Editorial 27.09.24
Friday’s front pages have a real mix of international and domestic stories, from Boris Johnson’s memoir to the latest in the Middle East.
Several papers lead on Chancellor Rachel Reeves, suggesting she is to ‘tone down’ her non-dom crackdown plans after it was revealed there were fears the crackdown won’t bring in extra money to the Treasury. There are other stories about the chancellor and her upcoming Budget on the front pages – and online – as the papers speculate what she has planned for the British economy.
Interestingly, The Guardian is the only front page to lead with the latest in the Middle East. The ongoing Israeli attack on Lebanon is surprisingly not the lead on many of the newspaper websites either – although the story does feature.
The rest of the newspaper front pages are made up of domestic stories including the latest showbiz and royal news.
‘Speculation over October Budget continues’
‘Reeves will soften her stance on non-doms,’ predicts the FT.
The Financial Times leads on the upcoming Budget. The paper suggests Chancellor Rachel Reeves may soften her stance on abolishing the non-dom tax status.
‘Hunt says Labour failing to understand competitive tax rates,’ says the Telegraph.
The Daily Telegraph also leads on the non-dom story quoting the former chancellor Jeremy Hunt as saying Labour “fail to understand the importance of globally competitive tax rates.” Officials tell the paper that the Treasury is “committed” to “removing the outdated non-dom tax regime”.
‘Plans to tweak rules on borrowing could bring in billions of pounds,’ says The Times.
The Times says there are plans to “tweak” rules on borrowing which could see ministers get tens of billions of pounds extra to invest in the economy. Sources say officials have been asked to draw up options to “offset” assets such as the money owed in student loans – against the wider national debt.
‘But the measure could keep interest rates higher for longer,’ warns the i.
But the i reports that some economists are warning against the change saying the measure could keep interest rates higher for longer. The paper says Reeves has so far given little away on her tax and spending plans ahead of next month’s Budget.
‘Boris Johnson’s memoir reveals talks with Prince Harry’
‘Boris attempted to persuade Harry not to leave the UK,’ says the Mail.
The Daily Mail leads on excerpts of Boris Johnson’s memoir – Unleashed – which details his “last ditch” attempt to persuade Prince Harry not to leave the UK back in 2019.
‘Talks were “totally hopeless”,’ quotes the Telegraph.
The Telegraph picks up on Johnson’s description of a “manly pep talk” with Harry. The paper reports that Palace officials were said to have believed his intervention could have convinced Harry to change his mind. But despite the efforts, Harry departed for Canada the following day. Johnson calls his talks with Harry “totally hopeless.”
‘Israel will not stop’ regardless of ceasefire calls from West
‘Israel will not stop in Lebanon,’ leads the Guardian’s front page.
The Guardian’s front page quotes Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu who says Israel “will not stop” its attacks on Hezbollah targets, despite calls from the international community for a temporary ceasefire.
‘Netanyahu claims ceasefire talks will continue,’ the Independent writes.
Online, The Independent, says Netanyahu says talks for a ceasefire in Lebanon will continue as he prepares to address the UN General Assembly on Friday.
‘Mohamed Al-Fayed scandal’
The rest of the front pages are made up of domestic stories.
’19 sex abuse claims against Mohamed Al-Fayed,’ the Daily Mirror reports.
The Daily Mirror leads with a new report on the former Harrods boss Mohamed Al-Fayed. The paper says cops received 19 sex abuse claims against Fayed while he was still alive. The accusations date from 2005 to 2023, when he died, the paper adds.
‘Public wifi services under attack,’ claims The Metro.
The Metro leads on the suspension of public wifi services at 19 railway stations managed by the Network Rail on Wednesday after messages about terrorist attacks in Europe appeared on people’s devices. Police have confirmed a man has been arrested on suspicion of computer misuse offences.
‘Scandal exposes crumbling UK social care system,’ says the Express.
The Daily Express leads on an elderly man who has been put in a care home hundreds of miles from his wife. The paper says the ‘scandal exposes the crumbling social care system.’
‘I’m A Celebrity contestants on Ozempic will be given jab off camera,’ is the lead for The Sun.
The Sun leads on the hit TV show I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! The paper says the contestants with a prescription for the weight loss drug Ozempic will be given the jab off-camera.
