UK News Roundup: RAF Pilots Eject Safely, Benefit Reforms, Education Overhaul, Football Drinking Ban Review, EU-UK Talks, and Fiscal Update

The moment two RAF pilots ejected from a jet is splashed across the front page of the Daily Mirror, which says it is a "miracle" nobody was killed in the incident. The two pilots were taking part in a training exercise in Anglesey when they were forced to parachute from the plane, which the paper reports then "plummeted nose-first into a field" and caused a "huge fireball".

Several of the papers lead on the Conservative party's promise to prevent long-term jobless benefit claimants from spending their welfare payments on alcohol, cigarettes and gambling. The Times declares "Tories to cut benefits for long-term unemployed", and includes quotes from party leader Kemi Badenoch, who says she plans to stop joblessness being a "lifestyle choice for those who can't be bothered".

The Daily Mail says Badenoch's "ruthless crackdown" would see people who have been unemployed for more than six months have their Universal Credit cut by 30%. Instead of receiving the reduced welfare support in cash, the paper reports, the proposals would see benefits paid onto a "Back to Work" card, which would block spending on alcohol, cigarettes or betting.

Similarly, the Telegraph reads: "Tories to ban spending benefits on alcohol". The paper says that the proposal would mirror measures in the US, where claimants receive benefits on cards rather than cash. According to the Telegraph, the Labour Party has called the Conservatives' plan "unworkable".

Teenagers will be offered a range of new vocational GCSEs under what the Guardian is calling a "radical shake-up of the school system". It reports that from 2029, students will be able to supplement compulsory GCSE subjects with courses like construction, creative media production and child development. The paper says it is an effort by Prime Minister Andy Burnham to meet his promise of an "education system that offers a path for everyone", and is designed to tackle a "crisis" that has left nearly a million young people out of work or training.

The Sun suggests that Burnham could be on the verge of axeing the "ban on boozing" at football matches in the UK. It follows comments from the prime minister where he told reporters there was a "case to remove that discrimination perhaps on a trial basis". Government sources stressed Burnham was restating an opinion he has long held, rather than making any sort of policy announcement. Laws have been in place since 1985 which prevent drinking in view of the pitch at stadiums for clubs in the top five tiers of men's football in England. The Football Supporters' Association (FSA) has said the "outdated" legislation should be reviewed, but police chiefs are warning against relaxing the law.

Co-chair of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly Sandro Gozi has told the i Paper that Burnham should drop Labour's "obsolete" red lines to allow for a "deeper" agreement with the European Union. He said he was hopeful that the prime minister will "move beyond" Labour's manifesto restrictions, and achieve a "Canada-style membership deal" for the UK.

"Healey weighs smaller fiscal headroom to reduce tax rises", says the Financial Times, reporting that the chancellor's fiscal buffer could fall to £14bn in next month's budget. The paper says investors have signalled that the gilt market "would not be spooked" by a more modest target, adding that the Treasury and Number 10 are "actively debating" the possibility.