NEWS
Ministers used figures based on fewer than 100 venues to justify plan to shut thousands of bars across the North
Ministers were accused of using flimsy data after they relied on figures based on fewer than 100 pubs to justify the potential closure of tens of thousands of venues across the North of England. It came as No 10 faced a concerted backlash from local leaders and MPs over plans to subject millions of people living in the North to even tougher restrictions from next week – Mail
NHS cancer referrals drop to a 10-year low as 20,000 suspected patients aren’t seen within 14 days – Mail
Allegra Stratton to be face of No 10’s televised press briefings – Times
EasyJet pleads for state aid after making landmark loss – Telegraph
Furious daughter slams GPs after her mother was repeatedly refused an appointment for her cough because of Covid, which later turned out to be terminal cancer – Mail
Tribunal rules Christian could be fired for Facebook post – Christian Concern
COMMENT
Starmer is moving on to the attack, and it spells danger for the Tories – Fraser Nelson, Telegraph
Biased presenters, cheap laughs and dull shows: the BBC has had its day – Rupert Lowe, Express
