Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Many of Friday’s front pages lead with the recent prediction that the energy price cap will increase to £3,500.
Energy price cap increase, record price hike looms
The i’s front page says “UK hit by record hike in energy prices” – the paper says millions of people are facing an 80 per cent increase in bills from October. The announcement is expected from Ofgem on Friday morning.
The Daily Telegraph’s analysis of the prediction, says the increase will plunge more than half of families across the UK into fuel poverty. Whilst the paper’s cartoon amusingly has the headline “It’s not good news. I’m jumping up and down to keep warm”.
The Daily Mirror says the new cap will come into force later this year – the Mirror calls the month a “Shocktober.”
The Daily Mail leads with a pledge from Tory hopeful Liz Truss – “I’ll get you through the energy bill crisis”. In the paper, she pledges “immediate support” to fight rising bills, tax cuts and a suspension of green levies.
Whilst the Times claims Liz Truss might be considering adopting Rishi Sunak’s plans to suspend VAT on energy bills.
The Guardian lays bare the scale of the problems facing Brits. A recent poll shows 40% have struggled with food or energy bills over the past three months.
For the Daily Express, the situation could only get worse – with one consultancy predicting the energy price cap could hit £6,800 by next April. The paper says this would mean the difference between the average monthly fixed rate mortgage and energy bills would be just £172.
The Metro leads with an image of a woman who interrupted health secretary Steve Barclay whilst he was being interviewed on TV. She asked him what he was planning to do about ambulance waiting times, saying nothing had been done in 12 years.
Whoever wins the Tory leadership race, will be appointed by the Queen at Balmoral, according to the Sun. The paper says “secret plans” have been drawn up as the monarch, 96, is struggling with mobility and has been advised not to travel back to Buckingham Palace.
The Financial Times reports that Liz Truss is considering triggering Article 16 proceedings against the EU if she becomes PM. Allies say the plan would provide a stop-gap while legislation to unilaterally re-write the Northern Ireland protocol is passed through the Commons.
According to the Times, this could happen in her first 10 days in office – and raises the prospect of an immediate breakout in relations with the EU.
Liverpool shooting: Olivia’s family make plea
“Who took our baby away from us?” is the Daily Mirror’s main headline, as it leads on the family appeal of the nine-year-old shot dead at her home.
The Daily Express also features an image of Olivia, alongside the headline “anguish of Olivia’s family.”