The Guardian leads with an interview with the government’s social mobility commissioner, Alun Francis, in which he says that the government lacks an “overarching narrative” to pull various social mobility policy strands together and urges Sir Keir Starmer to set out a clearer strategy. It also features a photo of people celebrating the winter solstice at Stonehenge.
The Times also features a photo from the winter solstice, above a story reporting that Health Secretary Wes Streeting has suggested that the UK should join a customs union with Europe, despite Prime Minister Keir Starmer ruling out a change in policy.
The Daily Mirror leads with a story on how a poll shows that ex-Strictly Come Dancing contestant Thomas Skinner’s “legal threat” over his Strictly exit has “taken a hit” after a new poll suggests he was the least-popular dancer. It follows reports Skinner is suing the BBC over claims the vote was rigged against him. The BBC has rejected the allegation, saying Strictly’s public vote was “independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy”.
The Daily Mail leads with an investigation on how “criminal migrants” are reportedly avoiding justice by being smuggled out of the UK in lorries. It focuses on an Albanian man who the paper reports has been running a network helping people flee for £2,500.
The i leads with a story on how almost 7,000 care home residents in England were told their contracts were being terminated with just 28 days notice last year.
The Financial Times leads with a story on how UK firms attracted interest from international buyers eager to capitalise on cheap valuations this year. Overseas bidders agreed $142bn in takeovers of UK companies, according to data from the London Stock Exchange Group – a 74% rise from 2024.
The Sun reports that Princess Beatrice will not join her “scandal-hit dad”, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, for Christmas this year and will go skiing with friends instead. Andrew has faced years of scrutiny over his past friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.
The Daily Telegraph leads with a story on how the new head of the equalities watchdog has criticised people who describe migration as a risk to the UK. It also has a story on how trail hunting will be banned in what the paper calls Labour’s “war on the countryside”.
The Daily Express speaks to a woman who is calling for child abuse “monsters” to be named on a national register. Paula Hudgell’s adopted son, Tony, was “horrifically injured” by his birth parents, the paper reports.
And the Daily Star says it has “teamed up” with Kenyan darts star David Munyua. The paper has sponsored his shirt for his next clash in World Darts Championship.
