Thursday’s headlines are made up of a variety of domestic and international stories. 

Chancellor Rachel Reeve’s budget continues to be scrutinised as does other Labour plans. There’s further coverage of the assisted dying bill and a handful of reports regarding the NHS and other medical stories. 

Images of Donald Trump and Joe Biden meeting at the White House following Trump’s election victory last week feature on some of the front pages. Whilst a handful of newspapers report the latest from the US as their lead story. 

There is also some very light coverage of the recent report from the US that says Israel is committing ‘crimes against humanity’ in Gaza.

Showbiz gossip makes up the tabloids with the latest from I’m a Celebrity and the death of actor Timothy West filling up the space.

Several tabloids – and the back pages – report on a shocking new video of David Cootes appearing to sort a white powder. Cootes – a Premier League referee – had already been suspended after a video emerged of his X-rated rant about Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp.

‘Business Backlash Over Budget’

‘Business backlash over budget,’ reports the Times.

The Times is one of several papers to lead on the October Budget. The paper says the government is facing a growing “business backlash” over the Budget which contained a £25bn increase in employers’ national insurance. 

The British Retail Consortium has drafted a letter telling the chancellor its members will not be able to absorb the additional cost of the measures, the paper reports. 

‘Downing Street confirm cap on council tax rises,’ says the Mail.

The Daily Mail says Downing Street has confirmed a cap on council tax rises will remain at 5% next year. The paper says the decision is part of efforts to help councils meet rising costs. But the news comes just after some “eye-watering” tax rises in the Budget and despite previous attacks by Labour on the Conservatives over similar council tax hikes. 

‘Chancellor hoping to unlock£80bn worth of investment,’ says the FT.

The FT says the chancellor is hoping to unlock £80bn worth of investment by reforming local government retirement schemes to form eight pensions “megafunds.” Reeves will deliver her first Mansion House speech in the City of London on Thursday. She tells the paper she wants to reassure businesses the recent tax rises were part of a “once in a-parliament budget.”

‘Labour’s pledge to build 1.5 million homes in doubt,’ says the i.

The i says Labour’s pledge to build 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament is doubtful. In an email to staff, Peter Denton, head of Homes England, said the target was “realistically” part of a “two parliamentary term approach.” 

‘Trump and Biden meet’

‘Biden urged Trump to keep supporting Ukraine,’ reports The Times.

Trump and Biden’s meeting at the Oval Office is summed up as “old friends reunited” by The Times. The paper says Biden used the transitional meeting to urge his successor to stand with Ukraine. 

‘triumphant laugh for Trump,’ says The Guardian.

The Guardian’s sketch writer calls the meeting between the two men a “triumphant who’s-got-the-last-laugh-now return to Washington” for Donald Trump.

‘Fox News host gets shock US government job,’ highlights the Metro.

The Metro leads on US politics reporting on the “shock appointment” of a FOX News host as the incoming US defence secretary. The paper says Pete Hegseth, 44, has no government experience and will run the “world’s largest military machine and its $800bn budget”. The former soldier will be responsible for 1.3 million active duty personnel, 1.4 million reserves and civilian staff worldwide.