Newspaper headlines: 'Worst antisemitism for 40 years' and 'NHS nurses crisis'

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By BBC News
Staff

The Times and the Daily Mail both lead on the findings of an annual report on antisemitism in the UK which suggests the number of incidents recorded by the Jewish community has hit a 40-year high.

For the Mail, the figures compiled by a charity are "shocking" with a "massive surge" in antisemitic abuse following the Hamas attacks on 7 October.

Writing in the Times, the government's independent adviser on antisemitism, Lord Mann, calls for "each and every" political leader to put themselves on the front line in "stopping this evil".

The Guardian says Sir Keir Starmer is facing a "fresh test of his authority" as MPs prepare for another Commons vote on a motion calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

According to the paper, the Labour leader and his officials will spend the next few days deciding what to do after the party's decision to abstain from a similar vote in November triggered 10 resignations from the Labour front-bench.

The Financial Times leads on reports that Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is considering deeper cuts to public spending to fund a tax giveaway in next month's budget.

Reuters

The FT reports that Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is weighing up deeper cuts to public spending

With less headroom than expected, the paper says Mr Hunt is weighing up the idea because tax cuts are seen as "politically essential" for Tory messaging in the run up to the general election.

The Daily Express urges Mr Hunt to get on and "loosen the purse strings". The paper takes a more optimistic view of the nation's finances insisting the Chancellor should be bolder, with economic forecasts "on the up".

US intelligence suggesting that Russia wants to put a nuclear weapon in space, is the main story for the Daily Telegraph. The paper says White House officials have described the threat as "grave" but not "immediate". It is suggested that Russia could use the weapons to target Western satellites, potentially knocking out communications and military targeting systems.

An NHS "recruitment meltdown" is the lead story in the Daily Mirror. The paper says the number of applications for degree courses in nursing has "plummeted" leaving the health service in "crisis".

Figures from UCAS show just over 31,000 people applied to study nursing this year, down by more than 10,000 on the number for 2022. In its editorial, the paper says the figures should be "cause for alarm" particularly when some 40,000 nurses quit the profession last year.

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Research which suggests that young girls are less likely to be active if they have to wear a skirt to school, makes a number of the papers. The Cambridge University study says restrictive school uniforms can be a barrier to exercise.

The Guardian says the research confirms earlier evidence that girls feel less comfortable running and climbing in the playground when they are wearing skirts or dresses.

And proof that romance is not dead, the Telegraph reports that Donald Trump penned a public Valentine's message to his wife, Melania, thanking her for never leaving his side, and supporting him with her guidance, kindness and warmth.

The digital card, captioned a "love letter to my beautiful wife", directed readers to a website where they could send their love to Mrs Trump, and also leave a donation to his election campaign.