Author: WTX News Editor

Pensioners face tax hit for winter fuel U-turn The Times says winter fuel payments will be restored this winter, but wealthier pensioners will not get them, ministers have said. Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, promised that “more people will get winter fuel payments”, and said details would be set out soon. She said there would still be a “means test” but pledged to introduce it in time for this winter, despite concern that ageing government computer…

Chaos fears over return of winter fuel payments The Guardian says bereaved families of tens of thousands of dead pensioners could be pursued by tax officials to recoup winter fuel payments under a new system being explored by the Treasury. In a further attempt to win public support and quell Labour backbench concerns, ministers are announcing on Thursday that all pupils in England whose families claim universal credit will be eligible for free school meals…

Farage backs call for full U-turn to help OAPs The front page of the Daily Express leads with the winter fuel payments u-turn announced by the government. Nigel Farage has demanded that the Government must reverse its winter fuel cut for pensioners in full. The Reform UK leader challenged Rachel Reeves to make a complete U-turn when she delivers her highly anticipated spending review next week. Camilla is pictured on the front page as is…

Erin Patterson is charged with the murders of her mother-in-law, father-in-law, and sister-in-law, allegedly using poisonous mushrooms in a beef wellington.

Israeli forces, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have recovered the bodies of Gad Haggai and Judi Weinstein Haggai, taken by Hamas during the 7 October attacks.

Thursday’s newspaper headlines report on the winter fuel U-turn announced by the chancellor yesterday – widely welcomed by the newspapers.

Good morning! ☕ Let’s grab a coffee and dive into the headlines for Thursday, 5 June 2025. After weeks of glorious sunshine, a touch of morning rain has struck the capital – so don’t forget your brolly if you’re heading out.

It’s all politics this morning. There’s coverage of the government’s U-turn on the winter fuel payments after the prime minister announced more pensioners will be eligible for the payment by this winter.

The government has also announced that they will be expanding free school meals as part of a broader effort to tackle child poverty in the UK.

Donald Trump and the US are, of course, in the headlines as the president of the US has announced a travel ban on 12 countries and the US was the only country to veto a full ceasefire in Gaza.

Donald Trump has signed a sweeping new executive order banning entry into the US from 12 countries, citing national security and immigration concerns in the wake of a recent attack in Colorado.

The UK government has announced that 500,000 more children in England will become eligible for free school meals from September 2026, as part of a major expansion aimed at tackling child poverty. From that date, any family receiving Universal Credit—regardless of income—will qualify. Currently, parents must earn less than £7,400 a year after tax to be eligible.

Andy Burnham acknowledges the possibility of Nigel Farage becoming Prime Minister, urging Labour to enhance connections with voters.

The government has confirmed that more people will qualify for the winter fuel payment this year, in a U-turn on one of Labour’s first controversial policies. Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated the increased eligibility will be in place “this winter,” though specific details on the new threshold and who qualifies remain vague.

President Trump has enacted a travel ban affecting 12 countries, citing ‘extreme dangers’ posed by foreign nationals not properly vetted.

Aid distribution centres in Gaza will close for renovations on Wednesday, following Israeli gunfire that reportedly killed 27 Palestinians near one of the sites.

The UN’s World Food Programme director emphasized the urgent need for Israel to allow large-scale humanitarian aid into Gaza to prevent widespread malnutrition and famine among children.

Dr Sarah Hughes of Mind charity critiques government plans as “not ambitious enough”, highlighting a crisis in mental health cases at A&E amid rising waiting times and significantly decreased bed availability.

Two men, Dylan Earl and Jake Reeves, have pleaded guilty to arson attacks linked to a warehouse supplying StarLink satellite equipment to Ukraine, causing £1 million in damages.

A body has been discovered in the search for 38-year-old Greg Monks, who went missing during a stag do in Albufeira, Portugal.

A-ha frontman Morten Harket, 65, has announced his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and has undergone brain surgery to manage symptoms.

Millie Bright has announced her withdrawal from selection for Euro 2025, citing inability to contribute 100% mentally or physically as the reason.

Morten Harket has publicly announced his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, expressing acceptance of the condition and a desire for peace while managing its effects.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov said the EU’s green light on Wednesday for the Balkan country to adopt the euro next year confirmed its progress.

As Europe rolls into June with sunshine and a festival spirit, this week brings a rich mix of cultural sparkle, artistic flair, and sharp business thinking. Whether you’re jetting off, logging in, or just indulging in a bit of Euro-envy, here’s a whistle-stop tour of what’s lighting up the continent right now.

Cliff Notes Lucy Langmead, a former South Wales Police employee, has been sentenced for leaking confidential police information to her boyfriend, drug dealer Daniel Cozens. Langmead unlawfully accessed the police computer system from May 2020 to March 2022, gathering personal data on multiple individuals and consequently resigned in May 2022. Both individuals pleaded guilty to multiple offences, with Langmead receiving a sentence of two years and 11 months and Cozens one year and eight months…

The Dutch government has collapsed after Geert Wilders withdrew his far-right Freedom Party (PVV) from the coalition over a row on asylum policy.

Kyiv faces economic blow as EU tariffs set to return As the EU’s tariff-free trade scheme with Ukraine (ATMs) expires, Kyiv faces a major economic blow. Introduced in 2022 after Russia’s invasion, the Autonomous Trade Measures removed all tariffs and quotas on Ukrainian agricultural goods—vital for sustaining Ukraine’s wartime economy. But with the ATMs lapsing on Thursday and no permanent deal secured, tariffs are set to return. This could cost Ukraine over €3 billion annually…