languages and there is a children’s version.

British and American Sign Language tablets are also available.

There are five decks to explore which take around 1.5 hours to walk through.

To access each deck you use the stairs or elevator in Ocean Terminal then walk over a bridge to get to the deck.

You do this each time you move between the decks, starting at the top and working your way down.

You can enjoy coffee and/or lunch at The Royal Deck Tea Room, which is only open to those who have paid to visit HMY Britannia.

Look how lovely and light the tea room is!

Afternoon teas are available, dahlin’.

Five Deck Tour

The tour kicks off among the tempting buttons, teasing dials and shiny plaques of the top deck Bridge.

This is where much of the control took place which was the responsibility of the Britannia’s Admiral or Commodore.

There is only one seat in this room that overlooks the yacht bow reserved for the man in charge.

Next, the tour takes you outside to the bow which is probably one of the most recognisable areas since this is where the royals would wave from when arriving at their destination.

A wooden lip was added to the bow to keep the wind from lifting up a royal skirt!

One of my favourite spots was the two-inch teak Verandah Deck which acted as a games deck, muse for art, hosted private engagements and doubled up as a swimming pool area for the kids!

The deck was cleaned daily before 8am and all work was conducted in silence so as to not disturb the royals as they slept.

The deck is also where the family photos were taken and acted as the pre-reception area for Zara and Mike Tindall’s wedding.

The tour then takes you inside the yacht, through the Queen’s favourite room, the Sun Lounge, which has floor to ceiling windows viewing the Verandah Deck.

Next up is a nosey into the State Apartments which include the separate bedrooms of Queen Elizabeth (first image) and Prince Phillip (second image) and the honeymoon suite (third image) which has a double bed, at Prince Charles request.

Did you know that you can stay in a castle in Scotland?

The tour also has access to The State Drawing Room with its country home feel, piano and games.

This room was used for relaxing and entertaining.

Live music was an important part of HMY Britannia’s life and the Royal Marines Band could switch between a ceilidh and classical song with no hesitation.

They could also play every national anthem of the countries the royal yacht docked at, which is a reminder that this vessel has sailed over one million miles.

The lower you go down the decks, the greater insight you get into the workings of HMY Britannia.

From the pecking order living arrangements, including segregated pubs, to the bedroom dorms, it is evident that life at sea onboard Britannia was not an easy one for workers and sailors.

However, they appeared to create a good balance between work and fun creating games including one with a stuffed wombat, I won’t spoil the surprise!

During the tour, you will learn more than just facts about the royal family but also stories about the seamen, superstition, tradition and logistics.

Along with the original room content, there is lots of artwork and photography that compliment the audio guide.

If you are planning a trip from the States, check out this article on things every North American should know before visiting Scotland .

Essential Information

• Address: Ocean Dr, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ
• Self-guided audio tour: 1-2 hour s
• Kids enjoy the corgi treasure hunt
• Elevator and ramps throughout
• On-site restaurant

Cancellations

With GetYourGuide, tours have a 24-hour cancellation guarantee so if you can’t make it, you don’t lose your money.

Frequently Asked Questions About HMY Britannia

HMY Britannia was used for royal service from 1954 to 1997.

It was announced on 23 June 1994 that HMY Britannia would not be refitted due to cost.

Yes, over 300,000 people visit the royal yacht each year.

The Royal Yacht Britannia is looked after by the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust.

Other Things To Do Near The Royal Yacht Britannia

The Royal Yacht Britannia is located in Ocean Terminal which is home to a number of restaurants, a cinema and the cool Leith Collective should which is a great store for local souvenirs.

A five-minute walk from Ocean Terminal is Leith Shore and the independent bars and restaurants that surround it.

Enjoy fine dining at The Kitchen, seafood at The Ship On The Shore, brunch at The Kings Wharf or Nobles, lunch at The Hideout Cafe, afternoon tea at Mimi’s Bakehouse, cocktails at the Roseleaf or a cold pint at Teuchters Landing.

Our Leith Guides

• A guide to lively Leith
• Things to do in Leith
• Where to eat in Leith
• Leith’s best bars
• Where to stay

From Leith you can walk up Leith Walk to Princes Street or along the Water of Leith Walkway to Stockbridge where you will find a Sunday market, cafes galore and a path to the historic Dean Village.

Find out more about Stockbridge here .

Essential Edinburgh Information 

Food & drink in Edinburgh Best time to visit Edinburgh Things to do in Edinburgh How much does Edinburgh cost? Free 7-day Scotland itinerary

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Disclaimer: This guide was written in partnership with GetYourGuide. I, Gemma, have been working alongside GetYourGuide since 2017. Opinions are my own.

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Bright Bus Britannia Tours — Edinburgh

Enjoy the royal adventure of a lifetime as you set course for the Royal Yacht Britannia with Bright Bus Tours. Our Britannia tours allow you to admire some of Edinburgh’s most beautiful sights, including Queen Elizabeth II’s former floating residence.

Our Britannia Tour, immerse yourself in royalty!

You can get on and off the Edinburgh Britannia tour bus in the city centre.

Our open-top bus tour in Edinburgh goes past the Royal Botanic Garden and Newhaven Harbour. Then, our Britannia bus goes all the way to Leith and the majestic Royal Yacht Britannia. There are lots more sights to see when you’re on board our Edinburgh bus tours, too!

Journey Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Frequency: Runs Every Hour

Starting Point: Waterloo Place, or hop on at any of our Edinburgh Britannia Tour stops.

Admire some of Edinburgh’s most postcard-worthy sights with Bright Bus Tours – don’t forget your camera!

Hidden Edinburgh Gems

Ready to board our hop-on, hop-off bus in Edinburgh? Here are a few notable sights to look forward to on the bus to Royal Yacht Britannia from Edinburgh.

