The Papers: 'Starmer braced for exodus' and 'Giant of art'

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. 'Starmer braced for exodus' and 'Giant of art'7 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleThe death of celebrated artist David Hockney, aged 88, features on many of Saturday's front pages, including the Independent. However, the paper leads on an exclusive that Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is already "sounding out candidates for cabinet roles" if he wins next week's Makerfield by-election. Downing Street is preparing for "ministerial resignations" if Burnham wins the seat.

In an interview with the Times, Burnham says the UK must not be "squeamish" about cutting welfare spending to fund defence. "The world has changed," he tells the paper, before urging the government to listen to the concerns of former Defence Secretary John Healey, who resigned this week following a row over military spending. Current Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is pushing to be made chancellor if Burnham becomes prime minister, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The Details

Labour sources tell the paper that the two talk "regularly", with Miliband advising Burnham on how to "reassure bond markets", the paper writes. The prime minister's former Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney, is "already back advising" Sir Keir, just four months after resigning over the Mandelson scandal, the i Weekend reports. McSweeney, Sir Keir's "political brain", has returned as the prime minister faces down a leadership challenge "in the coming weeks", the paper writes.

A Number 10 source dismissed the i Weekend report as nonsense. "Minister missing in action" is the headline for the Daily Mail, which reports that the new Defence Secretary, Dan Jarvis, "kept a low profile" on his first day in the job. The paper adds that media were "banned" from the opening of a drone factory to which they had previously been invited.

The Daily Express reports a monument to D-Day heroes, as well as some 50 miles of Normandy coastline, will be given the same protections as the Taj Mahal and the Pyramids. David Hockney "changed the world just by looking at it", says Jonathan Jones on the front page of the Guardian. The headline simply reads: "David Hockney 1937-2026.

What Experts Say

"The death of "Britain's most popular artist" also appears on the front page of the Financial Times. But the paper leads with the "historic debut" of rocket company SpaceX. The company's IPO has made its CEO, Elon Musk, the world's first trillionaire.

The widow of Rob Burrow, the rugby player who died of motor neurone disease, has praised her husband's friend Kevin Sinfield, who will be knighted in the King's Birthday Honours. Sinfield has raised £11m for fighting the disease that killed his friend, the Daily Mirror writes. "Our hero" is the headline for the Daily Star, which reports that Lindsey Burrow is "delighted" that Sinfield will be knighted.

Katie Price's husband Lee Andrews has been released from a Dubai jail, the Sun reports.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.