Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Several of Wednesday’s front pages lead with Matt Hancock’s appearance before the public Covid inquiry on Tuesday. Other popular stories leading the papers include the upcoming doctor’s strikes, rising water bills and Nicola Bulley’s inquest.
Matt Hancock Covid inquest
The Metro’s headline “Body bags a higher priority than virus.” The paper says the former health secretary told the hearing the UK’s pandemic preparations had assumed it would not be possible to stop a virus spread, so had focused on dealing with the “consequences of disaster” instead of how to suppress an outbreak.
Jane Merrick writes in the i newspaper that Hancock’s testimony was “blisteringly frank and honest.” The Daily Express leads with Hancock’s apology: “I’m profoundly sorry for each death.” But the Daily Mirror says Hancock’s remarks drew “fury” from families grieving the loss of their loved ones from Covid. Some of those turned their backs to Matt Hancock whilst others shouted “killer.”
NHS doctors strike
The newspapers are back to fearmongering over the upcoming NHS strikes. The Daily Mail says they’ll be seven days of “NHS chaos as senior doctors walk out.” The paper goes on to say patients face the worst disruption in the history of the NHS because the walkout will follow five days of strike action by junior doctors.
The Daily Telegraph reports that the consultants want a 35% pay rise, but also says an increase of 4.5% last year has taken their average annual pay to £128,000.
Water bills hike
The Times says water companies are drawing up plans to increase household bills by as much as 40% to cover the cost of meeting strict pollution targets. The hike could see yearly bills in England go up from about £450 to £680, plus inflation. The paper says the rises, which is set to be announced next year, has alarmed ministers and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is set to raise the matter at a meeting with officials on Wednesday.
Elsewhere, images of Nicola Bulley feature on a number of papers after an inquest ruled her death as accidental drowning. The mother of two went missing earlier this year before being found dead in a river. It has been determined she slipped into the icy lake and drowned quickly. The Sun carries a “poignant” text sent by her partner, Paul Ansell, an hour after she is now known to have drowned. “Have you got lost?” it reads.