Calton Hill

Our first stop on our Britannia tour in Edinburgh (Britannia Tour Stop 1) is the majestic Calton Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This culturally significant landmark is a must-visit on our bus tours in Edinburgh if you love history and beauty. It offers stunning cityscape views and boasts notable landmarks like the National Monument (modelled after Athens’ Parthenon). 

The Water of Leith Walkway

Britannia Tour Stop 6 on our Bright Bus Britannia tour takes you to the Water of Leith Walkway. This beautiful river in the city is perfect for nice walks, spotting wildlife, and a peaceful break from city life. The Water of Leith was once bustling with activity, with everything from paper mills to flour mills operating along its banks. Today, it’s so tranquil you can stroll amongst the gorgeous orchids and even catch a glimpse of a deer or a badger!

Circus Lane

We hope you have your camera ready for Britannia Tour Stop 8! Edinburgh is home to many photo-worthy sights, but Circus Lane really takes the cake. It’s a lovely cobblestone street lined with colourful Georgian houses, blooming flowers, and a peaceful ambience. Many photographers are drawn to the gorgeous architecture and magical feel of the old lane. If you happen to snap a pic when hopping off our Edinburgh open-top bus, feel free to share it with us!

Dean Village

Prepare to be transported back in time at Britannia Tour Stop 9 on the Britannia Edinburgh bus tour. Dean Village is a picturesque and historic area known for its charming cottages, tranquil waterway, and quaint atmosphere. From the cosy, delightful old homes to the spectacular tower, it’s a stop you don’t want to miss on our Britannia Edinburgh tour bus. It’s a secret Edinburgh hidden gem for strolling and capturing postcard-worthy scenes. 

Victoria Street aka Diagon Alley

Calling all Harry Potter fans – Britannia tour stop 14 will put a spell on you! Victoria Street might just have been the inspiration behind Diagon Alley, the place where the young wizard got his first wand. Victoria Street is a vibrant and charming curved street with colourful buildings, boutique shops, and cosy cafés. Its charm and character make it a popular destination for locals and tourists. Whether you or your child are a fan, a Britannia Tour stop here will make your day – just don’t enter diagonally!

Royal Yacht Britannia Tour

The Royal Britannia Yacht in Edinburgh is one of the highlights of our Edinburgh hop-on, hop-off bus tour. Many remarkable famous figures have been aboard the Britannia ship in Edinburgh, from Nelson Mandela to Princess Margaret!

Whether you want to feel like the captain of the Britannia Royal Yacht or you’re interested in seeing Queen Elizabeth’s favourite room in the flesh, this is the stop for you.

Book our Britannia Tour

Bright Bus Perks

If you’re looking for the perfect day trip through Edinburgh, our Britannia Tours offers additional perks to make experiencing Edinburgh all the more exciting.

The Real Mary Kings Close £1 Off Adult tickets before 1 pm with the code BRIGHTBUS

The Real Mary King’s Close (realmarykingsclose.com)

The Cauldron Edinburgh 15% off on potion classes with the Bright Bus tour ticket. Book online with the code BRIGHTBUS_WIZARD

Our Potions Bar Edinburgh | Magical Drinks | The Cauldron Edinburgh

Holyrood Distillery £2 off all tours with the Bright Bus tour ticket. Book online and use code BBT22

Distillery Tour | Whisky Tour | Gin Tour | Holyrood Distillery

Sushi Stop 10% off showing the Bright Bus ticket

Located in Waverley Mall

The Magic Cup

10% off showing the Bright Bus ticket

Bright Bus Tours: The Brightest Way to Enjoy Edinburgh

Bright Bus Tours has been crafting unforgettable adventures and memories since 2019. As Scotland’s official open-top tour and airport connection, we don’t just offer incredible hop-on, hop-off day trips to the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh and beyond . We also provide the cheapest and fastest way to get from Edinburgh airport to the city centre with our Bright Bus Airport Express (including a quick connection to our tour bus stops).

We always put our adventurers first and are constantly challenging ourselves to grow. Our dedication to your tour experience earned us a 5-star rating for customer service and a 4-star rating in quality assurance from Visit Scotland. We’re not just here to sell tickets; we create memorable experiences, offer insider secrets and advice, and actively support local businesses. 

Bright Bus Tours offers the friendliest and best-value way to explore Edinburgh and take in all the hidden gems along the way. Here are a few reasons to book a tour with Bright Bus in Edinburgh:

• A fun alternative to exploring the city on foot
• Cheap airport transfers
• Private tour options
• Dogs allowed

From the Royal Botanic Garden to the Royal Yacht, our Britannia tours will take you to some of Edinburgh’s most mesmerising sights. Book your next adventure today with Bright Bus Tours.

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The Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ

Tel: 0131 555 5566 Email us: [email protected]

Please pre-book your tickets to guarantee admission

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Event Enquiries

Contact: 0131 555 8800

Email: [email protected]

Our Hotel, Fingal

Stay at our five-star 22-cabin luxury floating hotel, Fingal.

Fingal Hotel

A royal private tour.

There is no better way to discover for yourself the splendour of this iconic floating palace than with a behind-the-ropes private tour.

Your experience will begin with a red carpet arrival, welcomed aboard via the Royal Brow, the entrance previously reserved for Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family. Your expert guide will show you through this iconic ship, giving you the opportunity to step inside the Admiral’s Cabin and discover the charm of the beautiful State Apartments, as seen in the popular Netflix series ‘The Crown’. You can also get a close-up look within the elegant State Dining Room, where the Royal Family entertained royalty, dignitaries and celebrities from around the world. The finale of this in-depth tour includes refreshments in the Royal Deck during a morning tour or a glass of Champagne in the evening. You will also receive an official Britannia Guidebook to take with you as a memento of your visit!

For more information on our Private Morning Tour and Private Evening Tour.

Mark the coronation of King Charles III with a private tour about Britannia. Click here to find out more.

