Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Wednesday’s front pages report on a variety of topics, with no one story dominating the papers. Several papers report on the ONS sickness figures, suggesting a record 2.5 million workers were signed off with long-term sickness in the first three months of 2023. The Princess of Wales is pictured on several of the tabloids’ front splashes as well as Michael Douglas attending Cannes Film Festival.
Housing protections
The Guardian leads with reports asylum seekers may lose housing protections and be moved from hostels to the privately rented sector. The proposals seek to exempt landlords from certain rules, causing concern among healthcare workers and migration campaigners.
The Daily Mail leads on what it calls the UK’s “sick note crisis”, reporting that a record 2.5m workers were signed off with long-term sickness in the first three months of 2023. The paper says most of the issues were caused by back and neck pain while working from home. Metro also leads on the ONS’s sickness figures, pointing out that it coincides with the UK’s unemployment rate “unexpectedly” rising by 0.1% to 3.9%.
Tory chaos
The Daily Express highlights Rishi Sunak’s speech to the Council of Europe, where he urged judges to stop interfering in Britain’s deportation plans. The PM called for fairness and transparency, criticising “secret late-night court rulings” that grounded deportation flights.
The Times reports that the PM could face three by-elections, as Conservative MPs nominated for peerages may have to resign from the Commons before the next general election to join the House of Lords. Some nominees, including Nadine Dorries, Nigel Adams, and Alok Sharma, are reportedly willing to give up their seats, potentially causing the Tories to lose seats.
Former Tory MP Ann Widdecombe’s remarks on people unable to afford basic food items are highlighted by the Daily Mirror. Widdecombe suggested that those who can’t afford a sandwich should go without it. The cost of making a cheese sandwich at home has increased by about a third in the past year.
AI manipulation of US elections
The Financial Times leads on the creator of ChatGPT, who said he sees AI manipulation of the upcoming US elections as a “significant concern.” Altman told US lawmakers independent audits on AI technology and warnings similar to nutritional labels were a “great idea”
