Newspaper headlines: Gove backs Sunak and Fergie called as Giggs witness

Health takes centre stage on several of the front pages.

The Daily Telegraph says the NHS has been instructed to launch a campaign urging people to avoid A&E unless they have a genuine emergency.

The paper says a letter of this kind has never been issued by the head of the NHS so early in the year.

The Telegraph warns that the “winter crisis” is biting early.

The Daily Mail accuses the NHS of spending more than £1m on what it calls hundreds of “woke” groups for staff, offering events such as “tea and rainbow cake picnics”.

The paper says some of the groups have met during the working day.

The Mail is critical of this happening when it says the health service “desperately” needs more cash for patient care.

The Guardian reports that the Conservative leadership frontrunner, Liz Truss, personally supported cuts to the NHS in a 2009 opinion piece.

The paper says her magazine article was written to back a think tank report she co-authored, which included calls for patients to be charged to see their GP and for doctors’ pay to be reduced by 10%.

When that emerged, her campaign team said that “co-authoring a document does not mean that someone supports every proposal put forward”.

The Guardian believes this latest article is likely to embarrass Ms Truss, as it shows she was “fully supportive” of the ideas.

The i weekend leads on a poll about the Tory campaign, with the headline: “Truss Blow: voters want handouts not tax cuts.”

According to the paper, almost six in 10 of those surveyed say “handouts” would be a better way of helping people with the cost of living crisis.

The Times reports that Labour has taken its biggest poll lead in nearly 10 years, amid dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the cost of living.

The YouGov survey for the paper indicates that Labour has the backing of 43% of voters, while the Conservatives have 28%.

That runs alongside a comment piece by Michael Gove, in which he sets out why he is supporting Rishi Sunak, despite polls this week suggesting that Ms Truss has built up an unassailable lead.

Writing in the Times, Mr Gove says that “on the central economic questions”, the former chancellor “has told the truth”.

He goes on to say that Mr Sunak will pledge only what he knows can be delivered – and that is why he believes Conservative members will vote for him.

The Independent says there are “fears for high streets”, after a warning that 400,000 businesses could be “wiped out” by spiralling energy bills.

It says a number of small businesses have already been dealt a blow by the pandemic and now an “energy vampire” looms.

It says that up to 50,000 people are expected to make the perilous crossing by the end of the year – and as many as 250,000 arriving by 2027.

The FT Weekend reports that insurance claims for subsidence have surged by 200%, as the parched earth causes houses to shift.

It says recent heatwaves have caused cracks to appear in homes, mainly across London and the South East.

And Ryan Giggs’ ongoing court case features on several front pages, after former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was called as a witness for the defence.

The Daily Mirror reports that Sir Alex told a jury that Mr Giggs “had a fantastic temperament” and he has never seen the former professional footballer lose his temper.

The Daily Star adds that Sir Alex called Mr Giggs “inspirational”. Mr Giggs is accused of controlling behaviour and assault, which he denies.