A majority of newspapers are focusing on Chancellor Rachel Reeves's decision to reverse the cuts on winter fuel payments for pensioners, causing quite a stir in the political landscape. The Sun criticizes Reeves for her initial decision to cut the payment, calling it 'fuelish' and demanding an apology.
The Metro describes the chancellor's U-turn as 'humiliating' and reports that by reinstating the payment, Reeves will only save £450m instead of the anticipated £1.5bn. The lack of clarity on how this U-turn will be funded has led to speculation about potential tax increases in the upcoming October Budget.
The Daily Mail portrays Reeves and the prime minister as 'deluded' over the winter fuel payment U-turn. It also highlights Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's claim that the economy has been 'fixed', enabling the reinstatement of the payment.
The Daily Express celebrates the reversal of the winter fuel payments cut, attributing it to their relentless campaigning efforts over the past 298 days. On the other hand, the i Paper reports that while Labour MPs welcome the U-turn, backbenchers are cautioning the Cabinet to heed their concerns to prevent similar reversals on disability benefit cuts.
Labour's plan to invest £14bn in building the new Sizewell C nuclear plant in Suffolk takes center stage in the Guardian. This move aims to transition the UK away from fossil fuels and create thousands of jobs, overshadowing the recent controversies around the winter fuel payments U-turn.
The Daily Telegraph features Swedish activist Greta Thunberg's detention by Israeli authorities and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband's optimistic outlook on the British nuclear industry's future following the significant investment in new reactors at Sizewell.
The Daily Star reports on a shift away from traditional religion towards seeking solace in fantasy realms, citing a decline in religious ceremony attendance. Meanwhile, the Financial Times covers California Governor Gavin Newsom's plan to sue President Trump over the deployment of National Guard troops and hedge funds eyeing struggling French companies.
The Daily Mirror and other newspapers express satisfaction with Reeves's decision to reverse the winter fuel payments cut, while also cautioning against potential pitfalls in handling disability benefit cuts. The Sun and Daily Mail demand an apology from Reeves and Starmer for their handling of the situation.
Overall, the U-turn on winter fuel payments has sparked controversy and mixed reactions among politicians and the public, setting the stage for further debates on economic policies and social welfare.
Source: BBC