In the headlines
“Gold age pensions,” says Metro, after the government confirmed that state pensions will rise in line with inflation, which has hit a 40-year high of 9.1%. The announcement came as rail unions were told that any pay rise above 3% would be inflationary. The “only difference”, says journalist Adam Bienkov on Twitter, is that pensioners usually vote Tory and public sector workers usually don’t. Boris Johnson is prepared for the stand-off with the RMT to last “months”, says The Times. Ministers believe the union will “quickly burn through funds” as it supports striking workers. Festivalgoers should watch out for “the Monster of Glastonfurry”, says the Daily Star, after a builder spotted a “huge black animal” roaming the site. Judging by the shape, he says, “I’m pretty sure it was a puma”.