What the papers say – December 30

The migrant “crisis” in the Channel leads several Sunday papers.

A few also feature Dame June Whitfield after the veteran actress’s death aged 93.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid abandoned a luxury safari holiday to return to the UK to tackle the “major incident” involving a rise in the number of people attempting the perilous crossing, the Sunday Times says.

The Sunday Telegraph says Mr Javid is under pressure to “get a grip” of the problem after appearing to concede the Government’s response had been ineffective.

The Home Secretary’s handling of the issue was described as “Dad’s Army” by one critic, the Mail on Sunday says, while one MP called for boats to be seized.

The Daily Mirror leads with the death of Dame June, who starred in sitcoms Terry and June and Absolutely Fabulous.

An al Qaida member alleged to have links to the 7/7 bombers has launched a bid to be released from prison in the UK, the Sunday People reports.

Retail experts have warned at least 10,000 high street shops will close in 2019, the Sunday Express reports.

And The Observer leads with figures that suggest Tory education reforms are giving private school pupils a “huge additional advantage” in the race for university places and jobs.