Monday’s headlines are heavily dominated by politics, with planned cuts to the welfare system expected to be unveiled later this week.
Many publications offer their assessment of the planned changes as Labour’s left prepares to mount a rebellion, and Conservative and Tory-supporting media praise the Labour government’s move. The exact details of the changes will be set out by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz on Tuesday.
Cliff notes
- Labour’s welfare reform: the government will unveil changes to the welfare system on Tuesday
- Newcastle win Carabao Cup: Newcastle beat Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley to lift their first domestic trophy in 70 years.
- Another arrest in Talbot Green murder: A sixth person has been arrested in connection with the murder of Joanne Penney.
- Wales Rugby needs change: England humiliated Wales during the final Six Nations match.
- UK to be hotter than Madrid: Warm weather is heading to the UK this week.
Newcastle’s emphatic 2-1 win over Liverpool leads much of the English news as the Toons see their first domestic silverware in 70 years and Eddie Howe becomes the first English manager to win an English cup since 2008.
Labour’s welfare reform
A civil war is about to erupt in the Labour government as the left of the party is preparing to mount a rebellion over the government’s planned cuts to the welfare system. Starmer’s Labour Party feels an awful lot like a Conservative government, especially with the language being used around those on benefits.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has claimed that people are being overdiagnosed with mental health conditions – a comment that has drawn backlash from mental health charities.
“Here’s the other thing, mental wellbeing, illness, it’s a spectrum and I think definitely there’s an overdiagnosis but there’s too many people being written off.”
Wes Streeting
Several of the publications use the government’s announcement to push their beliefs that young people are lazy and don’t want to work – the attack on the youth and those out of work are key talking points for conservative media.
Scottish media calls the government out, telling them to drop their ‘Tory spending spending rules’ and suggests the move could impact the Scottish budget.
Labour war of words on disability benefits >
Newcastle win Carabao Cup
There will be sore heads this morning across the midlands after history was made last night at Wembley. Newcastle United beat Liverpool 2-1 to win their first domestic trophy in 70 years.
Eddie Howe has become the first English manager to win an English Cup since 2008.
It was a poor performance from Liverpool, who looked leggy throughout and could not muster up any magic – it comes off the back of being knocked out of the Champions League on penalties.
One of the few Newcastle fans here awake as I’m living in Australia. Was on video call to my Dad at 5:30am with tears streaming down our faces. He’s 72 and knowing that we’ve won something in his lifetime brings me a sense of happiness I cannot describe. Sorry to start with a heavy one but this honestly, my petty words cannot do this magnificent occasion justice. For Newcastle fans, our lives feel profoundly different.
Rich in Sydney
Another arrest in Talbot Green murder
It’s a story that has gripped the Welsh public: a 40-year-old woman was shot dead at a block of flats in Talbot Green earlier in the month.
And now a sixth person has been arrested in connection with her murder. It now means four men and two women are being held as cops try to understand how Joanne Penney lost her life – and why.
Earlier in the week, Joanne’s family paid tribute saying she was deeply loved by all those who knew her and “her kindness, strength and love for her family will never be forgotten.”
Wales Rugby needs change
Following England’s hammering of Wales in their final match of the Six Nations, media, pundits, and rugby fans are dissecting the Welsh performances and just how Welsh Rugby goes forward from here.
It’s the second time Wales has won the wooden spoon, and for a nation that loves rugby the way England loves football, this Six Nations performance is nothing short of embarrassing.
UK to be hotter than Madrid
Regardless of what part of the UK you’re in, you won’t escape talks about the weather this week. It’s set to be HOT HOT HOT!
Scotland will be hotter than Madrid, Wales hotter than Tenerife and England hotter than Ibiza – by Thursday, spring officially starts, and if the forecasts prove correct, the beaches and parks will be packed this weekend.
So grab your shades, shorts and sunscreen and enjoy what little sunshine our beautiful island gets each year!