Sir Keir Starmer’s shake-up of his No 10 team as Parliament returns from recess dominates Tuesday’s papers. The Guardian reports the prime minister is attempting to “wrest back control” of economic policy from the Treasury by creating two new roles. Elsewhere, the paper also spotlights the devastating earthquake in Afghanistan with a picture of a man walking past piles of rubble carrying the body of an infant.
“Starmer seizes grip of Budget” is the i’s take, as the paper says the PM’s move to boost his economic team comes ahead of the critical autumn Budget. It also features a source who claims that Downing Street is “frustrated” at Chancellor Rachel Reeves over policy “mistakes”. Insiders insist Reeves and Sir Keir remain politically close, the paper adds.
Reeves is “smiling through the pain” declares the Daily Telegraph, as it fills its front page with a picture of an upbeat chancellor leaving the Treasury on Monday. The paper says the PM’s team reshuffle “undermines” Reeves’ authority, quoting one Labour MP who says the move is “a signal that she is in a weak position and it’s deteriorating”. Reeves’ allies say she discussed the shake-up several times over the summer, the paper reports.
The Financial Times focuses on what the No 10 rejig means for what it says are Labour’s sliding poll numbers. The paper says the PM’s popularity has been “languishing” and the party’s standing in the polls is “at just 20%”. Also front and centre is the three-way meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The trio are pictured smiling and talking on the sidelines of a regional security summit in China.
Migrants granted asylum will be temporarily stopped from bringing their family members to the UK, the Times reports. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced a halt to the refugee family reunion scheme until she can bring forward some conditions. The paper says the decision is an attempt by Labour to “counter the threat” of Reform leader Nigel Farage over immigration.
The Daily Mail takes aim at Labour’s “one in, one out” asylum scheme with the headline “3,567 in, zero out”. The paper says Labour has admitted that no small boat migrants have been sent back to France since the returns deal was signed. It also notes Cooper telling Parliament on Monday that deportations are expected to begin “later this month”.
An asylum seeker who has been in the UK for 20 years is asking to be sent back to Somalia because he would feel safer there, the Metro reports. The paper quotes the man named Yusuf saying “this country is not safe” amid rising hostility towards migrants and asylum seekers.
Nigel Farage says it’s “insulting” that Labour has refused to invite him to the upcoming state banquet for US President Donald Trump, according to the Daily Express. In an interview with the paper, the Reform leader issues a warning to the PM: “I’ll get rid of you”. The paper also teases actress Emily Blunt’s “wild” return to The Devil Wears Prada sequel film.
An “e-cig epidemic fear” leads the Daily Mirror. The paper highlights a call from health experts to ban vapes amid fears the devices raise the risk of strokes, cardiovascular disease and asthma. Sharing the top spot, the Mirror previews “unseen pictures” of the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex. The paper says they offer an “extraordinary glimpse into the years that shaped them”.
Rivals star Emily Atack details her “set horror”, reports the Daily Star. The actress says she was groped on set or at wrap parties “multiple times” throughout her career by several people in the TV industry.
Finally, the Sun issues a “Strictly fat jabs alert”. It reports five stars on Strictly Come Dancing have been taking weight loss jabs ahead of the new series, sparking fears that they “won’t last” the distance on the show.
