In today’s briefing update, many of Sunday’s papers focus on the upcoming March Budget, there’s positive vaccine news, William and Kate urge people to get vaccinated and a picture of Captain Sir Tom’s funeral. 

In our special feature, we’re paying tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore. 

Also featured: The latest Covid-19 figures, Sports, business and entertainment news. 

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There is concern in some of Sunday’s papers about what Chancellor Rishi Sunak may be preparing to include in his Budget.

The Sunday Times fears what it calls “stealth tax” rises – freezing income tax allowances.

The Sunday Telegraph warns against what is sees as a “devastating” move towards a “pro-tax philosophy”.

It picks up on a report, as does the Sunday Mirror and Sunday People, by the Tax Payers’ Alliance that since coming to power a decade ago the Conservatives have made more than 1,000 tax rises.

The Sunday Express and Sun on Sunday both focus on the £5bn fund for pubs, restaurants and high street shops, with the Express dubbing the chancellor’s plan the “bounce back budget”.

The money is welcomed as a lifeline by the Sun.

Below are our top picks of the Sunday Papers

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Sunak’s £5bn plan to rescue high streets from collapse 

The Observer, along with several other papers, leads with the upcoming March Budget. The paper says Rishi Sunak plans to offer 700,000 shops, pubs, restaurants, hotels and other businesses grants of up to £18,000 as part of a £5bn scheme to prevent mass bankruptcies. The paper adds that the move reflects a “growing panic” in Downing Street that many high street firms could collapse. Meanwhile, the front splash also features warnings from doctors over a surge in child mental health cases when school reopen. The front page carries a picture of Captain Sir Thomas Moore’s funeral. 

Read on

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Sunak plots tax raid on parcels and freelance workers

The Sunday Telegraph reports Mr Sunak is planning to hike taxes for online deliveries and the self-employed. According to the paper, on 23 March, he will unveil a series of consultations on further tax increases to start paying for the £300bn cost of dealing with the pandemic. These options will include imposing heavier taxes on online retail, plus a green tax on internet deliveries. The front page also features an article about flexible rail season tickets by June – in an attempt to fast track workers back into the office. The paper carries the same photo tribute to Captain Tom. 

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Stealth rise in income tax to pay off COVID bill

In order to plug the “black hole” in the nation’s finances, Mr Sunak is due to set out plans to raise income tax by £6bn, according to the Sunday Times. The paper adds that the chancellor will announce on Wednesday a freeze on the basic rate of income tax and the higher threshold of £50,000. Corporation tax will also be increased from 19p in the pound to 25p, the paper reports.

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Rishi’s bounce back Budget!

The Sunday Express says Mr Sunak has promised there is “light at the end of the tunnel” as it hails “Rishi’s bounce back budget!” Meanwhile, images of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge feature on its front page – and in other papers – as the pair urge people to get the coronavirus vaccine and criticise disinformation online. The paper main picture is of Captain Tom’s funeral, saying his spirit lives on.

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A single jab is giving 90% protection!

In very promising news for the vaccination rollout, the Mail on Sunday reports that just one dose of a coronavirus jab reduces the risk of hospitalisation by more than 90%. The results apply to both the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine and the Oxford-Astrazeneca injection, the paper adds. The front splash photo is of Prince William and The Duchess of Cambridge, declaring the royal couple is taking on social media over covid and vaccine lies. 

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