A letter shows the UK Conservative Party has urged HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to investigate a £5m 'gift' to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

China foreign minister Wang Yi met UK foreign minister Miliband in Manila on the morning of the 23rd. Wang said Beijing values UK assurances of policy continuity toward China and urged the UK to adhere to the One China principle. He called on London to provide a fair, non‑discriminatory business environment for Chinese firms in the UK and to avoid treating trade and economic ties as security issues. China signalled it wants close high‑level engagement with the new UK government to consolidate political trust and deepen pragmatic cooperation, and reiterated support for multilateralism while opposing unilateral pressure and protectionism.

EIA: US refinery utilization for the week to July 17 96.1% (consensus 95.9%, prior 96.2%).