The Papers: \'A million pupils stay home\' as some schools return

Newspaper headlines: 'One million pupils stay home' as schools open and rules ease

By BBC News Staff
The Guardian front page 1 June
Image caption "One million children set to stay off school today amid safety fears," is the headline on the Guardian's front page. The figure represents half of those who are expected to return to primary school in England on Monday when classes resume for selected year groups, the paper adds. The paper reports scepticism from parents, teaching unions and councils that schools are returning too soon. Meanwhile, the paper has a powerful front page image of a black female protester kneeling in front of armed white police officers as protests continue to rage across the US.
The Daily Mirror front page 1 June
Image caption The Daily Mirror also leads on reports that one million pupils due to go back to school on Monday will be kept off, calling it the "point of no return". The paper quotes a study that reveals 46% of parents will keep children that are eligible to return to the classroom at home. Labour has warned families should not be put "in a difficult position", the paper adds.
The Daily Telegraph front page 1 June
Image caption Staying on the topic of education, the Daily Telegraph reports that some pupils will need to attend classes over the summer to stop them falling behind. The paper quotes the Children's Commissioner for England Anne Longfield who has urged ministers to set up summer camps for the most vulnerable students during July and August. A photo of the Queen riding a horse is on the front pages of many of today's papers, including the Telegraph.
Metro front page 1 June
Image caption The Metro leads on Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab's comments that "cities may be locked down" in order to prevent a second spike in coronavirus infections. The paper quotes Mr Raab who said the government has "definitely got the ability" to enforce regional restrictions. Meanwhile, a striking image of a protester in Los Angeles in front of a raging fire is the lead image, with the headline that the country's president Donald Trump "fans the flames in USA".
The i front page 1 June
Image caption "We can't stay in lockdown for ever," leads the i's front page. The paper reports comments from ministers defending the government's decision to ease restrictions on Monday, despite increasing criticism from leading scientists that it is premature. Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said that a significant risk remains of the virus "running out of control again", the paper reports. But Mr Raab has said that local lockdowns will be imposed if the public abuse new freedoms, the paper adds.
The Sun front page 1 June
Image caption "We'll meat again," is the headline leading The Sun, as lockdown starts to ease from today. About £1bn extra is expected to be spent this week as more people venture out, the paper reports, citing an increased demand in sausages, burgers and beers as barbeque season begins.
The Times front page 1 June
Image caption The Times leads with a stark warning from travel firm bosses that the two-week quarantine due to be imposed on people arriving in the UK from 8 June will "destroy" the industry. Tory MPs have joined the aviation industry to warn ministers that the move was the equivalent of hanging up a "Britain is closed" sign.
The Financial Times front page 1 June
Image caption UK banks are warning that up to half of £18.5bn of "bounce back" loans will default, according to the Financial Times' lead story. The paper reports that banks are lobbying the chancellor to prepare for "mass business failures", as hundreds of thousands of small businesses could be impacted. The unrest spreading in the US also makes the front page, with a protester walking past National Guard troops carrying a sign reading: "Black lives matter."
The Daily Mail front page 1 June
Image caption The Daily Mail leads with a report that more than 2.4 million patients have missed out on cancer tests and treatment because of a "backlog" created by the coronavirus pandemic. The paper quotes Cancer Research UK, which says that 2.1 million patients are waiting for "crucial" screenings for breast, cervical and bowel cancer, while thousands more have missed out on referrals.
The Daily Star front page 1 June
Image caption "Boomtime for rats," is the headline on the front of the Daily Star, as the paper reports a "critter calamity" as millions of "randy rodents" run amok in Britain. The paper quotes pest controllers who say the animals are breeding in offices which have been left vacant because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Daily Express front page 1 June
Image caption Moving away from coronavirus coverage, the Daily Express leads with: "Boris to defy EU Brexit bullies." The paper reports that the PM is "standing defiant" after European Union negotiator Michel Barnier claimed the UK is not keeping to its negotiating commitments.

The easing of lockdown restrictions in England and the return of some children return to primary school feature in Monday's papers.

The Guardian and the Daily Mirror report on a survey by primary school leaders that suggests one million children in England - half of those able to return today - are likely to stay at home.

The Guardian says many parents, councils and teachers remain sceptical of the government's assurances over their safety.

The Telegraph's lead highlights a call by the Children's Commissioner for England, Anne Longfield - in an article elsewhere in the paper - for ministers to set up summer camps for the most vulnerable students during July and August to help them catch up.

Image copyright PA Media

For its main story, the Times reports that the aviation industry body, the International Air Transport Association, has urged ministers to reconsider their plans to quarantine passengers arriving in the UK - saying it's the equivalent of hanging up a "Britain is closed" sign.

According to the Telegraph, more than 20 Tory MPs - including at least seven former ministers - are demanding a rethink of the plans.

One of them - Huw Merriman, the chairman of the Transport Select Committee - is quoted as saying he would prefer different measures such as "air bridges" with low-risk countries, compulsory personal protective equipment and temperature testing at airports.

The Daily Mail has Cancer Research UK figures showing that 2.1 million patients have missed out on screening tests for breast, cervical and bowel cancer because of the pandemic.

It says another 290,000 are waiting for urgent referrals to confirm or rule out tumours. At least 21,600 patients have had surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy postponed in the past nine weeks, it adds.

Image copyright Getty Images

The Financial Times says banks are warning that up to half of the £18.5bn of "bounce back" coronavirus loans are unlikely to be repaid as the prospect of a quick economic recovery fades.

It says they are lobbying the Chancellor to prepare for the collapse of hundreds of thousands of small businesses.

One executive tells the paper that about a quarter of the loans would not have been made under normal lending practices. The loans are capped at £50,000 with a term of up to six years and come with a 100% government guarantee.

The Sun says people are expected to spend an extra £1bn this week as more are allowed outdoors and the warm weather continues.

According to the paper, supermarkets have ordered a record 60 million sausages, 20 million burgers and 126 million beers. One supermarket executive tells the paper: "It will be the busiest-ever week for sales of BBQ food."

Meanwhile, the Queen is widely pictured making her first outdoor appearance since the lockdown began - riding a fell pony in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

The Daily Express says she looked in her element as she took part in her favourite exercise and the Times says the photographs will be seen as a morale-boosting signal that life is beginning to return to normal.

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