The New Year’s Day front pages are dominated by stories about an increase in the energy price cap and New Year’s celebrations. On the price cap, the Daily Telegraph reports that households will face a £70 hike in energy bills following the increase from 1 January, ahead of a further expected increase in April. As its lead, the paper reports that private schools plan to raise fees by more than the government predicted as the planned VAT hike takes effect.
The Daily Mail claims the increase will leave the government at risk of breaking an election pledge to bring down the cost of energy bills, as Sir Keir Starmer vowed to put “more cash in your pocket” during a New Year message.
Campaigners warn that pensioners who no longer qualify for winter fuel payments will see their bills rise by £500, according to the Daily Express.
The Times’ front page features an image of New Year’s Eve fireworks above the Sydney Opera House, and reports on a gloomy YouGov poll commissioned by the paper, which show votes think Labour will fail to meet its own targets. It also reports on Sir Keir’s New Year’s message, in which he will say that many in Britain find it “hard to think about the future”, but that 2025 will be about “rediscovering the great nation that we are”.
The Mirror leads with an interview in which the Prime Minister says 2025 will be the year for the nation to come together to mark 80 years since the end of World War Two.
The Guardian’s front page also features a photo of fireworks in Sydney as the world kicked off New Year’s celebrations on Tuesday. It also carries an exclusive on research showing that private dentist charges for treatments such as fillings and extractions has risen.
The i Paper’s front page wishes readers a happy New Year and splashes on unions calling for a ban on a type of stone commonly used in kitchen revamps which is “blamed for deadly lung disease”.
The Daily Star leads on a story about Brian Blessed with the headline: “Why I punched a polar bear”.
