Happy Wednesday – and most importantly, Happy Spring Statement Day! Today, Chancellor Rachel Reeves will set out her plans for the UK economy for the next year, presenting her budget plans to the Commons at 12:30.
The chancellor is set to introduce significant changes aimed at balancing the UK’s public finances amidst economic uncertainty. Spending cuts are expected to be the main focus, with charities urging the government not to hit the poorest the hardest.
There are continued reactions to the news that top Trump official Mike Walz accidentally added a journalist to a group chat where top US officials were discussing plans to bomb Yemen.
The journalist leaked the messages, with the content from those messages leading headlines around the world. The major security blunder has led to questions in the US over Trump’s team and their lax approach to security.
The content of the messages revealed what most of Europe already knew – the United States hates Europe, calling the continent ‘pathetic’ and ‘free loaders.’
What can we expect in the Spring Statement 2025? – Wednesday’s Spring Statement, set to be announced by the chancellor this afternoon, dominates much of the UK news this morning. There is continued speculation over how severe the chancellor’s cuts to public spending will be amid promises that she is hunting growth for the UK economy.
The latest UK inflation figures are set to be released this morning, ahead of the chancellor’s statement, which will be delivered at 12:30 in the Commons.
Elsewhere, Prince Harry has stepped down from his role at the charity he co-founded after a row between the trustees and the chair of its board.
On the international front, the ongoing fallout with the Trump administration after the Yemen bombing plans were accidently shared with a journalist and there’s extensive coverage of the devastating wildfires sweeping South Korea, having already killed 18 people.
The implications of senior US officials leaking classified information about an attack on Yemen to a journalist, labelling it a “WTF?!” moment.
They analyse the widespread protests in Turkey and Tel Aviv against Presidents Erdogan and Netanyahu, questioning the potential for similar public dissent against Donald Trump in the US.
The rollout of assisted dying legislation in England and Wales has been postponed, now expected to take place no earlier than 2029 due to a four-year extension proposed by MPs.
During a significant anti-government rally in Belgrade, Serbia, on March 15, 2025, attendees reported hearing a frightening sound that caused panic and chaos among the crowd. Witnesses described the noise as a “whiz” lasting a few seconds, which prompted many to flee the area.
South Korea is grappling with severe wildfires that have resulted in at least 18 fatalities and the evacuation of 27,000 residents, causing extensive damage across numerous areas.
Prince Harry has resigned as patron of Sentebale, a charity he co-founded to support children in southern Africa, amid a governance dispute within the organisation.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will reveal additional welfare cuts in her spring statement, following a report by the Office for Budget Responsibility indicating the initial reforms will save £3.4bn instead of the anticipated £5bn.
The inquest revealed that Malcolm Flynn, 72, was fatally trampled by cattle while walking along Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland in September 2020, with no charges brought against the farmer.
The H5N1 strain of bird flu poses a potential pandemic risk, according to Richard Pebody of the UK Health Security Agency, although the current threat to public health remains low.
The King and Queen’s state visit to the Vatican has been postponed as Pope Francis recovers from pneumonia, according to Buckingham Palace.
The £9bn Lower Thames Crossing project, spanning 14.5 miles and featuring a 2.6-mile tunnel, has been approved after 16 years of planning and £1.2bn in costs.
Cliff Notes Sheriff Peter Paterson has urged Stuart Hogg to accept the consequences of his domestic abuse conviction and move on from any feelings of injustice. Hogg pleaded guilty to domestic abuse against his estranged wife, which included alarming messages and excessive tracking of her movements. Following his guilty plea, Hogg received a community payback order and was warned by the sheriff that he must comply with the conditions to avoid custody. Former Scotland rugby…
Many of the American headlines are focused on the huge blunder from Trump’s top team after a journalist was accidently added to a private chat where bombing Yemen was discussed. Plenty of headlines have come from the group chat leak, including a clear understanding of just how much the US officials hate Europe, their plans to bomb Houthis and JD Vance’s disagreement with Trump.
