Editorial 14 August 2024.
Wednesday’s front pages are dominated by domestic news, from political to showbiz, there is a variety of stories to sink your teeth into this morning. Several of the papers feature a sprinkle of international news, mostly surrounding the ongoing crisis in the Middle East as the government plans to evacuate Britons stuck abroad.
The back pages lead on the latest from the Premier League, including transfers, Manchester City’s 115 charges and England’s Test summer setback.
‘Britain’s poorest hit hardest between 2021-23’
The Guardian reports on “cheapflation”, referencing a new study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies which has found that Britain’s poorest households were hit the hardest between 2021-2023. The study suggests cheaper food brands saw the biggest price rises during the cost of living crisis. The cost of the least expensive groceries rose by more than a third in the two years to last September whilst the most expensive items rose by 16%, the study says.
The i looks at social media platform X and the role it played in the recent UK riots. The exclusive report says major companies were “shocked” to learn that their adverts on X “are being run next to far-right content”, including messages about “racist content and misinformation about UK riots”.
“Adverts promoting The Daily Telegraph, Saudi Arabia and investment firm eToro have appeared alongside far-right figures on X, helping to boost Elon Musk’s revenues,” the i says.
The Daily Express – whose core base is the elderly – leads on “victims of a £1bn state pension injustice”. The paper says tens of thousands of married women pensioners “missed out on payments” from the state and are yet to receive compensation. Campaigners say it would be “outrageous” to deny them compensation.
The Daily Telegraph says there has been a 40% surge in children on disability benefits. The paper cites recently published figures from the Department for Work and Pension and says claims related to conditions such as ADHD and autism have gone up by 200,000 “since lockdown.”
The Mail leads on what it calls “workshy Britain” after the chancellor pledged to take action against what it calls a “worklessness crisis” in her autumn Budget. The paper tells the new government to “get a grip” on the issue which is at a “12-year-high.” The paper also highlights Conservative claims that plans to strengthen workers’ rights will only make things worse.
The Sun’s editorial argues ministers need to take a tough line on benefits. It goes on to question whether Labour can “brave the uproar” if they cut welfare or impose new restrictions.
‘Middle East on brink’
Several papers report on the rising tensions across the Middle East after UK PM Keir Starmer urged Iran to refrain from attacking Israel.
The Mirror says “Get ready to flee”. The paper leads on previously reported plans to get UK nationals out of Israel, should Iran launch an attack on the country. Officials are considering putting on emergency flights if commercial jets are grounded.
The Metro leads on a phone call Starmer had with Iran’s president. During the call, President Masoud Pezeshkian told the UK PM that Iran has a “right” to retaliate following the recent assassination of senior Hezbollah and Hamas leaders. The paper says there are fears of a full-scale war.
At the top of the Daily Express, there is a report on a possible evacuation plan to get British nationals from Israel back to the UK.
