Editorial 13.03.2025
Thursday’s newspapers are heavily dominated by the latest from politics. Several lead on the proposed welfare reforms and changes to the civil service that are expected to be announced in a speech today.
The reaction to Donald Trump’s steel tariffs also make several front pages with reports that the prime minister is trying to avoid reacting to the tariffs like our fellow European counterparts.
The Scottish newspapers are heavily dominated by the news that Nicola Sturgeon will not seek re-election to Holyrood next year. Many papers sum it up as an end of an era.
The back pages sum up the English clubs in the Champions League last night as Aston Villa sailed through to the quarter-finals.
‘British state overcautious and flabby’
‘PM to say British state overcautious and flabby in speech today,’ says the Telegraph.
The Daily Telegraph features an op-ed from Sir Keir Starmer, in which he criticises the British state for becoming “overcautious and flabby.” He argues that the civil service is “overstretched and unfocused” and is expected to announce a major regulatory overhaul in a speech this Thursday.
‘PM facing his biggest rebellion so far,’ reports The Guardian.
The Guardian warns that Starmer could be facing “his biggest rebellion so far” as dozens of MPs push back against the proposed welfare changes. The paper reports that some within his party are urging the government to rethink its approach.
‘Chancellor trying to avoid another controversy as benefits details being debated,’ reports the i.
The i describes the situation as “benefits turmoil in No 10,” with tensions rising over Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s welfare reform plans. According to sources, the final details are still being debated as Rachel Reeves works to avoid another controversy like the winter fuel allowance cuts.
‘5 million people now in higher tax bracket,’ reports the Daily Mail.
The Daily Mail highlights a financial concern, reporting that a “record five million people” are now in the higher tax bracket. The paper says there are fury at what it calls a “stealth tax raid … on middle-class strivers.” The paper also previews the upcoming mini-budget. The paper says that in October, Rachel Reeves vowed to end the earnings threshold freeze, but there are now fears the chancellor will extend it in her mini-budget.
‘Trump threatens to ruin Russia’
‘Trump threatens to ruin Russia if they don’t accept ceasefire,’ reports The Times.
The Times says Donald Trump has issued a warning to Russia, telling them to accept the US-proposed ceasefire or he’ll ruin them. As Britain and other European nations demanded in Paris that President Putin prove he was willing to talk, the US president said America could inflict financial pain on Russia if necessary.
‘Putin under pressure to accept ceasefire deal,’ reports the FT.
The FT leads with joint military drills in the Gulf of Oman carried out by Iran, Russia and China. It comes as President Putin is under pressure to accept a proposed ceasefire deal from the US, which Ukraine has already agreed to.
‘Starmer seeks US trade deal to avoid tariffs’
‘PM trying to secure trade deal with US to avoid tariffs,’ reports The Times.
The Times reports on Keir Starmer’s mission to secure a trade deal with the US president to avoid the tariffs. The paper says the prime minister is aiming to secure an economic deal with Trump by the end of the month to avoid the blanket tariffs that would undermine the attempt to expand the economy.
‘Export chaos as Trump ups steel tariffs,’ reports Metro.
The Metro leads on what it calls “export chaos” as it reports on Donald Trump’s steel tariffs. The paper notes that Sir Keir Starmer has refused to “join worldwide reprisals” against the levies despite urges from EU partners and MPs to take action. The prime minister has said, “All options are on the table.”
‘US tariffs could see UK job losses,’ reports the Daily Mirror.
The Daily Mirror says Trump’s tariffs have sparked fears for job losses in the UK’s steel industry. One union warns that the 25% levy on imports to the US could be “disastrous” for an industry struggling to survive. The paper says Sir Keir has been urged to “hit US goods in retaliation”.