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9 months ago
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Many of Saturday's papers cover the public figures who have been recognised in the 2024 New Year Honours list. The Daily Mirror describes the list as a "farce" after ex-rugby league players Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield were handed CBEs rather than knighthoods, for their work raising awareness for motor neurone disease. The paper highlights several Tory donors and business tycoons who have been named as sirs and dames. "Heroes and Zeroes" is how the paper characterises the honours process.
"Let's give more gongs to our unsung heroes" is the rally cry in the Daily Express, reflecting comments made by minister Esther McVey. The paper says Ms McVey is calling for the honours list to be made "even more representative", which includes asking the public's help to discover "extraordinary and deserving unsung heroes" who may have gone unnoticed. Some of those who have been honoured are pictured on the paper's front page.
The Guardian also reflects the honours list on its front page with a photo of Glastonbury co-founder Michael Eavis, recognised for his services to music and charity. But the paper's main story is on a report from progressive think tank the Institute for Public Policy Research. The paper says the report warns public services in the UK will not recover until the 2030s, even if a Labour government is elected when voters next go to the polls.
The Times reports that jobcentres and bosses will refer people to therapy or running and gardening clubs to keep them well enough to work in an attempt to tackle long-term sickness in the benefit system. Pilot schemes will begin in the new year, the paper says. A photo of Tony Hudgell, who at nine years old is the youngest recipient in the honours list, also features on the front page.
The Daily Telegraph turns its attention towards the war in Ukraine, reporting that the UK is promising to send hundreds of air defence missiles following Russia's biggest aerial bombardment since the beginning of the conflict in 2022. The paper understands the announcement by Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has been brought forward over fears Moscow could strike again over the New Year holiday weekend.
Manchester City footballer Jack Grealish and his manager Pep Guardiola are pictured on the Sun's front page days after the winger's house was broken into. Guardiola has warned his players to be careful about what they post on social media. "Be on your Guardiola" is the Sun's playful headline.
In business news, the Financial Times's weekend edition leads with news global stock markets are closing 2023 with strong annual gains, after investors bet central banks will put an end to raising interest rates and will cut them rapidly in 2024.
And the Daily Star pays tribute to Britain's beavers on its front page, noting that the dam builders are key to saving wildlife and reviving the UK countryside.
Saturday's papers have their own takes on the New Year Honours.
The Daily Mirror decries the list as a farce, saying it includes "snubs for legends" and "top gongs for Tory fat cats". The paper thinks the ex-rugby league players Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield should have had knighthoods, rather than CBEs, for their work raising awareness for motor neurone disease. That is also the Daily Star's focus.
The Daily Telegraph highlights the honour given to one of the top bosses in the Passport Office. It says Abi Tierney, who has been made a Companion of the Order of the Bath, presided over a backlog of 700,000 applications and faced criticism for working from home.
The Daily Mail leads on awards given to two parents for their campaigning efforts after losing their children, describing them as the "most poignant honours of all". Diana Parkes's daughter was killed by an abusive ex-partner, while Ian Russell's daughter took her own life.
Writing in the Daily Express, Cabinet Minister Esther McVey says future lists should contain more unsung heroes, and be "even more representative".
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,Kevin Sinfield (left) and Rob Burrow have been appointed CBEs in the New Year Honours
The Guardian also reflects the honours list on its front page but the paper leads on a report which claims that it will take at least a decade to clear the backlog in the NHS and the courts. The Institute for Public Policy Research, a progressive think tank, says the next government will inherit one of the most challenging contexts in terms of public services since World War Two. It has carried out polling, which suggests that half of the public are willing to pay more tax if the money is spent on areas such as hospitals.
The Times lead is based on an article written by the Work and Pensions and Health secretaries about the government's plan to reduce the number of people on sick leave. The idea of referring them to running clubs inspires the headline "Sent jogging by the boss to keep you fit for work".
Analysis by the I newspaper suggests that several leading menopause supplements have risen in price in the past year, with more brands selling at inflationary prices. The paper says that one product has gone up by as much as 40%. It carries quotes from a number of doctors in the field, who have criticised health brands.
The Sun reports that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned his players to be careful about what they post on social media, after their teammate Jack Grealish had his home broken into. Thieves made off with a reported £1m worth of jewellery on Wednesday night as the star played against Everton. The paper's punning headline is: "Be on your Guardiola".
And the warmer weather has benefited English winemakers, according to the Financial Times. It says hotter temperatures have allowed producers to create a wider range beyond the sparkling varieties that rival French champagnes. The FT says it has also boosted the number of buyers seeking land to plant vineyards.
