The Daily Telegraph highlights the record donation given to Reform UK, external by cryptocurrency billionaire Ben Delo. It says the £36m gift “has the potential to transform Reform’s fortunes in the next election” by enabling the party to hire campaign managers in every target constituency. Writing in the paper, Delo denies supporting Reform for personal gain – and says his conclusion from the party’s recent troubles is that it should spend more time preparing for government, rather than trying to raise funds to compete on equal terms with Labour and the Conservatives.
Yesterday’s decision by MPs to reject assisted dying in England and Wales is featured on several front pages. “Agonising”, says the Daily Mirror, external – after the legislation to legalise the practice fell short by just 16 votes. The Guardian argues the defeat was in part the result of “lower motivation” among supporters of assisted dying, external – and suggests the failure of the latest attempt “is likely to scupper the idea for a political generation”.
A former Labour cabinet minister has told the Times that young people who are on benefits must be treated with “tough love”, external as part of efforts to get more of them into work. Alan Milburn – who has been asked by the government to write a review on youth unemployment – says young people should be given more help to find a job in exchange for a new “duty to engage”.
The Daily Mail says Andy Burnham has been accused of “running scared” of the Green Party, external after delaying a key decision on new gas drilling in the North Sea until after the Holborn by-election. Green leader Zack Polanski – who is standing in the seat – has said he will use the campaign to make clear that fossil fuels should stay in the ground. The Department for Energy says the North Sea “remains a vital national asset”.
The FT Weekend says a military jet was responsible for disrupting the travel plans of thousands of passengers earlier this week, external – after “spurious” data from its flight plan triggered the shutdown of Britain’s air traffic control system. The Ministry of Defence has declined to comment.