Newspaper headlines: 'Ta-ra Paul' and 'gender ideology in schools'

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By BBC News
Staff

Many front pages and column inches are set aside for the King's state visit to Germany. "Good to be Herr" declares the Daily Mirror. The Sun opts for something similar with its headline: "Herr Majesty".

According to the Daily Telegraph, German newspapers published details of what members of the crowd should do if they were approached by the royals. The Times has the menu from last night's state banquet with courses including marinated carp and watercress and beef consomme.

The toasts were made with German sparkling wine instead of champagne. "As if it couldn't get worse for the French", is the withering assessment of the Daily Mail, after that leg of the trip was cancelled because of mass protests.

The Guardian believes ministers are taking a "huge gamble" on carbon capture in undersea caverns, to enable the expansion of oil and gas in the North Sea. The announcement will be part of the government's "powering up Britain" strategy on Thursday.

Writing in the Times, the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt says the UK's approach will be to focus on a "pro-growth regulatory regime" insisting Britain will not go "toe to toe" with the US and EU by offering billions in green subsidies and tax breaks.

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The King attended a state banquet in Germany hosted by its president

The i reports that MPs are calling for the prime minister's ethics adviser to look into a possible conflict of interest after it emerged Rishi Sunak's wife holds shares in a childcare company that may benefit from the Budget. Akshata Murty is involved with Koru Kids, which is one of six agencies being used as part of a pilot scheme to train more childminders. Downing Street insists Mr Sunak declared his wife's shares. But the Liberal Democrats have called it another example of "Conservative sleaze", while Labour say he must "urgently correct the record".

The Times leads on research, which says secondary schools in England are routinely allowing children to switch gender without telling their parents. The study by the right of centre Policy Exchange thinktank accuses schools of "effectively facilitating medical interventions on site". The Department for Education says the secretary of state is working closely with the minister for women and equalities to produce guidance for schools.

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The Sun described an "outpouring of grief" for Paul O'Grady

"Ta-ra Lily", "Ta-ra Paul" is the Sun's tribute to Paul O'Grady and his drag queen alter ego, Lily Savage, after his death at the age of 67. The paper says the announcement led to an "outpouring of grief". Metro's headline is Sir Elton John's tribute: "Thanks for all the joy, Paul". The Daily Star says his great strength was making the "audience and viewers feel like they were personal friends", while the Daily Mirror says "a light has gone out in the world of showbiz".

And finally, the Sun reports on the shoppers who were shocked to find a packet of toilet rolls that had been labelled as a "star buy" had in fact just been reduced by just 1p to £4.99. "Whatever possessed them to come up with a price-saving like that", one person asks. Home Bargains has been contacted for comment. But the Sun is clearly unimpressed with its headline reading "bog off".