Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s “gutted” welfare bill has prevented a “full-scale Labour rebellion” but left “a multibillion hole in the public finances”, writes the FT. The PM “authorised a last minute climbdown” as “fears of imminent defeat” swirled. A photo of US President Donald Trump in a red cap that reads “Gulf of America” tops the paper as his “big, beautiful” tax-and-spend bill “moves a step closer after slim Senate victory”. Also on the front page, Swiss voters “face a Brexit-like dilemma”.
The i Paper also headlines on the “last minute climbdown” over the welfare bill writing, “Labour rebels force Starmer to retreat on benefit cuts again.” Those who opposed him are now “emboldened” and “likely to keep challenging PM and [Chancellor Rachel] Reeves”. There is a “Yimby town” that wants the UK’s “first nuclear power plant in three decades” and “anger at boss [Tim Davie] over Glastonbury” after the corporation live-streamed a chant of “death, death to the IDF” from an act at the festival. The has said “the antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves”. It added that it would review guidance around live events after featuring a warning on screen at the time of the chants. The performance will not be available on iPlayer.
Sir Keir’s benefits bill “turns to farce” writes The Daily Telegraph, citing a government minister who called the changes “shambolic”. Tim Davie is “fighting for job after Glastonbury hate chants”, the Telegraph suggests. It also writes that three hospital bosses have been arrested for gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the Lucy Letby case. A large picture of actress Cate Blanchett with Wimbledon’s Centre Court reflected in her sunglasses is splashed across the paper.
The Daily Express headlines on opposition leader Kemi Badenoch calling the altering of the welfare reform bill “utter capitulation”. A shot of British tennis player Jack Draper accompanies the story on the front page, as he “storms through at Wimbledon”.
There are “no winners” in the “welfare bill fiasco” according to the Daily Mirror. “Fear and uncertainty remain for thousands of vulnerable people” amid “relief as PM delays the most controversial Pip eligibility changes”.
The Guardian says Sir Keir is “bruised” by the bill. In Europe, there are “wildfires and warnings as heatwave hits” and in the Middle East, “dozens die” as the Israeli Defence Forces target a “seafront cafe”. There’s “no safe place in Gaza”, the paper writes. The Israeli military has said it has launched a review into the strike on Monday.
“20,000 this year… and counting” writes the Daily Mail after it says the number of migrants crossing the Channel is at a “record high”. It says the Mail “witnessed scores awaiting traffickers” which took it past the “milestone not reached until mid-August in previous years”. The official government count stands at 19,982 crossings at time of writing.
The Sun also runs with the “migrant tide” for its top story. “Buggy useless” reads the headline as The Sun says “French kit” – including the buggy pictured with police atop it on the front page – is “paid for by UK” while the “cops don’t stop boats”. In a showbiz exclusive, singer and former X-factor judge Cheryl is making her “talent show return”, the tabloid writes. On the welfare bill, The Sun says Sir Keir’s plans to “tighten disability payments” were “torn up”.
Metro reports that a teenager fatally stabbed at school said he had been scared to go there days before. Harvey Willgoose died aged 15. The other pupil admits manslaughter but denies murder.
“Send in the clowns!” shouts the Daily Star, maintaining that the “scary Pennywise look” has been ditched as part of a “modern makeover” for jesters.
