Editorial 09 July 2024.
‘Britain and Nato must spend more on defence’
Tuesday’s front pages continue its coverage of UK politics as the new Labour government begin setting out their plans for the country. Much of the coverage is around defence spending following a Russian attack on a Ukrainian hospital.
The right-leaning newspapers claim the new chancellor – Rachel Reeves – is laying the groundwork for tax hikes following her first speech as Chancellor in which she said Labour had inherited the worst economy since WW2. The publications argue the economy the Tories inherited from the last Labour government – in 2010 – was far worse than today’s situation.
Elsewhere, England’s upcoming Euros semi-finals make several tabloid front pages – and not surprisingly, dominates the back pages.
‘Putin bombs cancer kids’
The Mirror features images of wounded children. “Putin bombs cancer kids” is the headline.
The Daily Mail describes the attack as an “atrocity that shows why Britain and NATO must spend more on defence”.
The Times calls on the new government to increase the military budget. General Sir Patrick Sanders, a former Army head, tells the paper that Britain’s forces are worn down and the country would only be able to fight a small war, for no longer than a month. He says the number of troops has decreased due to a cut in funding and ammunition stockpiles are low.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey take to the Daily Telegraph, in a joint article, to tell readers the government will increase military spending to 2.5% of the economic output “as soon as possible”. They also say the UK will be arguing that all Nato countries should adopt that target.
The Guardian reports what it calls the first major policy announcement by Health Secretary Wes Streeting. He is diverting billions of pounds from hospitals in England to GPs, to help patients access help sooner. Less than 10% of the NHS budget in England is currently spent on primary care – a share that has been falling despite record-high demand at GP surgeries.
‘Rachel Reeves sets out UK plan’
The FT says Chancellor Reeves has instructed the Treasury to “examine previous spending under the Conservatives”, having warned that Labour has inherited “the worst set of circumstances” since WW”.
What’s the right-leaning newspaper’s take?
The Mail and the Express both accuse Chancellor Rachel Reeves of laying the groundwork for tax rises after she said the public finances were in the worst state since WW2.
The Mail says the economic situation the Tories inherited from the last Labour government in 2010 was far worse than what Labour in 2024 is inheriting. The paper’s editorial says “We are not in the economic wasteland Ms Reeves likes to pretend” and accuses her of using such imagery to justify “difficult decisions” that lie ahead.
The Telegraph also reports on a prediction that the new government will need to raise an additional £50bn in taxes – unless it finds radical ways to increase productivity. The report says the money will be needed to stabilise debt, meet the increasing health costs in an ageing society and plug the decreasing tax take from oil and gas, as the country transitions to net-zero.
‘England face Netherlands’
Away from politics, there’s a variety of other domestic topics on the front pages.
The Sun leads on the England football team. The paper says fans are fuming as German referee, Felix Zwayer, has been appointed to officiate the Euro 2024 semi-final between England and the Netherlands on Wednesday. They are asking how he could be neutral given that he clashed with Jude Bellingham in 2021 when the England midfielder was fined for comments he made about the referee.