INFORMING BRITAIN PRESS PREVIEW: WEDNESDAY 20 AUGUST 2025 | TOMORROW'S PAPERS TODAY AT INFORMING BRITAIN

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Welcome to your official rundown of headlines on a selection of Newspapers' Front Pages for Wednesday 20 August 2025.

Browse through #IBPapers on ​𝕏, and #IBPapers on BlueSky, to keep up with the latest from Informing Britain Papers on Social Media.
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This is a selection of newspaper publications from United Kingdom, it may not be all of the Front Pages.

If the leading story is available, links will be provided.
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​This page will be updated as the headlines come in.

Here are tonight's Page 1 previews.

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The Independent: "UK PREPARING TO SEND TROOPS TO UKRAINE IF PEACE DEAL IS STRUCK"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Millie Cooke

United Kingdom are preparing to send troops to Ukraine as part of a 'reassurance force' if a peace deal is struck.
It comes after Donald Trump said he had spoken directly with Vladimir Putin to begin planning a meeting between the Russian leader and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

FULL REPORT: Independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ukraine-russia-war-uk-troops-starmer-b2810332.html

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Metro (North Edition): "NHS SICK NOTE TOLL GROWS"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Katrine Bussey

Sick Notes in Scotland's NHS have reached their highest level for ten years.
Figures showed the sickness absence rate for 2024-2025 was 6.4% - up from 6.2% the previous year.

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​Lancashire Telegraph: "'GET THAT LITTLE CAT'"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Jack Stott

A "sadistic" Padiham woman has been jailed after causing her dogs to attack and kill her neighbour's elderly cat in her back garden.
Alexandra Jade Gregson, 35, of Alma Street, was sentenced at Burnley Crown Court following an RSPCA prosecution.

FULL REPORT: LancashireTelegraph.co.uk/news/25398596.alexandra-jade-gregson-jailed-causing-dogs-kill-cat

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Arab News (Saudi Arabia): "31 KILLED AS ISRAELI BOMBARDMENT CONTINUES ACROSS GAZA STRIP"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: AFP News Agency
​
Palestinian Civil Defence said Israeli Armed Forces opened fire on people waiting to enter a United States-backed food distribution centre killing 31 and wounding "about 200".

FULL REPORT: ArabNews.com/node/2604127/middle-east

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The National: "'UK IS TRYING TO COVER UP ITS ROLE IN GENOCIDE'"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Xander Elliards 

The Government in United Kingdom are being accused of trying to "cover up complicity in genocide" after refusing to publish documents linked to a secret meeting with a top Israel minister for a fourth time.

FULL REPORT: TheNational.Scot/news/25402629.labour-refuse-release-files-secret-meeting-gideon-saar

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Gorey Guardian (Ireland): "COURTROOM WILL CREATE UP TO 200 JOBS"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Alan White 

Businessman Tom O'Loughlin said the hotel will bring a lot of football and help boost the economy. 

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Morning Star: "RENTAL COSTS NOW CONSUME OVER 1/3 OF AVERAGE SALARY"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Elizabeth Short

Rip-off rents are devouring more than a third of tenants' incomes in England, leading to renewed demands from campaigners to introduce urgent controls.

FULL REPORT: MorningStarOnline.co.uk/article/country-desperately-needs-rent-control

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Scottish Daily Mail: "FURY OVER POLICE 'BETRAYAL' OF SHOT BANKER'S FAMILY"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Graham Grant

The family of murdered banker Alistair Wilson voiced their ‘outrage’ last night after it emerged a senior officer who misled them is in line for a major promotion.
Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Livingstone, who was found guilty of misconduct, has been selected for a prestigious training course – and is being groomed to fill a vacant slot as Assistant Chief Constable.

FULL REPORT: DailyMail.co.uk/news/article-15015599

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The Daily Telegraph: "MIGRANT HOTELS FACING CLOSURE"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Charles Hymas / Fiona Parker

Nigel Farage issues rallying cry after High Court throws future of asylum strategy into doubt.
Asylum Seeker hotels across United Kingdom are at risk of closure after a High Court ruling threw the Government’s asylum plans into turmoil. 

FULL REPORT: Telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/19/epping-hotel-migrant-court-ruling

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Daily Star: "TIPPING POINT!"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Aaron Tinney

Drinkers are fuming at a new trend where "service charge" tips are automatically added when buying a pint at the bar.

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Daily Mail: "LABOUR'S MIGRANT HOTELS POLICY IN DISARRAY"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: David Barrett

The Labour Party's asylum policy was left in chaos after a judge ordered a controversial Asylum Seeker hotel in Essexs to be shut. 

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Wexford People (Ireland): "CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO IPAS DECISION"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Pádraig Byrne

Wexford County Council has given the green light for a former hotel to be converted into an accomodation for Asylum Seekers. 

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Financial Times: "TRUMP HINTS AT US AIR ROLE IN PUSH TO SEAL UKRAINE PEACE"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: James Politi / Alice Hancock / David Sheppard / Max Seddon

Drive for Putin-Zelenskyy meeting.
Kremlin warned of 'rough situation'.
Donald Trump said the United States could play a role "by air" in a postwar security guarantee for Ukraine.

