Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
There are a few talking points for the Friday newspapers, including the nurse’s strikes, the death of the fourth child in the Solihull frozen lake tragedy and the NHS being put on high alert for a flu outbreak this winter.
Elsewhere, the final part of Harry and Meghan’s Netflix show is featured across several of the tabloids’ front pages, along with a picture of Prince William and his family attending a Christmas carol concert.
Nurses strike: Senior Tories pile pressure
Both the Guardian and the Express lead on calls from senior Tories for the PM to step in and end the nurses’ pay dispute. “For Nurses, For Britain, Sit Down And Sort This Out” is the Express’s headline.
The Guardian says the prime minister is being asked to get the independent pay review body to look at the issue again.
The Times reports on next week’s ambulance worker strikes. The paper quotes senior NHS figures who warn the strike will pose “the biggest danger yet” to patients. But the paper says ministers fear opening the floodgates to above-inflation claims, throughout the public sector.
The Mirror pictures nurses going to the aid of a man who had collapsed near a picket line in Bristol. “Message to Tories: This is what compassion looks like,” reads the paper’s main headline.
NHS flu warning
The Daily Telegraph highlights a 40% jump in hospital admissions in England for flu, over the past week. The paper says admission rates are eight times higher than expected for the time of year. The paper goes on to say the NHS is bracing itself for one of the worst outbreaks of flu.
Harry and Meghan Netflix documentary
Several of the tabloids feature the latest royal family news. Harry and Meghan’s Netflix show, part 2 was released on Thursday, whilst Prince William and Kate attended a Christmas carol service.
The Daily Mail describes part 2 of the Netflix show as “brutal” and called Harry’s part in the show a “savage onslaught” against his brother and father.
“The Traitor and the Dutiful” is the headline for the Sun as it pictures Prince William, Princess Kate and their children arriving for the Westminster Abbey Christmas service.
The Times demands Harry and Meghan give back their titles and that Harry removes himself from the line of succession – the paper gives over a massive 10 pages to the Netflix show.
But the Guardian gives it a four-star review saying it was a satisfying happily-ever-after.
