In the headlines
Britain faces its “longest ever recession”, says the I newspaper, with the Bank of England predicting the economy will shrink by 3% over the next two years. The £50bn black hole in public finances means infrastructure plans including the Sizewell C nuclear plant and Northern Powerhouse Rail face being scaled back or scrapped. Households with smart meters will be offered discounts on their electricity bills if they cut peak-time use. Customers who sign up to the National Grid scheme and slash consumption between 4pm and 7pm – the hours when demand is highest, and blackouts this winter are most likely – can save up to £100. “HMS Wag”, the £1bn luxury cruise liner housing the England football team’s partners during the World Cup, has set sail for Qatar, says The Sun. The “floating palace” (below) boasts 14 ocean-view whirlpools, more than 30 bars and cafes, and an 11-deck-high helter-skelter dubbed The Venom Drop.