‘Israel cuts aid to Gaza’ and ‘Reeves blow as prices rise’
The “shattered remains” of Khan Younis were pictured on the front page of the Guardian, which wrote that the “fragile ceasefire” in Gaza was already being tested. The newspaper reports that the four dead hostages have been returned to Israel, but notes that Hamas has previously claimed it could take longer to return the remaining bodies “because not all burial sites have been identified.” The newspaper added that Israel said aid to Gaza would be halved and an important border crossing would remain closed.
The UK state pension will rise by 4.8 per cent and pensioners will now receive £12,547.60 a year, i Paper reports. The newspaper notes that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that inflation in the UK will remain “higher than in other large rich countries”. But he adds that the IMF’s “modest” growth rate forecast will give Chancellor Rachel Reeves a “slight boost” ahead of next month’s budget.
The Express puts a different spin on the IMF’s forecasts, declaring it a “gloomy verdict” on the UK economy and a “fresh humiliation” for the chancellor.
The Daily Mail focuses on official figures which it says show UK unemployment is at a four-year high and wage growth is slowing. It also refers to IMF forecasts and says the “darkening outlook” has prompted a Bank of England official to warn of the “increasing risk of recession”.
The Telegraph is ahead of the Home Secretary’s speech at the summit with Balkan interior ministers; In this speech he is expected to warn that failure to control immigration in the UK is “eroding trust” in politicians. According to the newspaper, Shabana Mahmood will tell leaders that the only way to protect the borders is “international cooperation”.
The Times headline reads, “Hamas kills enemies in Gaza streets after ceasefire,” and details alleged executions of “suspected collaborators” in Gaza following the withdrawal of Israeli troops. The front page also features a photo of the Princess of Wales cooking at Long Meadow Farm, with the caption “On a roll.”
The Financial Times stands out for its comments after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told the newspaper that China was “trying to harm the world economy” following the introduction of export controls on rare earth elements and critical minerals. A member of the Madagascar army is also pictured in the photo, amid reports that the military has seized power in the African country and President Andry Rajoelina has fled.
The Sun calls it an “illegal immigration craze”, claiming that art classes and puzzle rooms in immigration removal centers are funded by taxpayers. The Home Office said it was reviewing the provision of activities in immigration centers to “ensure they add value to taxpayers”.
The Mirror’s Covid investigation is led by comments from former Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, who said a phased return to school in 2021 was “doomed to fail” and “harmful for children and parents”.
The Star’s headline reads “Gavin and numpty” and quotes Williamson also telling the inquiry that the decision to close schools during the pandemic was made in just 24 hours.
