Newspaper headlines: 'National lockdown looms' and Stiles tributes
By BBC News Staff
Published
image caption"National lockdown looms," leads the Times and several of Saturday's papers. Boris Johnson is considering imposing nationwide restrictions from next week, the Times reports, following concerns that surging cases could overwhelm the NHS. The paper adds that the PM met Rishi Sunak, Michael Gove and Matt Hancock on Friday to discuss new NHS data. A press conference is expected on Monday to announce the new measures, according to the paper, with new restrictions potentially introduced on Wednesday and remaining in place until 1 December.
image captionThe Daily Mail also says a national lockdown is expected, with Mr Johnson predicted "to bow to scientists' grim warning". Advisers have told the PM it is the only way to save Christmas, the paper adds. It is not clear what would be ordered to close under the new lockdown or how long it would last, the paper adds.
image captionA national lockdown "could save Christmas" in England and allow families to meet during the festive break, the Guardian says, citing scientists, politicians and public health specialists. Experts, the paper says, believe that nationwide measures lasting two to six weeks would help suppress cases. Official figures have shown that more than half a million people had coronavirus in the week ending 23 October, with more than one in 10 infected in England.
image captionMeanwhile, the Daily Telegraph says a fourth tier of restrictions is expected to be introduced. It comes after the PM was told deaths were tracking above the "worst case scenario" that suggested 85,000 victims in the second wave. The paper reports that ministers believe more than half the UK population will be in tier three next month - including London, the West Midlands and Teeside. The Telegraph cites government insiders who have said "everything is up for discussion" except closing schools.
image caption"Summit to save Christmas" is the headline on the front page of the i weekend, as the paper reports that Mr Johnson has summoned the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in a bid to find a "common approach" that can reduce cases before the winter break.
image captionThe FT Weekend also covers the growing pressure on Mr Johnson to introduce tighter restrictions. The paper says a senior official has confirmed that any national "circuit-breaker" would have to last longer than two weeks to have a "reasonable effect". Meanwhile, surging Covid cases and nervousness around the US election have left global equities on track to have their worst week since March, according to the paper. New lockdowns implemented across Europe and the US election entering its final days have added to a rise in markets volatility, it adds.
image captionHundreds of thousands of over-55s who are using their pension pots to get through the pandemic risk creating a "generation in poverty", the Daily Express reports. The paper says that 347,000 people withdrew from their pots in July, August and September - up 6% on last year.
image caption"He had a heart even bigger than the gap in his teeth." Gary Lineker's tribute to footballer Nobby Stiles, who has died, leads the front of the Daily Mirror, with a picture of the World Cup winner dominating the page. The "Toothless Tiger" danced on the turf at Wembley following England's 1966 triumph.
image captionAnd the Daily Star leads with "farewell Mr Fantastic" in honour of Stiles, with stars paying tribute to the England footballer, who died at the age of 78.