What the papers say – August 5

Several of Saturday’s newspapers focus on personal finance although no single story dominates the front pages. The i  leads with exclusive quotes from Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey who backs the Financial Conduct Authority’s action to ensure interest rate rises are passed appropriately to savers to ensure ‘fairness’. The Financial Times  says cuts in lending rates have raised hopes that mortgage levels have peaked, despite the Bank of England raising interest rates. Meanwhile, the Daily Express  says a watchdog’s decision may help hundreds of thousands of married pensioners to claw back pensions cash they have missed out on. Away from household finances, The Daily Telegraph reports that children as young as seven in England will be able to get NHS treatment at a new gender identity service. The plight of Afghan refugees in the UK is the focus of the front page of The Independent which says the Government is evicting thousands of people from hotels, leaving many homeless. The Daily Mail says people smuggling gangs are making money not only by helping migrants to come to the UK, but by also by helping foreign criminals to flee. The Guardian  reports that its analysis has revealed investment funds doubled their stake in England’s childcare sector in four years, amid concerns that the situation could lead providers to be more vulnerable to closure. The Daily Mirror has quotes from Lottery winner Lee Ryan , who spent his £6.5 million winnings but says he is happier than ever while working as a painter and decorator. The Daily Star leads with a story about comedian Joe Pasquale who says he was injured when he tripped over some moose antlers which he used as a prop during a stage performance in Skegness.