Mandelson seeks Farage 'help' with Trump and 'not over' for Fury
A variety of stories feature on Monday's front pages. The Daily Telegraph reports that Lord Mandelson is set to call on Nigel Farage to "help him win over" Donald Trump's administration when he becomes UK ambassador to the US. It says the contact with the Reform UK leader, who has been close to Trump since 2016, is likely to lead to a backlash from figures within Labour. It also has a story on how social media giants are to start using facial checks to stop underage users accessing platforms.
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The Financial Times leads with a story about the Reform UK treasurer Nick Candy saying that Nigel Farage's party is going to disrupt UK politics "like we have never seen before" as he claims billionaires, aside from Elon Musk, want to back the party.
The Times leads with Labour cabinet minister Lucy Powell calling the country's economic outlook "disappointing" while a leading business group said the UK economy was "headed for the worst of all worlds" next year. The paper also features a photo of André Gleissner, the nine-year-old boy killed in an attack on a German Christmas market over the weekend.
The Daily Express carries the headline "Labour set to drive UK headlong into recession". It quotes from a survey of company figures carried out by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) which suggests the government is creating a "hostile environment for aspiration, investment and growth".
The Daily Mail also reports the CBI survey, saying businesses have sounded a "recession warning". It also has a photo of actor Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. Lively has filed a legal complaint against It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and a campaign to "destroy" her reputation.
The Guardian reports that more than £100m was spent last year by local authorities and the government on failed efforts to block support for children and young people with special educational needs in England.
The i reports that Sir Keir Starmer faces his biggest rebellion yet as "Labour rebels believe dozens of MPs" will revolt against the government's refusal to compensate women who were born in the 1950s and say they were not properly informed of the rise in the state pension age to bring them into line with men.
The Sun has a story on boxer Tyson Fury reportedly telling friends "it's not over" for him despite a second world heavyweight defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
The Daily Mirror has a story about a three-year-old boy called Zachary who needs a double organ transplant to save his life, describing it as a "heartbreaking Christmas wish"
And the Daily Star has the headline "jingle smells", quoting a poll that claims millions of Britons will not wash or change their underwear between Christmas and New Year.
The Daily Mail says a "recession made in Downing Street", external is on the way, as it leads on the warning from business leaders at the CBI that the government's budget measures may hit jobs, investment and growth at the start of 2025. The Daily Express highlights a Conservative quote that the government is creating a "hostile climate", external for the economy, and carries the stark headline "Labour set to drive UK headlong into recession".
The Times, external leads with Labour reaction to the CBI report, with various admissions that the "stalling economy" is "disappointing" and "frustrating". The paper goes on to say there is "little festive cheer" with expectations of economic growth at their lowest since Liz Truss was in Number 10. The Times also reports that there have been discussions among Labour figures over whether Sir Keir Starmer will lead the party into the next election.
There is more bad news for the prime minister in the i. It suggests Sir Keir will face his biggest rebellion yet, external by his own MPs on the government's refusal to compensate "Waspi" women, who say they were not properly informed about changes to their pension age. The paper says Labour rebels believe dozens of MPs will vote against the government in the New Year, and that Labour insiders are surprised at the extent of the criticism from what it calls "newbie" MPs.
The Daily Telegraph highlights an unexpected collaboration. It says that Lord Mandelson - the UK's new ambassador to the US - is set to work with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, external to help him win over the incoming Trump administration. The paper says it will be part of efforts to persuade Trump not to "go to war with Britain on tariffs". The article also says that the move is opposed by some senior Labour figures, who think it might "elevate" the right wing cause.
The Reform UK party treasurer, Nick Candy is making headlines in the Financial Times, external. He tells the paper his party will cause "political disruption like we have never seen before". The property developer, who was recently photographed with Elon Musk, claims to have several other billionaire backers. Candy also tells the FT he would raise more money than any other political party and that Reform UK would have more members than the Conservatives within three months.
Analysis by the Guardian has found that more than £100m was spent last year by local authorities and the government in England on failed efforts to block support for children and young people with special educational needs., external The paper says the "enormous" costs in legal fees and staff resources did not prevent them losing the vast majority of cases taken to tribunals. Experts tell the paper it is a sign that special education provision was "becoming a battle between cash-strapped councils and desperate families".
And the state of personal hygiene is the top story for the Daily Star. It reports on a study that has found that millions of people go without a shower and do not change their pants so often between Christmas and New Year. Its festive headline is "Jingle Smells"., external
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