The front page of The Independent this morning, 15-04-2025, reports on the UK’s British Steel…

Just a few days after the government used emergency powers to take British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant under its control, there are now calls for a review into Chinese investment in UK infrastructure amid claims the Chinese owners intentionally tried to sabotage British Steel to force the UK to depend on Chinese imports instead. 

Katy Perry goes to space – and no one is happy about it! There is heavy coverage of the backlash facing the all-female Blue Origin space flight yesterday, which saw Katy Perry and other celebrities go to space. On the front pages, the coverage is heavily focused on Perry’s reaction to the trip, whilst online (and more recent) publications report on the trip with scepticism, suggesting the trip was a “publicity stunt” and a waste of time and money when instead, real female astronauts should have been sent. There has also been a lot of negative reactions from celebrities who, like the journalists, question why Katy Perry – and the other Hollywood stars – was given a seat on this flight.

Yesterday, Unite members voted to overwhelmingly reject a deal to end the Birmingham bin strike, calling the offer inadequate. Some publications see it as a humiliation for the Labour government after pleading with members to take the offer amid fears of strikes spreading around the country as well as a potential health crisis. 

The US tariff situation may have fallen off the front pages of many newspapers, but the business media remains on top of the latest news from Washington. Despite Trump issuing an exemption for big tech in his tariffs on China, he has since signalled that it’s only a temporary measure and investigations are under way into the semiconductor and pharmaceutical trade – which could lead to their tariff exemptions ending. 

It’s a wet and windy morning here in the capital, but lots is happening in the news – grab yourself a coffee and let’s dive into the headlines.


The ongoing Birmingham bin strike is a popular story in the country this morning as unions overwhelmingly rejected a deal to end the strike. Several newspapers suggest the strike could spread outside the city – and there are reports on the growing concerns over a potential health crisis as residents report streets being overrun by large rats and trash.


There is backlash from China amid the British Steel crisis – after the government dramatically took over control of the Scunthorpe plant over the weekend – as Beijing warns the UK to avoid politicising the situation. There are concerns from the top that the Chinese owners are intentionally trying to sabotage the UK steel industry to force the country to become more reliant on cheap Chinese steel.


On the international front, there are reports on the all-female Blue Origin team that took a trip to space. Katy Perry and Gayle King were amongst the crew.


The business publications continue their heavy coverage of the US tariffs saga amid an investigation into the semiconductor and pharmaceutical trade – which could lead to their tariff exemptions ending. In recent news, JD Vance has said there is a good chance the UK will secure a trade deal with the US.


In sports news, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is in hospital with pneumonia, he is set to miss more matches. Several publications look ahead to tonight’s Champions League match involving the English club Aston Villa. The Birmingham club need to overturn a 2 goal deficit.