To enjoy a Champagne Afternoon Tea aboard sister ship, Fingal, followed by a Private Evening Tour of The Royal Yacht Britannia, click here .

For further information please contact our Events team on +44(0)131 555 8800 or email:  [email protected]

Visiting Britannia

TRIPADVISOR'S NO.1 UK ATTRACTION 2023 - 2024

Click on the Visit page  for more information before you visit.

Step aboard to enjoy a great day out!

Get away from the everyday aboard Britannia’s sister ship, Fingal.  Extend your visit with a stay in one of Fingal’s luxurious cabins, your own oasis by the sea. 

TRIPADVISOR'S NO.1 UK LUXURY HOTEL TRIPADVISOR'S NO.1 UK SMALL & BOUTIQUE HOTEL AA Hotel of the Year Scotland, AA five-star hotel and 2 AA Rosettes

Learn more: fingal.co.uk

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Departs from St Andrew Square from 9am-6pm

Edinburgh Britannia Tour

Experience The Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh Castle, and Royal Botanic Garden as just some of the sights forming our Britannia Tour. We offer multilingual commentary, and a unique take on the history of Edinburgh.

Launching 30th May, our Britannia route is the best way to truly experience Scotland's Capital. Soak up the culture of Edinburgh and enjoy the eateries, parks, cafes vintage shops and markets found in Stockbridge and Leith Shore. Offering the perfect blend of must-see tourist attractions, as well as the authentic locals experience of Edinburgh. 

Hop on and hop off as much as you like to truly take in the sights of our Britannia Tour including:

• The Royal Botanic Garden
• Newhaven Harbour
• The Royal Yacht Britannia & Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre
• Leith Shore
• Stockbridge
• The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
• Edinburgh Castle
• The Royal Mile

Click here to download our tour maps.

We have ticket options to suit you, with validity for 24 or 48 hours allowing you to squeeze in as many of the sights as possible from the best seats in town!

We're the not-boring bus tour, and our friendly team are here to ensure you have the very best experience of Edinburgh during your time on board, and beyond!

From £10 per adult

Departure days.

• W Wednesday

January — December

Contact details

• +44 (1506) 534977
• View tour details
• [email protected]

Key facilities

• Level Access
• Pets Welcome

Tour information

• Edinburgh - City Centre
• Large Group (31+)
• Medium Group (17-30)
• Small Group (1-16)
• Architecture
• Outdoor Activities

Tour prices

From £10 Per Adult £6 Per Child £9 Concession

Prices are subject to change depending on season

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Tour company information

Bright bus tours.

Arthur no longer has the best seat in town! You can enjoy our Edinburgh Hop-on, Hop-off City Tour and Britannia Tour for the best way to truly experience Scotland’s Capital over 24 or 48 hours. Travel between Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile and Royal Yacht Britannia, hopping on and off as much as you like. Sample a tipple at Holyrood Distillery or explore at Dynamic Earth before a stroll in beautiful Stockbridge, or Leith Shore. An adult tour ticket is £10 or enjoy a trip with the family for £29 plus upgrade to a 48 hour ticket for only an extra £3.

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Opening times

Our Tours operate from 9am daily, 7 days a week and depart from St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.

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Edinburgh boat tours, cruise boat or speed boat tours.

Edinburgh Boat Tours take you up and down the Firth of Forth under the magnificent bridges and around the many islands of which most at one time were inhabited.  The guide will tell you the history and facts about the islands. While you are cruising you will have the chance of seeing seal, dolphin whales otters and many different species of bird including the Puffins. 

There are also trips for diving, swimming, snorkeling and scuba 

There are a choice of boats to take your tour at high speed or in a cruise boat.

Blue Wild Boat Trips

Dunbar Harbour

Dunbar East Lothian

Seabird Catamaran Trips

Scottish Seabird Centre,

North Berwick,

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Narrow boat Gosling Lower Gilmore Bank Edinburgh EH3 9QP

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One man killed, three others injured after two water vessels smash into each other in nyc.

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One man was killed and three people after two vessels smashed into each other in Brooklyn sending the occupants flying, police said.

The deadly incident happened after 11:50 a.m. near Plumb Beach, in the Gerritsen Creek waters, police said.

A 58-year-old man, a 56-year-old man and a 45-year-old woman were on one craft and a 68-year-old man was on the second, the NYPD said.

The 58-year-old man — who had CPR administered at the scene — was brought in critical condition to NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health, but later died, an NYPD spokesman told The Post.

The 56-year-old man and 45-year-old woman were brought to Coney Island Hospital in stable condition, police said.

The 68-year-old was treated at the scene for minor injuries, authorities said.

The NYPD did not immediately indicate what caused the crash.

“There are no arrests and the investigation remains ongoing,” the department spokesman said.

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Jul 6, 2024 | 10:54 PM EDT

Coach Prime's yacht tour—Is Deion Sanders the epitome of success or just flaunting his wealth?

Coach Prime is living the high life! He recently took his family and friends on a luxurious three-day yacht trip and showcased his extravagant lifestyle on social media.

“God told me to start living,” Coach Prime declared, explaining his lavish getaway. “Either living or you dying. I choose to live and I’m getting ready to start living,” he said, reflecting on his successful football career. After all, he’s built a $45 million fortune from his NFL career and NCAA coaching. What better way to enjoy it than to splurge a little?

The July 7 video by Well Off Media shows Deion giving his son Bucky a tour of his stunning luxury gateway, the Nirvana Yacht, which boasts top-of-the-line amenities. Deion Jr. was visibly excited when he said, “There’s some good stuff!” for the camera.

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What’s your reaction?

Did Coach Prime just redefine luxury with his $45 million yacht? React!

The yacht screams luxury, from a chic Jacuzzi at the entrance to a relaxing lounge area, a well-equipped kitchen, and a dedicated dining space. As Deion Sanders Jr. pans his camera, his dad introduces the yacht’s crew, including the stewardess, captain, and even the young, talented chef, Chris. Deion Jr. then shows the master bedroom with its luxurious bathroom and hidden sauna, as well as guest rooms below the “hidden steps” occupied by Deion’s pastor friend, Dewey Smith Jr. 

