The Times, external features an article by Prime Minister Andy Burnham about his plans to promote more vocational education for teenagers from the age of 14. In it, the prime minister says the country will “value the hard hat every bit as much as the graduation cap”. He goes on to say that getting the plans right will make the difference between people believing they can realise their talents or “growing up believing there was never a place for them to begin with”.
“Burnham axes Blair’s university vision” is the Daily Telegraph’s, external front page headline on the story, while the Guardian, external says the prime minister will tell schools to adapt their curriculum to the needs of local businesses. The Financial Times, external notes that previous governments, both Conservative and Labour, were unconvinced by the policy when Burnham introduced similar plans in Greater Manchester.
The Sun’s, external editorial says Burnham’s vow to make benefit claimants face tougher hurdles has become pressing. It says the prime minister’s biggest challenge “will be forcing even these modest proposals past his delusional backbench MPs”. The Daily Mail, external includes an article by Reform UK’s treasury spokesman, Robert Jenrick, who warns Burnham against introducing a 10% estate tax, for which he has previously expressed support, to pay for social care. Jenrick calls it “every pensioner’s worst nightmare”.
A dramatic image of the wildfires in France features on the front page of the i Paper, external, beneath the headline “Race against Time”. The Guardian’s, external report says fleeing the wildfires “felt like a disaster movie”.
Many papers pay tribute to Bill Oddie. The i Paper, external remembers the former Springwatch presenter as “the man who made Britain fall back in love with birds”. His earlier career as a member of the comedy troupe the Goodies is frequently referenced. The front page of the Daily Star, external says “we’ve lost a goodie”, and for the Mirror, external it’s “a goodie innings”. The Daily Express, external editorial says “it’s quite an achievement to be admired and respected in one career, but to do it again in another is remarkable”.