Newspaper headlines: 'Workers face new tax' and 'Fury over Fifa plan'
"Workers face new tax to fund social care" says the Daily Telegraph in its top story, as "health officials draw up plans" for a 1.8% levy on earnings to pay for Prime Minister Andy Burnham's reforms. Under the reported proposal, which the paper says is one of "several new models for social care" drawn up last month after Burnham said he would make it a priority, workers over the age of 34 would pay the extra levy that "could fund a new care system costing £18bn a year".
The Guardian previews a speech Burnham plans to deliver on social care where he will talk about "problem-solving, not point-scoring" and will "set out his strategy for resolving one of the intractable issues in British politics". It says Burnham is sounding "calls for consensus" on "social care crisis", inviting "Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey to discuss how to drive urgent reforms".
"Concern over taxpayers funding for-profit homes" is the Times' take on the reported social care tax plans. It says Burnham's proposal could "lock out private firms", while a Downing Street source tells the paper that "no decision" has been taken.
The Daily Express leads with figures from Age UK showing "2m missing out on social care", detailing circumstances where "many struggle with daily tasks such as eating, dressing, bathing and using the toilet".
The Metro details "Burnham's offer to families on benefits", pitched as "£4k if you let your children learn a trade". It goes on to explain the government's proposal for a "new bursary to stop young people turning down learning a skill" as part of Burnham's broader efforts to "reduce the number of Neets – those not in education, employment or training".
The Daily Mail cites critics who describe the proposal as "benefits 'bribe' for parents". Separately, UK actor Hannah Waddingham is depicted next to her "NHS surgeon beau", who the paper says has got a "Hollywood makeover".
The Financial Times looks at the Burnham government's "bid to soothe 'public control' anxiety" through "stressing the new administration's desire to attract private capital into key sectors of the economy". Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds tells the paper that "the government did not necessarily intend to keep British Steel in state ownership", even as Burnham says there is a case for "more public ownership of essential utilities". "Many deaths feared after strong earthquake wreaks havoc in southern Japan" says the paper in a separate headline, next to a birds-eye shot of a partially fallen bridge.
"Fury over Fifa plan to sell off World Cup" is the i Paper's headline, writing that it comes after its boss "Gianni Infantino plans to sell stakes to private investors, potentially earning him millions". Europe's football governing body Uefa says it "crosses a line", the paper quotes, in addition to Burnham who says "football belongs to the fans".
"For sale" is the large bold headline printed over the golden Fifa World Cup trophy. "Senior football figures warned the plan is a potential 'nuclear bomb' for the game," the paper says.
"Uefa tells Fifa's Infantino tournament is not for sale," continues the Daily Star, framing the matter in terms of "World Cup Sinners".
The Independent teases a feature from one of its correspondents dispatched to the Gironde region of south-western France where wildfires are burning through buildings, cars and natural landscapes, under the headline "inside the frantic fight to save France from the flames".
The Daily Mirror poses the question on the lips of a heartbroken mother: "What did you do to my son?" Her Royal Navy sailor son – Simon Parkes – has been missing since 1986. The paper says she is issuing "a direct plea to the double killer she is convinced murdered him".