Warnings about Britain’s gas supplies featured prominently on many front pages on Saturday. The Daily Telegraph reports that British Gas owner Centrica says gas reserves are “concerning” only half-full – 26% less than last year. But National Gas, which owns the gas network, said the UK gets gas from a “variety of sources” and storage “remains healthy”. Pictured next to the story is Australian actress Nicole Kidman, who talks to the newspaper about her latest film Babygirl and her view that sex is “not portrayed properly on screen”.
Along with an image of a waterfall frozen in ice in the Peak District, the Times also reports on the “scary news” of the UK’s gas supply. At the forefront of the newspaper’s Saturday coverage is a report on Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ visit to China. Reeves believes the UK has “no choice” but to engage with China to boost economic growth. It said his visit to China comes at a time of market turmoil. The newspaper also features an Australian actress – with Naomi Watts talking to the newspaper about “not sex but hot flushes and Hollywood’s last taboo”.
The Health Secretary told the Guardian in its lead story that the use of inflammatory language in relation to grooming gangs risks bringing the entire community into disrepute. Wes Streeting says there are people of Pakistani heritage in his community who are “more fearful today than ever” and warns Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch of “irresponsible and uncivilized public discourse” over the 2019 massacre in Christchurch, New Zealand. Like it can give rise to atrocities. Zeeland.
Former Premier League footballer Dean Windass is speaking to the Daily Mirror about his “bombshell” dementia diagnosis. The former Hull and Bradford forward told the newspaper that he cried with frustration during a memory test before being diagnosed. But, the newspaper said, in his “special humour”, he says he is “glad to know I have a brain”.
In other sports news, the Daily Express says English cricket is under increasing pressure to boycott a planned match against Afghanistan over the Taliban’s treatment of women. It said around 200 MPs and peers are calling on the England and Wales Cricket Board to cancel the game in Pakistan in February.
The lead image from FT Weekend shows firefighters on the ground in Los Angeles as the newspaper reports that at least 10 people have died. It says that the world has crossed the 1.5C warming level for the first time. The paper also reports on the UK government “formulating new growth initiatives” in an effort to “avoid disastrous tax increases”. It said it had been a “punishing week” in the markets that had put Labour’s policy agenda at risk.
The Daily Mail also leads on Labour’s spending plans, reporting that the government may delay increasing the defense budget until 2030, with the newspaper currently campaigning to increase spending on the military. It shows Reeves shaking hands with his Chinese counterpart on Friday, adding that the chancellor is “escaping market turmoil” on a visit to the Asian superpower.
iWeekend reports Reeves faces a “catastrophic week” ahead. It says the cost of living crisis is increasing pressure on the Chancellor ahead of a mini-budget in March, while mortgage costs are expected to rise. The newspaper also reported that Number 10 and the palace are “exploring” a second state visit by Donald Trump after returning to the White House.
The Sun has produced a report that an unnamed Premier League player was taken in by police for questioning over the filming of a sex tape without consent during a training session. The newspaper says that the international star has been released and the police are not considering any further action.
The Secret to Happiness dominates the Daily Star which reports that the secret to happiness is to never try 100%.
