Newspaper headlines: Foreign travel hope, and 'no Indyref2 before 2024'

By BBC News
Staff

Published: 10 hours ago

image captionLike many papers, the Daily Mail features pictures of England fans and players celebrating after they won their Euro group. But the paper's top story is on the latest on foreign travel, saying it has learnt that ministers are planning to end the quarantine rule for fully-vaccinated holidaymakers returning from amber list countries. The change could come as early as 19 July, the Mail says - and would open up summer breaks to European countries.

image captionThe Daily Mirror also reports that double-jabbed Britons may soon not need to self-isolate on their return, and instead will need to take daily tests. It quotes Health Secretary Matt Hancock as saying yesterday: "We're working on it." Children would also be included if travelling with their parents, the paper adds.

image captionAccording to the Times, all remaining lockdown restrictions, including social distancing, face masks and the guidance to work from home are on track to be lifted on 19 July. The paper says the government has been encouraged by the low number of coronavirus deaths recently. After rules are lifted, the emphasis will be on "personal responsibility", a government source says, and people will be advised to wear masks in certain circumstances.

image captionThe i newspaper also suggests there are reasons to be positive, saying that scientists are "more optimistic" about the latest statistics, which they believe show that vaccines are working and the link between new infections and serious illness is getting weaker. The paper says there are hopes of the government lifting restrictions on 5 July but Downing Street is more likely to wait another fortnight.

image captionCabinet minister Michael Gove has done an interview with the Telegraph, saying the UK government will not grant a new referendum on Scottish independence before the next general election in 2024. The paper says his comments about Indyref2 sets the UK and Scottish governments "on a constitutional collision course", since First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wants a vote by autumn 2023 - and boosts the chances that Scotland could eventually try and hold a referendum without approval from No 10.

image captionThe Guardian reports that the government has confirmed there will be a consultation on privatising broadcaster Channel 4. The paper says it means the broadcaster's four decades under public ownership could be about to come to an end - and says the shake-up could transform the British TV landscape. It quotes one analyst as saying the proposal was "potentially spiteful" as some Conservatives say some of Channel 4's output is biased against them.

image captionGoal scorer Raheem Sterling is celebrated on the front page of the Sun for securing England's group win in last night's game against the Czech Republic. But they now face a tough last 16 match, the paper says - against either France, Portugal, Germany or "fingers crossed" Hungary.

image captionThe Daily Star dedicates its front page to anyone who might be a bit lost with the Euros - and what England's win means for the team's next steps. The paper says that if England faces Germany in the last 16 of the tournament, "we might need to call on Uri Geller".

image captionThe news that more than 60,000 fans will be allowed in Wembley for the Euro semi-finals and final after the crowd capacity was increased makes the front of the Metro. The paper describes it as a "huge milestone" and marks the biggest official mass gathering in 16 months. So far, just 22,500 fans have been allowed in for group matches. Talks are ongoing on whether foreign VIPs could be exempt from England's strict quarantine rules.

image captionOn the fifth anniversary of Britain's vote to leave the EU, the Express splashes with Boris Johnson's comments on how Brexit is going. "We have already reclaimed our money, laws, borders and waters," says the PM - and the changes will unleash the "true potential" of the UK.

image captionThe Financial Times' top story is on some of the people for whom 2020 was a good year, as it reports that an estimated 5.2 million people became millionaires. According to a report from investment bank Credit Suisse, the gap between rich and poor widened in most countries last year - with an estimated 2.9 billion people, or 55% of adults, having less than $10,000 (around £7,168) in net assets.

Several front pages combine pictures of celebrating England players with hopes that Covid restrictions are on the way out.

The Times declares that "face masks and distance rules are set to go" on 19 July in England, as ministers are increasingly confident a sizeable summer wave of serious Covid cases can be avoided.

It predicts the reopening of nightclubs and quotes a senior government source as saying the emphasis will switch to "personal responsibility" rather than regulations.

The Daily Mail is among those reporting that ministers are poised to end quarantine restrictions for Brits who are fully vaccinated - opening up breaks in Europe and the US.

It says the prime minister is coming under pressure to sanction a "big bang" reopening with travel curbs eased at the same time as restrictions at home.

The Daily Mirror adds that unvaccinated children may also be allowed to travel.

