What’s dominating the UK news today? From domestic politics to international war to England and Scotland’s upcoming football matches! Grab a coffee – here’s your UK news breakdown.
Cliff Notes
- Benefits overhaul reaction: There are widespread reactions to yesterday’s announcement from the government to overhaul the UK’s benefits system. The announcement outlined a £5bn package of cuts, leading to fear amongst the most vulnerable.
- Ukraine and Russia attacks: There are reactions and live commentary on the recent attacks from Russia and Ukraine despite a phone call between Putin and Trump, in which the Russian president agreed to a temporary 30-day ceasefire targeting energy and infrastructure.
- There are reactions and live commentary on Israel’s heavy bombing of Gaza on Tuesday, which killed more than 400 people – including women and children. Many newspapers pick up on comments from Israeli PM Netanyahu who said the slaughter is just the beginning.
- The back pages look ahead to England’s World Cup qualifiers and Scotland’s Nations League matches.
Benefits overhaul reaction – Ukraine and Russia attacks – Israel vows slaughter is only the beginning
Wednesday’s headlines lead with the fallout from the government’s benefit overhaul, announced on Tuesday.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall outlined the £5bn package of welfare cuts, which has seen strong reactions from across the political spectrum, with charities and organisations also adding their opinions.
- Daily Mirror, The Guardian, The i, and The Independent are among the papers reacting with anger over the announcement.
- Metro, The Times, Daily Mail and the Daily Express have a more positive reaction to the news.
- Many of the Scottish newspapers reacted with anger at the news suggesting the benefits overhaul would have a severe impact on the Scottish budget.
- Many Northern Irish newspapers also react with anger suggesting the cuts will hit the most vulnerable.
- The Welsh newspapers largely keep the story off their front pages.
Ukraine and Russia attacks
Ukraine and Russia have continued attacking each other despite agreeing to a 30-day ceasefire on targeting infrastructure and energy targets. The renewed attacks came just after Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with US President Donald Trump, where the temporary ceasefire was agreed.
- The Sun, The Daily Telegraph, The Times, and the Daily Express suggest Putin rejected the US-led ceasefire but agreed to a limited pause
- Some of the papers highlight that Putin rejected Trump’s ceasefire, potentially making Trump look weaker.
Israel vows slaughter is only the beginning
A handful of UK front pages lead on Israel breaking the ceasefire in Gaza and heavily bombing the strip, killing more than 400 people including women and children. Online, many of the publications report on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments that the strikes were ‘only the beginning.’
- Only a handful of the England-based newspapers (left-leaning) lead with the latest from Gaza.
- The Independent, The Guardian and the Financial Times lead with Israel’s bombing of Gaza.
- The Scottish newspapers: Morning Star, The National, and The Herald take a stronger stance against Israel and the US with one paper declaring it an ‘American genocide.’
- The Irish Times is amongst Northern Irish media reporting on protests across Belfast after 400 in Gaza were killed in the fresh attacks from Israel.
“We must take to the streets to protest these fresh Israeli massacres”
Scottish newspaper The Morning Star
England World Cup qualifiers, Scotland Nations League playoffs
The UK sports pages lead with two main stories: the English media look ahead at England’s upcoming World Cup qualifier matches – marking Thomas Tuchel’s first match in charge of the squad. The English media also reports on the latest happenings in the Premier League and talks about English clubs including Manchester United’s latest price hike and Mauricio Pochettino’s comments that he has unfinished business with Spurs as he opens up about England being his home and his openness to returning to club football later on.
The rest of the home nation have matches this week too, with Scotland facing Greece in the Nations League playoffs. Wales will take on Kazakhstan in the World Cup qualifiers and Northern Ireland has a friendly against Switzerland on Friday.
- Thomas Tuchel is leading his first England camp and has told the team to start dreaming of a World Cup win
- Dan Burns and Jordan Henderson are among those called up to the squad – raising eyebrows
- Manchester United’s owners have defended raising ticket prices
- The FA has told the four Welsh teams that play in the English league: Wrexham, Cardiff, Swansea and Newport that they cannot participate in the Welsh League Cup unless they leave the English system
- George Hirst has opened up about switching international allegiances to Scotland, describing it as an emotional and meaningful moment in his career
