Newspaper headlines: Eco 'backlash' warning and 'glummer holidays'

By BBC News
Staff

The Sunday Telegraph welcomes a warning by Housing Secretary Michael Gove of a possible voter backlash unless some net zero measures are relaxed.

The paper's leader suggests opposition to a larger Ultra-Low Emission Zone (Ulez) in London, which is blamed for Labour's defeat in the Uxbridge by-election, is in its words the "tip of the iceberg". The Telegraph recommends holding a referendum on the goal of reaching net zero by 2050.

Reuters

Allies of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tell the Sunday Times that Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has promised to review his expansion of the Ulez zone.

But the Observer's editorial warns against what it calls weaponising green policies for political gain. It says the climate emergency, obvious in this summer of "freak heatwaves", cries out for a non-partisan approach.

The Sun reports a claim from Reform Party leader Richard Tice that Metro Bank closed his party's account in 2021 because of Reform's support of Brexit.

It follows claims by former UKIP leader Nigel Farage that his account at Coutts bank was shut because of his political views.

According to the Sunday Express the prime minister will "push through new laws" to protect bank customers' freedom of speech.

But there are warnings from the banking industry in the Observer that revealing the reasons for an account closure could tip off potential criminals who are being investigated.

According to the Sunday Mirror, nine of 11 new hospitals that are due to open in 2030 are being built in the constituencies of Conservative MPs.

Labour MPs suggest these Tory-supporting communities are being prioritised over Labour areas, where sites need redeveloping. The government was approached for comment.

The Mail on Sunday says what it calls a two-year blitz of formal visits by senior royals is being planned in a bid to protect ties with the Commonwealth and the rest of the world.

The tours, involving the King and Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales, are said to be part of efforts to protect relations with countries such as Australia that might want to seek independence.

The Sunday People leads on claims that pictures of Nicola Bulley, who drowned while walking her dog in Lancashire, are being used for fake profiles in a dating scam.

The paper says it is feared the accounts are being used to lure in people seeking dates and are then bombarded with requests for money.

And the Sunday Times explains why the green man is slowing down at pedestrian crossings.

The guidelines - set in the 1950s - recommend pedestrians are given 6.1 seconds to cross. But given the UK's ageing population and decreasing levels of fitness, this time allowance is to be increased by 20%.