‘LA wildfires’ & ‘Chancellor jets off to China amid economy turmoil’

‘LA wildfires’ & ‘Chancellor jets off to China amid economy turmoil’

Friday’s front pages cover the ongoing LA wildfires as exhausted firefighters battle to contain the fires spreading over the iconic city. The front pages reflect the growing death toll and the more than 100,000 homes reduced to ash. 

The latest from Downing Street – and the UK economy – also find space on the front pages this morning as the pound sinks to its lowest level since 2023. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing criticism from several publications as she jets off to China amid economic uncertainty. However, the chancellor’s trip is an attempt to revive closer ties with Beijing for economic benefits. 

Elon Musk continues to find a scrap of space on the front pages, as the foreign billionaire has said he wants to oust Keir Starmer – and Labour – from power. Elon Musk is an American billionaire who does not live in Britain. His continued interference in British politics continues to infuriate the public. The tech billionaire is also facing a probe by a counter-extremism unit to see if they create a risk to Britain.

Several papers carry a newly released image of Princess Kate, who celebrated her birthday yesterday. Other papers carry images from Jimmy Carter’s funeral – as the previous five American presidents came together. 

‘LA wildfires chaos’

‘Nothing has been spared by the wildfires … torching entire neighbourhoods,’ says the Telegraph.

The Daily Telegraph has a large image of LA with black smoke filling the street. The paper says “Churches, monuments, celebrity mansions and nursing homes – nothing was spared by the wildfires that have torn through Los Angeles, torching entire neighbourhoods and sending thousands fleeing.”

‘100,000 homes reduced to smouldering ruins,’ says the Metro.

Metro also features a dramatic image of the LA wildfires – an aerial image of homes reduced to ash. The paper says “Lost Angeles” and reports 100,000 homes have been “reduced to smouldering ruins as swathes of the City of Angeles were consumed block by block.” The paper says officials expect the death toll to rise. 

‘Hollywood stars sent fleeing,’ says The Sun.

The Sun reports that an entire neighbourhood in LA has been wiped out. The paper says Hollywood stars such as Paris Hilton and Sir Anthony Hopkins lost their homes during the fires. 

‘Chancellor under pressure’ 

‘Reeves heading to China to revive closer ties and boost Britain’s economy,’ says the Telegraph.

The Daily Telegraph reports Chancellor Rachel Reeves is flying to China in an “attempt to revive closer ties and boost Britain’s economy”. But it says Reeves is being criticised for being “missing in action” amid fears over rising government borrowing costs. The paper also reports the NHS is on track for its worst flu season in more than a decade.

‘Economy in crisis. So is it wise for her to jet off to China?,’ asks the Mail.

The Mail criticises Reeves for her trip to China. The paper says the country is heading for a 1970s-style debt “nightmare” according to experts. The paper says there are also warnings the “growing crisis” could hit mortgage rates if it continues.

‘Reeves told cabinet colleagues to draft alternative plans to boost growth,’ says The Times.

The Times says Rachel Reeves told cabinet colleagues to draft alternative plans to boost growth amid concerns market turmoil is “derailing” her economic strategy and could lead to higher mortgage rates.

‘Chancellor is fleeing to China amid crisis,’ says the Express.  

The Daily Express says the chancellor is “fleeing” to China during a crisis. 

‘Chancellor has made is clear she’s not coming back for tax or borrowing,’ highlights the i.

The i newspaper quotes the PM’s spokesperson who says the Chancellor “has been clear she’s not coming back for tax or borrowing to increase the spending envelope.” 

‘Chancellor is prepared to reduce departmental spending,’ claims The Guardian.

The Guardian says it has been told the chancellor is prepared to reduce departmental spending even more than planned. 

‘Grooming gangs inquiry backlash’ 

‘PM facing split in party over refusal to order a new inquiry into grooming gangs,’ says The Times.

The Times reports the prime minister is facing a split in his party over his refusal to order a new national inquiry into child sex abuse. 

‘Andy Burnham breaks rank and supports new inquiry,’ says both the Telegraph and The Times.

The Telegraph and The Times reports Labour’s Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has signalled he would support a new inquiry. 

‘Liz Truss complains about Starmer’ 

‘Liz Truss tells PM to stop saying she crashed the economy,’ says the Daily Star.

The Daily Star says former PM Liz Truss has sent a legal letter to the prime minister demanding he stop saying he “crashed the economy.” The paper reports the prime minister’s spokesman saying: “I guess the question is whether she will be writing to millions of people up and down the country as well, who felt her economic record which pushed their mortgage bills up.”