The Observer – Truss faces brutal return to political fray after funeral
This week’s Sunday Papers are heavily dominated by royal news. The Observer splits its front page to report prime minister Liz Truss is facing “a political and economic baptism of fire this week” as leading UK business organisations put “pressure” on ministers for “absolute clarity” on help for rocketing energy bills.
The front page features an image from the Queen’s grandchildren’s vigil with the caption “United in sorrow.”
Liz Truss warned of mass bankruptcies if firms left in limbo over energy bills
The Observer says Liz Truss is facing a political and economic baptism of fire this week with warnings of mass bankruptcies across the economy – even as the new prime minister prepares to lead the nation in a minute’s silence on Sunday night to honour the Queen’s legacy.
Before the Queen’s funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday and her burial at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, Truss will appear on the steps of No 10 on Sunday night at 8pm as part of a final national “moment of reflection” on the monarch’s life and legacy.
Downing Street is hoping that people will take part in their homes and on their doorsteps across the UK. Sailors, soldiers and air crews from the armed forces stationed overseas will also pause, including on ships and in bases, in what government officials believe could become a global event.
Keir Starmer facing pressure at Labour conference over pay rises and picketing
The Observer says Labour will come under pressure to support inflation-matching pay increases, joining picket lines, renationalisation and the return of Jeremy Corbyn as a party candidate, in a crucial annual conference for Keir Starmer.
The Labour leader will use next weekend’s conference to set out key dividing lines after the government’s mini-budget on Friday, with announcements on tax cuts, bankers’ bonuses and borrowing set to dominate the political debate for months to come.
However, the party will also be confronted with some of the issues that have caused divisions among the membership and MPs over the summer. Among them will be numerous demands from local parties to make it clear that Labour MPs can join picket lines, an issue likely to flare up again this autumn as more public sector workers contemplate strike action.
Protests across UK over killing of unarmed black man Chris Kaba
The Observer says Hundreds of people have gathered outside New Scotland Yard as part of a series of protests across the country calling for justice for Chris Kaba, an unarmed black man who was shot dead by police in south London.
The protest is one of many taking place in the UK, in cities such as Manchester, Coventry and Southampton, as part of a National Day of Action organised by the Justice for Chris Kaba campaign.
The police watchdog, the IOPC, is investigating what happened on 5 September, when Kaba was shot, and will look at whether race was a factor.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy, the Labour MP for Streatham, who has been vocal in her support for Kaba’s family, criticised the fact that the firearms officer who is under investigation by the IOPC was not immediately suspended by the Met.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/17/protest-uk-met-police-killing-black-chris-kaba
Firefighters in England say 100-hour weeks to pay bills are ‘gamble with safety’
The Observer says Firefighters are taking second jobs and working up to 100 hours a week to make ends meet, leading to growing concerns that an increasingly exhausted workforce is resulting in a “gamble with public safety”.
Firefighters across the country told the Observer that the service was at “breaking point” with more crew than ever being forced to take jobs such as personal trainers, painters and decorators or in warehouses. Wages in the fire service are often about £30,000 but can be as low as £23,000.
“When I started the job just a few years ago, I had good prospects of being able to buy a house and pay my bills – but, with inflation, I’m being priced out of this job,” one said. “I want to do this job, I want to help people … but I can’t afford to have a house, can’t afford to raise a family right now. I’m not asking for much.”
European roundup: Bayern drop to fourth after shock defeat by Augsburg
The Observer says Bayern Munich suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Augsburg in the Bundesliga to stretch their winless run to four consecutive league matches and drop to fourth place.
Mërgim Berisha slotted in a cutback with a composed finish in the 59th minute to seal the three points and pile more pressure on Bayern’s coach, Julian Nagelsmann. The hosts were not intimidated by the champions at any stage and their seven shots on goal were almost double Bayern’s total in the opening half.
The Bavarian side, fresh from their Champions League group win over Barcelona in midweek, lacked a clinical finish, with both Sadio Mané and Leroy Sané having their share of chances. Augsburg’s Rafal Gikiewicz made several fine saves.
