The Observer says a report being published this week will conclude the UK was hit harder by the pandemic than other developed countries because the NHS has been “seriously weakened” by Conservative government policies over the preceding decade. The report was commissioned by the Health Secretary Wes Streeting. Pictured is England interim head coach Lee Carsley keeping quiet as his staff sing the national anthem before their game against Ireland.
The Sunday Express writes Sir Keir Starmer faces his first major rebellion this week over planned cuts to winter fuel payments and warns it will become his “poll tax moment”. The paper says Labour MPs care calling the decision – to make the payment only to those on low incomes who receive certain benefits – “brutal” and “shameful”. Elsewhere, hockey gold medallist Sam Quek is beaming in a blue dress as she gets “ready to Quekstep” on Strictly Come Dancing.
“Tax the rich to fund winter fuel” headlines the Sunday People. That is the line from the general secretary of union Unite, Sharon Graham, who told the BBC: “Why are Labour picking the pockets of pensioners on the winter fuel payments instead of making those with the broadest shoulders actually pay?”
The Mail on Sunday writes that the prime minister has been warned he is placing the country on the “path to destitution” if he goes ahead with tax rises in next month’s Budget. The paper says a record number of high earners who contribute the biggest share to the Treasury are preparing to “flee the country”. Inheritance tax and capital gain tax increases are among the options the Treasury is considering, the paper writes.
The Sunday Times reports Great Ormond Street Hospital is conducting an urgent review into the cases of 721 children treated by the same surgeon. The paper claims patients were left with life-changing injuries. Great Ormond Street apologised to families and said it will ensure all findings of the review are addressed at pace. Elsewhere, Post Office campaigner Sir Alan Bates is pictured getting married to partner Suzanne Sercombe on the Caribbean island of Sir Richard Branson, who officiated the ceremony.
“Oasis tour to go global” writes the Sunday Mirror. It says brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher are in talks to take their reunion tour to the US, Mexico and Argentina. The tabloid reports they have “verbally agreed” to play abroad after selling out 17 dates in the UK and Ireland. The late Queen is also pictured as her former aide pays tribute to the “fun and modest” monarch on the anniversary of her death.
The Sunday Telegraph writes BBC coverage has been found to be “heavily biased” against Israel and that it “breached its own editorial guidelines more than 1,500 times” during the Israel-Gaza War, according to a report by a British lawyer. The report analysed BBC coverage during a four-month period beginning on 7 October 2023. A BBC spokesman said it had “serious questions” about the report’s methodology, including heavy reliance on AI to analyse impartiality and interpret BBC guidelines. The BBC added its correspondents are reporting with due impartiality.
Pinocchio is out for a pint on the front of the Daily Star. “Get your round in” he is told. The tabloid reports a poll found men with big noses are the most likely to dodge getting their round in at the bar.
