What the papers say – July 3
Fallout from the BBC’s annual report – and revelations on the salaries paid to its top talent – make the headlines on Wednesday alongside pictures of England’s football team after defeat at the World Cup.
The DailyTelegraph leads with the corporation seeing an increase in its salary bill for presenters of £11 million at the same time as it is removing funding for free TV licences. The BBC will take over the cost of funding licences for over-75s from 2020, with Lord Hall saying he sympathised and empathised with those paying the licence fee.
TELEGRAPH: BBC gives stars £11m pay rise as it cuts free TV licences #tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/ZQ4U0EYYxW
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) July 2, 2019
The DailyMirror claims the BBC is using a “loophole” to conceal the extent of salaries paid to its biggest stars – as fees for shows produced by independent production companies are not included in the report.
Tomorrow's front page: BBC stars' hidden millions#tomorrowspaperstodayhttps://t.co/1nvNFURCwOpic.twitter.com/pXHchGipuT
— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) July 2, 2019
The Sun leads with the same story, running the headline “British Broadcasting Cover-up”.
Tomorrow's front page: The BBC is accused of covering up sky-high payments to its top stars https://t.co/MyeCEyGXGnpic.twitter.com/jrWV6CBx6w
— The Sun (@TheSun) July 2, 2019
While the Daily Mail says the salary revelations are a “kick in the teeth” for pensioners.
Wednesday’s @DailyMailUK#MailFrontPagespic.twitter.com/IEhLBzIRN5
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) July 2, 2019
And the Daily Express said campaigners “reacted with fury” while the BBC stood by its decision to “force over-75s to pay for TV licences”.
Tomorrow's @daily_express#frontpage
– Cystic fibrosis scandal: "If I die will you say sorry to my baby boy?"
– TV license fury as BBC pay bill soars
– #Lionesses' #WorldCup heartache #TomorrowsPaperTodaypic.twitter.com/YPb6muLLAd
— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) July 2, 2019
Elsewhere, the Times reports on new research suggesting excess weight is a bigger cause of four common cancers than smoking.
Obesity tops smoking as main cause of cancers#tomorrowspaperstoday@hendopolispic.twitter.com/ompTYLiqZX
— The Times Pictures (@TimesPictures) July 2, 2019
The Guardian says that the new Prime Minister will have to deal with a new so-called “Gaukward squad” of current Chancellor Philip Hammond and Justice Secretary David Gauke.
The Guardian front page, Wednesday 3 July 2019: Chancellor ready to fight no-deal from backbenches pic.twitter.com/XYNQel5C6m
— The Guardian (@guardian) July 2, 2019
The FinancialTimes reports on the latest appointments to top European jobs.
Just published: front page of the Financial Times, international edition, Wednesday 3 July https://t.co/UQkVVZb7R8pic.twitter.com/T5E7rwxP2f
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) July 2, 2019
The Metro says that Boris Johnson will pledge to cut so-called “sin taxes” if he becomes Prime Minister.
Wednesday's front page:BOJO: I'LL CURBTHE 'SIN' TAXES#tomorrowspaperstoday#bbcpapers#skypaperspic.twitter.com/QDklAyoNvW
— Metro Newspaper UK (@MetroUKNews) July 2, 2019
The i leads on research on climate change after the hottest ever June was recorded.
I: Climate change ‘raising risk of European heatwaves’ #tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/bzbgO0LGwh
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) July 2, 2019