Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Friday’s front pages feature a variety of stories.
Strike action: Bosses get bonuses whilst staff struggle
The Daily Telegraph leads with the upcoming nurse’s strikes, saying an NHS source has told them that thousands of elderly patients could be stuck in hospitals for Christmas due to the strikes. The expert said the absence of nurses at crunch points could mean there’s no help to discharge patients. The Telegraph says the walkouts are likely to result in the halting of 30,000 operations and hundreds of thousands of outpatient appointments.
For the Guardian, they issue a warning that the walkouts are likely to be the first in a series of strikes over the winter and into the spring by other NHS staff – including doctors and ambulance workers. The Guardian notes the country is in for a rough month of industrial action and disruption ahead of Christmas.
The Daily Mirror says the Royal Mail is refusing staff a decent wage increase, while bosses are enjoying a bumper pay. “First Class Disgrace,” is the headline. The paper notes that the chief executive received £753,000 in the last financial year and the company has paid £1.9bn in dividends since it was privatised in 2013. An 11% pay rise for staff – in line with inflation – would cost £500m, the paper says.
Plans to cut Immigration
Several of Friday’s front pages report on government plans to cut immigration after figures showed that net migration had reached a record high.
The Times says foreign students may be barred from Britain – unless they’re heading to a top university – while those allowed in could see new restrictions imposed on bringing family members with them.
The i says there is a row in the cabinet because the Treasury is concerned that a drop in immigration could harm the economy, whilst Suella Braverman is determined to cut the numbers.
Tory MP James Daly writes in the Daily Express saying concerns about high levels of immigration led many people to vote for Brexit, but some in his party haven’t yet learned that lesson.
Boris Johnson and Liz Truss are, according to the Telegraph, challenging Rishi Sunak’s authority by joining Tory rebels demanding an end to the ban on new onshore wind farms.
The Daily Mail says the act of open dissent will raise alarm bells in Number 10.
Away from politics, the Sun reports that David Walliams is stepping down as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent. The move came after he apologised for comments he made about contestants.
