It’s another wet and windy start in the capital, with grey skies hanging over the city and suits marching off to work. I’m sure most are looking ahead to the long weekend. But until then, there’s still a lot happening across the country and around the world that you need to know!
The headlines are packed with various domestic and international stories, with no one story really dominating that much, although we expect that’ll change later today when the US stock markets open.
For now, the Birmingham bin strikes, talks of a potential UK-US deal and a splash of budget talks and celebrity gossip lead the headlines.
The sports headlines look at how agonisingly close Aston Villa came to overturning their first-leg goal deficit. Other headlines look ahead to tonight’s Real Madrid vs Arsenal second leg – the North London club go into the clash ahead thanks to a 3-0 win in the first leg.
US tariffs – UK-US trade deal – Birmingham bin strikes
US tariffs latest – UK-US trade deal – Economic news
The headlines continue their coverage of Trump’s tariffs as the US president continues to threaten more tariffs – this time on big tech and pharmaceuticals. All eyes are on the stock markets today to see how they are reacting, with the US stocks opening at 14:30 BST. Several headlines look at comments made by the Vice President JD Vance, who said the UK and US are working hard to secure a trade deal.
- The Daily Telegraph reports that the prime minister is nearing a new trade partnership with the European Union that could “put a trade deal with the White House at risk”.
- The Times says the UK government officials and pharmaceutical bosses are scrambling to stop Donald Trump putting tariffs on medicines “that would harm a multi-billion pound British industry”. Trump has said the tariff on foreign drugs will come into effect soon.
- The FT – like other business papers – are keeping an eye on global stock markets following the chaos since the Liberation Day tariffs were announced. The paper carries an interview with JP Morgan boss Jamie Dimon, who says the retaliatory trade war could put US credibility at risk. He tells the paper that Washington and Beijing should engage as tariffs escalate.
- The Independent reports on the vice president’s comments that the UK has a good chance of a trade agreement, but sources say his obsession with Britain’s hate speech laws is ‘still a red line’ and that Labour ‘must repeal online protections for LGBT+ and other minorities’.
Birmingham bin strikes – Unions call for wider action
Several headlines focus on the Birmingham bin strikes after unions members rejected a pay deal. The headlines look at how residents in Birmingham are being affected as giant rats appear all over the city amid fears of a potential health crisis emerging. The headlines also look at calls from the union of wider industrial action that could spread across the country.
- The Daily Mirror leads with the Birmingham bin strikes saying residents are blighted by the strike and are demanding an end to their hell. The paper spoke to ‘furious’ residents who are calling for action fast amid festering rubbish, rotting food and rats everywhere. The paper says this ‘proud city in the world’s 6th biggest economy’ is being failed.
- Yorkshire Post leads with a warning that bin workers in Sheffield have warned the Birmingham bin strike could spread to other cities. In Sheffield, Unite (union) has been involved in a long-running dispute with refuse contractor Veolia over union recognition.
- The Independent says the union members rejected the deal, which included pay cuts and did not address potential cuts for drivers. Unite and Birmingham City Council disagree on the number of workers affected by the proposed pay cuts.
UK politics latest – Scottish independence – Chancellor looking for budget help
There is a dash of standalone stories focused on politics and the UK government leading the headlines.
- The i newspaper says new data shows the ongoing freeze on income tax thresholds will pull millions more into the tax system over the next three years. The paper says the chancellor is turning to British pensioners “for budget help.”
- The Guardian reports that the British political party Reform UK has been deemed “racist and far right” by the largest education union in the country. Reform leader Nigel Farage reacted with anger and said his party would “go to war” with the teaching unions if it won the next general election.
- Daily Mail suggests researchers from China are to be allowed access to half a million UK GP records. The paper says the data is being uploaded to the UK Biobank – a research hub for universities, scientific institutes and private companies. It says that one in five successful applications to use the information comes from China.
- The National reports Holyrood will see a huge independence majority of 29 MSPS after next year’s elections, according to an exclusive new poll for the paper. The survey, conducted by Find Out Now, predicted that the SNP would win 35% of the constituency share and 25% on the regional vote.