Browsing: UK News

Get the latest WTX News: breaking news, features and analysis from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Thursday’s newspaper front pages are dominated by reactions to the spending review. It won’t come as much of a surprise how the papers have reacted – with the left-leaning press cheering on the injection of cash, bringing an end to the Conservative austerity and framing the review as a “renewal of Britain.” The right-leaning press tells their readers to “brace for tax pain” calling Rachel Reeves’s review “fantasy spending.” 

Several of today’s newspaper front pages cover the illegal crossings yesterday as more than 1000 people crossed the channel. It marks the biggest crossing of 2025 so far. Most of the papers pick up on the comments made by the Defence Secretary who says it’s “pretty shocking” when asked about French police failing to intervene and says that Britain, over the past five years under both Conservative and Labour governments, has lost control of their borders.

Tuesday’s newspaper front pages cover the landmark EU deal that, according to the prime minister, puts the UK back on the global stage. The paper’s political leanings are as clear as ever in this morning’s headlines with the left-leaning press celebrating the UK rebuilding its relations with the EU – and highlighting the economic benefits that will come with it. The right-leaning press sees it as a betrayal of Brexit – even though many of the papers have acknowledged that Brexit in its current form does not work.

The UK and European Union have announced a comprehensive agreement aimed at resetting relations post-Brexit. Key elements include a commitment to work towards a common sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) area, and aligning UK rules with EU standards on plant and animal health.

Good morning! Grab a coffee and let’s dive into the headlines dominating the UK news today. It’s busy on the politics front with Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosting a pivotal summit with EU leaders in London, aiming to reset post-Brexit relations. Meanwhile, charities are increasing pressure on the government to abolish the two-child benefit cap, highlighting its impact on child poverty.

In international news, former US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, sparking global concern and an outpouring of well wishes. An attempted terrorist attack on a Palm Springs fertility clinic is also featured heavily in the news as the suspect has been named as 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus.

And in Gaza, Israeli airstrikes have intensified, resulting in significant casualties amid ongoing ceasefire talks. It comes as Israel agreed to allow a limited amount of food into Gaza to prevent a “starvation crisis” amidst a blockade lasting nearly three months.

On a lighter note, Crystal Palace fans are still celebrating their historic FA Cup victory over Manchester City and Chelsea WFC beat Manchester United to win the Women’s FA Cup – completing the domestic treble.

Friday’s headlines are dominated by the debate around legalising assisted dying in England and Wales (Scotland has its own separate bill). Politicians, health experts and scholars are offering their opinions ahead of Friday’s debate.

The bill passed the first stage of the Commons last November – but since then there have been dozens of amendments added by both sides. A vote to pass or reject the bill is not likely to take place on Friday, but rather in June.

UK businesses are calling on the government to reset relations with the EU ahead of a summit hosted in London next week. More than 400 UK firms have urged the government to take “practical steps” to reduce red tape, ease staff mobility, and coordinate on climate, defence and energy.

On the international front, there’s widespread coverage of the humanitarian crisis facing Gaza as Israel continues to block aid (including food) and continues to heavily bomb the strip. Donald Trump is concluding his tour of the Middle East where he has signed huge investment deals.

At least 80 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza as violence intensified and ceasefire talks stalled. Some local sources put the toll at over 120. The renewed assault follows Donald Trump’s regional tour, where he proposed turning Gaza into a “freedom zone” managed by the US — a revival of an earlier controversial plan that implied permanent displacement of Gaza’s population.

The UK’s leading business lobbying group, the CBI, is calling for a major reset in relations with the EU, saying the current post-Brexit setup is “no longer fit for purpose”. Ahead of a UK-EU summit on 19 May, the group has urged both sides to rebuild trust and take “practical steps” to reduce red tape, ease staff mobility, and coordinate on climate, defence and energy.