Browsing: What Happened Today in the UK

The former Labour deputy prime minister John Prescott died on Wednesday at the age of 86. His family confirmed he died listening to jazz music at the care home he’d been living in since being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Prescott served during the Tony Blair government – tributes are pouring in from across the political spectrum.

Yesterday, former One Direction boyband member Liam Payne was laid to rest in a small and private service in Buckinghamshire. His funeral was attended by his former bandmates Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson. The 31-year-old died last month in Argentina after falling from his hotel balcony.

The UK’s cold snap continues to bite with schools being closed this Thursday morning and severe travel disruptions affecting the country.

A long-awaited report into the family of Captain Tom Moore has finally been released. The report says the family’s refusal to donate any of the £1.4m received from his book deal damaged public trust in charities. It says the family of Sir Tom made profit off the charity set up in his name.

Images from yesterday’s farmer’s protest in London dominate much of the UK media – online and in print – amid warnings that the protests are just the start.

The prime minister assures the public that the inheritance tax rule will affect only a small amount of farmers. Around 13,000 farmers protested outside Westminster yesterday and were joined by Jeremy Clarkson and Nigel Farage.

Higher energy rates have pushed up UK inflation the latest figures show. The rate is at its highest in six months. The latest figures come after the government revealed that around 50,000 pensioners will be living in relative poverty next year due to the winter fuel allowance cuts.

The UK cold snap has arrived and more weather warnings have been issued across the country as the wintery weather causes travel disruptions and school closures.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has signed a one-year extension to his contract, keeping him in the Premier League for a little longer.

Away from domestic news, much of the UK media – in print and online – also looks at the latest developments in Russia’s war in Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden permitted Ukraine to use US-made weapons to strike Russia – which they did yesterday.

Russia’s Putin has called it a major escalation of war and has, in response, lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike on the West. It’s led to fears a nuclear war may be on the horizon.

Snow and ice warnings have been issued today as many Brits woke up to some wintery weather as the cold snap sets in. The conditions have led to school closures and travel disruptions.

A planned march to Westminster by UK farmers is set to take place today. Farmers are protesting the chancellor’s plans to impose inheritance tax on farms valued over £1 million. The government have called for calm, reminding the public that most farmers won’t be affected by the rule. TV star Jeremy Clarkson is expected to join the protest.

Many publications – online and in print – continue their coverage of Joe Biden’s policy shift allowing Ukraine to use American-made weapons to attack Russia.

Several newspapers ponder whether the UK and Germany will follow Washington’s decision. There is coverage of Moscow’s reaction to Biden’s decision, with the Kremlin calling it a major escalation in the war and noting that there will be consequences for the UK if it follows Washington’s decision. Donald Trump’s team have expressed their anger at Biden’s decision, accusing him of “launching a whole new war.” Trump – who takes office in January – has repeatedly said he will end the Russia-Ukriane war as soon as he’s in power, but he has not indicated any sort of plan.

There are also ongoing reports about a potential trade deal with the US, with several of the business newspapers suggesting it will be tough talks with the new US president. An expert has predicted that the UK will align with Brussels if a trade war breaks out between the US and China.

The editorials continue their coverage of the PM’s meeting with the Chinese president Xi – and what that could mean for Starmer’s relationship with Trump.

Much of the UK news is dominated by the news Joe Biden has given Ukraine the go-ahead to use American weapons to attack Russia. It leaves many of the UK media speculating if the UK and France might soon follow suit.

England’s 5-0 victory over Ireland at Wembley last night is a huge talking point this morning as the Lee Carsely era has come to an end. The next England international camp will see new boss Thomas Tuchel at the helm. The last win ensures England returns to the top tier of the Nations League.

Ongoing reports on inheritance tax on UK farms, with many papers – online and in print – reporting on the planned protest outside Westminster on Tuesday.

Several publications report on the upcoming G20 summit as the UK prime minister is reportedly planning to meet with the Chinese president, leading to widespread backlash. Many have accused Keir Starmer of choosing the economy over human rights. The story will likely continue unfolding as the G20 summit starts.

There’s a real variety of domestic news dominating the UK this Sunday morning with politics leading the way. No single issue leads the papers providing a wide variety of reports across the political spectrum from COP29 to Labour’s £1bn bus promise.

The latest from the hit TV show I’m a Celebrity makes several of the tabloid front pages as original WAG Coleen Rooney speaks exclusively about moving on from the trial dubbed ‘WAGATHA Christy’.

The back pages are dominated by English football and rugby – as the rugby team suffered their fifth straight loss and the three lions prepare to face Ireland in the last match of the international break.

The chancellor delivered her first Mansion House speech on Thursday as she urged the City regulators to allow financial service providers to take greater risks, saying that the rules introduced after the 2008 financial crash had “gone too far” and were harming growth.

The speech is an annual address to the City of London by the sitting chancellor. In her first address, she attempted to reassure the City that she had a growth strategy. Much of her speech is highlighted across print media and online this morning.

The Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey also gave a speech yesterday at the event in which said the UK must improve its relationship with Europe saying the “consequences of Brexit” were damaging the economy.

Chancellor Rachel Reeve’s Budget continues to be scrutinised as do other Labour plans across the print media today.

Ongoing coverage of US politics – from Trump’s meeting with Biden to the appointments being made to Cabinet, find space in the UK media landscape.

The back pages – and social media – are dominated by the latest from English football. The ongoing search for a presenter to replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host is heavily featured on social media. There’s also coverage of another leaked video of EPL referee David Cootes who appeared to be snorting a white powder in the video during the summer’s EUROS.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is facing increased calls for him to step down from his role following the release of a damning report into a child abuser associated with the Church of England.

The report found that Welby “could and should” have reported the allegations against John Smyth when they were put to him in 2013. Smyth died in 2018.

Much-loved football pundit Gary Lineker is to quit hosting the legendary show Match of the Day at the end of the season. He is also planning to leave the BBC altogether following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup.

A ‘game-changing’ smoking pill is set to be introduced by NHS England in plans to help people quit smoking and reduce smoking-related health issues and deaths.

The prime minister is off to Paris today to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron. Many topics will be discussed during the meeting including incoming US President Donald Trump’s plans to issue a blanket 20% tariffs on European imports into the US. The meeting comes amid calls for Keir Starmer to strengthen ties with the European Union.

Remembrance Sunday events continue to be covered in the UK media today, with many of the newspapers splashing on images of Princess Kate attending the Cenotaph event as the royals laid wreaths for the war dead.

A round of the weekend’s Premier League action dominates the back pages and social media after a shock defeat for Manchester City and Spurs and title hopeful’s Arsenal lose even more ground as they drop points against Chelsea.