The government’s net zero electric car plan features on several front pages this morning after backlash from the car industry. The papers highlight comments from car company Vauxhall which says rules designed to boost EV uptake in the UK have played a role in its decision to close its van factory in Luton.
Other domestic political topics feature on Wednesday’s front pages including Labour’s plans to help people get back to work and free school meals for primary school children.
On the international front, a ceasefire agreed between Israel and Hezbollah has started after more than a year at war.
A handful of standalone stories take the lead, including the latest from the world of showbiz. Prince William was also featured on the front pages this morning as he attended a tour of a military base.
The back pages are unsurprisingly dominated by Manchester City’s 3-3 draw in the Champions League last night despite leading the match 3-0 late into the second half.
‘Labour’s electric car plan in chaos’
‘Government’s net zero plans in chaos,’ claims the Mail.
The Daily Mail reports the government’s net-zero plans were in chaos on Tuesday after electric car sales targets were blamed for Vauxhall’s decision to close its Luton factory next year.
Downing Street said an urgent review of the policy would be launched in the coming weeks after “repeated warnings that it was putting jobs and investment at risk”, the paper adds.
‘Government to water down rules after backlash from industry,’ says Telegraph.
The Daily Telegraph says the government is set to “water down” its EV rules amid the “mounting crisis” in the industry over how fast the transition away from petrol and gas cars is going. A review of the government’s zero-emission mandate has been confirmed after carmakers warned the rules were putting the industry at risk.
‘Vauxhall the latest to scale back UK production,’ says The Times.
The Times says more than 1,000 jobs at the Luton factory – one of the country’s largest vehicle plants – is at risk after Vauxhall became the latest to scale back its UK production. The paper says ministers have been forced into talks with manufacturers amid fears that EV targets will hit carmakers with ruinous fines.
‘Labour’s plans to get Britain working’
‘Weight loss jab to help get people back to work to be trialled in Manchester,’ says the i.
The i leads with the government’s plans to give the unemployed weight loss jabs to help them get back into work. A trial in Manchester with a US pharmaceutical company will examine the impact of obesity on employment over five years.
‘Free breakfast clubs for all primary schools to be rolled out in 2026,’ says the Mirror.
The Daily Mirror leads on another Labour plan. The government are set to introduce free breakfast clubs to all primary schools as part of Labour’s bid to stop kids “struggling to learn on empty stomachs”. The paper says that headteachers can apply to be one of 750 that will take part in a pilot from April to be rolled out across England in 2026.
‘Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire’
‘Historic,’ is how The Guardian describes the ceasefire deal.
The Guardian leads with news of the “historic” deal to end Israel’s 14-month war in Lebanon. The paper shows an image of smoke above Beirut’s southern suburbs on Tuesday after an Israeli air strike which it calls “some of the heaviest to date on the city.”
‘Biden welcomes the good news,’ The Times notes.
The Times says US President Joe Biden has welcomed the “good news” of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon to “end the war with Hezbollah.”
‘Deal brokered by France and the US,’ says the i.
The i says Netanyahu has agreed to a ceasefire – brokered by France and the US – after a year of fighting. The front page highlights that Israel started a land invasion of Lebanon just two months ago.
