Newspaper headlines: Brexit breakthrough hopes 'dashed' By BBC News

Staff Published duration 9 March 2019

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The papers hold out little hope that Theresa May's Brexit deal can get through the Commons next week - after what the Spectator website describes as Friday's "non-concession" by the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier.

The Sun's commentator, James Forsyth, quotes a minister as saying: "We're at the 'what the hell do we do' time".

After Friday's letter by head teachers across England warning of a funding crisis in schools, the Guardian leads with an investigation into the impact of cuts, and says it reveals a system falling apart at the seams

According to the paper, some teachers are doing the work of canteen staff and cleaners, while essential funds are raised by parent donations and "charity" non-uniform days.

It says teachers and parents who responded to a survey by the paper complained there was not enough money even for basics such as textbooks, stationery and science equipment.

For its lead, the Mail reports that town halls are set to pocket a record £1bn profit from parking fees over the next year - with motorists facing increases of up to 230%.

As well as charging more for town car parks, it says, many councils are raising the cost of residential permits. Shoppers and churchgoers will be hit by the end of cheaper Sunday parking in some areas, it adds.

Councillors tell the paper the higher charges are necessary because of Whitehall budget cuts - and also cite the need to tackle congestion and air pollution.

An extraordinary picture of a diver trapped in the jaws of a huge whale - his legs dangling out - appears in several of the papers.

The Telegraph says 51-year-old Rainer Schimpf had been snorkelling and filming off the coast of South Africa when he was grabbed by the whale

"Suddenly the whole world around me got dark and I felt enormous pressure around my waist", he tells the Times.

The paper says the whale quickly realised Mr Schimpf wasn't a seal or dolphin. "As he turned sideways, he opened his mouth slightly to release me and I was washed out."

Finally, a number of papers report a surge in the number of people making a last-minute dash across the Channel to stock up on duty free alcohol and cigarettes before Brexit.

The i says a no-deal Brexit would render null and void the single market rules that allow Britons to bring home a generous allowance of tax free goods