Looks like Coach Prime ain’t messing around with luxury! He’s soaking up the good life on his yacht and showing off what a million dollars looks like. His recent partnership with a $6.88 billion powerhouse makes you wonder if there’s more splashing around in store. 

Millions-worth Coach Prime sails in luxury

Coach Prime’s love for the water extends beyond his recent yacht trip! Just before setting sail, Deion showed off his new “Bass Cat” fishing boat, a collaboration with sports giant PUMA. This 20.5-foot beauty is a dream for any fishing enthusiast like Deion . It is heavily custom-designed to meet the needs of the Buffaloes ‘ head coach. It’s decked out in the iconic Buffs colors of black and gold, with their logo proudly displayed.

The PUMA logo takes center stage on the boat’s sides, while the plush leather seats have the word “Prime” on them. But functionality isn’t forgotten either. It has ample storage to keep live catches fresh, and there’s also dedicated space for fishing rods. From the new “21 Bass Cat” to the luxurious yacht trip, Coach Prime indulges in his love for water and a touch of luxury. 

Whether it’s the thrill of the ride or the taste of success, Deion’s living life to the fullest, and we sense there’s more to come!

EssentiallySports is a digital-first sports media house that surfaces the best stories on America's favorite sports celebrities with a fan's perspective to 30+ M average monthly readers.

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Deion Sanders shows off luxurious yacht in Miami for Fourth of July

Jeff hauser | 2 hours ago.

• Colorado Buffaloes

Deion Sanders enjoyed the offering of South Beach to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday.

The Colorado Buffaloes coach took the opportunity to get some well deserved rest and relaxation on a yacht surrounded by his sons and a select group of friends, including E. Dewey Smith. He talked about how the group watched fireworks over the ocean in a patriotic moment.

Coach Prime took Well Off Media on a tour of the luxury vessel that featured a hot tub, sauna, sleeping cabins, a full kitchen, and extended sun deck. "God told me to start living," Sanders said "Start living, and it ain't got nothing to do with the financial aspect of your life, it has nothing to do with your location. It has nothing to do with a lot of the things you think it may. Just start living."

The trip to Prime's home state comes right before he goes to Las Vegas for Big 12 Media Days. Colorado will try to improve on a 4-8 record posted last year. It will also be the first year back in the Buffaloes former conference after a 14-year stint in the Pac-12. Sanders enters his second year in Boulder, which is expected to be the final season for his sons, Shilo and Shedeur, along with Travis Hunter, who will be entering the 2025 NFL Draft .

Cam Ward tells Shedeur Sanders to stop BS'ing after bad workout in Miami

Sanders and the Buffs will open up the 2024 season at home, taking on FCS powerhouse North Dakota State on August 29 ( 8 p.m. ET/ TV: ESPN ).

JEFF HAUSER

General Election 2024 latest: Sir Keir Starmer vows to 'deliver for Scotland' as he kicks off UK tour

LIVE – Updated at 18:31

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has promised to “deliver for Scotland” on a visit to Edinburgh.

He said the days of division were over and that he would work to improve services north of the border.

Starmer said: “I can’t tell you how important it is to be here in Scotland. That was an historic election result and mandate for change.

“We say thank you to every single person in Scotland who has voted Labour... we will serve every person in Scotland.”

In a flurry of calls the new Prime Minister has also been talking to world leaders.

He stressed the "urgent need for a ceasefire" in his first telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The call centred on the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the worsening humanitarian situation in the region.

Mr Starmer emphasised his government's commitment to finding a peaceful resolution, while also discussing the importance of securing the release of hostages and increasing aid to Gaza.

A Downing Street spokesperson described the exchange as "frank and constructive".

Mr Starmer is also travelling to Edinburgh today to discuss ways of improving the working relationshipwith the Scottish Government.

The new Prime Minister said Scotland would be his first stop in a tour of the UK nations, and he would meet First Minister John Swinney.

On Tuesday he will meet with mayors from across the country, before jetting off to Washington DC for a summit marking the 75th anniversary of Nato.

The Standard is bringing you all the major developments on Sir Keir’s first weekend as PM...

Starmer: 'Work underway to build bridges with Europe

Sir Keir Starmer said work has already begun to build closer ties with the European Union following Labour’s landslide election win.

The Prime Minister said he wanted better trading and security relationships with Brussels as he vowed to rip up the “botched” deal struck by Boris Johnson.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has already travelled to Europe for talks with key players, with a promise that the UK would be a “good neighbour” after the years of Brexit acrimony.

Speaking to reporters in Edinburgh, Sir Keir said: “We intend to improve our relationship with the EU and that means closer trading ties with the EU, it means closer ties in relation to research and development and closer ties in relation to defence and security.

“Obviously, there are many discussions to be had and negotiations to be had.

“But I do think that we can get a much better deal than the botched deal that Boris Johnson saddled the UK with.”

Home secretary announces new UK Border Security command to tackle small boat crisis

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has set out the first steps to establishing a new UK Border Security Command to tackle the people-smuggling gangs bringing migrants across the Channel in small boats.

Recruitment of a border security commander, who will report directly to the Home Secretary, will begin on Monday, with the new recruit expected to take up their post in the coming weeks, the Home Office said.

The commander will be a “leader used to working in complex and challenging environments, for example at senior levels of policing, intelligence or the military” who will provide strategic direction to work across agencies, drawing together the work of the National Crime Agency, intelligence agencies, police, Immigration Enforcement and Border Force, to protect the country’s borders and go after the smuggling gangs facilitating small boat crossings, the department added.

