Monday’s headlines continue to report on the backlash of the US tariffs – announced last week – that’s sparked a massive stock market sell-off and fears of a looming global recession. The PM promises to protect British business amid the 10% tariff on the UK. The government has stepped in to help the British car industry (amid 25% car tariffs) by making the rules on manufacturers going all-electric more flexible.
Elsewhere, as of next month, health workers will go door-to-door under new plans to tackle sickness rates across England.
The UK weather continues to dominate the headlines as wildfires broke out across Scotland and Northern Ireland over the weekend after temperatures soared.
In sports, there is continued coverage of the weekend’s Premier League action, including Liverpool’s unbeaten run being ended by Fulham, a drab performance between Man Utd and Man City and Southampton being relegated.
PM promises to protect British business
Tariffs, tariffs, tariffs! The prime minister has promised to protect British businesses 3 days after Donald Trump’s tariffs came into action. The UK was slapped with a baseline 10% tariff, and the government has drawn up a list of potential US imports that might be tariffed.
The stock markets have been having a complete meltdown since the tariff announcements on Wednesday. In early trading, the European stock markets fell and the Asian markets have also opened with a slump – all eyes will be on the stock markets for the next few weeks amid fears the US will enter a recession.
- The FT says the UK treasury plans to water down rules for private equity and hedge funds by introducing softer regulations for smaller groups to incentivise investment. The paper says Trump’s top team show no signs of halting the “brusining tariffs” on imports from around the world and are rejecting “fears of a looming recession.”
- The i newspaper reports on the easing of the ban on manufacturing petrol cars, described by the paper as an effort to “shield” the UK from a trade war and boost the car industry. The paper says the government expects to move towards a “more interventionist state” to work directly with businesses to compensate for the “damage done” by the new US tariffs.
- The Times says it will be “cheaper and easier” to own an electric car as the prime minister warns Trump’s tariffs are “not a phase”.
- The Guardian reports that Labour will “support key industries” to shelter vulnerable sectors from the 10% US tariffs slapped on the UK. In addition to the car companies, life science industries are expected to be among those receiving extra support.
- The Independent reports the PM has promised ‘bold changes’ to rules over electric cars in the face of US tariffs. The paper reports the prime minister’s announcement follows Jaguar Land Rover’s decision to suspended shipments to the US over the weekend, as they look to “address the new trading terms”.
- Metro leads with Elon Musk’s calls for the US to have free trade with Europe in what the paper calls an “undermining” of Trump’s tariff orders. Musk “advised against” the 20% tax on European imports and the 10% on UK goods, the paper says.
NHS radical plan to tackle crisis
There are a handful of NHS-focused stories in the news today.
- The Daily Mail reports family doctors overwhelmingly support the NHS’s prostate screening programme. The paper says 94% of GPs surveyed by the paper think the government should roll out standard prostate checks for high-risk men.
- The Daily Telegraph says the NHS has a “radical” plan to tackle the “health crisis”, which includes sending medics door-to-door in a new scheme greenlit by the health secretary.
UK to be hotter than Spain – Wildfires across the UK
The UK is sizzling at the moment – and the headlines reflect that. There are reports on the outbreaks of wildfires across the UK as well as looking ahead to what weather we have to look forward to this Easter break.
- The Irish News says firefighters have spent another day tackling fresh wildfires in the Mourne Mountains and Co Antrim following a huge weekend gorse blaze. The fires reported on Sunday followed a huge blaze in the Hilltown area of Co Down the day before that police are investigating as arson.
- Belfast Telegraph says the deputy first minister has slammed ‘wanton destruction’ of Northern Ireland’s natural landscape after another huge blaze engulfed a vast stretch of the Mourne Mountains.
- Sky News says the UK will be hotter than parts of Spain as wildfire warnings are issued.
- Wales Online reports on a fire near a Welsh country park, and local residents have been told to keep windows and doors shut. Fire crews have been dealing with a number of grass and wildfires in recent days as south Wales experiences a period of dry weather, and there was a strong breeze on Saturday.
Spain protests amid housing crisis
Spain is usually a top holiday destination for Brits during the Easter break. The lure of warm weather (we’ve got our own this year!), cheap flights, and close proximity makes Spain appealing to many holidaymakers. But ahead of an expected influx of tourists this Easter, many Spanish locals are protesting the over-tourism and housing crisis in the country.
- The Daily Mirror reports that British tourists are being warned to expect a summer of disruption in Spain. After thousands protested across Spain at the weekend against a housing crisis blamed on tourism, it is now feared militants could block airports, beaches and other attractions.
- The Daily Star reports Britain will be hotter than Australia as the Easter school holidays begin with 24C highs and wall-to-wall sunshine.
- Daily Record reports that holidaymakers could face significant disruptions this summer in Spain due to a wave of anti-tourism protests, with activists potentially targeting airports, beaches, and other popular tourist destinations.
