Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
The ongoing cost of living crisis dominates many of Wednesday’s front pages.
There are renewed calls on the front page of the Daily Mirror for a windfall tax on oil and gas companies following BP’s announcement that its underlying profits had risen sharply. Its headline – “beyond pathetic” is a direct jab at the prime minister following his comments saying he did not support a one-off levy.
For the Times, calls for a windfall are “short-sighted,” The paper’s chief business commentator Alistair Osborne points out that BP did not seek help from taxpayers when it made a loss of more than £14bn in 2020.
Tory MPs are reportedly angry with the prime minister following his disastrous performance during recent broadcast interviews, according to the front page of the Guardian. The PM was questioned on the cost of living crisis during the run-up to Thursday’s local elections. The paper quotes an unnamed Tory backbencher and former Cabinet member who attributes the PM’s recent blunders to him not actually caring about people who are struggling.
The Daily Express prints a letter to voters from the PM where he promises to “fire up the economy” to ease the burden on households. Whilst The i leads on claims the government’s Rwanda plan is in “chaos.”
The Sun leads on the 15th anniversary of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann amid a “breakthrough” in the investigation. The paper reports that German investigators have found fibres from her pyjamas in a camper-van owned by the prime suspect – Christian B.
The Independent leads on international news as it reports on a leaked draft to overturn Roe v Wade in the United States. President Biden has urged voters to elect pro-choice candidates this November as Democrats hope ‘radical’ leak rallies midterm base.
The back pages – efforts to sell Chelsea ‘derailed’
Most of the back pages report that efforts to see Chelsea football club could be derailed by its owner Roman Abramovich reversing a promise to write off a £1.6bn loan to the club.
The Daily Mail quotes government sources who say ministers will block the sale if the Russian oligarch looks set to receive any of the proceeds.