The Financial Times reports that HSBC is facing increasing pressure to break up after its largest shareholder, Chinese insurer Ping An, urged the bank to separate its Asian and western businesses.
After Russia cut gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, The Guardian warns that Europe could be on the verge of a major energy crisis that would increase household bills. The Financial Times says the price of wholesale gas “soared” after Moscow “turned off the taps”.
According to Chancellor Rishi Sunak in an interview with The Telegraph, he would consider a windfall tax on energy company profits if they fail to make “investments in our country and in our energy security”. Treasury sources told the paper that the Mumsnet comments were a “warning shot” to firms to start investing significant sums soon. As Boris Johnson has called the proposal a “tax on business”, the paper points to a split within government.
According to the Mail, Durham Constabulary is reviewing the decision to clear Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer of an alleged breach of lockdown rules after a Conservative MP requested it.
Richard Holden’s letter was replied to “as a courtesy” by the force. In April last year, Sir Keir was photographed holding a bottle of beer after a day of campaigning in the constituency office of MP Mary Foy.
The Daily Star headline regarding Westminster scandals is “Disorder! Disorder!”. As well as recent cases involving MPs charged over car accidents and one accused of bullying, it asks: “How the hell do they find any time to work?”
The Times reports that millions of arthritis sufferers will be advised to lose weight and exercise instead of taking painkillers under new NHS guidelines. According to the paper, the change would save the health system billions in prescription costs as well as prevent the need for expensive joint replacements. There is also a report that the end of the BBC licence fee is near, as ministers consider a “funding revolution”.
According to the Daily Mirror, Parliament will debate the killing of James Bulger, nearly 30 years after he died. Ralph, his father, spoke to the paper about his desire for an investigation into how his son’s killers got out of prison after eight years.
Many of the front pages feature a photo of the former British soldier killed in Ukraine. According to the Metro, Scott Sibley’s family is being supported by the Foreign Office, along with the family of another missing man. Former comrades have paid tribute to the father-of-two, with one describing him as having a “commando spirit until the end”, according to the paper.
The UK government plans to send 8,000 troops to Eastern Europe, in one of the largest deployments since the Cold War, according to the Daily Telegraph. The paper reports that tanks, artillery, armored vehicles, and aircraft are also being dispatched to bolster Nato forces in the region.
A funding shake-up could see the end of the licence fee, reports the Daily Express. Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries released proposals to “overhaul” the BBC’s funding model, according to the paper.