Defence secretary announces new package of support for Ukraine

Defence Secretary John Healey has said the UK will provide a new package of support to Ukraine, including more artillery guns and nearly 100 Brimstone missiles.

The Ministry of Defence said Mr Healey has also directed officials to ensure military support committed for Ukraine in April by the last government should be delivered in full within the next 100 days.

Mr Healey, who visited Odesa, said: “As the new Defence Secretary, I will ensure that we reinvigorate Britain’s support by stepping up supplies of vital military aid.

“Our commitment to stand with the Ukrainian people is absolute, as is our resolve to confront Russian aggression and pursue Putin for his war crimes.

“This Government is steadfast in our commitment to continue supplying military assistance and will stand shoulder to shoulder with our Ukrainian friends for as long as it takes.”

Starmer arrives in Edinburgh promising "we will deliver for Scotland"

Keir Starmer has appeared in Edinburgh congratulating the country’s 37 new Labour MPs and promising to “deliver for Scotland”.

The Prime Minister said: “I can’t tell you how important it is to be here in Scotland. That was an historic election result and mandate for change.

“We say thank you to every single person in Scotland who has voted Labour... we will serve every person in Scotland,

The leader of Labour in Scotland alongside him said the party would fight for “hard work and humility ... hard work for change.”

Casement Park in Belfast 'will be built' NI secretary Hilary Benn says

Casement Park in Belfast will be built “one way or another”, new Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has pledged.

However, Mr Benn said it was not clear if the long-delayed redevelopment of the GAA stadium could be completed in time to host matches at the 2028 European Football Championships.

On his first visit to Northern Ireland since his appointment in Sir Keir Starmer’s Cabinet, Mr Benn said Casement Park was “probably the most urgent issue” on his desk.

There has been mounting speculation that the stadium is set to be axed as a venue for the Euros 2028.

The derelict west Belfast ground has been earmarked to play host to five matches in the showpiece tournament being hosted in the UK and Ireland.

However, the funding required to build the stadium in time for the tournament is still not in place, prompting concerns that the delays will see Belfast missing out on the tournament.

David Lammy meets Polish counterpart

Britain's new Foreign Secretary David Lammy held talks with his Polish counterpart on Sunday as part of his first international trip seeking to tighten British relations with the European Union and stress support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.

Lammy said he was visiting Britain's "key partners" in Europe — Poland, Germany and Sweden, all NATO members — for cooperation and security talks.

He said that Britain's military, economic, political and diplomatic support for Ukraine will remain unwavering, while it wants a "reset" with Europe in the areas of climate protection, energy and migration.

More calls with foreign leaders

Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

He told president Abbas that recognition of Palestine as part of the peace process was the "undeniable right of Palestinians".

In a readout of the call with Mr Netanyahu, Downing Street said: "The leaders discussed the importance of regional security in the Middle East, and the Prime Minister said he was committed to continuing the UK and Israel's vital co-operation to deter malign threats. The Prime Minister said the situation on the northern border of Israel was very concerning, and it was crucial all parties acted with caution.

Sir Keir Starmer has had a busy time on the phone and has also spoken to South Africa's president Cyril Ramaphosa and United Arab Emirates' president Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed al-Nahyan.

'Reform could work with Green party' says Tice

Starmer holds discussions with palestinian president on gaza conflict.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has held discussions with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, focusing on immediate priorities for the Gaza conflict.

During their Sunday meeting, Starmer said his goals were securing a ceasefire, ensuring the safe return of hostages and increasing humanitarian aid to the region.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister updated President Abbas on his immediate priorities, including securing a ceasefire, the return of hostages, an increase and acceleration in humanitarian aid, and financial support for the Palestinian Authority."

They added: "Discussing the importance of reform, and ensuring international legitimacy for Palestine, the Prime Minister said that his longstanding policy on recognition to contribute to a peace process had not changed, and it was the undeniable right of Palestinians."

Over in France...

French President Emmanuel Macron voted in high-stakes legislative elections Sunday that could force him to share power with the rising far right.

Macron called the surprise vote after the anti-immigration, nationalist National Rally made huge gains in the June 9 European elections, taking a huge gamble that French voters would block the far-right party as they always have in the past.

But the National Rally instead won a larger share than ever in the first round on June 30, and its leader Marine Le Pen called on voters to give the party an absolute majority in Round 2.

Sunday's vote determines which party controls the National Assembly and who will be prime minister. If no party wins an absolute majority, forming a government comes only after extensive negotiations.

Starmer and Rayner waste no time in clearing out No 10

A piano and a sofa were among items removed from Downing Street in the aftermath of Labour's General Election landslide.

Former prime minister Rishi Sunak and former chancellor Jeremy Hunt and their families lost their residences in No 10 and No 11 as Labour swept to power.

Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves are the new occupants, although the moving process will take a few days.

On Saturday the Prime Minister said: "We're not unpacked quite yet, but we will be soon and we'll be moving in soon but there's a bit of work to do before then."

On Sunday, a bright yellow lorry from the Bishop's Move firm was parked around the back of Downing Street, with a steady flow of items being carried out of the famous street.

A mattress, a bright red sofa and an upright piano were carefully stowed in the back of the lorry by a team of workers.

Mr Sunak lived in the flat above No 10 while Mr Hunt had the larger flat above No 11.

Prime ministers in recent years had favoured the No 11 residence, but Mr Sunak had lived above No 10 as chancellor and moved back in with his family when he became the premier.

Tories positioning themselves for leadership battle

Leading contenders in the battle to replace Rishi Sunak and restore the Tories' fortunes have been making initial pitches to Conservatives for support.

Suella Braverman, Robert Jenrick and Victoria Atkins used a series of newspaper articles and interviews to say what they think went wrong for the Tories and how the party can turn itself around following its worst-ever election result.

Former home secretary Mrs Braverman said the party needed to take a tougher line on reducing immigration, claiming some Tories had treated voters like "mugs" and Mr Sunak had run an "idiotic strategy".

