Daily Express – BBC paid TV audience to appear at leaders’ debate
The Daily Express claims the BBC spent more than £30,000 of licence fee payers’ money to hire audience members for the TV debate between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer. The broadcaster said the payments are standard for such events to cover travel costs and time. Next to the lead story is an image of the Princess of Wales clutching the Wimbledon trophy. With the annual tournament starting on Monday, the Express says it hopes she will be able to make the presentation to the winners this year. She revealed in March she was undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer.
BBC spent £30k of licence fee payers’ money on audience members for election debate
The BBC spent more than £30,000 of licence fee payers’ money hiring audience members who were asked not to heckle during the TV election debate between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer. The Express can exclusively reveal that Wednesday’s fiery debate, which saw the Prime Minister and Labour leader go head-to-head, was completely made up of paid-for audience members provided by a marketing company.
Princess Kate set to honour major tradition next month as she gears up for next appearance
Princess Kate regularly attends Wimbledon each year and the All England Club are hopeful that she’ll make an appearance this year. All England Club chair Debbie Jevans told Telegraph Sport that they will give her “as much flexibility as possible” as she continues her cancer treatment. The Princess of Wales, who has been largely out of the spotlight this year due to her ongoing cancer treatment, has been patron of the All England Club since 2016.
Labour will ‘pick the pockets’ of pensioners, Rishi Sunak warns
Labour will “pick the pockets” of pensioners by clobbering them with a huge tax rise and putting key benefits at risk, Rishi Sunak has warned. The Prime Minister said Sir Keir’s Starmer’s party would saddle retirees with a levy on their state pension for the first time in history. Pensioner benefits including Winter Fuel Payments, free bus passes, free prescriptions and free TV licences could also be at risk. Labour’s election manifesto failed to include any specific reference to them, leaving the door open to scrapping them entirely, although the party denies this.
Catch up on Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
If you are someone who reads every perspective of a story, here is a news summary of all of today’s front pages from today’s newspapers; summarised in a 2-minute read.
Editorial 28 June 2024.
Friday’s newspapers are dominated by the general election and with less than a week until polling days, they are keen to force home their messages.
The traditional right-leaning newspapers are slamming Nigel Farage’s Reform Party – the true threat to the Conservatives at this election after members were recorded making racist, homophobic and Islamophobic comments. Other right-leaning papers are tapping into fears that Labour will end up with a supermajority if disillusioned Conservative voters decide to cast their vote for Reform.
The left-leaning newspapers, continue to push Labour’s plans if they are elected this July. These include plans to fix the NHS and close loopholes for private schools.
Other domestic topics, from celebrity news to football, are splashed on the front pages. The back pages lead on the England football team ahead of their Sunday clash against Slovakia.