Newspaper headlines: New strike threats and Sussexes ‘want apology’

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By BBC News
Staff
EPA

The Sunday People declares in its headline that Rishi Sunak has "48 hours to stop" the nurses' strikes escalating.

The Observer describes the union's threat as a "marked hardening" of its stance, but says there are signs ministers are trying to break the deadlock, with Treasury sources suggesting staff could be offered one-off lump sum payments.

Writing in the Mail on Sunday, the Health Secretary, Stephen Barclay insists the nurses' pay demand of 19% is not affordable.

His Labour counterpart, Wes Streeting, tells the Sunday Mirror that what they are seeking is "reasonable" but not "realistic" against what he calls "the backdrop of the Conservatives crashing the economy".

In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, the chief of the defence staff warns it is "perilous" to rely on the armed forces during strikes. Admiral Sir Tony Radkin says while it will not impede the forces' operations, they are not "spare capacity."

Military figures tell the paper that it is hypocritical to use troops - who receive one of the smallest pay awards and can not legally strike - to cover for public servants who can. The health secretary says the Armed Forces are used to ensure "safe staffing levels".

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According to both the Sunday Times and the Sun on Sunday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have called for a "royal summit," where they can address the grievances they raised in their Netflix series.

The Sun suggests the couple are "furious" that the charity worker Ngozi Fulani received a reconciliation meeting at the palace, and an apology after being asked where she "really came from" while "nothing like that was ever done" about their concerns.

A Palace source tells the Sunday Times that if the Sussexes want to get in touch, they know where the King lives.

Meanwhile, the Sunday Telegraph reports that amid the controversy over the Harry and Meghan Netflix series, ministers are planning a new law to ensure all streaming services are governed by the watchdog, Ofcom.

The Sunday Express leads with a pledge by the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, to end migrant deaths. She says she will not rest until she has tackled illegal immigration.

The People and Mirror report that boats are being dangerously overloaded as people are offered Channel crossings for as little as £435.

A people-smuggler tells the Sun on Sunday that the French police watch them and do not intervene, even wishing them "bonne chance"."

Online, an investigation by the Independent reveals cases of patients dying on mental health wards for physical reasons such as malnutrition, lack of exercise and starvation. A lack of funding and poor training are blamed. The NHS says providers have been reminded of the checks needed and more money has been provided.

If the rail strikes have been causing consternation it seems the stoppage of a Christmas steam train special led to what has been described in the Sunday Times as an "onslaught of both verbal and physical abuse."

When ice gummed the brakes on some carriages due to run on the Spa Valley Railway in Kent, organisers had to stop the train and offer a "static" performance. But some passengers became so hostile that further shows were cancelled.

The Times headlines the tale: "Polar Express is a chuffing outrage in Tunbridge Wells".