Sunday Papers – ‘Hunt promises tax cuts’ & ‘HS2 back on track’ – the full perspective
Sunday’s newspapers cover a variety of stories, mostly focused on domestic news as politics gears up for the upcoming general election. Several of the tabloid papers feature images and reports on the latest royal news.
‘Tax-cutting Chancellor’
Jeremy Hunt, as reported by The Mail on Sunday, has written a ‘gung-ho’ article promising to be a tax-cutting chancellor, inspired by Nigel Lawson’s approach in the 1980s. He aims to bring about a similar economic boom and could have a £10 billion budget for tax cuts in March, which the paper finds encouraging.
The prime minister wrote in the Sun on Sunday emphasising the passion for small business. He frames the choice for voters as “tax cuts with him or tax rises with Sir Keir Starmer.”
However, the Observer notes, concerns are raised about Sunak’s challenges, with one backbencher worrying that even if taxes are reduced, the public may not credit the Conservatives due to other ongoing issues.
‘Rwanda bill conflicts’
The Sunday Times reports that the prime minister’s recent victory on the Rwanda bill hasn’t resolved internal party conflicts, describing the week as “bruising” for the government. Mail on Sunday columnist Dan Hodges warns that continuous challenges may lead to a negative public verdict on the party.
Post Office scandal
The Sunday Mirror exposes what it terms a new “outrage” from the Post Office, revealing a video of executives enjoying a lavish party in 2017 while the organisation was dealing with cases against wrongly jailed branch managers.
The Daily Star Sunday criticises Fujitsu, creator of the Horizon computer system, for profiting from government contracts despite causing harm.
HS2 back on track
The Sunday Express declares that the HS2 high-speed rail project is “back on track” with a cross-party plan to complete the northern stretch using private sector funds. Talks involving West Midlands mayor Andy Street and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham are mentioned.
According to the Observer, a law designed to combat tax evasion six years ago has not resulted in any prosecutions. Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request show that HMRC has not charged any company under the Criminal Finances Act, leading to criticism that the law is a “paper tiger.”
The Sunday Times reports that the NHS in England is launching a campaign to boost MMR jab uptake among children aged 6 to 11. A letter will be sent to parents urging them to check their child’s vaccination status, as nearly a third of under-16s are vulnerable to measles due to incomplete vaccination.
The Sunday Telegraph reveals government plans to tackle “political activism” within the civil service, refreshing guidance on impartiality.
THE SUNDAY PAPERS – REVIEWED AND SUMMARISED
The Observer – Free our young from Brexit work and travel ban
The observer reports London mayor Sadiq Khan has called for young people to be able to move freely to and from the EU for the first time since Brexit in order to lessen the economic and cultural damage caused by the UK’s decision to leave the European Union.
Speaking to the Observer in one of the most pro-European interventions by a senior Labour politician since the 2016 referendum, Khan said he backs either a bespoke “youth mobility” agreement with EU countries or changes to post-Brexit visa rules that currently restrict travel and the ability to work in other European countries.
Sunday Mirror – Post Chiefs partied as they fought victims
The Sunday Mirror reports shameless Paula Vennells boogied to Pixie Lott at a staff knees-up as the Post Office fought a legal case by sub-postmasters wrongly jailed for theft.
The Post Office boss was filmed with fellow top brass at the expenses-paid company bash at a five-star hotel. Ms Vennells partied with predecessor Alan Cook, who oversaw the wrongful prosecution of 161 sub-postmasters and the imprisonment of 57.
There too was Kevin Gilliland, head of retail at the height of the scandal.
The Sun on Sunday – Paddy to face pitbull divorce lawyer
The Sun on Sunday reports TELLY’S Christine McGuinness is lining up a “Pitbull” celebrity divorce lawyer in her fight for a multimillion-pound settlement after her split from husband Paddy.
Model mum Christine is determined to remain in the £4million mansion she shared with former Question of Sport host Paddy.
Catherine Bedford, 52 — who helped land a reported £31million pay-out for Ant McPartlin’s ex-wife, Lisa Armstrong — is due to represent Christine in London on Tuesday.
The Sunday Times – the legacy of vaccination scares: a third of under-16s at risk of measles
The front page of the Sunday Times carries photographs of some of the wrongly convicted sub-postmasters and postmistresses who died before they were able to clear their names.
Its lead story reports the increase in measles cases in England and Wales, with the paper saying nearly a third of under-16s are vulnerable because they are not fully vaccinated.
It says parents of children aged between 6 and 11 will receive a letter this week urging them to check whether their child’s vaccinations are up to date.
The Sunday Telegraph -Crackdown on ‘activists’ in the Civil Service
The Sunday Telegraph reports the government has ordered a review of diversity networks in the Civil Service to stop officials “using their jobs as a vehicle for political activism”.
Cabinet Office minister John Glen tells the paper he applauds progress on diversity but the public expected staff to be delivering the government’s agenda and public services rather than internal projects in work time.
The front page also features an image of a woman and young girl found dead along with two other people at a home in Norfolk – the paper says a 999 call made from the house was ignored before the young girls’ death.