Going beyond the ordinary news headlines
Good morning! ☕ Let’s grab a coffee and dive into the headlines for Thursday, 5 June 2025. After weeks of glorious sunshine, a touch of morning rain has struck the capital – so don’t forget your brolly if you’re heading out.
It’s all politics this morning. There’s coverage of the government’s U-turn on the winter fuel payments after the prime minister announced more pensioners will be eligible for the payment by this winter. The PM failed to explain the new eligibility criteria – but it’ll be on its way soon! Plans to expand who is eligible for free school meals will see more than 500,000 kids be entitled to the scheme as part of the government’s attempt to tackle child poverty in the UK.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is to set up a commission to examine whether the UK should withdraw from a series of international legal agreements and overturn some domestic legislation which she fears may be binding the hands of British governments.
Internationally, Donald Trump has put a travel ban on 12 countries citing security and immigration concerns and the US has vetoed the UN Security Council’s draft resolution calling for an “unconditional and permanent” ceasefire in Gaza. The other 14 members, including the UK, voted in favour of the document.
The government has confirmed that more people will qualify for the winter fuel payment this year, in a U-turn on one of Labour’s first controversial policies. Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated the increased eligibility will be in place “this winter,” though specific details on the new threshold and who qualifies remain vague.
Last year, the payment—worth up to £300—was restricted to those receiving pension credit, a move that cut off support to around 10 million pensioners and drew heavy criticism. The backlash, particularly from charities and MPs, is believed to have contributed to Labour’s weak performance in the local elections.
During Prime Minister’s Questions, Keir Starmer didn’t confirm exactly who would now be included, but said more clarity was on the way. The Chancellor reaffirmed that the means test would be expanded, increasing the number of pensioners eligible. The payment is typically distributed automatically in November or December, though under last year’s system, people needed to apply via pension credit.
Critics, including opposition leader Kemi Badenoch, accused the government of scrambling to fix the policy at the last minute. Reeves rejected the suggestion but admitted departments may not get everything they want in the upcoming spending review, hinting at broader budget pressures.
Despite the political messaging, the mechanics of the new system remain unclear. The government has yet to announce whether eligibility will be expanded via automatic income thresholds, or through a new claims system. One option under consideration is reclaiming the payment through the tax system from higher earners, or offering tiered support based on income.
Pressure is mounting to reveal the full plan before the Budget in November, when the payments are typically processed. No. 10 has promised to provide “clarity as soon as we can”, though time is tight. Meanwhile, Scotland is pursuing a different model, with a flat £100 payment for those not on pension credit, but that won’t roll out until late 2025.
The issue is likely to form part of the 11 June Spending Review, which insiders warn will be “ugly” as Reeves attempts to balance rising demands with her pledge not to increase day-to-day borrowing or taxes. With decisions pending on issues like the two-child benefit cap, many expect further social policy U-turns could follow.
For now, pensioners just above the pension credit line—and those anxiously awaiting support—will have to wait a little longer to know if they’re back in.
Donald Trump has signed a sweeping new executive order banning entry into the US from 12 countries, citing national security and immigration concerns in the wake of a recent attack in Colorado. The move, echoing his infamous 2017 “Muslim ban”, blocks travel from countries including Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, and Yemen, among others. The ban officially takes effect on 9 June.
The former president said the decision was necessary to stop “foreign nationals who are not properly vetted” and to prevent terror threats. The White House justified the list based on factors like “significant terrorist presence,” poor security screening, and refusal to accept deportees.
In addition to the 12 countries facing a full ban, seven more—like Cuba, Venezuela, and Turkmenistan—will face partial restrictions. However, some groups will be exempt, including athletes attending the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics, permanent US residents, and Afghans with special immigrant visas.
The announcement follows a directive from Trump to US intelligence and homeland security agencies to identify countries whose citizens could pose a security risk or demonstrate hostility toward American values.
The list could grow or shrink, with a first review set for 90 days after implementation, and regular updates every 180 days. Critics are already warning of legal challenges, comparisons to the 2017 travel ban (eventually upheld by the Supreme Court), and a return to chaotic airport scenes and confusion for travellers and families.
The absence of Syria—which featured in Trump’s first ban—has raised eyebrows, especially after his recent meeting with Syrian officials. Human rights organisations and immigration advocates are gearing up for potential court battles and protests, arguing the move is discriminatory and lacks a transparent vetting rationale.
Whether this will stand as a centrepiece of Trump’s campaign messaging on immigration—or backfire as an echo of past controversy—remains to be seen. But with the policy coming into force within days, airports, airlines, and embassies are once again bracing for disruption.
The UK government has announced that 500,000 more children in England will become eligible for free school meals from September 2026, as part of a major expansion aimed at tackling child poverty. From that date, any family receiving Universal Credit—regardless of income—will qualify. Currently, parents must earn less than £7,400 a year after tax to be eligible.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the move as a way to “help families who need it most,” while the Department for Education has pledged £1 billion to fund the changes through 2029. The plan is expected to save families £500 a year and claims to lift 100,000 children out of poverty.
The announcement comes amid increasing pressure on Labour over its child poverty strategy—especially around the controversial two-child benefit cap, which ministers have yet to decide on. Meanwhile, the government also revealed £13 million in funding for food charities to help redistribute surplus farm produce and combat hunger.
The policy won’t kick in until autumn 2026, and campaigners are urging the government to go further before then. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) praised the move as cheaper than universal meals but warned it may not lift as many children out of poverty as advertised. They also highlighted that auto-enrolment—rather than relying on parents to apply—would ensure no child eligible misses out.
The announcement also ramps up attention on the upcoming child poverty strategy, due this autumn, and the 11 June spending review, where the fate of policies like the two-child benefit cap may be decided. That cap, introduced in 2015, is under scrutiny for pushing families into poverty, with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson acknowledging the harm but warning of its cost to remove.
Some MPs, including Liberal Democrat Munira Wilson, say the government must also cap uniform costs and introduce auto-enrolment to make a real difference. Currently, 2.1 million children (around 25% of pupils in England) receive free school meals, but many more may be missing out due to language barriers or bureaucratic hurdles.
The Labour government’s U-turn on their deeply unpopular cuts to the winter fuel payments leads much of the newspapers. The government has said more pensioners will now be in line to receive the payment again but stopped short of explaining the new eligibility criteria. The chancellor did confirm those who will be eligible will receive their payment by this winter.
The UK front pages react to a new Home Office report that has linked the UK’s hot weather this year to a dramatic rise in the number of small boat crossings when compared to the same period last year. A record 11,074 people arrived in small boats before May this year, a rise of almost 50% compared with the same period last year.
The story leads two tabloid front pages this morning – both conservative-leaning.
The left-leaning press takes a more neutral tone compared to the sensationalist approach from the right.
Thursday’s newspaper headlines report on the winter fuel U-turn announced by the chancellor yesterday – widely welcomed by the newspapers.
Copyright WTX News 2025
