PM Vows Action as Terror Threat Raised; Antisemitism and Housing Issues Dominate Headlines

The UK raises terror alert to 'severe' as PM vows action after antisemitic attacks. Labour leadership speculation grows and housing reforms spark landlord concerns.

Terror Threat Raised to Severe

"Brace for more terror attacks," warns the Sun, as the national terror alert level is increased from "substantial" to "severe". The government has indicated that an attack is considered "highly likely" within the next six months, marking the biggest threat level in five years.

The headline on the front page of the Sun reads: “Brace for more terror attacks”. — "Brace for more terror attacks", warns the Sun, which says increasing the national threat level from "substantial" to "severe" equates to the "biggest threat for five years". An attack is considered "highly likely" in the next six months, the government has said.

The Times notes that the last time the terror threat was at this level was over four years ago, following the 2021 bombing outside Liverpool Women's Hospital and the murder of Conservative MP Sir David Amess. Laurence Taylor, head of counter-terrorism policing, has urged the public to remain "alert and not alarmed."

The headline on the front page of the Times reads: “UK terror threat severe after antisemitic attacks”. — The Times notes that the last time the terror threat was at this level was more than four years ago, after the 2021 bombing outside Liverpool Women's Hospital and the murder of Conservative MP Sir David Amess. Laurence Taylor, head of counter-terrorism policing, has asked the public to remain "alert and not alarmed", the paper says.

Prime Minister's Response to Antisemitic Attacks

and the Daily Mirror lead with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's visit to Golders Green, where two Jewish men were stabbed on Wednesday. reports that Sir Keir has vowed to act against protesters "venerating the murder of Jews." The Daily Mirror quotes him as saying:

"Decent people should open their eyes to Jewish pain and fear."

The Daily Mirror's front page highlights "The rise of anti-semitism," and notes that the suspect, 45-year-old Essa Suleiman, was referred to the government's counter-terrorism Prevent programme in 2020.

The headline on the front page of the Mirror reads: “An attack on all of us”. — "The rise of anti-semitism" is emblazoned on the front page of the Daily Mirror, which quotes Sir Keir as declaring "an attack on our Jewish community is an attack on all of us". The paper says the suspect, 45-year-old Essa Suleiman, was referred into the government counter-terrorism Prevent programme in 2020.

The Independent also reports on Suleiman's referral to Prevent, with the headline "Knife suspect was investigated for extremist views." It features a photograph of people protesting in Golders Green on Thursday, calling on the government for stronger action against antisemitism in the UK.

The headline on the front page of the Independent reads: “Knife suspect was investigated for extremist views”. — "Knife suspect was investigated for extremist views" says the Independent, similarly making note of Suleiman's referral to Prevent. A photograph of people protesting in Golders Green on Thursday leads the paper, as people call on the government for more action on antisemitism in the UK.

The Metropolitan Police commissioner has accused Green Party leader Zack Polanski of "stoking tensions" over the Golders Green attack, according to the Telegraph. Sir Mark Rowley has taken the unusual step of writing to Polanski, warning him of the "chilling effect" his rhetoric could have after Polanski reshared a post on X criticizing police officers for "repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head when he was already incapacitated by a Taser."

The headline on the front page of the Daily Telegraph reads: “Met accuses Polanski of stoking tensions”. — The Metropolitan Police commissioner has accused Green Party leader Zack Polanksi of "stoking tensions" over the Golders Green attack, according to the Telegraph. It reports that Sir Mark Rowley has taken the "unusual step" of writing to Polanski and warning him of the "chilling effect" his rhetoric could have, after he reshared a post on X that criticised police officers for "repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head when he was already incapacitated by a Taser".

The Daily Express dedicates its front page to a quote from Jewish war hero Mervyn Kersh, 101, who states that antisemitism "reveals diseased minds and corrupt societies."

The headline on the front page of the Daily Express reads: “'Antisemitism reveals diseased minds and corrupt societies, and it eventually leads to the Holocaust, which we must not only learn about but never, ever forget so that it can never happen anywhere again...”. — The front page of the Daily Express is dedicated to quote from Jewish war hero Mervyn Kersh, 101, who says antisemitism "reveals diseased minds and corrupt societies".

In its editorial, the Daily Mail criticizes Sir Keir Starmer, stating that since entering No 10, he has allowed antisemitism to fester by tiptoeing around upsetting the Muslim vote in key constituencies.

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Labour Party Leadership Speculation

The i newspaper reports that former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has warned Sir Keir Starmer that more young people are feeling hopeless amid a system that seems "rigged against them." This comes amid cabinet speculation about Rayner's own future leadership ambitions.

The headline on the front page of the i Paper reads: “Rayner's warning to Starmer: more and more young people are feeling hopeless”. — Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has given an exclusive interview to the i Paper, where she says "more and more young people are feeling hopeless" amid a system that feels "rigged against them". The paper calls it a "warning to Starmer".

The Times reports that Rayner is understood to be considering mounting a challenge to Sir Keir after next week's elections. Some Labour ministers and MPs have launched an "Anyone but Ange" campaign, fearing she has enough grassroots support to shift the government to the left. The Daily Express claims that her "noisy narcissism and proletarian posturing" have made her popular among activists.

Housing and Renters' Rights Act

reports that solicitors have been inundated with requests to serve last-minute "no fault" evictions as landlords rush to beat the ban in England, which comes into effect this Friday. The Daily Mail warns that middle-income landlords could face bankruptcy. It quotes Housing Secretary Steve Reed saying:

"Kicking tenants out before they receive stronger rights is the type of disgraceful behaviour from shameless landlords which the Renters' Rights Act will stop."

The Metro highlights that landlords of student flats are likely to be particularly affected, as many students can now issue notice to leave their accommodation at the end of term to avoid paying over the summer holidays. The paper's headline reads "Mayday for Landlords."

The headline on the front page of the Metro reads: “Mayday! for landlords...”. — The Metro takes a look at the Renters Rights Act, which comes into effect on 1 May. The paper calls it the "biggest law change in a generation", noting that it will include the end to no-fault evictions and landlords will no longer be able to ask for more that one month's rent in advance.

Retailers Warn of Tumble Dryer Shortage

The Daily Telegraph reports that retailers are warning of a run on tumble dryers ahead of legal changes that will phase them out to help achieve Net Zero targets. In a cartoon by Matt, a homeowner comments:

"Ed Miliband's banned our tumble dryer - so we had it converted into a log burner."

Economic Impact of Middle East Conflict

The Financial Times reports that both the European Central Bank and the Bank of England have warned they may need to raise interest rates in the coming months as they address the "energy shock" triggered by the war in the Middle East. Oil prices surged past $126 (£92) a barrel on Thursday, the highest since 28 February when the conflict began.