The Papers: China tensions mount and '200,000 lockdown deaths'

Image caption "Lockdown may cause 200,000 extra deaths," is the lead story on the front page of The Daily Telegraph. Government experts, the paper says, forecasted that delays to treatment in the first six months of shutdown could see up to 25,000 people die, and a further 185,000 deaths in the medium to long term - amounting to nearly one million years of life lost. The number of suicides could rise by 500 in the first wave, and between 600 and 12,000 more suicides per year resulting from recession, the paper reports. Image caption Also focusing on the effects of lockdown, the Daily Mail says coronavirus delays have hit a raft of sectors, leading to "backlog Britain". "Lives are on hold" due to hold-ups at official agencies, from holiday passport applications to registering births and renewing drivers' licences, the paper reports. New photos of Princess Beatrice's wedding also feature prominently on the Daily Mail's front page, as well as several other papers. Image caption Meanwhile, the Guardian says senior doctors are urging the public to help prevent a "devastating" second wave of coronavirus amid "mixed government messages" about face masks and returning to work. A second wave, coinciding with seasonal flu and the impact of a backlog of treatment for other illnesses, such as cancer, could overwhelm the NHS, experts warn. "People might think Covid is over with. But it isn't over," Dr Alison Pittard, from the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, says. Image caption NHS staff worked up to 11 extra unpaid hours a week before coronavirus struck, the Daily Mirror reports, adding there are concerns the situation worsened as the pandemic wore on. Sara Gorton, head of health at Unison, the UK's largest trade union, said: "No-one should be working for free, especially those on the Covid front line." Image caption Striking a more optimistic tone, the Metro reports that part-time rail commuters will be offered flexible season tickets, as firms prepare for workers to return to offices from 1 August. Great Western Railway is set to introduce a "three-days-in-seven" season ticket on trains into the capital, the paper says, with "dynamic discounting" promised on Merseyrail and Greater Anglia services. The Department of Transport has reportedly encouraged other operators to come up with similar offers. Image caption Several papers focus on the rising tensions between the UK and China, with the i reporting that relations have hit a "new low". The paper quotes Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab accusing Beijing of committing "gross" human rights abuses against ethnic minority Uighurs, as the Chinese ambassador denies concentration camps exist after footage emerged appearing to show blindfolded prisoners. Mr Raab has said: "It cannot be business as usual after the pandemic." Image caption Still focusing on escalating tensions between London and Beijing, The Times reports that Britain will shelve its extradition treaty with Hong Kong later. Mr Raab will tell the House of Commons that, in response to China's security law being imposed on the former British colony, the UK will suspend its extradition agreement with Beijing. The US is considering a similar move, the paper adds, and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will fly into London later ahead of talks with the foreign secretary and PM this week. Image caption Meanwhile, the Financial Times reports that accountancy firm EY warned payments firm Wirecard that a draft of an independent audit report by KPMG lacked "context" and could lead to inaccurate conclusions. And leaders from the European Union are still involved in "marathon summit talks" over Europe's proposed €750bn pandemic response. Image caption In other news, house prices have bounced back to reach a "record high" is the Daily Express lead. Citing property experts, the paper says the typical asking price for a three-bedroom semi-detached house rose by £7,640 compared to the week before lockdown in March, to £320,265. Image caption And mixing sports metaphors, the Daily Star's lead headline is: "They think it's all overs," as the paper says that England's cricket team could soon face stiff competition from Germany.

Sign up for a morning briefing direct to your inbox