FULL REPORT: FT.COM/content/591a8788-c553-4886-858f-b7c7854cbcfd

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Wirral Globe: "'VIVACIOUS' MUM, 41, DIES SUDDENLY"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Craig Manning

The family of a Wirral mum has been left 'utterly bereft and heartbroken' following her sudden death, earlier this week.
Rachael Kershaw, from Wallasey, passed away on Monday 11 August 2025 - aged 41 - and left behind her three young children. 

FULL REPORT: WirralGlobe.co.uk/news/25393828.family-heartbroken-following-sudden-death-wallasey-mum

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Daily Record: "WHY ARE WE WAITING?"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Sally Hind

Peter Black - a grandfather - who is dying from cancer had to wait for 15 hours overnight in an Emergency Department and was only treated after a relative emailed the Health Board's boss.
Nicola Black - his daughter wonders how much longer her dad would have had to wait if no-one got in touch with the Health Board.

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The I Paper: "MIGRANT POLICY IN DISARRAY AS COURT RULES PROTEST HOTEL MUST EVICT ASYLUM SEEKERS"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Richard Vaughan

Asylum Seekers will be removed from Bell Hotel in Epping Forest within 24 days after Council granted temporary High Court injunction despite last-minute Government intervention. 
Legal action follows protests outside the site.

FULL REPORT: INews.co.uk/news/politics/home-office-protests-policing-asylum-hotel-ruling-3869170

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Daily Express: "ASYLUM HOTEL CLOSURE IS 'A VICTORY FOR THE MUMS'"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Michael Knowles / Lotti OBrien / Rebecca Robinson / Ciaran McGrath

The future of more than 200 hotels housing Asylum Seekers has been thrown into doubt after a landmark court ruling hailed as "a victory for the mums and dads".

FULL REPORT: Express.co.uk/news/uk/2097162

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New Ross Standard (Ireland): "MUNITIONS PLAN FOR PORT COMES UNDER FIRE"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Simon Bourke

Councillor John Dwyer is opposed to port being used to import 'explosive materials in certain conditions'. 

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​Edinburgh Evening News: "RALLYING CRY FOR HOSPICE"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Unlisted

Mechelle O'Hara thanks children's charity for offering her family a lifeline and asks others to support the CHAS Summer Solace Appeal. 

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The West Australian (Australia): "HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Jessica Evensen / Caitlin Vinci

Heartache of the baby in the drain.
Police have launched a homicide investigation as it's been determined the baby was put there recently. 
The child was discovered in a Stormwater Drain in Alexander Heights.
Flowers laid in tribute at the scene where a dead baby was found in a drain in the Northern Suburbs of Perth. 

FULL REPORT: TheWest.com.au/news/crime/alexander-heights-baby-in-drain-police-launch-homicide-case-as-revealed-body-put-in-drain-in-recent-days--c-19731176

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​The Bolton News: "WORK ON VITAL NEW LINK HITS A ROADBLOCK"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Chris Gee

Work on the final part of a long overdue link road has stopped after a land deal expired.
The two kilometre road, at the Rivington Chase development in Horwich promised to ease congestion at the chronically clogged Chorley New Road and Behive Roundabout.

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The Guardian: "HIGH COURT RULES ASYLUM SEEKERS MUST BE MOVED FROM PROTEST HOTEL"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Kevin Rawlinson / Rajeev Syal

Sir Keir Starmer's Asylum Seeker plans have been plunged into turmoil after a High Court ruling blocked people seeking refuge from being housed at an Essex hotel in Epping Forest.

FULL REPORT: TheGuardian.com/uk-news/2025/aug/19/high-court-judge-orders-closure-of-essex-asylum-hotel-after-far-right-protests

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​Metro (South Edition): "FURY AT REEVES £500K WEALTH TAX ON HOMES"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Will Durrant

TV property star Kirstie Allsopp hasled a backlash over reports that Chancellor Rachel Reeves is planning to make house sellers, not buyers, pay tax.

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The Scotsman: "AMBULANCE SERVICE IN TOTAL BREAKDOWN, SAYS SURGEON"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Martyn McLaughlin 

A surgeon whose son was left with two fractured shoulders when he collapsed on the street following a seizure has condemned the "total breakdown" of one of Scotland's frontline Emergency Services.

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Daily Mirror: "BRIT TROOPS 'TO KEEP THE PEACE'"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Christopher Bucktin

Britain will send Armed Forces to Ukraine to keep the peace if a deal with Russia is completed, Donald Trump declared. 

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Enniscorthy Guardian (Ireland): "MAN WHO ASSAULTED HIS PARTNER ESCAPES JAIL TIME"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: David Medcalf

Craig Grey who beat up his girlfriend on an Enniscorthy street brought €2,500 in cash to the Circuit Court as a token of his remorse.

