Newspaper headlines: 'Bonfire of EU laws' and millions face power cuts

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By BBC News
Staff

Kwasi Kwarteng is said to have written to the owners of Britain's three remaining coal-fired power stations

The Guardian says a leaked report commissioned by the government has concluded that the origins of the Windrush scandal lie in 30 years of racist legislation.

The analysis by an unnamed historian - commissioned by the Home Office - finds that between 1950 and 1981, "every single piece of immigration or citizenship legislation was designed at least in part to reduce the number of people with brown or black skin permitted to live and work in the UK".

According to the paper, officials have "repeatedly" tried to suppress the findings over the past year. The Home Office has told the Guardian that it is making progress towards "becoming a more passionate and open organisation".

The Times reports that six million households could face blackouts this winter, if Russia goes further in cutting off energy supplies to Europe. It says the government's "reasonable" worst-case scenario suggests that electricity could be rationed for more than a month at the start of next year - with curbs at peak times in the mornings and evenings.

The Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, is said to have written to the owners of Britain's three remaining coal-fired power stations, to ask them to delay their closures planned for September, to help bolster energy supplies.

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Calls to fine patients who miss GP appointments are featured by the Express - which says almost four-and-a-half million consultations have been wasted so far this year, costing the NHS around £175m.

Writing in the paper, the chair of the Royal College of GPs, Professor Martin Marshall, says the profession is facing a "perfect storm" - and "urgently" needs the government to make good on its manifesto pledge of 6,000 more GPs by 2024. The Express' leader column acknowledges that some disagree with charging for missed appointments on the grounds that the NHS should remain free at the point of use - but concludes that "whimsical no-shows cost us all" - and it is "surely reasonable" to call to account those who fail to turn up.

The government's drive to attract graduates from top universities around the world to the UK is highlighted by The Telegraph. The paper says the scheme will be seen as an attempt by Boris Johnson to put Partygate behind him, by launching a series of policy initiatives to show off the benefits of Brexit.

The i reports that the prime minister is planning a "bonfire of EU laws" - in a bid to turn around his flagging poll ratings and win back the support of rebel Tory MPs. The list of regulations to be repealed will be announced alongside the Brexit Freedoms Bill - which is described to the 'i' by a source as a chance to show "radical thinking" at a time when the Tories are being accused of lacking firm values.

The Mail suggests a record 12 million people are set to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee at street parties next weekend. Organisers have told the paper the final figure is likely to be "well in excess" of even their most conservative estimate - with a flurry of last minute applications to host events expected to be lodged ahead of the bank holiday. The Telegraph says a number of Conservative MPs have insisted that local authority "killjoys" should not be allowed to spoil the jubilee by cracking down on unauthorised celebrations.