Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to announce a crackdown on children's access to social media within days.

A speech from the prime minister which will include a new policy on social media is planned for next week.

Next week is already a crucial week for Sir Keir, who will spend several days at the annual G7 summit of world leaders in France, while the Makerfield by-election in which Andy Burnham is Labour's candidate is taking place on Thursday.

In recent weeks, government ministers have examined a variety of options for restrictions, including a blanket ban on under-16s accessing social media, as has been introduced in Australia.

There have also been discussions about exempting elements of social media deemed less harmful.

The prime minister was previously resistant to restrictions on children's access to social media.

But under pressure from the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, as well as dozens of Labour MPs, the government launched a public consultation on a ban in March.

When the consultation closed last month, Sir Keir vowed to take "decisive" measures which he promised would be a "game-changer".

A full list of the parties who have put forward candidates for the Makerfield by-election can be found here.

Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to keep up with the inner workings of Westminster and beyond.

A BBC investigation paid £100 for one donor’s “baby batter” delivered by post with a carton of passata.

Fuelled by social media, the market for children's skincare is booming. Experts fear for the long-term impact on girls

Naomi Gleit has weathered many controversies at Meta, but remains in what she tells the BBC is her "dream job".

The boss of X, Tesla and SpaceX is the world's richest person and has used his platform to make his views known on a vast array of topics.

West Yorkshire's Alison Lowe says young people need to be made more aware of the dangers.