Ex-immigration minister Robert Jenrick said failing to reduce numbers coming to the UK was "our biggest and most damaging failure" and the former government "insulted the public with decisions that caused net migration to spiral to unprecedented levels".

And Ms Atkins said the country was still "instinctively Conservative" despite an election which resulted in the Tories returning just 121 MPs, the lowest in the party's history, with Labour winning a majority of 174.

Government rules out prospect of ID cards

The Government has ruled out the introduction of digital ID cards after former premier Sir Tony Blair called for the documents to help control migration.

Sir Tony, who championed ID cards when he was in office only for the idea to be killed off after Labour lost power, said the world was moving to a digital form of the document.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds initially said Home Secretary Yvette Cooper would look at "all sources of advice" on the issue.

Sources close to Ms Cooper said ID cards were not Labour policy and that has not changed, with Mr Reynolds later publicly ruling them out.

Toey Steve Baker celebrates freedom after losing seat

Tories need to be 'painfully honest' says former immigration minister.

Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick said he was being "painfully honest" about what went wrong, adding the Tories "didn't have a good enough diagnosis of just how broken some of our public services were".

He told BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: "And we didn't have the willingness to take the tough decisions that were necessary to deliver for the British public; when we said, for example, on immigration that we would do whatever it takes, we didn't do whatever it takes."

Mr Jenrick suggested "migration was at the heart" of the defeat, adding: "Two-thirds of the constituencies that sadly we lost at the General Election, the majorities, the margin of defeat was less than the Reform vote - and that was the case in the north, the south, in Scotland, Wales, everywhere including, for example, in seats that we lost to the Liberal Democrats.”

Alex Salmond voted SNP

Alma Party leader Alex Salmond has revealed he voted for the SNP, the party he left and used to figurhead.

His new party did not field a candidate in the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency, leaving him considering options.

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross lost the seat to the SNP after criticism over his decision to stand in place of David Duguid who was receiving hospital treatment.

Mr Salmond, whose public dispute with his former party saw him form Alba, told LBC the SNP was aided by Mr Ross's "shenanigans".

Denyer: 'We'll push government to be bolder'

The Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer has vowed to press Labour on environmental issues after her party won four seats in parliament.

Ms Denyer won Bristol Central for the first time and has committed to fighting for issues true to the party.

“We’ll be pushing the Labour government to be bolder on climate, on the housing crisis, or properly funding public services,” she told the Guardian .

“We’ll be using all of the levers that we have available as opposition MPs, whether that’s through ministerial questions, motions, amendments, the committees, and just moving the debate on.”

Video: Sir Keir Starmer chats to president Joe Biden on phone

Ed davey says proportional representation would lead to fairer system.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the party has "long argued for electoral reform" as "our politics is broken", but added it "might mean that there'll be people who are elected who we don't agree with".

Asked on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme if it was fair that Reform UK got many more votes than the Lib Dems but have ended up with far fewer seats, Sir Ed said: "Well, you know Laura that the Liberal Democrats have long argued for fair votes and long argued for electoral reform and proportional representation. We want to improve our democracy, our politics is broken and so we're going to continue to make that case.

"It might mean that there'll be people who are elected who we don't agree with but by the way, that's been the case in the first past the post, there are many people in the Conservative Party who seem to share the values and ideas of Reform, and they're already there."

Victoria Atkins does not rule out Tory leadership effort

Former health secretary Victoria Atkins did not rule out standing in the Tory leadership race but said it was not yet time for candidates to launch their campaigns.

She told BBC One's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: "This weekend is not about leadership."

She added: "The absolute focus at the moment, and the reason I came on today, was genuinely not to talk about leadership because this is not the moment for this.

"We need to show the public that we understand they have sent us some very, very loud messages, that we are listening, that we are reflecting and then we as a party need to get together and unite and work out what we want for the future."

Jonathan Reynolds says 'job guarantees' part of negotiations with Tata

Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said "job guarantees" would be part of the negotiations between the Government and steel giant Tata about its Port Talbot site.

Tata has shut down one of two blast furnaces at its biggest plant under its plans to switch to a greener form of production. The second blast furnace is due to be shut down in September.

Mr Reynolds said "there is a better deal available for Port Talbot and the steel industry as a whole", telling BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: "I do want things in exchange for money we'll co-invest with the private sector around jobs and technology.

"I think that's a reasonable way to make sure public money is being well spent and I believe there are things, capacities, the steel industry needs in future that could be part of that conversation and that's what I'll be having in the next few days."

He added: "I'm going to make sure that job guarantees are part of the negotiation that we're having."

'Biggest challenge is unity' for Tories, says Zahawi

Former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has said "the biggest challenge is unity" for the next leader of the Conservative Party following the General Election.

The former MP, who did not stand in the election, admitted the result for the Tories was "pretty catastrophic" but said the party still had "some serious talent" in Parliament.

Asked by Trevor Phillips on Sky News who he would like to see as the new party leader, Mr Zahawi said: "At this stage, I think the most important thing, whoever comes forward, is they come up with a plan of how to unite the party, (to) bring us back together.

"I think the biggest challenge for us is unity, and I think that the lesson - if we haven't learnt it yet then we really will be in trouble - is that we have to present a united front to the country.

"Rishi (Sunak) suffered badly in the campaign because there were voices from his own party coming out against (him)."

Mr Zahawi said the electorate had reacted with their votes after the Conservative Party had "formed a circular firing squad".

Labour urged to press forward with ban on smoking

Labour must seize the opportunity to phase out smoking "with both hands", leading health experts have said as they called on the new Government to revive legislation designed to ban young people from ever being able to legally smoke.

More than 1,000 experts across the health sector have urged the Government to include the law "front and centre" when it announces its legislative programme in the King's Speech.

Former prime minister Rishi Sunak announced plans to crack down on smoking through his flagship Tobacco and Vapes Bill last year.

