PM Reduces UK Electric Car Targets; Burnham and By-Election Focus

Sir Keir Starmer plans to reduce UK's electric car sales target from 80% to 50% by 2030. Andy Burnham aims to win Makerfield by-election, while controversy surrounds Reform UK and Restore Britain. Defence and immigration issues also dominate Sunday papers.

UK Electric Vehicle Sales Target Reduced

The Sunday Times reports that Sir Keir Starmer will reduce the UK's electric vehicle sales target. The original requirement for 80% of new car sales to be electric by 2030 is expected to be lowered to 50%. This adjustment is described as a setback to the net-zero ambitions championed by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham's By-Election Bid

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, uses the Sunday Mirror to criticize successive governments for ignoring voter priorities. He states that if he wins the Makerfield by-election on Thursday, he will ensure that the electorate's concerns are heard clearly. The Mirror's editorial endorses Burnham's candidacy, framing the vote as a crucial moment to reject what it terms "the divisive politics of Reform."

A full list of candidates for the Makerfield by-election is available on the website.

Reform UK and Restore Britain Controversy

The Mail on Sunday advocates voting for Reform UK, describing it as the only sensible choice. Its lead story focuses on Reform UK's right-wing rivals, Restore Britain, reporting that party activists attended a summit involving white supremacists. A spokesperson for Restore Britain dismissed the report as "totally irrelevant" and a "hit piece."

Defence Secretary Resignation Fallout

Following John Healey's resignation as defence secretary, Al Carns, who resigned as armed forces minister shortly after Healey, authored a piece in the Sunday Telegraph. Carns argues that national security now encompasses energy concerns alongside military strength, advocating for the use of all power sources, including North Sea oil and gas. Meanwhile, Tom Baldwin, Sir Keir Starmer's biographer, writes in the Observer that despite recent resignations, the prime minister's strong work ethic persists. Baldwin remarks that Sir Keir "has extraordinary qualities" and warns that "we may yet miss them" if he is removed.

Asylum Seeker Figures and Immigration Concerns

The Sunday Express reports that over 100,000 failed asylum seekers are believed to be living illegally in the UK due to delays in deportation. The paper cites its own analysis and data from Oxford University's Migration Observatory, noting that at least 26,000 of these individuals have remained in the country for over a decade despite losing their cases. The Home Office has described these figures as "misleading."

The headline on the front page of the Sunday Express reads: — More than 100,000 failed asylum seekers are still living in the UK because they have not yet been deported, the Sunday Express reports. The papers adds that at least a quarter of these - more than 26,000 people - have been in the country for at least a decade despite losing their cases.

Government Health Plans and Food Labeling

The Telegraph highlights government health proposals that would classify bran flakes as junk food. Food industry leaders express concern that labeling thousands of products containing natural sugars as unhealthy could deter consumers from cereals beneficial for gut health. A government spokesperson explained that previous nutrition guidelines were two decades old and did not reflect current dietary advice.

England Football Captain's Stolen Kit Recovered

The Sun on Sunday reports that the England football captain Harry Kane's kit has been recovered after being stolen in the United States. The Sunday People also covers the story, noting that Kane's boots were among the stolen items, and features a photograph of the Princess of Wales at Trooping the Colour. Additionally, two individuals have been arrested in connection with the theft, according to the Sun on Sunday.

The headline on the front page of the Daily Star reads: — "We was robbed!" is the headline for the Daily Star, which reports the England World Cup Squad had their boots and training gear stolen in a "huge heist".

The headline on the front page of the Sunday People reads: — Sunday People leads with the same headline, but also features a photo of the Princess of Wales at Trooping the Colour.

The headline on the front page of the Sun on Sunday reads: — Two people have been arrested in connection with the theft of the England kit, the Sun on Sunday reports.

Additional Image Placeholders

Other images relevant to the broader news cycle include a tribute to David Hockney, described as "our English Picasso," who passed away at age 88; commentary by former Conservative MP Lord Michael Heseltine on Brexit's unfulfilled promises; and statements from the new Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis emphasizing the need to meet defence spending requirements following John Healey's resignation.