Editorial 29.10.24
Tuesday’s front pages continue to speculate on the upcoming Wednesday budget. The papers offer up their analysis of issues in the NHS – and how the budget will address them.
The sacking of Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag makes many of the front pages – mostly images of the embattled United boss during his last game as manager, a game Man Utd lost.
Budget to fix broken NHS
‘Chancellor says Budget to fix broken NHS,’ writes The Guardian.
The Guardian says billions of pounds are to be put into cutting waiting lists, with plans for more surgical hubs and radiotherapy machines to enable an additional 40,000 appointments a week. The chancellor is quoted in the paper as saying the budget will receive the NHS – which she says is “broken but not beaten.”
‘NHS suffered from 14 years of Tory neglect,’ suggests the Mirror.
The Daily Mirror says the NHS has suffered from “14 years of Tory neglect” and that the money the chancellor will pledge provides hope the NHS can be saved from disaster.
‘Suggestion there could be more tax rises in the future,’ warns the Telegraph.
The Daily Telegraph says the chancellor has suggested that fixing the NHS will see more tax raises in the future. The paper says the budget is already expected to include several tax hikes. The paper quotes Chancellor Rachel Reeves as saying the additional funding for the NHS won’t be enough to undo “14 years of damage”. The chancellor’s comments raise “the prospect of further rises in years to come,” the paper adds.
‘NHS will continue to face real problems despite the handout,’ says the Mail.
The Daily Mail quotes Health Secretary Wes Streeting saying the NHS will continue to face “real problems” despite what the paper calls the “huge handout” set to be unveiled. It goes on to say Streeting says the extra money will only “arrest the decline” in the NHS and that there is “no magic wand” to fix it.
‘PM won’t rule out more tax rises in the future,’ notes The Times.
The Times says the prime minister has said most of the tax rises needed to be imposed will be out of the way after Wednesday but he has also said he cannot give a “cast-iron guarantee” there won’t be more in the future.
‘Charities warn of cutbacks if employers’ national insurance hike goes ahead,’ leads The i.
The i reports charities are warning they may need to make cutbacks and divert funds away from essential services if the rise in employers’ national insurance goes ahead. The paper says the group of volunteer organisations has written to the chancellor.
‘It’s not too late to U-turn on winter fuel cut,’ pleads the Express.
The Daily Express uses its front page to continue campaigning on behalf of a U-turn on winter fuel payments. The paper is calling for the government to make a U-turn on the scrapping of the policy saying “It’s not too late.”