The Bill - dubbed the "greatest piece of public health legislation in a generation" - had earned wide cross-party support and was progressing through Parliament when the General Election was called.

Charities and health experts were dismayed when the Bill was shelved as a result.

What do the papers say?

'hugs and kisses on election night'.

Sir Keir Starmer’s friends and family “turned and hugged each other” shortly after the exit poll was read out on Thursday, his biographer has said .

Tom Baldwin wrote in the Guardian that he felt he was intruding on something “very personal” when it was announced he would likely take power.

“The man they were talking about wrapped both his arms around his wife to share an extravagant kiss. Then he reached out for his 13-year-old daughter. They embraced for a moment but he jolted into a tighter, protective grip as he realised it was all becoming too much.”

Modi also makes phone call to Sir Keir Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer has also taken a call from Indian prime minister Narendra Modi who has offered the new PM a visit to his country.

Both men are said to have recommitted to their strategic partnership.

Biden congratulates Starmer on becoming PM

Sir Keir Starmer has had his first phone call with Joe Biden as prime minister.

The US president congratulated the Labour leader while Sir Keir said he wished to continue the special relationship of the two nations - reports the Sun .

Mr Biden said: “There’s no doubt that under your leadership our two countries are going to continue our special relationship.

“We’re working together on just about every issue, supporting Ukraine, managing the competition with China, advancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific with Aukus.”

As a Labour leader Sir Keir is potentially ideologically closer to Mr Biden than his predecessor Rishi Sunak.

Sir Keir Starmer heads to Scotland on tour of UK

The Prime Minister said he was seeking an "immediate reset" of the relationship between the Westminster Government and devolved nations as he embarks on a tour of all four corners of Britain.

Sir Keir Starmer insisted "respect" would be the key ingredient in the bond between the new UK administration and its Irish, Scottish and Welsh counterparts.

His first visit will be to Edinburgh on Sunday, where the PM will say he wants to "turn disagreement into co-operation" with the SNP north of the border.

"People across the United Kingdom are bound by shared beliefs. Fundamental values of respect, service and community which define us as a great nation," Sir Keir said.

"That begins today with an immediate reset of my Government's approach to working with the First and deputy First Ministers, because meaningful co-operation centred on respect will be key to delivering change across our United Kingdom.

"Together we can begin the work to rebuild our country with a resolute focus on serving working people once again."

UK election latest: Starmer makes 'hugely important' visit to Scotland as he kicks off first tour of UK

New PM Keir Starmer is embarking on a "reset" tour of the UK, as he seeks to improve the UK government's relations with the devolved administrations.

Sunday 7 July 2024 18:52, UK

• General Election 2024

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• Starmer kicks off UK tour in Edinburgh
• PM sets out 'urgent need for ceasefire' in call with Netanyahu
• Government rejects Blair's call for ID cards
• New Northern Ireland secretary rules out border poll
• Home secretary launches search for border security commander
• Senior Tories 'likely putting teams together' for leadership bids
• Live reporting by Ollie Cooper
• Starmer's challenges: Tackling exhausted NHS | Looming chaos abroad | Defence to dominate early days | Small boats plan? | Rift with scientists needs healing
• Listen: Politics At Jack And Sam's - what's in Starmer's in-tray?
• Could Tories take their time to pick new leader?
• Meet the country's youngest MP - he's 22
• Results in every constituency

Sunday might be a day of rest for many of us, but for prime ministers and political journalists there's no such thing.

Sir Keir Starmer has had a busy day, kicking off a tour of the UK, and there's been plenty else keeping us busy.

Here are the main things you need to know from today:

• Sir Keir Starmer has headed to Edinburgh for the start of a UK tour, where he'll meet with First Minister John Swinney;
• Speaking to Scottish Labour supporters beforehand, he promised to "serve every single person in Scotland" no matter who they voted for;
• The PM hopes his visits to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will signal a "reset in relations" between Westminster and the devolved administrations;
• It comes after Labour enjoyed a revival in Scotland to become the largest party north of the border, and kept that status in Wales too.
• New government ministers are settling into their roles and were quick to rule out introducing ID cards to tackle illegal immigration this morning;
• Labour's top team distanced themselves from the suggestion made by former party leader and prime minister Sir Tony Blair ;
• The new Northern Ireland secretary, Hilary Benn, also denied there was a case for a border poll on the island of Ireland after Sinn Fein became the largest Northern Irish party at Westminster.
• Meanwhile, the Tory leadership race may well be under way after several former ministers refused to rule themselves out;
• Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman were among those on the media round this morning who indicated they could be up for replacing Rishi Sunak;
• But our political correspondent Darren McCaffrey says there are some in the party who want them to take their time before deciding, rather than rushing towards a right-wing candidate looking to stave off the threat from Reform UK.

You can also get the lowdown on the new prime minister's first few days from our Politics At Jack And Sam's podcast below:

By Tim Baker , political reporter

The government is to divert tens of millions of pounds from the Rwanda scheme to set up a new Border Security Command (BSC), as it announces its plans to tackle illegal migration.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has also announced an audit of the monies sent to Kigali as the Labour administration looks to find ways to save or recoup cash committed under the Conservatives.

Ms Cooper plans to raise the issue of illegal migration with her European colleagues at the European Political Community Summit on 18 July.

Before the general election, Sir Keir Starmer said his party wanted to send around £75m a year to their new border scheme, from the scrapped Rwanda deportation programme.

The prime minister described the Conservative-era plans to send asylum seekers to Africa as "dead and buried" earlier this weekend.

However, it is understood Labour has not reached out to Kigali to discuss the way forward, as the previous UK government promised hundreds of millions of pounds for migrants to be sent to Rwanda.

Read more below:

Defence Secretary John Healey has already met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with the Labour government making a new pledge on sending arms to Ukraine.

