Thursday’s front pages continue speculation about the upcoming October Budget. The papers offer up their predictions and reports on whether the chancellor will raise taxes or cut spending. 

Other domestic topics are splashed on the front pages including reports on whether Russian spies planted devices in Birmingham, and there’s ongoing coverage of showbiz topics. 

The newspapers had gone to print long before news broke of the death of One Direction star Liam Payne in Argentina. The 31-year-old fell from his balcony at his hotel. The story is dominating the UK news cycle online and on social media.

The papers continue their coverage of the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as the new England Football manager. 

‘Bogus black hole: Speculation about the Budget’ 

‘Revenue will bring in the low billions,’ says The Times, which looks at potential capital gains tax.

The Times says Chancellor Rachel Reeves will raise capital gains tax – but only on the sale of shares and other assets, not on a second home. The paper reports the current 20% paid by higher rate taxpayers is likely to rise by “several percentage points” with a source predicting the revenue it will bring in will be in the “low billions.” 

‘Tax rises over spending cuts,’ says The Telegraph.

The Daily Telegraph says the chancellor will bring in tax rises, rather than spending cuts. The paper says she is planning the “biggest Budget tax raid in history.” 

The paper quotes a Downing Street spokesman saying such exchanges are “a standard part of the process.” 

‘Bogus black hole to justify hammering taxpayers,’ is the take of the Daily Express.

The Daily Express claims Reeves is being accused of “bogus” claims about a £40 billion black hole. The paper says senior Tories have said that the chancellor is inventing the shortfall to justify “hammering taxpayers.” 

‘Reeves facing Labour backlash,’ says the i newspaper.

The i newspaper reports Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces a “Labour backlash.” Reeves is under pressure to restructure the system for calculating benefits. “Benefits to rise £1.50 a week” the paper says. 

‘Russian spies planted devices’ 

‘Russian spies planted device in Birmingham,’ says The Guardian.

The Guardian leads on a story that says UK counter-terrorism police are investigating whether Russian spies planted an incendiary device in a parcel which caught fire at a DHL warehouse in Birmingham in July. The police say they are examining links to a similar incident in Germany.

‘Device could’ve caused a plane crash,’ says the Telegraph.

The Telegraph says the device could have caused a plane to crash – if it had caught on fire mid-air, and that Russia is suspected of being behind it. 

‘Thomas Tuchel becomes new England manager’ 

‘Tuchel hopes to end 60 years of hurt,’ says The Sun.

The Sun says Tuchel is on a mission to end “60 years of hurt” for England fans still waiting for another major trophy. The paper calls him “ruthless, demanding, humourless – just what England need.”

‘Winning is what Tuchel should be judged on … not nationality,’ is the Mirror’s take.

The Mirror says if England win the World Cup, Tuchel will be an English hero, saying: “Winning, not nationality, is how a football coach deserves to be judged.”

‘Tuchel takes the hotseat,’ says The Guardian.

Thomas Tuchel is also on the front of The Guardian with the caption “Tuchel takes hot seat as England manager”.

‘Liam Payne dies at 31’ 

Online the newspapers report on the death of the British musician – formerly of One Direction, who died in Argentina late last night after falling from his balcony. 

‘Payne had the X Factor,’ says BBC.

BBC News says Payne was a boyband star who ‘had the X Factor’.

‘Stuggled with the dark side of fame,’ says The Independent.

“Ambitious One Direction star who struggled with dark side of fame,” says The Independent. 

Payne had been in Argentina supporting his former 1D bandmate Niall Horan says The Guardian.

‘TMZ slammed for posting pictures of Payne’s dead body,’ writes the Mirror.

The Metro says fans are holding vigils outside his hotel, The Sun says Payne’s final hours were “erratic” whilst the Mirror reports TMZ has been slammed for publishing pictures of Payne’s dead body – still lying on the decking below the balcony he fell from.