UK Government Considers Prison Release Exemptions, Welfare Cuts, Amid North Sea Drilling Debate and Ceuta Migrant Influx

The Daily Telegraph reports, external that Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering plans to exempt rapists, from the government's early release scheme from prisons in England and Wales. The paper understands that no final decision has been made, and the option is part of a list under review, ahead of an announcement early next week.

In his interview with the Times, external, Chancellor John Healey hinted at benefit cuts when he said that the UK's "inexorably rising welfare bill must be controlled". Healey also echoed the prime minister in declining to commit to spending 3% of GDP on defence by 2030, saying a "target date" will instead be set at the next spending review in 2027.

The Guardian says, external Andy Burnham has been warned he faces the first revolt of his premiership, after indicating he would support fresh drilling in the North Sea. Many Labour MPs are, according to the paper, worried about how that will sit with an electorate alarmed by this summer's soaring temperatures, drought and wildfires. The Guardian quotes the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who warned on Friday that every new fossil fuel project makes "tomorrow's heatwaves more dangerous".

The Financial Times leads, external on the influx of migrants into the Spanish territory of Ceuta, saying right-wing leaders including US President Donald Trump have seized on the incident. The paper notes that the 60,000 people who crossed into the exclave is five times the daily peak set in 2015 when hundreds of thousands of refugees entered Europe via Turkey. Ministers in the UK are under pressure from the Conservatives and Reform UK to strengthen Britain's borders, according to the Daily Mail, external. Nigel Farage is quoted saying: "This is a battle for our civilisation." The Daily Express, external, also leading on the story, cites a Conservative MP, Katie Lam, as describing the crisis as a "wake-up call".