Browsing: Daily UK lead

Chancellor rejects poverty fears – Chancellor Rachel Reeves has rejected claims that her welfare strategy will push children and families into poverty. It comes after analysis has started on her Spring Statement – and what it means for both the poorest and wealthiest in Britain.

King in hospital for cancer side effects – King Charles was forced to pull out of his engagements and take a brief trip to the hospital on Thursday after suffering from some side effects from his cancer treatment. The 76-year-old has pulled out of his engagements on Friday as well. The palace has said it is a minor setback and nothing to worry about.

Happy Thursday! Today’s newspaper front pages are, unsurprisingly, dominated by yesterday’s Spring Statement. It’s a tough read for the chancellor this morning as the newspapers round on her plans with accusations that her time will soon be up as chancellor, that she’s returning Britain to austerity and that the poor will be hit the hardest – when it should be the wealthy taxed. 

Economic growth in doubt – Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement, several newspapers highlight the OBR’s warning that the Chancellor’s plans for economic growth could be wiped out by the global trade war as Donald Trump continues to issue further tariff threats.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has halved the 2025 economic growth forecast to 1%, down from 2%. Despite these austerity measures, the tax burden is projected to reach a record 37.7% of the GDP by 2027-28.

Happy Wednesday – and most importantly, Happy Spring Statement Day! Today, Chancellor Rachel Reeves will set out her plans for the UK economy for the next year, presenting her budget plans to the Commons at 12:30. 

The chancellor is set to introduce significant changes aimed at balancing the UK’s public finances amidst economic uncertainty. Spending cuts are expected to be the main focus, with charities urging the government not to hit the poorest the hardest. 

There are continued reactions to the news that top Trump official Mike Walz accidentally added a journalist to a group chat where top US officials were discussing plans to bomb Yemen. 

The journalist leaked the messages, with the content from those messages leading headlines around the world. The major security blunder has led to questions in the US over Trump’s team and their lax approach to security. 

The content of the messages revealed what most of Europe already knew – the United States hates Europe, calling the continent ‘pathetic’ and ‘free loaders.’

The headlines this morning continue speculating over Wednesday’s Spring Statement. The chancellor has hinted at severe spending cuts and the left-wing backbenchers are eyeing up a rebellion – one No 1o is desperate to stamp out before it gets going. The papers suggest the chancellor is trying to buy off rebels with a £2bn affordable housing plan.

Opinions on the England National Football team are being shared far and wide after their first two World Cup qualifier matches ended in two wins, two clean sheets and some debut performances. 

England sit at the top of their group after a 2-0 win over Albania and a 3-0 win over Latvia. Despite the positive results, there are still rumblings about the role of Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford in the team and questions about how to make English football more interesting. 

Several of the UK newspaper front pages report on the new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney calling for a snap general election – set for 28 April 2025. 

The race for election is fully underway and amongst the key issues Canadians will have in mind as they head to the polls include housing, immigration and of course … Donald Trump. 

Several of the UK newspapers pick up on an interview with the National Grid chief John Pettigrew who said that Heathrow had “enough power” from other substations and lack of power wasn’t the reason Europe’s biggest airport shut down.