Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Friday’s front pages report heavily on Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement – with the papers taking a miserable tone.
The latest news and predictions from the upcoming World Cup also dominates the morning news and finds themselves on the front pages.
Chancellor unveils Autumn Budget – ‘years of tax pain ahead’
The Times talks of “years of tax pain ahead.” It says 14% of people will be higher-rate taxpayers – up from 6% when the Conservatives came to power 12 years ago.
A polling expert tells the Times that the economic outlook “could hardly be bleaker” for the government and warns that voters will blame the Tories.
“Hunt paves the way for years of pain,” says the Financial Times headline. The paper says the main goal of the chancellor’s tax rises and spending cuts was to reassure markets following the “chaos” of Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng September mini-budget.
The Independent calls it “a grim few years ahead,” and says Jeremy Hunt’s plans will leave voters worse off than at the last general election.
“From bad to worse,” is the headline of the Guardian. The paper says the Autumn Statement has “laid bare the country’s economic predicament.”
The chancellor’s statement was the “austerity rhetoric” of George Osbourne but the policies of Gordon Brown, according to the Telegraph. The paper says the welfare bill will rise by almost £90bn.
The Daily Mail describes it as one of the most “punishing budgets in modern history.” The paper accuses Hunt of plundering the middle class to fund benefits and pensions.
The Sun declares Hunt’s plans as a “tax hell” and says “thank God for footies!”.
The Daily Express is the only paper that takes a positive approach in its front page headline. The paper declares the statement as a “victory” and says the chancellor’s decision to honour the state pension triple lock will help millions of people cope with the cost of living crisis.
World Cup Qatar 2022 – Countdown begins
The Sun’s front page carries a splash on the revamped version of the Three Lion’s hit song. The revamped lyrics are Christmas-inspired.
The Times reports that Qatar has stunned football’s world governing body with a last-minute ban on selling beer at the stadiums.
Phil Foden speaks to the Mirror – “Winner, Winner” is the headline – the footballer discusses his confidence in England’s chances.
Foden has “a real belief” England can win this year, the Express declares it as the “Phil-Good Factor.”
