Today’s news summary – Paper Talk: Migration figures put pressure on PM
Friday’s front pages report on the reaction to the migration figures, released by the ONS – which said net migration into the UK hit a record 745,000 people last year.
‘Tory revolt over migration figures’
The Daily Telegraph says PM Rishi Sunak is now considering demands from within the Cabinet to crackdown on visas for foreign NHS and care workers after Tory MPs called for “immediate and massive” action to meet the party’s manifesto pledge to reduce migration numbers.
The Times says a five-point plan by Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick includes stopping students from staying in the UK after their courses finish and limiting the number of family members migrants can bring. The paper says the measures had been resisted by some departments because they were worried about the impact on the economy – but the Treasury is now so alarmed by the new figures it’s prepared to look at “serious” proposals to curb numbers, the paper says.
The Daily Mail says Suella Braverman is leading a “Tory revolt”. The paper highlights Braverman’s social media statement, which said “Enough is enough” and she urged the PM to “act now.” Braverman said the pressure the numbers put on housing, the NHS and “community cohesion” was unsustainable.
The Daily Express says there are fears that immigration is “passing the point of no return” and is out of control. The Daily Mirror says the Tories are “breaking Britain.”
The Financial Times reports that the tech entrepreneur Lawrence Jones has been found guilty of raping two women and sexually assaulting a third. Jones was once considered one of the most influential tech magnates in the UK.
The Guardian’s main story is about the king profiting from the assets of people who died without a will or a known next of kin.
The Metro leads with a striking image of a fire at a development in Reading town centre. A worker from the roof close to the burning building was lifted to safety by a crane operator.