But the Sun reports there is disagreement among cabinet ministers on the details - saying Health Secretary Matt Hancock expects the plan to start in August, but the chancellor Rishi Sunak favours the 19 July option.

image copyrightReuters

image captionTourism bosses are calling on the government to reopen international travel

The Daily Telegraph leads with an interview with Michael Gove in which he appears to rule out a referendum on Scottish independence before the 2024 election.

The paper says the Cabinet Office minister's comments on timing go further than previous statements, setting the UK and Scottish governments on a "constitutional collision course".

Mr Gove said the government would focus on economic recovery after the pandemic, and that a referendum would be "at best reckless, and at worst folly".

The Guardian focuses on what it calls the government's "controversial" plans to sell off Channel 4.

The paper calls it "a shake-up that could transform the landscape of British television".

The channel is editorially independent and has a remit to produce distinctive programmes, and the Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has told the Guardian that Channel 4 would keep its place "at the heart of British broadcasting".

The paper says that the broadcaster has been repeatedly attacked by Conservative MPs who complain its output is biased against the Tories.

image copyrightChannel 4

image captionChannel 4 aired the hit It's A Sin, which it said other broadcasters turned down

The Daily Express marks the fifth anniversary of the Brexit referendum with an upbeat message from Boris Johnson.

He says the UK now has the freedom to unleash its "true potential" to unite and "level up".

The PM says that since leaving the EU, the UK is already signing global trade deals, which he claims will help "shape a better future".

In an article for the Telegraph, the Home Secretary Priti Patel warns that British citizens living in the EU after Brexit are being denied work and healthcare.

She urges EU nations to treat British nationals as fairly as the UK is treating their citizens - and gives examples of Brits facing delays in obtaining residency documents in Portugal, Italy and Spain.

Ms Patel writes that the UK's approach is "very generous". She also urges those wishing to stay in Britain to complete their applications before next week's deadline.

The Guardian reports that legal experts from across the globe have drawn up a definition of "ecocide" to help take action against serious destruction of the environment.

It would apply to acts where there is a substantial likelihood of severe or long-lasting ecological damage.

The paper says that if adopted by the International Criminal Court, it would be the first new international crime since the 1940s.

According to the i newspaper, the internet giant Amazon has been accused of spreading fake news and profiting from conspiracy theories.

An investigation by the paper has found the online marketplace is selling hundreds of anti-vax t-shirts with slogans such as: "No vaccine needed. I have an immune system."

The paper says Amazon is also selling books that characterise the Covid crisis as a "scamdemic".

A company spokesman said that customers should always refer to official health sources for advice, and it had added relevant links to its homepage.

Many papers carry pictures of England players and fans celebrating their Euros victory over the Czech Republic at Wembley.

"Czech Mate" is the Daily Mail's headline, while the Guardian goes for "Czeching in to the last 16".

The goal-scorer Raheem Sterling inspires the Daily Express's caption "Sterling work, England" and the i's "Sterling on the rise".

The Daily Star shows supporters throwing pints in the air in south London with the heading "beer we go".

But there's a sobering thought on the front page of the Sun - which points out England's next opponents are likely to be World Cup winners France, European champions Portugal, or the old enemy, Germany.

image copyrightPA Media

image captionCroatia's 3-1 win against Scotland also features in several papers

The Daily Record has a plea from Scotland's manager Steve Clarke not to lose faith in him and his players after they crashed out of the Euros to Croatia.

The Scotsman describes the Croatian team as "markedly superior" and reflects that Scotland were "unable to banish 67 years of hurt" in major tournament finals as they again failed to escape the group stage.

And the Herald notes there was huge expectation from the members of the Tartan Army in the stadium at Hampden, but says their hopes were "ultimately dashed in cruel fashion".

And finally, the Daily Mirror is one of several papers to report on a survey of the most annoying mispronunciations.

Top of the list was saying "pacifically" instead of "specifically", while hearing someone say "probly" rather than "probably" was the second most irritating.

If you're now waiting on "tender-hooks" for the next one, you are now probly annoyed - as it should of course be "tenter-hooks".

And if you describe a small black coffee as "ex-presso" maybe you should do as the Mirror's captions suggests - and "learn to espress youself".