Newspaper headlines: 'Child jabs rollout', and 'Royal funeral leak'

BBC NewsStaff
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News imageReuters Britain's Chief Medical Officer for England Chris WhittyReuters

The front pages are dominated by the JCVI's decision to not recommend a widespread coronavirus vaccine rollout for 12 to 15-year-olds.

The Daily Mail's headline says the decision has caused "chaos", while the Financial Times' science commentator, Anjara Ahuja, says it puts the UK out of step with most comparable nations - a decision she believes thrusts the young "into the viral trenches with minimal protection".

The Independent claims the government is poised to overrule the decision - a move the Guardian says will demonstrate the growing divide between ministers and their scientific advisors.

The i weekend says England's chief medical officer Chris Whitty is now under pressure to approve jabs for children over 12, after being asked to make a wider recommendation.

The Times reports that Prof Whitty is believed to be in favour of approving the plan, with an unnamed minister telling the paper the decision is "a formality" and vaccinations could begin within days.

The Daily Telegraph sounds a note of caution, saying the need to obtain parental consent could slow the speed of the rollout.

There is coverage of the leaking of secret plans detailing what will happen when the Queen dies.

The Daily Mirror asks, "How could they?," while the Daily Express says the disclosure showed "No Respect".

News imagePA Media Queen Elizabeth II at the gates at BalmoralPA Media

The Express chooses not to publish many of the details revealed in the leak out of respect for the Royal Family.

Its columnist Leo McKinstry calls the disclosure "a new missile of callousness" following the difficult year the monarch has faced, noting that it raises fresh questions about the number of leaks coming from the highest levels of government.

The Telegraph reports that plans to raise National Insurance contributions to pay for social care could cost British businesses up to £3.5bn every year.

The paper claims as many as half of the Cabinet oppose the idea.

The Sun's political columnist, Trevor Kavanagh, bemoans the impact it would have on lower income families, as well as the government's credibility - after the Conservatives vowed not to raise National Insurance in its 2019 election manifesto.

He says breaking that promise would shred the party's reputation for economic prudence.

Writing in the i, the Spectator's deputy political editor Katy Balls concludes that Boris Johnson is staging a dangerous political gamble - knowing he needs to break a promise to fulfil another which he hopes will secure his legacy.

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The FT Weekend highlights some of the more unusual incentives large firms are offering employees to return to the office.

It reports that Hut Group is hiring DJs to provide an upbeat soundtrack for workers, with other companies offering yoga classes, free meals and cash bonuses.

The Times, meanwhile, says that many companies are planning to allow reluctant staff to bring their dogs into the office.

It quotes a commercial estate agent, who confirms that the overwhelming majority of office rental deals being struck now contain "canine clauses" allowing pets into buildings.

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