Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Friday’s front pages lead on the announcement that the HS2 high-speed rail project will be delayed by two years to cut costs.
Elsewhere, the government’s controversial migrant bill also features on the front page.
HS2 – betrayal of the north
The Daily Mirror reports that the HS2 high-speed rail project will be delayed by two years to cut costs, which it calls a “Huge Shambles 2” and a “betrayal of the North”. The i warns that the delay could jeopardise the government’s “levelling up” plans, while the Daily Express asks “Who’d have thought it?” In contrast, The Times describes the project as a “national embarrassment”.
Small boat crossings
French President Emmanuel Macron has reportedly told Rishi Sunak that the issue of stopping small boats crossing the Channel is “your problem, not ours”, according to The Independent.
The Times reports that the UK plans to give France £200m to invest in police, security, and intelligence to tackle the issue.
The Daily Telegraph reports that the Home Office has had to find an extra £2bn to fund hotel rooms for asylum-seekers, with “asylum hotels” now in 90% of England’s 48 counties.
Gary Linekar ‘playing the BBC for fools’
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail accuses Gary Lineker of “playing the BBC for fools” over his social media posts about the government’s asylum policy.The Sun says the Match of the Day host will escape a red card, while the Times suggests Lineker is “confident” he will present the show this weekend.
The Guardian reports that former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has caused a “headache” for Rishi Sunak by nominating Daily Mail chief Paul Dacre for a peerage in his resignation honours list. The Scottish Daily Mail reports that UK ambassadors have been told to prevent Scottish National Party ministers from discussing independence while on overseas trips. Finally, The Telegraph suggests that Cabinet Secretary Simon Case’s civil service career may be in danger due to his perceived “weak leadership” and being “too close” to ministers. The i also says Mr Case’s government career is in danger because he is perceived as being “too close” to ministers. Downing Street has previously said Mr Case would remain in position “for a very long time to come”.