The Papers: Rwanda defeat in Lords and 'rate cut hope'

By BBC News

Staff

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The main story in the Times is the government suffering a series of defeats over its Rwanda asylum plan in the Lords. The paper also reports on Baroness Lawrence accusing Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer of failing to listen to her on issues facing black voters and people belonging to ethnic minorities. The comments were reportedly made in a private meeting and the paper quotes Baroness Lawrence as clarifying that she did not doubt Sir Keir's commitment to fighting racism and was "always going to push the party to do more".

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The Financial Times leads on inflation falling to 3.4% in the UK, potentially paving the way for cuts to interest rates later this year. Its main picture is of Leo Varadkar, who has shocked Ireland by unexpectedly announcing that he will stand down as the country's prime minister.

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The Daily Mail also leads on the fall in inflation, which was confirmed on Wednesday. The economy is turning a corner, the Mail says, reporting that mortgage rates could come down within months. The Mail's front page also carries claims that three employees at Kate Middleton’s hospital are being investigated over allegations they accessed the Princess of Wales’s medical records.

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The i newspaper leads on the prospect of summer rate cuts in light of the inflation news. The paper also reports on setbacks for Rishi Sunak's Rwanda plan, which it says mean the policy may now be delayed until Easter.

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The Sun leads with what is claims is an image of Coronation Street actor Tina O’Brien involved in an altercation outside her Manchester home. A spokesperson for O’Brien told the paper she had been the victim of an “unprovoked assault”. Greater Manchester Police are investigating the incident, the Sun reports.

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There is more Coronation Street on the front page of the Daily Mirror, which leads on an interview with the husband of actress Julie Goodyear. Scott Brand tells the paper of his pain at his wife’s battle with dementia.

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Metro leads on “nerdy double killer” Luke D’Wit, who was found guilty on Wednesday of murdering Carol and Stephen Baxter by secretly giving them the powerful drug fentanyl.

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And the Daily Star goes big on the discovery of a gold nugget worth £30,000 in Shropshire. A “gold rush” in the West Midlands county is feared, the paper says.

The Times suggests the latest series of Lords defeats on the government's Rwanda Bill may mean no flights taking off until June at the earliest.

The paper says that even once the legislation receives Royal Assent it could still take the Home Office up to 10 weeks to resolve various logistical and legal issues. Ministers hope to stage two consecutive days of votes in both houses on the issue after Easter to push it through.

The Daily Telegraph reports Catherine, the Princess of Wales, has been easing back into normal life after her abdominal surgery by working from home on her project to improve the lives of very young children. The paper says Kensington Palace has confirmed the princess has been kept up to date with her early years campaign.

Michael Saunders, a former member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee – which sets interest rates – tells the i newspaper he thinks falling inflation will mean three rate cuts this year, which the paper says will come as a relief to mortgage holders.

The Daily Mail reports that some economists think there could be as many as five. Inside, it urges Bank of England economists to be "bold" and start cutting interest rates immediately when they meet on Thursday.

The Daily Telegraph says the Work and Pensions Secretary has warned Britain's approach to mental health is in danger of having "gone too far". Mel Stride says too many people are self-diagnosing and the problem is pushing up the benefits bill.

He was speaking as he revealed plans to make 150,000 people signed off with mild conditions look for a job – though the scheme is not due to come into force until after the next general election.

The Daily Express reports that Rishi Sunak will put a commitment to the pension triple lock at the heart of the Conservatives' election manifesto. Campaigners tell the paper it would help win the support of millions of older voters.

The paper says the future of the guarantee has come under "scrutiny" after the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt told peers the pension safeguard and pension age were always under review.

The Daily Mirror in an editorial headlined "Hunt Raids OAP Cash" accuses the chancellor of being "oblivious" to the concern and uncertainty he caused with his comments and it welcomes Rishi Sunak's commitment.

According to the Financial Times, a gene therapy to treat a very rare disease which attacks the central nervous system of children has become the most expensive drug in the world. Orchard Therapeutics Lenmeldy – a one-time single dose treatment – has been given a wholesale price of $4.2m (£3.3m) in the US. Metachromatic leuko-dystrophy affects an average of 40 newborn babies a year in the US.

And the front page of the Daily Telegraph is dominated by an "action" photo of the French president working out with a boxing punch bag.

The paper says it is one of a number of "intimate portraits" released, which French media says are being used to bolster Emmanuel Macron's attempts to become more hawkish over the war in Ukraine – and show he's on "Olympic form" ahead of the Paris Games this summer.