Several headlines dominate the UK papers today. The Guardian reports that the Home Office plans to detain asylum seekers across the UK on Monday as part of preparations to deport them to Rwanda. The planned exercise is expected to last for two weeks, and authorities will pick up refugees turning up for scheduled appointments with officials. However, the move has been criticised by refugee rights campaigners and legal experts, who fear that the detentions could provoke long legal battles and community protests, as well as clashes with police.
Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph highlights accusations by the British government that the European Union is practising double standards over Ireland’s plan to return asylum seekers that have entered the country from Northern Ireland. According to the paper, London will not accept any asylum returns from the EU via Ireland until it is possible to send them back to France. The Daily Mail reports on a “hidden asylum loophole”, which it claims tens of thousands of visitors to the UK on time-limited visas are exploiting.
The Times focuses on potential changes to disability benefits for people with mental health conditions. The paper reports that they could lose their payments and instead receive “meaningful support”, such as therapy and social care, to help them return to work. The move is seen as one of the biggest welfare reforms in a generation and is likely to form a dividing line between the Tories and Labour ahead of the general election.
As for politics, the i reports that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is under pressure to call an election, but he has refused to reveal when it will take place. The Daily Mirror suggests that an election would allow the public to deliver their verdict on 14 years of Tory rule. In contrast, the Tories are bracing themselves for possible defeats in local elections, with anti-Sunak rebels plotting to oust him, according to the Sun, which also reports that the prime minister could face a challenge within days.
Finally, the Metro warns that the prices of beer, bread and biscuits could rise due to the impact of severe autumn and winter rains on crop yields. Harvest forecasts suggest production of wheat, barley, oats and oilseed rape could fall by 17.5% on last year, the paper says. However, the Daily Star brings a glimmer of good news, reporting that the UK is set to enjoy a “Bank Holiday heatwave” thanks to a 300-mile plume of warm air moving towards the country from Germany
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