Editorial 23 August 2024.

A new Alzheimer’s drug has been “blocked for use on NHS” and the BBC has sacked one of its presenters – these are the top stories on Friday’s front pages. 

The papers react to news that the new drug will not be available on the NHS due to costs with most papers reacting with shock and outrage. The drug was deemed efficient at slowing Alzheimer’s disease.  

News that the BBC has sacked presenter Jermaine Jenas after complaints were made over ‘inappropriate behaviour’ makes the front page of the tabloids – and a common sidebar article for the broadsheets.  

Elsewhere, several of the papers lead on other domestic topics including ongoing discussions around the recent GCSE results, ongoing disputes over public sector pay, Britain’s overcrowded prisons and other issues facing the government. 

‘Alzheimer’s drug blocked on NHS’ 

The breakthrough Alzheimer’s drug won’t be available on the NHS in England. 

The Daily Telegraph states the organisation which made the decision did not take into account the costs of the disease to families and society. The Mail says the ruling has caused “fury” while the Express asks: “Why is it that only the rich can get the Alzheimer’s wonder drug?”. The Daily Mirror says the benefits of the medication are “sadly out of reach” for most sufferers. The i reports that NHS England has 27 other Alzheimer’s drugs in advanced trials which may be approved in the coming years.

The Metro leads on a different medical story. The paper reports the “world-first trials” have begun in Britain in hopes the new jab will help in the “fight against lung cancer.” The paper has a photo of scientist Janusz Racz, diagnosed with the condition in May, who was the first to get the BMT116 jab at a University College London Hospitals clinic.

The FT also has a health story: “AstraZeneca threatens vaccine plant shift to US after Reeves weighs aid cut.” The paper’s sources say the new chancellor wants to slash state aid for the Merseyside vaccine manufacturing plant from about £90m to £40m.

‘Jermaine Jenas sacked by BBC’ 

The Daily Mirror says “Sacked” as it leads on Jermaine Jenas being booted from the BBC over inappropriate text messages.  The Daily Telegraph has a picture of the ex-footballer and says the BBC were acting on recent complaints. 

The Sun dedicates its entire front page to the story. The paper says it’s a new ‘nightmare’ for the BBC – who have started a probe into alleged “flirty texts” to a colleague. The Independent says Jenas had been tipped to ‘one day replace Gary Linekar’ on Match of the Day. Unlike the Sun the paper says he was dropped ‘earlier this week following an investigation.’ 

‘Overcrowded prisons’ 

The Times leads on the UK’s overcrowded prisons saying a senior judge for courts not to “lock up criminals till next month” because of a lack of prison space. The paper says the “bail plan” is to ease pressure on the system following the jailing of recent rioters. 

The i newspaper leads on trade unions who are expecting more money for their members from the chancellor. Union chiefs are said to be split on how to get the best pay deal. 

The Guardian continues its assessment of the recent GCSE results. The paper discusses the gap between the north and south as exam results “return to pre-Covid levels”. The paper also covers the public sector unions expectations over pay, saying Rachel Reeves has ruled out giving them a “blank cheque”.