Newspaper headlines: Hancock before Covid Inquiry and doctors to strike

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By BBC News
Staff
Reuters

A number of Wednesday's papers cover Matt Hancock's testimony before the Covid Inquiry

A number of the papers lead with Matt Hancock's appearance before the Covid Inquiry on Tuesday.

"Body bags a higher priority than virus" is the Metro headline. The paper reports that Hancock told the hearing the UK's pandemic preparations had assumed it would not be possible to stop a virus spread, so had focused on dealing with the "consequences of disaster" instead of how to suppress an outbreak.

Writing in the i, Jane Merrick describes his testimony as "blisteringly frank and honest". The Daily Express carries Hancock's apology: "I'm profoundly sorry for each death." But the Daily Mirror says his remarks drew "fury" from grieving families, with some turning their backs on him while others shouted "killer".

"Seven days of NHS chaos as senior doctors walk out" is the Daily Mail's headline after consultants in England voted in favour of a 48-hour strike over pay. The paper says patients face the worst disruption in the history of the NHS because the walkout will follow five days of industrial action by junior doctors. The Daily Telegraph reports that the consultants want a 35% pay rise, but also says an increase of 4.5% percent last year has taken their average annual pay to £128,000.

The Times reports that water companies are drawing up plans to increase household bills by as much as 40% to cover the cost of meeting strict pollution targets. The paper says the rises are due to be announced next year and could see average annual bills in England go up from about £450 to £680, plus inflation. It adds that the news has "alarmed ministers" and that Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will raise the matter at a meeting with officials from industry regulator Ofwat on Wednesday.

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An inquest has heard that the death of Nicola Bulley was accidental

Photos of Nicola Bulley - who drowned after falling into the River Wyre while out walking earlier this year - feature on the front pages of a number of papers after an inquest concluded her death was accidental. The Sun carries a "poignant" text sent by her partner, Paul Ansell, an hour after she is now known to have drowned. "Have you got lost?" it reads.

"A slice of history?" asks the Guardian, as it reports the discovery of a 2,000-year-old still life fresco of a dish resembling a pizza. The art was found during an excavation of Pompeii's archaeological park, which is close to Naples, the birthplace of pizza. The Times says the dish - which appears to be a round piece of bread - is covered in what looks like dried fruit or nuts. But the Guardian points out that two essential ingredients - tomato and mozzarella - are missing.

The start of the second Ashes Test at Lord's is the talk of the sports pages. "We won't back down" is the message from the England captain, Ben Stokes, in the Daily Telegraph. There's plenty of scrutiny of what the Times calls the hosts' selection "gamble" - with fast bowler Josh Tongue chosen ahead of Moeen Ali. The Daily Star says his inclusion has set "tongues wagging" - but the hosts want to release their "Atomic POM" on the Australians. The Daily Express is equally bullish, saying: "Give the Aussies a Tongue lashing."