Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
There’s a variety of stories dominating Friday’s front pages, from tax cuts and inflation to Jacinda Ardern’s shock resignation – there’s a real mix to get stuck into.
Most papers feature a picture of a triumphant Andy Murray who made it through to the third round of the Australian Open or US actor Alec Baldwin – after it was announced he will be charged with involuntary manslaughter following the shooting death of cinematographer Haylna Hutchins on set on a movie.
Inflation and tax cuts
The Daily Express highlights comments made by the Bank of England governor, who said Britain had “turned a corner” in the fight against inflation. The Daily Mail says Andrew Bailey’s “upbeat verdict” on the economy has piled pressure on the PM to cut taxes. The paper says if the PM risked a backlash yesterday by suggesting only “idiots” would fail to understand why he was refusing to do so when inflation remained high and the public finances were still recovering from the pandemic.
The Times says it has been told that Jeremy Hunt wants to extend the 5p cut to fuel duty for another year if the economic outlook improves. It is understood that he is considering announcing the move in his Spring Budget in March. The paper says Tory MPs have told the chancellor that failing to keep the cut would be “political suicide.”
The Guardian leads with an analysis of the levelling up fund that has found that Tory constituencies were awarded significantly more money than areas with similar levels of poverty.
The Telegraph reports the UK and US are at the “forefront” of the campaign calling on Germany to send tanks to Ukraine. It says Ukraine’s president “lost his temper” when discussing Berlin’s hesitance with a German broadcaster. The Telegraph accuses German Chancellor Olaf Scholz of spending months desperately trying to avoid any serious commitment to a conflict that is virtually on his doorstep.
Alec Baldwin charged – ‘no one is above the law’
The Sun’s headline says “No one is above the law,” as it focuses on the criminal charge facing US actor Alec Baldwin after the death of Halyna Hutchins in 2021. She died on the set of the film Rust after a gun held by Baldwin discharged and a live bullet struck her. The paper says Baldwin could be jailed for up to five years if he is found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
The Daily Mirror says Mr Baldwin denies culpability, arguing he was told the gun was cold – it didn’t contain live ammunition.
