Wednesday’s front pages continue their coverage of the upcoming October Budget with the papers continuing to speculate over whether the chancellor will introduce a national insurance increase. Other domestic political stories make the lead with the Conservative leadership race being a popular topic as the race narrows down. 

Elsewhere, several of the papers report Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife met Taylor Swift during one of her London concerts as the row over why the American singer was given a blue-light escort continues. 

Images of Thomas Tuchel are splashed on many of the front pages – and all the back pages – after it emerged he is set to become the new England manager.

Economists warn chancellor ahead of Budget 

‘Chancellor accused of hypocrisy,’ writes the Telegraph.

The Daily Telegraph says the chancellor has been “accused of hypocrisy” after admitting that increasing National Insurance for employers would hit workers’ pay.

‘Reeves found £40 billion funding gap,’ reports the FT.

The FT says Reeves has “identified a £40bn billion funding gap” as the Treasury seeks to close the gap, which is bigger than expected, with tax rises in the Budget. 

‘Economists issue warning to chancellor ahead of Budget,’ says the i.

The i newspaper says the chancellor has been warned by economists, Labour MPs and the Budget watchdog that a national insurance rise “will hit workers”. The paper says the chancellor has signalled she plans to increase employer contributions and that doing so “would not break Labour’s manifesto pledge on taxes.”

‘We’ll end the scandal that left thousands of carers in debt,’ leads The Guardian.

The Guardian leads on a different political story. The paper says the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall “vows to end scandal that left thousands of carers in debt”. 

‘Ministers to vote on assisted dying laws,’ is the lead story for The Times.

The Times leads on the upcoming Commons vote on assisted dying laws. The paper says the terminally ill could be helped to end their own lives under the new proposed law. 

‘Dame Rantzen asks public to back the push for a change to assisted dying laws,’ writes the Express.

The Daily Express also leads on the assisted dying bill. The paper speaks to Dame Easter Rantzen, who has stage four lung cancer. Rantzen calls on the public to back the campaign on assisted dying and help change the “cruel law”.

‘PM believes weight loss jabs for unemployed with help save billions for the NHS,’ says the Metro.

The Metro leads on the prime minister’s support of weight loss jabs for people out of work. The PM is quoted saying “I think these drugs could be very important for our economy and for health.” The paper reports that both the health secretary and prime minister believe it can save billions for the NHS.

Thomas Tuchel new England manager

‘Fussball kommt nacht hause – Football’s Coming home’ – most papers react to Tuchel’s appointment.

The Telegraph has an image of Tuchel wearing lederhosen and holding a stein of beer.

The Sun says “fussball kommt nacht hause” – German for “football’s coming home”. 

The Daily Mirror calls him “the new Kaiser chief.” 

‘Dark day for English football,’ writes the Mail which argues the job should have gone t oan English manager.

The Daily Mail calls his appointment a “dark day for English football.” “We are the laughing stock of the world, it says, calling the appointment a “blind leap of faith on a man who may be more trouble than he is worth”.