Newspaper headlines: ‘Pray’ for Davina and ‘£280 hike to bills’

The i Weekend writes people should expect a £280 hike to household bills in a “new blow to cost of living”. It reports council tax, energy bills, water, broadband and train travel will add £278 to the costs of a typical household next year. The paper also warns inflation is expected to climb on Wednesday.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written in the Daily Mail warning against the scourge of “thought police” in the UK under Sir Keir Starmer, comparing it to the “Soviet Union at its worst”. It comes amid a row over non-crime hate incidents thrust into the spotlight after columnist Allison Pearson revealed police knocked on her door over a tweet from a year ago. Elsewhere, Davina McCall is pictured as the paper reports the presenter is out of surgery after undergoing an operation to remove a brain tumour.

The new Conservative leader is pictured on the front of the Daily Telegraph, as Kemi Badenoch calls for hate crime laws to be reviewed to protect free speech. She told the paper it was “absolutely wrong” for the police to visit any journalist’s home because of an opinion they expressed.

“Say prayer for me”, headlines the Daily Mirror as it splashes on Davina McCall’s request before going into surgery. The 57-year-old brain tumour was benign, but the cyst was removed over fear it could cause problems if left to grow. The star’s partner said after the operation: “Davina is out of surgery and according to the surgeon it was textbook.”

The Sun also headlines on the McCall’s “emotional pleas to fans” to pray for her as she went into her operation. It writes the mum of three underwent the six hour operation after being diagnosed purely by chance. Meanwhile, Rebecca Vardy is pictured as it reveals she will be sharing her thoughts on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here in a column for the paper. The show this year stars her Wagatha Christie libel court case nemesis Coleen Rooney.

The Times reports a senior economic adviser for Donald Trump has urged the UK to align itself with US on trade rather pursing closer ties with EU. Stephen Moore, who is helping the president-elect prepare for government, said the US would be “less interested” in a free trade deal with the UK if it moved into closer alignment with the EU. The paper also highlights an interview with Cora Corre, granddaughter of the late Vivienne Westwood, who details her decision to quit her role at the fashion designer’s label.

The Guardian says addiction to junk food is costing the UK £268bn a year according to the first ever research into the issue. The Food Farming and Countryside Commission report warns the cost is becoming unpayable. The paper notes the figure outstrips the budget for the whole NHS.

The FT Weekend reports two of Elon Musk’s private companies are set to secure multi-billion dollar jumps in valuation as “investors race to back” the world’s richest man’s business interests. The FT reports artificial intelligence start-up xAI has raised $5bn and a planned share sale for rocket builder Space X could see it valued at more than $250bn. The broadsheet pictures a smiling Musk alongside Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, following his backing of the president-elect.