Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 30 Jul 2016

1. Labour rebels plan 'semi-split' if Corbyn prevails

Labour rebels are so sure that Jeremy Corbyn will win the leadership contest that they are already planning to elect their own leader and launch a legal challenge for the party's name. Senior moderates say they may set up their own “alternative Labour” in a “semi-split” of the party if Corbyn remains in charge. They would create their own shadow cabinet and even elect a leader within the Commons.

2. Putin wages anti-UK propaganda war from Edinburgh

Vladimir Putin has launched a “secret propaganda assault on Britain” from within its own borders, claims The Times. Using a newly opened British bureau, the Kremlin is spreading disinformation through for its Sputnik international news service. It is also infiltrating leading universities by placing language and cultural centres on campuses. The main target is Edinburgh, which has been chosen as the UK headquarters of Sputnik.

3. Plastic bag use plummets by 85% after 5p charge

British shoppers will take home six billion fewer plastic bags this year after the introduction of the 5p charge. Government data shows the charge has cut use of plastic carrier bags by around 85%. Environment minister Therese Coffey said the reduction in the number of bags being used was "fantastic news". The Daily Mail says the data is “huge vindication” for its “eight-year Banish the Bags campaign”.

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4. Hillary Clinton 'hacked by Russian-backed agents'

Hillary Clinton's campaign has been hacked by agents working for the Russian government, say US officials. The Russian government has denied involvement and condemned the "poisonous anti-Russian" rhetoric coming out of Washington. Earlier this week, Clinton's rival for the White House, Donald Trump, caused a storm when he encouraged the Russians to spy on Clinton’s emails.

5. Budget airline pilots complain of 'dangerous' working hours

Airline pilots have complained of dangerous fatigue and being pushed to the limit at the budget airline Flydubai. Question marks are raised over flight safety in a cache of leaked documents that describe potentially dangerous schedules at the carrier, which is already under pressure following a crash on 19 March that killed 62 passengers and crew. One pilot says the amount of hours he was expected to work was “illegal” and “dangerous”.

6. Government claims record £4.7bn from inheritance tax

The taxman charged a record £4.7bn in death duties last year as thousands more families were dragged into paying. Stats released by HM Revenue and Customs show that receipts from inheritance tax jumped by 22%, thanks to rising house prices. The government now makes twice as much from the tax as it did five years ago. Experts say HMRC has introduced a “tougher regime” with “serious penalties”.

7. Poll finds Scots prefer being part of UK to staying in EU

Most Scottish voters would prefer remaining in a post-Brexit UK to independence and continued membership of the EU, according to a new poll. The survey by YouGov shows only 45% back independence for sake of continued EU membership. In the immediate aftermath of the Brexit vote, polls suggested support for independence had surged to a majority in Scotland, which voted heavily to remain in the EU.

8. EDF boss 'confident' Hinkley Point will still go ahead

The chief executive of EDF in the UK says he is "confident" a new nuclear power station will be built at Hinkley Point, despite the government’s last-minute postponement of its decision. Writing to staff, Vincent de Rivaz said he regretted the uncertainty over the £18bn Somerset project but added that he understood why the new UK cabinet needed a "little time". The government says it will decide by autumn.

9. Ford considers closing factories in 'Leave' towns

Ford is considering closing its two remaining UK factories, both of which are in towns where the majority of people voted to leave the EU. The carmarker is trying to cover costs of $1bn over the next two years. Ford, which stopped making passenger cars in the UK in 2002, still makes engines at plants in Dagenham and Bridgend. It has already cut 5,700 EU jobs in the last five years.

10. Dad says police should question Duncan Smith over son's suicide

A grieving father has called for Iain Duncan Smith to face a police investigation after his son killed himself over fear of losing his benefits. David Barr threw himself from a bridge after being ruled fit to work despite suffering from severe mental illness. His father told police that the former work and pensions secretary bears responsibility for his son’s death in 2013.