There are reactions to the poor performance of the USMNT in the Nations League. It’s been a really bad few months for the team and sports pundits and fans are sharing their concerns ahead of the 2026 World Cup – in which the US is one of three hosts. The poor attendance at the matches have also been highlighted.
Most of the American headlines (and global) are reporting on the massive blunder from Trump’s team when a left-wing journalist was accidentally added to a group chat. The chat was leaked – as were some juicy details, which is leading many headlines in print and online. From plans to bomb Yemen’s Houthis to calling Europe ‘pathetic’ the leak has led to calls for a probe and questions over national security protocols.
Elsewhere, the USMNT has finished fourth in the Nations League – fourth out of just four teams. For those looking ahead to the World Cup, the bigger concern was over the poor attendance at the USA matches over the Nations League, with more questions arising about how the USA (along with Canada and Mexico) will fare in hosting the 2026 tournament.
Cliff Notes – Gerard Depardieu denies sexual assault in trial Gerard Depardieu testified in his sexual assault trial, denying wrongdoing while claiming his behaviour is sometimes perceived as boorish. The actor described being told he has a “Russian nature” regarding his drinking and acknowledged using crude language around one of the accusers. Depardieu faces allegations from two women who claim he touched them inappropriately on the set of his 2021 film, Les Volets Verts. Gerard…
Cut Scots energy bills Daily Record reports fuel bills must be slashed for the poorest by creating a new “social tariff”, an SNP government taskforce has urged Keir Starmer. A working group set up last year by Holyrood ministers – including energy suppliers and consumer, fuel poverty and disability groups – made the call in its final report published today.
Teenager died after buying bike with defective brakes – inquest Western Mail says a teenager died after losing control of an off-road motorcycle that he had bought from social media which was found to be “in a dangerous condition” including having defective brakes. The front page features a picture of Welsh footballer Rabbi Matondo who revealed he fulfilled two childhood dreams with his first international goal as Wales began their World Cup campaign by beating…
A group chat involving high-ranking US officials, unintentionally including journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, revealed plans for airstrikes on Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis and a critical perspective on European allies’ military contributions.
UK spends double the defence budget on working age benefits The UK spends more than twice as much on benefits for working-age people as it does on defence each year, a new analysis by The Independent can reveal, laying bare the shocking scale of Britain’s welfare bill. As Sir Keir Starmer faces a potential backlash over plans to end disability payments for around 1 million people, figures from the Department for Work and Pensions show the government…
Bank adds to growing pains for chancellor The Times reports Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves face ‘strong headwinds’ against growth, according to Andrew Bailey, who said that new technology could boost Britain’s prospects. Rori the lion is pictured on the front page. The paper says Rori is recovering a new rescue centre at Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, after suffering shellshock caused by explosions when he was abandoned by a private collector in Ukraine…
Domestic abuse driving more victims to suicide, warn police The Guardian leads with a police warning that domestic abusers are driving their victims to suicide. Police admitted to past mistakes and pledged to investigate more “hidden” cases of violence against women. A picture of French actor Gérard Depardieu, 76, appearing in a court in Paris yesterday. He is charged with assaulting two women during a film shoot in 2021.
Threat to take Reform donor’s OBE ignites free speech row The Daily Telegraph says the honours forfeiture committee threatened to strip the wealthy Reform UK supporter of his OBE last year due to his social media comments. Charlie Mullins said someone should kill the Mayor of London. Mullins has agreed to go to diversity training and as such he can now keep his OBE. Mullins tells the paper he’s a victim of a politically motivated attack.
The headlines this morning continue speculating over Wednesday’s Spring Statement. The chancellor has hinted at severe spending cuts and the left-wing backbenchers are eyeing up a rebellion – one No 1o is desperate to stamp out before it gets going. The papers suggest the chancellor is trying to buy off rebels with a £2bn affordable housing plan.
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