Mr Healey also promised that the equipment Rishi Sunak announced in April will be delivered within the first 100 days of the new government.

He said: "Our commitment to stand with the Ukrainian people is absolute, as is our resolve to confront Russian aggression and pursue Putin for his war crimes.

"This government is steadfast in our commitment to continue supplying military assistance and will stand shoulder to shoulder with our Ukrainian friends for as long as it takes."

The newly promised package of aid includes: 

• A quarter of a million of 50 calibre ammunition;
• 90 anti-armour Brimstone missiles;
• 50 small military boats to support river and coastal operations;
• 40 de-mining vehicles;
• 10 AS-90 artillery guns;
•  61 bulldozers to help build defensive positions;
• Support for previously gifted AS-90s.

The new home secretary has wasted little time in getting started in her role - launching the promised Border Security Command (BSC) just days after her appointment. 

The BSC was one of the cornerstones of Sir Keir Starmer's manifesto - Labour's solution to the small boats crisis.

The set-up is being at least partly funded by diverting £75m from the now cancelled Rwanda scheme. 

Yvette Cooper has set out the first steps for establishing the BSC, which promises to "strengthen Britain's borders security and smash the criminal smuggling gangs making millions out of small boat crossings".

The plan includes the rapid recruitment of an "exceptional leader", which begins tomorrow. 

'We can't carry on like this'

The new recruit, who is expected to take up their post in the coming weeks, will report directly to the office of the home secretary. 

They will be tasked with providing a "strategic direction" across agencies, including the National Crime Agency, police, immigration enforcement, and the Border Force.

Ms Cooper is also preparing early legislation which will introduce new counter-terror style powers for the BSC, and has commissioned an investigation into the routes and tactics used by smuggling gangs.

She said it would be a "major step change" in the UK's efforts to tackle organised immigration crime, working "across Europe" and co-ordinating with prosecutors on the continent.

"We can't carry on like this," she said, adding the BSC will act as a "major upgrade" on the immigration system Labour have inherited. 

Sir Keir Starmer has just spoken alongside the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who introduced the new PM to a rapturous applause of party supporters in Edinburgh.

After a long intro from his Scottish colleague, Sir Keir says it's "hugely important" for him to visit the devolved nations as soon as possible. 

"That was an incredible election result, a historic result and a real mandate for change - we start here," he says. 

He says there's nothing "inevitable" about an election win, adding "we won because we campaigned as changed Labour". 

"We [will] govern in the same spirit… we will serve the entirety of Scotland, we will serve every single person in Scotland because that change matters to everyone."

Our political correspondent  Amanda Akass   says the speech was a reminder of the unique opportunity Sir Keir has to unite the UK's devolved administrations.

Scottish Labour "really rose out of the ashes of their previous defeats" in this week's general election, she says, going from one MP to 37.

The PM wants those new MPs "to be a big part of the government in Westminster to deliver for the people of Scotland as part of that mandate for change".

He'll also be meeting First Minister John Swinney, as part of what he hopes will be a "reset" in relations between Westminster and Holyrood.

Sir Keir Starmer is giving a speech following a meeting with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar in Edinburgh this afternoon.

It comes at the start of the PM's first UK tour - once he's finished north of the border he'll be going to Wales and Northern Ireland.

His Scotland visit will also include a meeting with John Swinney, the first minister and SNP leader.

You can watch his speech in the stream above.

The prime minister has welcomed comments made by the Irish Taoiseach during an interview with Sky News. 

You can see Simon Harris and Sir Keir Starmer's interaction in the embedded X post below… 

It comes after Mr Harris promised he and fellow EU leaders would give the new prime minister a "fair hearing" when it comes to possible changes to the post-Brexit trade deal.

Sir Keir has repeatedly described it as "botched" and said during the election campaign he'd look to improve it - but with no return to the single market, customs union, or freedom of movement.

You can read Ireland correspondent  Stephen Murphy 's full interview with Mr Harris here . 

It's been a busy week and weekend - so it's easy to miss key moments. 

Need a catch-up on the last few days of history-making political drama?

Watch below… 

The youngest MP set to enter the Commons says he is "a little bit frustrated" when questions are asked about his life experience.

Sam Carling, 22, is the new representative of North West Cambridgeshire, having beaten veteran Conservative Shailesh Vara by a razor-thin 39-vote margin.

'Baby of the House'

He graduated from the University of Cambridge last year and has been a councillor at Cambridge City Council since 2022, according to his LinkedIn.

"I always get a little bit frustrated when people mention life experience because no one has yet been able to explain to me why being older makes you better at that job," he told BBC Breakfast.

"I have had experiences that lots of older MPs won't have had, and I have done quite a lot for my age as well," he said, pointing to his position in the council cabinet overseeing £17m of public money.

Mr Carling will be nicknamed "baby of the House" when he enters the Commons, taking over the tradition from fellow Labour MP Keir Mather.

The Father of the House will be Sir Edward Leigh, 73, who has served continuously since 1983.

Some had thought Jeremy Corbyn would gain the title - but he was sworn in 20 places behind Sir Edward in the queue that year.

Sir Edward held his Gainsborough seat on Thursday, albeit with a much reduced majority of 3,532 - 30 percentage points fewer than in 2019.

Mother of the House goes to Diane Abbott, 70, who was elected in 1987 as the first black woman to win a seat in the House of Commons.

She was re-elected with a huge mandate on Thursday - 59.5% of the vote and a majority of more than 15,000.

The prime minister has embarked on a tour of the UK today following his general election victory.

Sir Keir Starmer is kicking off the multi-stop trip in Edinburgh, where he'll meet the Scottish first minister, John Swinney.

We've just received these pictures from the Press Association of the PM leaving the rear entrance of Downing Street earlier today.

We're expecting an update from his Scotland trip in the next few hours.

It comes after Labour became the dominant party north of the border for the first time in more than a decade, as the SNP collapsed.

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