Image caption, Front-runner to become the next PM, Andy Burnham, and the record-breaking heatwave across the UK and Europe are prominent across Saturday's papers. Burnham is being urged by former Cabinet Secretary Lord Case to "be honest" with the public and call an early election, the Daily Telegraph reports. In an interview with the paper, Lord Case warns Burnham is "walking a very difficult tightrope" by promising change but having no mandate to deliver it.
Image caption, The i Weekend leads with polling figures that suggest a Labour party led by the former Greater Manchester mayor would nudge ahead of Reform UK if a general election is called now. The paper calls it the "Burnham bounce", but warns that the margin between both parties is "wafer thin".
Image caption, Another warning for Burnham comes from former PM Sir John Major, who sat down with the Independent, saying that the former Greater Manchester mayor may not be prepared for the trials of the highest office. Sir John also called for the UK to rejoin the EU's single market within the next five years and urged the next PM to prioritise closer relations with Europe.
Image caption, The Guardian follows with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood seeking to shore up support for her immigration bill that plans to speed up the opening of safe and legal routes for refugees. The paper says Mahmood will introduce the legislation next week amid unhappiness among some Labour MPs who believe the limits on asylum claims are too draconian.
Image caption, The Daily Mail says Mahmood is considering a "softening" of a crackdown on immigration as ministers "scramble" to impress potential incoming leader Andy Burnham. The paper reports that the Home Office is expected to exempt tens of thousands of foreign care workers and their families from new rules that would force them to wait 10 years before gaining the right to remain in the UK permanently.
Image caption, The Times previews Andy Burnham's first policy speech next week since Sir Keir Starmer's resignation. Burnham is expected to argue that the south is paying the price for the economic failure in the north as he unveils plans to devolve powers and money from central government to England's regions.
Image caption, The Daily Express shifts its focus to comments made by Dame Priti Patel, who says Brexit freedoms are "at great risk" due to Labour's chaos. Elsewhere, tennis star Aryna Sabalenka is seen cooling off on the tennis courts amid the 37.3C record "scorcher" in the UK on Friday.
Image caption, "Europe bakes in fierce heat" is the FT Weekend's headline as it reports the continent sweltered through a fifth day of record-breaking temperatures, with thermometers topping 40C.
Image caption, Meanwhile, the Sun reports that Prince Harry plans to take his children to the grave of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, for the first time when they visit the UK next month. The paper describes the trip as "poignant" and will take place just days after what would have been her 65th birthday.
Image caption, The Daily Star turns its attention to another Harry - England striker Harry Kane. The paper says a "witch doctor" who put a curse on the footballer has released him from the hex for England's next match against Panama.
Image caption, Finally, the Daily Mirror continues its coverage of World Cup fever, reporting that an army of 30,000 fans has descended in New York ahead of England's clash with Panama.