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The Times: "HIGH COURT PUTS ASYLUM HOTEL POLICY INTO TURMOIL"
LEAD STORY CORRESPONDENT: Charlie Parker / Steven Swinford

The Government in United Kingdom's Asylum Seeker accommodation scheme was thrown into turmoil after the High Court ruled that migrants must be removed from an Essex hotel at the centre of the protests.

FULL REPORT: TheTimes.com/uk/politics/article/council-wins-high-court-injunction-to-close-asylum-hotel-in-essex-vbt7p9pq5

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That's all the papers.
News In Brief follows.

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NEWS IN BRIEF: Wednesday 20 August 2025

• UK Troops To Ukraine?
  
  The UK is preparing to deploy troops to Ukraine as part of a 'reassurance force' should a peace deal be reached, following Donald Trump's discussions with Vladimir Putin about a potential meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump also hinted at a US air role in postwar security guarantees.
  (The Independent / Financial Times / Daily Mirror)
  
  
• NHS Sick Notes Surge
  
  Sick notes in Scotland's NHS have hit a ten-year high, with the sickness absence rate rising to 6.4% in 2024-2025.
  (Metro - North Edition)
  
  
• Woman Jailed For Cat Attack
  
  A 35-year-old woman from Padiham has been imprisoned for encouraging her dogs to kill a neighbour's elderly cat in a 'sadistic' act, following an RSPCA prosecution at Burnley Crown Court.
  (Lancashire Telegraph)
  
  
• Gaza Bombardment Casualties
  
  Israeli forces reportedly killed 31 Palestinians and wounded about 200 while firing on crowds at a US-backed food distribution centre in Gaza.
  (Arab News)
  
  
• UK Accused Of Genocide Cover-Up
  
  The UK Government faces accusations of concealing complicity in genocide after repeatedly refusing to release documents from a secret meeting with a senior Israeli minister.
  (The National)
  
  
• Irish Hotel Conversion Boost
  
  A new courtroom hotel in Ireland is expected to create up to 200 jobs and stimulate the local economy through increased tourism and events.
  (Gorey Guardian)
  
  
• Rents Swallow Third Of Incomes
  
  Average rents in England now consume over a third of tenants' salaries, prompting calls for urgent rent controls from campaigners.
  (Morning Star)
  
  Police Promotion Outrage
  
  The family of murdered banker Alistair Wilson has expressed fury over a senior Scottish Police Officer, found guilty of misconduct for misleading them, being lined up for promotion to Assistant Chief Constable.
  (Scottish Daily Mail)
  
  
• Calls for Probe Into Irish Asylum Centre Approval
  
  Wexford County Council has approved converting a former hotel into asylum seeker accommodation, sparking demands for an investigation into the decision.
  ​(Wexford People)
  
  
• Asylum Hotels In Turmoil
  
  A High Court ruling has thrown the UK's asylum accommodation plans into disarray, ordering the closure of a protested hotel in Essex and putting over 200 similar sites at risk. Nigel Farage hailed it as a 'victory', while councils in Ireland approve conversions amid calls for investigations.
  (The Daily Telegraph / Daily Mail / The I Paper / Daily Express / The Guardian / The Times)
  
  
• Pub Tipping Fury
  
  Drinkers are outraged by a growing trend of automatically adding 'service charge' tips to pints bought at the bar
  (Daily Star)
  
  
• Tragic Mum's Sudden Death
  
  A 41-year-old 'vivacious' mother from Wirral died suddenly, leaving her family heartbroken and three young children behind.
  (Wirral Globe)
  
  
• Cancer Patient's A&E Ordeal
  
  A dying grandfather with cancer endured a 15-hour wait in a Scottish emergency department, only receiving treatment after a relative contacted Health Board executives.
  (Daily Record)
  
  
• Munitions Port Opposition
  
  An Irish councillor has criticised plans to import explosive materials through a local port under certain conditions.
  
• (New Ross Standard)
  
  
• Hospice Appeal Rally
  
  A grateful parent has urged support for a Scottish children's hospice charity's Summer Solace Appeal, crediting it with providing vital family support.
  (Edinburgh Evening News)
  
  
• Baby Found In Drain
  
  Australian police have initiated a homicide investigation after a newborn's body was discovered in a stormwater drain in Perth's northern suburbs, with tributes left at the scene.
  (The West Australian)
  
  
• Link Road Project Stalled
  
  Construction on the final section of a crucial link road in Bolton has halted due to an expired land deal, delaying relief for local traffic congestion.
  (The Bolton News)
  
  
• Backlash Over Proposed Wealth Tax On Homes
  
  Property expert Kirstie Allsopp leads criticism of Chancellor Rachel Reeves' reported plan to shift a £500k tax burden from home buyers to sellers.
  (Metro -South Edition)
  
  
• Surgeon Slams Scottish Ambulance Delays
  
  A surgeon has condemned the 'total breakdown' of Scotland's ambulance service after his son, suffering a seizure, waited excessively for help, resulting in fractures.
  (The Scotsman)
  
  
• Partner Assault Avoids Jail
  
  An Irish man who assaulted his girlfriend on a public street avoided prison by presenting €2,500 in court as a gesture of remorse.
  (Enniscorthy Guardian)

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