Monday’s front pages are dominated by two stories: UK sends Russia a warning with the upcoming announcement of the Strategic Defence Review and the illegal crossings of the English Channel.
Several newspapers report that results from a new trial suggest that exercise is “better than drugs” in stopping cancer from returning.
Elsewhere, the rest of the front pages are made up of standalone reports including everything from Liz Truss flogging Whiskey to reports that Britain is set for a sunny June.
Britain sends Russia a warning as Strategic Defence Review to be announced
Most of Monday’s front pages give the prime minister’s strategic defence review the lead with speculation and reports over what is set to be included. The report will be unveiled later today.
Some newspapers praise the reports, suggesting it sends a message to Russia and will boost UK and Nato defence whilst other newspapers throw cold water on the plans, suggesting it’s not viable.
The i, The Guardian and The Independent are among the papers that praise the upcoming announcements.
- The Independent suggests the PM will announce plans to double the size of the country’s nuclear-powered fleet in order to ‘face down Russian aggression’ and ‘bolster the armed forces to be ready for war.’
- The i newspaper says the government plans to prioritise ‘military and security spending’ sending a warning to Putin. The paper also highlights that the commitment will create tens of thousands of new jobs.
- The Guardian says Labour’s push towards increased militarisation “may not be enthusiastically greeted by many of the party’s supporters” – but there are hopes they might win support due to the creation of jobs, particularly outside London.
The Daily Mail and The Daily Telegraph are yet to be impressed.
- The Daily Telegraph reports that the prime minister’s defence strategy is in ‘disarray’. The paper the defence secretary appeared to walk back on his statement that there was “no doubt” the UK would boost its defence spending to 3% GDP by 2034.
- The Daily Mail also leads with comments made by the defence secretary as the paper, dramatically says, “Don’t leave us defenceless.”
Britain has lost control of its borders
Yesterday marked the highest number of illegal migrants crossing the English Channel topped the biggest daily total of the year so far. The latest crossings mean the number of migrants who have crossed the channel in 2025 is now 14,600.
Latest statement in response to small boat crossings – Home Office in the media
The Metro and the Daily Express are the two UK national newspapers to lead on the news.
- Metro picks up on a Labour minister’s comments to Sky News in which he said “We’ve lost control,” in response to the news of the growing number of migrants crossing the channel over the past five years – under both Conservative and Labour governments.
- “Boats arriving like taxis” claims the Express which similarly quotes the defence secretary who said “small boat smugglers are running a ‘taxi’ service across the Channel.”
New cancer trial suggests exercise better than drugs
The results from a new medical trial suggest that exercise could be better than drugs for stopping cancer from returning. The Guardian and The Times have a positive take on the news.
- The Guardian reports that adopting a healthier lifestyle could stop tumours from coming back and could be even “more effective than drugs.”
- The Times says the trial involved 589 patients recruited between 2009 and 2023. The trial notes that more research was needed.
