The Sunday papers cover a range of stories on their front pages, including further political fallout from this week’s by-elections. The Sunday Times reports that London Mayor Sadiq Khan is having to review his policy on expanding taxes for polluting vehicles after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer intervened. The paper says Sir Keir blames the Ulez scheme for the party’s failure to win the Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat from the Tories.
In a similar vein, minister Michael Gove is quoted in the Sunday Telegraph as warning against the “inflexible” application of environmental policies. The paper says there is a “backlash” among Conservative MPs with some concerned about net zero targets. It follows the party’s drubbing in two by-elections and its ability to cling on to Uxbridge in another by campaigning against the Ulez scheme.
Image source, BBC
The Sunday Express says Rishi Sunak is to push through new laws to protect freedom of speech for bank customers – in a Tory bid to highlight “clear divisions” with Labour. It’s headline is – “PM: I’ll shut woke banks”. It comes after a row about Nigel Farage’s Coutts bank account, which the ex-UKIP leader said had been closed due to his political views – and which the bank has apologised over.
Elsewhere, the Sun on Sunday says actress Patsy Kensit has called off her engagement.
The Sunday Mirror also showcases an “exclusive” on Kensit – saying EastEnders bosses are boosting her role on the soap. The Mirror’s main story makes claims about a Conservative Party member taking cocaine.
In the Sunday People there is fresh “agony” for the family of Nicola Bulley – the mother who went missing in January and was later found dead – as it reports her photographs are being used in a dating website scam.
The Mail on Sunday reports on what it calls a “vile film” in which claims are made about former prime minister Boris Johnson’s near-death experience during the pandemic.
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Finally, the Daily Star urges us to break out our raincoats and wellies as it forecasts 55mph storms, and bemoans: “We’re all going on a glummer holiday.”
The Sunday Telegraph welcomes a warning by Housing Secretary Michael Gove of a possible voter backlash unless some net zero measures are relaxed.
The paper’s leader suggests opposition to a larger Ultra-Low Emission Zone (Ulez) in London, which is blamed for Labour’s defeat in the Uxbridge by-election, is in its words the “tip of the iceberg”. The Telegraph recommends holding a referendum on the goal of reaching net zero by 2050.
Allies of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tell the Sunday Times that Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has promised to review his expansion of the Ulez zone.
But the Observer’s editorial warns against what it calls weaponising green policies for political gain. It says the climate emergency, obvious in this summer of “freak heatwaves”, cries out for a non-partisan approach.
It follows claims by former UKIP leader Nigel Farage that his account at Coutts bank was shut because of his political views.
But there are warnings from the banking industry in the Observer that revealing the reasons for an account closure could tip off potential criminals who are being investigated.
According to the Sunday Mirror, nine of 11 new hospitals that are due to open in 2030 are being built in the constituencies of Conservative MPs.
Labour MPs suggest these Tory-supporting communities are being prioritised over Labour areas, where sites need redeveloping. The government was approached for comment.
The Mail on Sunday says what it calls a two-year blitz of formal visits by senior royals is being planned in a bid to protect ties with the Commonwealth and the rest of the world.
The tours, involving the King and Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales, are said to be part of efforts to protect relations with countries such as Australia who might want to seek independence.
The Sunday People leads on claims that pictures of Nicola Bulley, who drowned while walking her dog in Lancashire, are being used for fake profiles in a dating scam.
The paper says it is feared the accounts are being used to lure in people seeking dates and are then bombarded with requests for money.
And the Sunday Times explains why the green man is slowing down at pedestrian crossings.
The guidelines – set in the 1950s – recommend pedestrians are given 6.1 seconds to cross. But given the UK’s ageing population and decreasing levels of fitness, this time allowance is to be increased by 20%.
