A major maternity review of the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust tops some of the papers, including the Daily Mirror which leads with the large printed words: "Never again". The paper summarises the findings that "520 babies & mums died or suffered avoidable harm", featuring too the response from Health Secretary James Murray who "vowed nationwide change".
The Times writes: ""Cruel' maternity care left hundreds dead or injured", adding that "NHS leaders could face jail as report reveals they ignored serious failings for more than a decade".
The Daily Mail scorns the "arrogance of men who wouldn't listen" as revealed in the maternity review of the "toxic" hospital trust. It reports that some NHS bosses were "'shaped by self protection rather than patient safety", according to the review.
Many of the papers feature speculation about Andy Burnham's plans if he becomes prime minister, including his choice of chancellor, as he remains the sole candidate running for leader of the Labour Party after Sir Keir Starmer resigned. The Financial Times says Burnham "is looking to set up a 'No 10 in the north', moving part of his prime ministerial operation to Manchester". It is part of his "wider decentralisation agenda", the paper writes, as Burnham attempts to "shift power beyond Westminster".
The i Paper adds that "failing water firms face state control under Burnham plans for power". Should Burnham succeed Sir Keir as prime minister, the paper says that he would "consider taking over England's sewage-dumping companies using Paris model of public ownership", in a bid to end "profiteering" and "tackle pollution".
Andy Burnham's choices for chancellor lead the Daily Telegraph, which reports he "fears a Blair-Brown-style split with Ed Miliband if he appoints him as chancellor", referencing sources close to the former mayor of Greater Manchester. "Conflict" between No 10 and the Treasury was reported widely during Sir Tony Blair's premiership, the paper says, which Burnham "was keen to avoid". Critics of Miliband, former Labour leader who currently holds the role of energy secretary, "have warned that he would be a risky choice", the paper says, "because of his passion for expensive net zero policies and his history of promoting a Left-wing fiscal agenda".
"Kemi lashes out at Andy!" the Metro's headline splashes, quoting Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch who "mocked" Burnham as "nothing but 'a pair of eyelashes and a black t-shirt'." The "string of withering jibes" came during a session in the House of Commons where Badenoch and Sir Keir faced off "in the first PMQs [Prime Minister's Questions] since he said he would quit".
The Daily Express leads with campaigners, spearheaded by shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride, urging Burnham "not to axe the 'crucial' triple lock" on state pensions, fearing the current arrangement is "at risk". The triple lock means state pensions annually rise by either inflation, wage increases or 2.5%, whichever is highest.
"The new normal?" poses the Guardian on its front page, imprinted over a heat map graphic of Western Europe and the UK. As "extreme heat sweeps the continent", the paper reports, "UK registers hottest ever June day", "France breaks record heat again" and "extremes driven by climate crisis".
"Hottest June Day ever" is the Daily Star's headline, embedding a close-up photo showing a streak of sweat trickling down the side of King Charles III's face. It writes the King was "feeling the heat" in 36C, "unlike his brother Andrew [Mountbatten-Windsor] who claims that he can't sweat due to a medical condition", which the former prince said during a Newsnight interview in 2019.
The Independent teases its new documentary on "kito" attacks in Nigeria on its front page, titled "Hunted". According to the paper, LGBTQ+ people are "catfished and extorted by gangs in a surge of violence and hatred", writing it is leading to people being "kidnapped, blackmailed and tortured".
England's scoreless draw against Ghana at the World Cup makes it on to the Sun's front page for a second consecutive day. "Kane curse lifted", the paper says, referring to England captain Harry Kane, who came under a "curse" from a "witch doctor". Engalnd fans can "breathe easier", the paper reassures, because Kane has been "released" from the curse that "stopped him from scoring against Ghana".
