Several UK newspapers are reporting on an increase in antisemitism in the country, with figures published by the Community Security Trust (CST) charity suggesting that Hamas attacks on Israel and their aftermath have driven antisemitism in Britain to its highest level in over 40 years. The Times features a comment from Home Secretary James Cleverly condemning “antisemitic hatred and abuse.” The Daily Mail highlights that for the first time, the CST recorded at least one antisemitic incident for every police force in the UK, with over 2,400 in London alone.
The Guardian is reporting on a fresh test of Keir Starmer’s authority in the Labour party regarding his handling of the Middle East crisis. MPs are preparing to vote on a second parliamentary motion demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza next week, and the paper notes that Starmer and his officials are currently deciding how to handle the Scottish National Party motion, after the party abstained on a similar vote in November which led to a “huge split” in the party and 10 front-bench resignations.
In international news, the Daily Telegraph reports that Russia has plans to put a nuclear weapon into space, which US intelligence agencies consider a “serious national security threat.” The paper details how Joe Biden has been urged to declassify intelligence on the operation to every member of the US Congress.
The Royal College of Nursing’s warning of a “collapse” in nursing recruitment is covered by the Daily Mirror, which says this is risking the future of the NHS and putting patients in danger. The number of applications for nursing degree courses has dropped significantly since last year (from 36,040 to 31,100), and RCN boss Pat Cullen has voiced concerns that this poses a direct threat to the sustainability of the NHS and patient safety.
Jeremy Hunt is reportedly being urged to take “bolder” action to boost the UK’s economy in the Daily Express. Leading experts are calling for the Chancellor to take measures to further the country’s growth, suggesting that he could use improved economic forecasts to “knock £20bn off the collective tax bill.” This is in line with the Financial Times’ report that Hunt is considering scaling back public spending to make room for pre-election tax cuts.
Interest rates are expected to start falling, according to the i newspaper, which quotes Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey saying that they will “not return to pre-Covid levels for years to come.” Finally, the Metro reports that Tiktok influencers will be paid by the government to discourage migrants from crossing the Channel in small boats. The Home Office is hoping that this will counter human traffickers who use the video-sharing platform to sell the British lifestyle to people, encouraging them to take the potentially deadly crossing
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