Editorial 19.11.24
The ongoing dispute between farmers and the chancellor over her plans to impose inheritance tax on farms valued over £1 million continues to make the headlines.
Tuesday’s front pages also lend space to the latest in Ukraine as the papers suggest the UK is expected to join the US in letting Ukraine use its missiles to attack Russia.
Several front pages leave room to report on the incoming snow and wet weather barrelling into Britain today, with many people being warned of disruptions to travel.
There are reports on a major IT glitch that affected dozens of British Airways flights on Monday night and reports PM Keir Starmer could clash with Donald Trump over Britain’s new respectful approach to China.
Elsewhere, other domestic stories fill the front pages, whilst the back pages are dominated by English football.
‘No U-turn on inheritance tax on farms’
‘Chancellor reaffirms plans to impose inheritance tax on farms valued over £1 million,’ reports the Telegraph.
The Daily Telegraph reports that Chancellor Rachel Reeves has reaffirmed her plans to impose inheritance tax on farms valued over £1 million, emphasising the need for wealthier estates to contribute to public services. Criticism has emerged, with Labour peer Baroness Mallalieu accusing the party of being out of touch with rural communities. The front page frames it as ‘farmers told they have to pay to fund the NHS.’
‘Jeremy Clarkson expected to join farmers protest in Westminster today,’ says The Sun.
The Sun reports on the planned protests by farmers saying Jeremy Clarkson is expected to join them in protesting in Westminster on Tuesday. The paper calls the inheritance tax a “tractor tax” and says “Clarkson’s farmy army” highlighting the fact Clarkson has his own farm in the Cotswolds.
‘Moscow accuses West of escalation’
Several papers, including The Guardian, The Times and The Telegraph spotlight the prime minister’s comments supporting Ukraine’s use of US-provided long-range missiles to strike Russia, following a policy shift from Joe Biden.
‘Moscow accuses West of escalation,’ reports The Guardian.
The Guardian reports Moscow has accused the West of escalation and accused Joe Biden of adding “fuel to the fire” in Ukraine.
‘Moscow threatens to strike back if Western missiles hit Russian territory,’ highlights the i.
The i newspaper highlights Moscow’s threat to strike back if UK and US long-range missiles are used to strike its territory.
‘Pressure ramps up on Germany to follow US and UK,’ says the Telegraph.
The Telegraph says Biden is expected to give his authorisation for Storm Shadows to be used, after rejecting repeated requests from the UK to allow Ukrainian forces to deploy them with American support systems. If used without US systems, the weapons do not work effectively. The paper also notes that if the UK follows suit it adds pressure on Germany – Europe’s biggest economy – to also follow.
‘Trump’s team accuse Biden of starting a whole new war,’ highlights The Independent.
The Independent reports both Trump allies and the Kremlin are unhappy with Biden’s decision. Russia claims the US is adding fuel to the fire, whilst team Trump – set to take office in January – accuses Biden of ‘launching a whole new war.’
‘UK must not underestimate consequences of following Washington,’ says the Mirror.
The Daily Mirror reports a “defiant” prime minister has refused to rule out allowing Ukraine to use British long-range missiles to hit Russia. But the paper also warns the UK not to underestimate the possible consequences of following Washington and allowing Ukraine to use its long-range weapons on Russia too.
‘UK to stand with Brussels’
‘UK will back Europe in the event of a US-China trade war,’ says the Telegraph.
The Daily Telegraph reports that Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds suggested the UK would align with the EU in the event of a US-China trade war initiated by Donald Trump. Reynolds pointed out that UK-EU trade ties are more substantial than those with the US, making alignment with Brussels a priority.
‘Starmer’s faces clash with Trump over new respectful China deal,’ highlights the i.
The i says Starmer’s new ‘respectful approach to China puts him on course to collide with the incoming US President Donald Trump.
‘British Airways suffers another IT meltdown’
‘Chaos as thousands wait in the cold,’ says the Mail.
The Daily Mail calls it “chaos” and says dozens of flights were disrupted due to the major technological glitch leaving thousands of passengers standing in the cold waiting to board flights.
‘Huge knock-on effect is expected,’ says The Times.
The Times says a huge knock-on effect is expected. “Queues build at Heathrow while pilots waiting on the tarmac say a global IT ‘outage’ means they have lost contact with the airline,” it adds.
