Editorial 11 September 2024

Wednesday’s front pages feature a few leads with several papers focusing on the early release of prisoners in England and Wales. Many of those papers are traditionally right-leaning and see the early release as a ‘day of shame’ for the country and most feature images of men celebrating their release. 

The Commons vote on cutting winter fuel payments is picked up by many other publications. The traditional left-leaning newspapers suggest the public move on from the fuel payments and instead focus on supporting the government in its plans to fix public services. 

A few international stories make the broadsheet front pages as US President Joe Biden is reportedly weighing up whether Ukraine can use American long-range missiles in Russia. 

‘Day of shame as prisoners released early’

In a bid to ease the overcrowding crisis in prisons across England and Wales, the government has introduced a scheme that has seen prisoners granted early release.

‘Cheers, Keir’ says the Telegraph, which says a domestic abuser has been given early release.

The Daily Telegraph features a recently released offender, pictured giving the thumbs-up as he was freed from Durham jail. 

‘Sickening celebrations,’ is the Mail’s take on the early release scheme. 

A picture on the front of the Daily Mail shows a prisoner at Nottingham jail being sprayed with champagne. The paper describes it as “sickening celebrations.” The paper expresses its outrage over the release including one offender being “greeted by friends in a Lamborghini,” and another vowing he’s now a “life-long Labour voter.” 

‘Not all Labour’s fault,’ is the Sun’s surprising take.

“A day of shame” is The Sun’s take on the early release of prisoners – to tackle overcrowding in prisons. Surprisingly, an opinion piece, acknowledges that the circumstances which have led to the release scheme cannot be blamed solely on the new government and points out that overcrowding “dates back at least to Tony Blair’s era.” 

‘Commons vote to cut winter fuel payments’ 

Away from the early release of prisoners, Tuesday’s Commons vote on winter fuel payments also makes the front pages. 

‘MPs approval will embolden Labour leadership,’ says the i. 

The paper says the Commons vote on government plans to restrict winter fuel payments to only the poorest pensioners. The paper says the approval of the move by MPs will embolden the Labour leadership. It reports sources in the leadership saying they feel able to press ahead with plans “without fear of a major revolt”.

In its editorial, the paper argues that even though the PM’s team may have “dodged a disaster” there are “signs of trouble ahead.” It warns that next month’s Budget will be full of “thorny clauses” on taxes and spending. 

‘Time to fix public services and move on from winter fuel crisis’ is The Guardian’s take.

 An opinion column in the paper suggests the prime minister should “take the win and let the matter rest there.” It says he should move his focus onto improving the fiscal conditions of the UK and focus on “fixing public services,” like the NHS. The government must make “the right choices, not just tough choices.” 

On the front page the Guardian leads with news that whilst MPs backed the government plans on winter fuel payments, dozens of Labour MPs abstained in the vote and says the prime minister now faces pressure on helping the poorest in next month’s Budget. 

‘Get the public’s attention back on the good,’ says the Mirror. 

The Mirror has a similar take to the Guardian. The paper says PM Sir Keir Starmer and his ministers ought to be coaxing the public’s attention back to the “much that is good in what the government is doing.”

‘Ukraine gets US go ahead’ 

A handful of newspapers lead on international news. 

‘Counter Russia-Iran threat’ says The Telegraph.

The Telegraph reports that Joe Biden is set to lift a ban on long-range missiles supplied by the US and UK being fired into Russia by Ukraine. The paper says Biden is considering the policy change after it emerged Iran was arming Russians with ballistic missiles that could reach Ukraine. The move will be discussed at a White House summit this week. 

‘Pivotal moment could happen within weeks,’ claims The Times.

The Times also leads on the suggestions Ukraine will be given the green light to use long-range missiles in Russia. The paper says any change would be a pivotal moment in the war as up to now the US has had reservations due to fears it could lead to an escalation in the war. 

‘Apple ordered to pay billions in taxes to Ireland,’ says business paper the FT.

The FT leads on a court ruling that orders US company Apple to pay €13bn in taxes, overturning an earlier decision in the tech’s giant favour. 

‘Jeremy Kyle cleared’ 

A handful of UK papers report on domestic showbiz stories. 

‘No connection between Jeremy Jyle show and guests suicide,’ leads the Metro.

Metro focuses on a ruling that says there is no “clear” connection between a man’s appearance as a guest on the daytime TV show Jeremy Kyle Show and his suicide. The former presenter of the show spoke on the “huge toll” the case has taken on him – which also led to the show being cancelled back in 2019. 

‘Staff hand over phones as BBC investigates abuse claims,’ the Mirror leads.

The Daily Mirror’s main story is on the BBC investigation into abuse claim made by Amanda Abbington against her Strictly dance partner Giovanni Pernice. The paper claims staff working on the show were made to hand over their phones so their messages could be examined in case they “shed light” on the allegations.