The Guardian leads with Sir Keir Starmer hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and senior European leaders at Downing Street, in what it calls “a critical moment” for the embattled country. The leaders are hoping to achieve a “breakthrough” by giving Ukraine “access to billions of pounds of frozen Russian assets”, the paper writes.
Sir Keir believes “a deal to unlock £100bn for Ukraine” could occur “within days” following the meeting at Number 10, the Times reports. The leaders of the UK, France, and Germany will push for the frozen Russian funds – currently sitting in European bank accounts – to be freed, an approach which faces opposition from Belgium over concerns it could be “legally liable for a sum equal to a third of its annual GDP”.
The Independent leads on Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper warning of “escalating” Russian cyber attacks. In a major speech today, Cooper will tell diplomats that there is an increased danger of “hybrid threats” – both physical and cyber – from hostile states, “designed to weaken critical national infrastructure, undermine our interests and interfere in our democracies”.
“Paramount gatecrashes Netflix deal,” is the lead for the Financial Times, which reports on the streaming giant’s $108bn (£81bn) “hostile bid” for Warner Bros Discovery. It says Paramount is “teaming up with Middle East sovereign wealth funds and Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner to derail Netflix’s agreed deal”.
“Sir Keir Tiktoking rubbish!” trumpets the Daily Star, which writes the prime minister has become “the first PM to join TikTok despite huge fears over the Chinese app”.
Experts warn policies of “capping pension salary sacrifice schemes and slashing the tax-free limit for cash ISAs” will “delay UK retirement age”, the i Paper reports. Economists tell the paper the Budget policies could lead to “threadbare private pension pots” adding “pressure on the state system”.
The Daily Telegraph leads with claims that “gangs offer free crossings to asylum seekers if they carry drugs across Channel”. The paper’s investigation, which it has shared with the Home Office and National Crime Agency (NCA), suggests some groups offer “VIP crossings” for those willing to act as “drug mules” from northern France. Spokespeople for the NCA and Home Office both tell the paper they do not recognise the practice, while noting they are “alive” to drug threats.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch says there must be “no stone unturned” in a national inquiry into grooming gangs. The paper writes Badenoch will push for convicted offenders with dual nationality to be “stripped of their citizenship and deported”.
The Daily Mirror leads with the “unbreakable bond” forged between the parents of the Southport attack victims who are “offering comfort in the face of impossible grief”. After sharing baby photos of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King as part of a BBC documentary, the families say their friendship allows them “to pull the light out” of the darkness.
“The head of the Royal Navy unleashed an extraordinary broadside at [Chancellor] Rachel Reeves,” the Daily Mail writes, accusing the government of failing to properly fund defence. The First Sea Lord Sir Gwyn Jenkins warns “Russia is spending billions to control North Atlantic”, as the paper features its own campaign titled “Don’t leave Britain defenceless”.
Metro leads with police adopting new e-bikes to “take down gangs” in London. Gangs ride on similar vehicles capable of reaching 60mph to steal “bags, watches and phones” from victims, the paper says.
