Employment Rights Bill & Chancellor’s tax hike – Paper Talk 

Friday’s headlines continue to be dominated by domestic politics, with much of the coverage lent to the Employment Rights Bill and the chancellor’s tax hike plan, The October budget pain.

There is a cold war going on between the Labour Chancellor and Business and markets. Corporate businesses are using threats and signals to push the Chancellor’s policies in its favour, beyond what the Tories would have done, with the threat of a Liz Truss revolt where the economy will nose-dive.

Princess Kate has blossomed on the front pages of the tabloids as she returns to work following her cancer treatment. Pictures of the Princess of Wales in Southport are splashed on the front of many publications this morning. 

In international coverage, a few front pages feature pictures of the devastation in Florida following the recent hurricane. Elsewhere, the latest from the Middle East conflict also finds some coverage on today’s front pages. 

Employment Rights Bill & October Budget Pain

‘Reforms give unions wider powers to strike,’ claims The Times.

The Times says the reforms will give unions “wider powers to recruit members and stage strikes”. The paper goes on to claim the reforms will make it easier for unions to raise money for Labour, but falls short of suggesting this to benefit big business, not the employee.

The budget speculation bill means all members would pay into funds that contribute “millions” to the Labour Party – unless they opt-out. The paper says unions have given the party “almost £10m” in the past year. 

‘Carers will get a pay rise – teachers too!’ says the i newspaper.

The i newspaper says under the new bill, carers would get a pay rise. The paper says salaries agreed on by the new adult social care negotiation body must be paid across the sector. The bill also includes “similar measures” to increase pay and prospects for teaching assistants.

Chancellor’s tax hike

‘Chancellor tax hike will cost billions,’ says the Mail.

The Mail says the chancellor’s tax hike plan “will cost billions.” The paper quotes the warning from the HMRC who said a percentage point increase of ten or more could cut revenue by around £2bn because many investors would quit the UK. 

‘Concerns about the limited options for tax rises to fund crumbling public services,’ is The Guardian’s take.

The Guardian says Chancellor Reeves is considering raising capital gain tax as high as 39% in the Budget as concern grows within Whitehall about the limited options for tax rises to fund what the paper calls “crumbling” public services. 

‘Rich might delay selling assets,’ is the concern for The Times.

The Times says ministers are also concerned that a rise will see the rich delay selling assets, rather than pay the higher rate.

‘Pensioners fear choosing between heating their homes or eating,’ claims the Express.

The Daily Express continues its coverage of the winter fuel payments saying pensioners fear having to choose between heating their homes or eating. The warning to the chancellor came from campaigners who have urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to drop the plan, the paper adds. 

‘Private hospitals to rescue the NHS by easing waiting lists,’ says The Telegraph.

The Telegraph lead story reports that private hospitals will “rescue” the NHS by easing the waiting list crisis in government plans currently under consideration. A source tells the paper that the government would “grab with both hands” any spare capacity that would see patients receive treatment quicker.

The shock elimination of James Cleverly from the Conservative leadership race continues to be discussed by the editors. 

‘Cleverly’s elimination means real chance of a damaging split in the party,’ says the Telegraph.

The Daily Telegraph reports moderate Tories are threatening to throw away their leadership ballots now Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick are the only two options for party leader. Both candidates are seen as being part of the hard right side of the party, leaving no room for the centre-ground.

The paper says the loss of centre-right Cleverly means there is a real prospect of a damaging split in the party. 

‘Jenrick says Tories must get serious about migration.’ says the Express.

The Daily Express says Jenrick has warned that the Conservatives must get serious about migration to survive. 

Princess Kate returns to work 

The Daily Mail says “Kate dazzles,” and the Mirror says: “Smiling, caring, hugging Kate is back.” The Sun says the princesses meeting in Southport was a sign of “Kate’s growing strength” following her cancer diagnosis. 

Hurricane Milton & Israel’s wars in the Middle East

‘UN member states outraged at Israel’s attack on peacekeepers in Lebanon,’ says The Guardian.

The Guardian leads on international news. The paper reports on the UN saying Israel “deliberately” fired on its peacekeepers in Lebanon on Thursday, injuring two. It comes as Israel conducted “repeated ground incursions” into the country in its war with Hezbollah. The UN member states have expressed outrage at the alleged attack, the paper says, which has come at a time when Israel is facing “scrutiny for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity” for its conduct in Gaza.

The paper’s front page features an image of damage in the US from Hurricane Milton, which distracts from the terrors Israel is committing in the middle east.

‘Hurrican Hilton hammered Florida but state dodged worst case scenario,’ says the Metro.

The Metro leads on Mitlon saying “hammered” Florida – still reeling from Hurricane Helene a few weeks earlier – dodged the “worst case scenario” with Hurricane Milton. 

The paper says more than 3 million are without electricity in Florida and at least eight people are confirmed dead.