Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Friday’s front pages report nurses are set to reject a government pay deal, and tributes are paid to fashion designer Dame Mary Quant, who died yesterday.
Unions to reject pay deal
The government’s pay deal with the main nursing union is expected to be rejected on Friday, leading to another round of strikes, reports The Times. Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) could return to the picket line soon, with leaders preparing for a “prolonged campaign.” Frontline staff are disappointed with the 5% pay increase this year and a one-off bonus offered by the government, as their previous industrial action did not produce a better offer.
Meanwhile, The Daily Telegraph’s front page story highlights figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicating that excess deaths nearly tripled in England during the junior doctors’ first strike last month. The government has accused the British Medical Association (BMA) of putting politics before patient safety, but the paper also notes that other factors could have contributed to the increase in deaths.
Rapist gets his hands on £7m lotto jackpot
In other news, The Times reports that hands-free cars are now legally driving on British roads for the first time. The Daily Mirror’s lead story features the daughter of one of Iorworth Hoare’s rape victims calling on him to donate his £7.2m lottery winnings to charity, just as her mother gave away her compensation money.
The Guardian reports that pressure is increasing on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to intervene following complaints about Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s language, which has been accused of containing racist rhetoric. The Daily Telegraph notes that plans to introduce a new recycling system have been postponed until after local elections due to fears of a backlash from Conservative voters.
Finally, many front pages feature pictures of Dame Mary Quant, who died yesterday at the age of 93.