Browsing: Daily UK lead

Trump announces fresh wave of US tariffs – Almost all of Thursday’s headlines are dissecting the tariffs announced by the US president yesterday. The UK was hit with a baseline 10% tariff, whilst the EU (who are preparing to retaliate) were hit with a 20% levy – some countries fared even worse with fees as high as 40%.

The UK newspapers generally express relief that the tariffs were not as bad for the UK as expected, with right-leaning media highlighting Brexit’s role in saving Britain from the 20% levy for the EU. The tariffs are set to come into effect on Saturday, with some headlines reporting there is still wiggle room for a deal to be carved out between the UK and US before the tax comes into effect.

Almost all the UK front pages are dominated by the announcement of the latest US tariffs. The US media started reporting yesterday that a blanket 20% tariff on all non-American goods is set to be introduced. 

Much of the UK media is speculating on how the tariffs will impact the UK economy and the prime minister’s attempts to secure a last-minute deal. 

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is back in the headlines after an impact assessment revealed the chancellor’s welfare overhaul – aimed to get more people back in work – could see even more people signed off. 

One of the biggest stories dominating the UK news today reports that Thames Valley Police shot dead a man carrying a knife at the busy Milton Keynes train station yesterday. Earlier reports had indicated the man was carrying a firearm, but it was later confirmed to be a knife. Police confirmed the man was white and was challenged by officers before being shot dead.

There is a lot of politics in the news today, with many headlines (around the world) reporting on the US tariffs set to be announced on Wednesday – tariffs that Trump has said will impact every country. The UK had been hoping to secure an exemption from the tariffs, but yesterday, the prime minister confirmed the UK is set to be impacted by Wednesday’s announcement. 

In more bad news for Britain, ‘awful April’ has begun as water bills, energy bills, and council tax have all risen. But today also marks the National Minimum Wage increase that starts today. 

Several newspaper headlines report on Virginia Giuffre, the woman who accused Jeffery Epstein of sex trafficking her to Prince Andrew when she was a teenager. Giuffre said via her Instagram that she is in hospital following a serious car accident and only has four days to live. Her spokesperson said she is receiving medical care after a “serious accident” whilst Western Australia police and ambulance services said their records show a “minor crash” between a bus and a car on 24 March, but that no injuries had been reported as a result. 

In 2022, Ms Giuffre reached an out-of-court settlement with the Duke of York over a civil sexual abuse claim filed in the US. She accused Prince Andrew of allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was 17 years old. Ms Guiffre had claimed the abuse took place while she was travelling with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted financier and Andrew’s former friend.

There is widespread coverage of France’s far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s political career after she was found guilty of embezzling EU funds and banned from running for public office for 5 years. It means her hopes of running in the 2027 election – in which she was considered one of the favourites – are now in tatters. 

Donald Trump’s recent interviews in which he expressed he might seek a third term as president, despite US law limiting presidents to two terms in office, is dominating news everywhere – not just the United States. 


His plans have been met with widespread criticism and fears that democracy is crumbling in the United States.

Much of Monday’s headlines – in print and online – is dominated by the latest happenings in the Trump administration. As it has been since he took office, there are multiple stories about the US president, his team and what they are doing every day. 

One of the Trump-focused stories today looks at the president issuing a threat of more tariffs if Moscow does not agree to a peace deal in a month.

There’s coverage of the fallout from the resignation of Prince Harry from Sentebale, the charity he co-founded. The charity’s chair, Dr Sophie Chandauka, gave interviews over the weekend and accused Harry of bullying and harassment and says he unleashed the “Sussex machine” on her. 

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. 

Most of the UK newspapers speculate, assess and give their verdict on what’s expected to be revealed in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement, which will be announced on Wednesday. ‘Worst cuts in a generation,’

Scotland’s media reports Nicola Sturgeon cleared in SNP embezzlement case after almost two years under the spotlight. The media has reacted to the news – with the story dominating much of the Scottish newspapers and websites this morning. 

Sturgeon along with the SNP’s former treasurer have been cleared in the probe. But Sturgeon’s husband, with whom she is now separated, is in court facing charges of embezzlement. Peter Murrell had been the SNP’s chief executive since 1999 but resigned in March 2023 amid a row over party numbers.

The prime minister and his plans for British military deployment in Ukraine dominate several newspaper front pages this morning and still find space on the websites – though much has been pushed further down to cover the massive fire at Heathrow Airport and the ongoing travel chaos. 

The papers report the prime minister has stepped up plans for a 31-nation military force to provide security guarantees to Kyiv.

The prime minister is having a change of heart regarding putting boots on the ground in Ukraine and instead favours air and sea support.

The country’s defence secretary has warned Britain will not shy away from using nuclear weapons that could do ‘untold damage’ if UK troops are attacked.

The UK’s headlines report Heathrow closed all day due to a nearby fire at a substation. The airport has warned there will be “significant disruption” over the coming days and has told passengers not to travel “under any circumstances” until it reopens. 

This is a developing story and does not feature on the front pages but is heavily dominating online news websites. 

You won’t be surprised to see that the tabloid media uses more biased headlines, whilst the broadsheets offer more factual and less emotive language in their headlines.

An independent review into the official UK data recording of people’s biological sex and their gender identity has spun several stories as the media reacts to the data. 

The review was led by Alice Sullivan, a professor of sociology and research specialist at University College London, who said the guidance should be updated to make sure both sets of data were recorded in a clear and distinct way.