Thu. Nov 21st, 2024
Occasional Digest - a story for you

Observer headline reads "Tories' health reforms 'left UK open' to Covid calamity

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 headline reads "winter fuel storm 'is Labour's poll tax'"

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.

The Sunday People headline reads "tax the rich to find winter fuel"

“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 headlines "warning over multiple tax raid by Reeves"

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.

Sunday Times headlines "721 children in rogue surgeon investigation"

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.

The Sunday Mirror headlines "Oasis tour to go global"

“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 headlines the "BBC 'has breached rules 1,500 times' over Gaza war

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.

Daily Star front page

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.

The Sunday Times reports that Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital is conducting an “urgent review” into the cases of 721 children treated by the same surgeon.

It says some patients were left with life-changing injuries such as amputations and deformities.

The Times has seen a leaked report by the Royal College of Surgeons, which criticises the department where the surgeon worked as “dysfunctional”.

The consultant, who now works in Dubai, has declined to comment. Great Ormond Street has apologised and promised to address the findings of the review.

The Sunday Express says Sir Keir Starmer faces a “revolt” by Labour MPs, angry about his decision to cut winter fuel payments.

The paper quotes the Labour MP Rosie Duffield who told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme the decision was “brutal” and “shameful”.

The Express says Sir Keir is working to keep a lid on party in-fighting.

The report carries a comment from the former Conservative work and pensions secretary, Esther McVey, who warns the move could hurt Sir Keir’s reputation in the same way Liz Truss was damaged by her mini-budget.

Getty Images Person uses boiler Getty Images

The Mail on Sunday has a different warning for the prime minister, saying planned tax rises are putting Britain on the path to destitution.

Its report focuses on statistics put together by a firm which helps wealthy people move overseas.

The data from Henley and Partners suggests a record number of the UK’s highest earners, who contribute the biggest tax share to the Treasury, are planning to leave the country in the wake of rumoured levies such as a mansion tax in next month’s Budget.

The Sunday Telegraph’s main story suggests the BBC has breached its own editorial guidelines 1,500 times in coverage of the Gaza war.

It says a report – which used artificial intelligence to analyse BBC News output – revealed a pattern of bias against Israel.

The research was led by a British lawyer based in Jerusalem, Trevor Asserson.

A BBC statement questioned the use of AI in the study and insisted that the corporation was achieving due impartiality.

Getty Images A mural of Liam and Noel Gallagher Getty Images

“Half the world away: Oasis tour to go global” says the Sunday Mirror.

Its front page says the brit-pop band are in talks to take their 2025 reunion tour overseas, with gigs planned for the US, Mexico and Argentina.

The paper says adding the international dates could take the band’s profits to more than £500m.

The Sun on Sunday says the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Amanda Abbington is “in a rage with the BBC” ahead of the corporation’s report into the dancer, Giovanni Pernice, who has been accused of bullying.

The paper says she has told friends that she expects the BBC to side with Mr Pernice.

The Italian – who is not taking part in the upcoming season of Strictly – has always denied any wrongdoing.

And the Sunday Telegraph sports section says England’s footballers “hit the right notes” in their 2-0 win against the Republic of Ireland – a nod to the new Three Lions boss, Lee Carsley, not singing the national anthem before kick-off.

Saturday’s edition of the paper took a dim view of Carsley’s decision.

Its chief football correspondent, Jason Burt, accused him of being naive and said he should not be managing the national side if he did not sing God Save the King.

“Car starts with a bang” says the Sunday Express headline. Its back page features a picture of a smiling Carsley, as well as England’s goal scorers Declan Rice and Jack Grealish.

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