What the papers say – September 21
The papers on Saturday are led by the Prime Minister and his most senior ministers no longer accepting donations to pay for their clothes.
The Times, The Guardian and The Telegraph report the move comes after a row about Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Lady Victoria Starmer’s acceptance of gifts, including clothing, from prominent Labour donor and peer Lord Alli.
Saturday’s TIMES: “Labour U-turn on freebies” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/vDv1WZlKYq
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) September 20, 2024
Tomorrow’s Guardian front page #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/78cDTrIfMp
— Clare Margetson (@claremargetson) September 20, 2024
Saturday’s Daily TELEGRAPH: “I took free clothes too, admits Chancellor” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/q47rd2GZdF
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) September 20, 2024
A new poll shows the Prime Minister’s popularity has plunged 26 points amid the row, according to the Daily Mail.
Saturday’s Daily MAIL: “Starmer Hit By Calamity Poll” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/1tFEJOYbpx
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) September 20, 2024
The Daily Mirror leads with a press conference hearing how there was a “systematic failure of corporate responsibility” in the Mohamed Al Fayed case, with lawyers labelling the late billionaire a “monster”. Five women alleged they had been raped by Mr Al Fayed, who died last year at the age of 94, with a number of others alleging sexual misconduct.
Saturday's front page: Al Fayed was a monster https://t.co/00yMDI4rfH#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/M2XPv190QZ
— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) September 20, 2024
Elsewhere, the i reports Brussels is set to tell the Government young people aged 18 to 30 should get four-year visas allowing them to live in the UK in return for a softer Brexit trade deal.
Saturday's front page: EU reveals the price of Starmer's softer Brexit: new migration deal for under-30s in Europe and UK #TomorrowsPapersToday
Latest from @singharj: https://t.co/O5ejDD6EQJ pic.twitter.com/3kTQWlT9Nj
— The i paper (@theipaper) September 20, 2024
The Government’s decision to scrap winter fuel payments will affect 86% of pensioners already living in poverty, according to the Daily Express.
Saturday’s Daily EXPRESS: “Heartless! 86% Of Poorest Pensioners Will Lose Fuel Help” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/KGBPvgsaIF
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) September 20, 2024
The Financial Times reports public debt hit 100% of GDP for the first time since the 1960s on Friday.
FT Weekend: “Debt overshoot deepens fiscal gloom” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/4MPWLQw64H
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) September 20, 2024
And the Daily Star says a brain surgeon who fell into a week-long coma has claimed heaven smells like KFC.
Saturday’s Daily STAR: “I died and went to heaven.. it smells of fried chicken” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/3oEavPpe5n
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) September 20, 2024