The top story across many papers on Saturday is the King’s call for unity in the wake of violent disorder and unrest across the country. The Daily Telegraph reports that King Charles has “spoken of his hopes that mutual respect and understanding will unite the nation”. Pictured beside that report is Team GB’s Katarina Johnson-Thompson, who won silver at the Paris Olympics in the heptathlon.
Under the headline ‘King hails riots response’, the Times reports that King Charles has “praised Britain’s community spirit” and expressed “his heartfelt thanks to the police and emergency services”. The Times also features a prominent image of Katarina Johnson-Thompson, and plugs an interview with Hannah Skelley, younger sister of Paralympic judo competitor Chris Skelley.
The Guardian leads its weekend coverage with an exclusive into a “university financial crisis”. It reports that “English universities face a tipping point this autumn”, according to “vice-chancellors who say urgent intervention may be needed to stop institutions going under”. Team GB’s latest silver medallist, dubbed KJT, also graces the Guardian’s front page.
Saturday’s Financial Times reports a “£5.4bn takeover” of British investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown by a “consortium” of private equity firms. Speaking to the paper, co-founder Stephen Lansdown describes the deal as a “bittersweet moment”.
The Daily Express also leads on the King’s praise of “Britain’s community spirit” in response to unrest across the country, accompanied by reports on what it dubs a “pension scandal” and Team GB’s silver in the heptathlon.
The Daily Mail features the latest development in the Huw Edwards scandal, reporting he has been “urged to hand back the £200,000 salary he was paid after his arrest” by the broadcaster. It reports that BBC bosses “branded the newsreader a villain for taking licence fee money in bad faith”.
The Daily Mirror also leads on the Huw Edwards story, headlining “BBC to shamed Huw… Give back our cash”. The front page snippet features a quote from BBC chair Samir Shah, who said that Edwards “knew what he had done but still look licence fee money”.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves eyes fuel duty hikes, the i Weekend says. The paper reports that Reeves is “considering lifting the 13-year-freeze on fuel duty”, but that she faces a dilemma as a poll commissioned by the i “shows voters are not in favour” of it.
The top story in the Daily Star is a report into petty crime in office workplaces, blaming the “cost of living crisis” for workers “nicking pens, notepads and even printer paper from work”.
