UK papers: 'Summer of chaos' and 'water bosses' pay rises'

European wildfires, water bosses' pay, net zero risks, Iran, child maintenance overcharging and the Southport case lead Saturday's UK papers.

The wildfires sweeping through Europe dominate many of Saturday's papers, alongside reports on pay for water company bosses, the UK's net zero plans, Iran, child maintenance overcharging, the Southport murders case, and other front-page stories. Several papers highlight the impact of the fires in France and Spain, while others focus on domestic political and criminal justice developments.

How are the European wildfires being reported?

The Daily Mirror leads with

Summer of chaos

and a picture of beachgoers watching fires rage in Lacanau, France. It reports that thousands of holidaymakers are facing huge queues at Europe's ports, with blazes in south-west France forcing the evacuation of more than 40,000 people and Spain declaring a national emergency.

follows with

France in flames

, running the same picture in its top spot.

The headline on the front page of reads: — Image caption, follows with "France in flames", running the same picture in its top spot. It also leads with a report that water company bosses' total pay has risen over the past year despite a ban on bonuses and anger over soaring bills and pollution. It adds: "In some cases companies have given their bosses extra awards that they claim are not 'performance-related payments', or bonuses, which they argue means the cash is not covered by the ban.

Why are water company bosses in the news?

also leads with a report that water company bosses' total pay has risen over the past year despite a ban on bonuses and anger over soaring bills and pollution. It adds:

In some cases companies have given their bosses extra awards that they claim are not 'performance-related payments', or bonuses, which they argue means the cash is not covered by the ban.

What does the Times say about net zero?

The Times says the UK's race to net zero will leave it at greater risk of blackouts and higher electricity bills. It cites a confidential report commissioned by the national grid operator, disclosed to the paper by a whistleblower, which says the National Energy System Operator (Neso) can't accurately model the modern power system as the government moves towards renewable energy.

Neso described the report as a

forward-looking

assessment of risks that could become more significant in the 2030s unless addressed.

The headline on the front page of the Times reads: — Image caption, The UK's race to net zero will leave it at greater risk of blackouts and higher electricity bills, according to the Times. It cites a confidential report commissioned by the national grid operator, disclosed to the paper by a whistleblower, which says the National Energy System Operator (Neso) can't accurately model the modern power system as the government moves towards renewable energy. Neso described the report as a "forward-looking" assessment of risks that could become more significant in the 2030s unless addressed.

What is the Daily Telegraph reporting about Iran?

The Daily Telegraph says Iran has been sending suspected covert operatives across the Channel after individuals with links to Tehran's intelligence agencies were intercepted by UK authorities on small boats. The paper quotes a Home Office spokesman who says there are

stringent security checks

for small boat arrivals and those identified as a threat will be detained and removed

at the earliest opportunity

The headline on the front page of the Daily Telegraph reads: — Image caption, The Daily Telegraph says Iran has been sending suspected covert operatives across the Channel after individuals with links to Tehran's intelligence agencies were intercepted by UK authorities on small boats. The paper quotes a Home Office spokesman who says there are "stringent security checks" for small boat arrivals and those identified as a threat will be detained and removed "at the earliest opportunity".

How is the FT Weekend framing the Iran conflict?

The FT Weekend also leads with Iran, reporting that the new Chancellor John Healey is under mounting pressure to raise taxes or find savings as the Iran war threatens to shrink the government's fiscal buffer to just £7bn.

The headline on the front page of the FT Weekend reads: — Image caption, The FT Weekend also leads with Iran, reporting that the new Chancellor John Healey is under mounting pressure to raise taxes or find savings as the Iran war threatens to shrink the government's fiscal buffer to just £7bn.

What is the Daily Mail saying about child maintenance charges?

The Daily Mail carries an exclusive on

fictitious

child maintenance charges that have left some parents

financially crippled

. It says that computer glitches are suspected to be behind more than 24,000 cases of child support overcharging, resulting in £4.3m in inflated charges.

The headline on the front page of the Daily Mail reads: — Image caption, The Daily Mail carries an exclusive on "fictitious" child maintenance charges that have left some parents "financially crippled". It says that computer glitches are suspected to be behind more than 24,000 cases of child support overcharging, resulting in £4.3m in inflated charges.

What has happened in the Southport murder case?

Families of the children murdered by Southport killer Axel Rudakubana have accused him of attempting to

manipulate the system

following his transfer from prison to a psychiatric hospital, according to the Daily Express. The Prison Officers' Association told the BBC that Rudakubana was transferred due to a deterioration in his mental health.

Killer cons his way to cushy life

is the Sun's headline as it reports that Rudakubana's transfer comes just days before the second anniversary of the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King, and Elsie Dot Stancombe.

The headline on the front page of the Daily Express reads: — Image caption, Families of the children murdered by Southport killer Axel Rudakubana have accused him of attempting to "manipulate the system" following his transfer from prison to a psychiatric hospital, according to the Daily Express. The Prison Officers' Association told the BBC that Rudakubana was transferred due to a deterioration in his mental health.

The headline on the front page of the Sun reads: — Image caption, "Killer cons his way to cushy life" is the Sun's headline as it reports that Rudakubana's transfer comes just days before the second anniversary of the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King, and Elsie Dot Stancombe.

What is on the Independent's front page?

The Independent fills its front page with a photo of Prime Minister Andy Burnham launching the new No 10 North in Manchester alongside Chancellor John Healey and first secretary of state Louise Haigh.