‘Scandalous’ rail cuts and fresh Brand allegations
A number of papers lead with the news that the Metropolitan Police has confirmed it is investigating fresh allegations of sexual offences following media reports about comedian Russell Brand. The Scottish Sun says the force has received “a number of non-recent allegations”. In earlier reports published by the Sunday Times, Times, and Channel 4, four women accused Brand of offences ranging from sexual assault to rape, dating from between 2006 and 2013. Brand has strongly denied any wrongdoing.
The Metro carries a picture of Brand taken from a video he posted online on Monday denying the allegations. The paper describes the video as a “rant” in which Brand “alleged a government plot to stop him speaking on social media”.
“Scandalous” rail cuts make the front page of the Herald as a union warns of potential safety risks as a result. The paper says Network Rail in Scotland has reduced its spending by £127m, making £100m of “efficiencies” in 2022-23 according to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) – the government department responsible for the economic and safety regulation of the UK’s railways.
The Scottish Daily Mail reports on the first minister’s intention to ban fossil fuel heating in new homes from next April after the prime minister announced he was delaying key climate commitments. Humza Yousaf has sparked anger in the SNP, the paper says, quoting a former minister who called the policy “punitive”.
Humza Yousaf said his government would have to consider the implications of changes in target dates announced by Rishi Sunak, but that “the plans remain unchanged” in Scotland, reports the Scotsman.
The Scottish Daily Express leads with school strikes which take place across 24 council areas for three days from Tuesday. Last week the Scottish government freed up £80m in ring-fenced funding to enable Cosla to make a fresh pay offer to workers, which the Unison union has rejected. The paper claims the government said it had provided “new money” to try and end the strikes.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is “alarmed” by the escalating cost of HS2 and has been presented with estimates that put the final figure at £100bn, according to the Times. Reports have suggested Mr Sunak is considering cancelling the part of the line between Birmingham and Manchester and terminating it in west London instead of Euston to save money. The Times says Mr Sunak has told allies he is not prepared to watch the cost continue to rise, though adds that he is expected to delay a decision on which parts should go ahead until after the Autumn Statement in November.
Labour plans to force private schools to pay 20% VAT if it wins the next elections, according to the i. Many private schools have charitable status and so are currently exempted from various taxes. The paper says the measure could raise £1.7bn “to spend on lifting educational standards across the state sector”, though adds that private schools have warned of “widespread” closures if it is introduced.
The Daily Telegraph says Suella Braverman will deliver a speech in the US on the UK’s asylum system, calling for radical reform. The paper says the home secretary will describe the UN’s 1951 Refugee Convention as having been an “incredible achievement” when it was signed in the aftermath of the Second World War but go on to say it has created “huge incentives for illegal migration”. The paper adds that the speech will put Ms Braverman on a “collision course” with the UN High Commission for Refugees, which has been critical of government plans to send refugees to Rwanda.
The National leads on a legal challenge against the UK government brought by SNP MP Tommy Sheppard over its refusal to publish polling on the union. Mr Sheppard has been “locked in a row” with the government over the results since 2019, the paper says.
A 19-year-old who was targeted online by a paedophile when she was 15 is urging tech companies to protect more young people from harm on the internet, reports the Daily Record.
The Daily Star reports that the cost of living has led to a rise in the number of rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, and other pets being abandoned. It says that the issue has left the RSPCA at “breaking point”.
The Courier leads on a plea from a bereaved mother for people with mental health issues to seek help. Marianne Dorward told the paper her son Conor Johnston died “out of the blue” and there were “no signs he was struggling”.
The Edinburgh Evening News dedicates its front page to a report on the number of pensioners claiming fuel benefits increasing by 1,150.
The Press and Journal leads on a man who shot three children with a paintball gun and chased them in his car after they targeted him in a game of “knock-door-run”. One of the children’s mothers described the incident as a “gangster-style attack”, the paper says.
Mounted police are carrying out patrols at Silverburn shopping centre to crack down on abuse and anti-social behaviour towards restaurant staff, reports the Glasgow Times.
Council cuts make the front page of the Evening Express as parents have started a petition to save their local lollipop woman.
And the Evening Telegraph reports on a man convicted of assaulting and robbing a 79-year-old who made “fantasy” claims to jurors that he was offered money for sexual favours.
