Newspaper headlines: UK warned of blackouts in 'winter of disconnect'

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By BBC News
Staff
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Most of the front pages focus on the warning of a worst case scenario from the National Grid that there could be power cuts this winter, if gas supplies run extremely low.

The Daily Mirror's headline is "return to the dark ages". Metro says "winter of disconnect". The prime minister insists that the country has enough gas supplies to get through the winter.

The Guardian says charities are concerned that "rolling power cuts could put lives at risk", with health leaders worried about the thousands of people who use "life-saving machines at home".

The Times says it has learnt the government rejected a public information campaign to encourage people to cut back on their energy use. In particular, plans to advise people to turn down their thermostats were dropped after health officials warned of the risk of such a measure to older and vulnerable people. The government is said to be looking at "signposting" existing guidance on energy saving.

The Daily Mail's front page focuses on a voluntary scheme by the National Grid to get people to cut their electricity usage during peak times. Households could be paid £10 a day for taking measures such as running appliances at night. The scheme is due to run from November until March, but the paper reports some have concerns about the deal being reliant on people having smart meters.

The Financial Times leads on the Bank of England explaining its intervention to calm the financial markets last week, in the wake of the Chancellor's mini budget. The headline is "Bank of England says UK was on brink of crisis after market turmoil".

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Some of the papers pick up on the rise in the number of women in England being prescribed hormone replacement therapy, following a documentary on the menopause by TV presenter Davina McCall. Official figures show an increase of around a third in the past year. The Daily Mail says it's been dubbed the "Davina effect" and she's been lauded for "shining a light on a taboo topic".

The Daily Express quotes the Conservative MP, Caroline Noakes, who chairs the Women and Equalities Committee, as saying the increase is an indication that women have a better understanding of what is available to them, as well as more confidence to go to their GP.

The i says that Prince William "will continue to speak out" on issues such as mental health, homelessness and conservation. A Buckingham Palace source says the new Prince of Wales will continue to be "quite informal" in his approach but will be prepared to make "public interventions" on issues he feels passionately about, just like his father did when he had the title.

And according to the Daily Telegraph, the business secretary, Jacob Rees-Mogg, supports calls for an extra bank holiday to mark the coronation of King Charles. The paper says there have been some reports that the government is unsure about closing businesses for a day due to the impact on the economy. But Mr Rees-Mogg is quoted as saying it seems "perfectly reasonable" to have the day off for the "important symbolic" event.