Editorial 12 July 2024.
As it has been for much of this week, the front pages continue to be dominated by domestic politics and football. Friday sees stories on prison reform, the prime minister’s first overseas trip to attend a Nato summit in Washington, the two-child benefit cap and the rise in the value of the pound on the foreign currency markets.
Elsewhere, almost all of the front pages splash on the England football team ahead of the European Championship final on Sunday. England will face Spain at the Olympiastadion Berlin. The back pages continue the Euros coverage.
‘Labour’s plans to tackle prison overcrowding’
Three right-leaning newspapers lead on reports on Labour’s plans to tackle overcrowding in England and Wales.
The Times leads on the government’s plans to ease the overcrowding by freeing thousands of prisoners early. It says the measure is only expected to apply to those serving less than four years, and after they have served 40% of their terms.
It will not include prisoners convicted of serious violence, sexual or terror-related offences, as well as some domestic abusers, the adds.
The Daily Telegraph also leads on the plans but highlights the fact that some prisoners serving terms for violence will be eligible to be freed as long as they have been jailed for less than four years. The PM is seeking “exemption categories” for those deemed high-risk, the paper adds.
The Mail opts to focus on the Tory response to the prison plans, accusing the government of “scare tactics.” The paper says that Labour’s claims that overcrowding could trigger a breakdown in law and order within weeks were “shameless scaremongering.”
The FT focuses on the rise in the pound on the foreign currency markets. Sterling surged to its highest level against the dollar in a year after the UK economy grew at double the expected rate in May, it reports, “providing an early boost to the new Labour government” and its “growth agenda”.
The i newspaper says Sir Keir Starmer is facing a “mutiny” from his backbench MPs on the two-child cap on child benefit payments.
The Guardian’s lead reports on politicians and campaigners condemning proposed water bill rises in England and Wales. They accused the regulator of “showing contempt” to customers affected by poor service, sewage dumping and leaks, the paper adds.
‘Crossbow killings’
The Daily Express is one of few newspapers with a standalone story. Following the murder of three women in Hertfordshire believed to be by 26-year-old Kyle Clifford who reportedly used a crossbow, the paper is calling for a ban on the sale of crossbows. The paper’s reporter was able to buy a crossbow easily as it is currently legal for adults to buy and own a crossbow.
The Daily Mirror features images of friends of the three victims – Carol Hunt and her daughters – attending a vigil. The paper says they are “united in grief.”
‘England in the final’
Metro’s entire front page leads on England’s Euro 2024 final on Sunday. The paper leads with a personal message sent to the team by King Charles. The Daily Star’s lead features an image of a cat – that the paper says looks like Phil Foden. The paper says they will rub the paws of the cat to bring England luck.
The Express says 50,000 England fans are planning to flock to Berlin for the final against Spain. The Guardian has a large image of Ollie Watkins as a youngster playing for his local club. The Mail reports on Ollie’s partner.
The i lists 12 reasons England can beat Spain – who are the favourites going into the match. Whilst the Times reports the FA wants Gareth Southgate to stay on for the world cup.