Editorial 30.10.24
Wednesday’s newspaper front pages are heavily dominated by the news that the teenager accused of murdering the three young girls in Southport in July has had more charges brought against him.
The news has somewhat distracted the front pages from the release of the budget – expected today between 12.30 and 1 pm.
But a handful of newspapers do lead on the budget – with more speculation ahead of the release.
There’s coverage of the Conservative leadership race as well as a dash of international politics – namely the upcoming US election and the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
‘Terror charges for Southport suspect’
‘Axel charged with possession an al-Qaeda study,’ writes The Guardian.
The Guardian says Axel Rudakubana, 18, has been charged with possessing a study of an al-Qaeda training manual – an offence under anti-terror laws – and producing the toxic poison ricin.
‘Ricin found during search of suspects home,’ says the Daily Mirror.
The Daily Mirror says the cops found al-Qaeda study and ricin during the search of Rudakubana’s home. He is due to appear in court on Wednesday.
‘Study found gave advice on urban warfare and terrorism,’ says the Telegraph.
The Daily Telegraph reports the al-Qaeda study was stored as a PDF and included translations of “advice on urban warfare and terrorism, along with instructions to operatives on how to establish cells and what to say if they are arrested”.
‘Murder of the three girls sparked riots across the country,’ says the Metro.
The Metro’s front page notes he made racin and recalls how the attack in Southport took place at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class over the summer – and how the murder of the three little girls sparked race riots across the country.
‘Why was the information withheld from the public for so long?,’ asks the Mail.
The Mail reports that Rudakubana was charged on Tuesday and questions “why the information [about the items found at his home] was withheld for so long”.
‘Jenrick and Badenoch claim cover-up,’ writes the Times.
The Times reports both Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch – the last two in the race for Tory leadership – have also questioned the timing of the announcements.
The paper quotes Jenrick asking “facts may have been withheld from the public” and Kemi Badenoch saying it was “quite clear that there are serious questions to be asked” of the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
But Whitehall has hit back with a source telling the paper that a “party which used to stand for law and order… is headed for a future built on conspiracy theories and the undermining of public faith in our institutions”
‘Downing street denies cover-up,’ notes the Telegraph.
The Telegraph says Downing Street has denied any “cover-up”.
‘Police urge people not to speculate,’ says The Guardian.
The Guardian highlights a plea made by Merseyside Police for people not to speculate about the alleged offences.
‘October Budget released on Wednesday’
‘Public will face painful tax increases,’ says the i.
The i leads on the release of the October Budget – due late this morning. The paper says the chancellor will use the budget to raise the minimum wage from April next year, but notes that many people are also expected to face “painful” tax increases.
The chancellor will “reject austerity” and set a new financial course for the country by funding investment in hospitals, homes and schools.
‘Investors have braced themselves,’ says the Financial Times.
The FT also leads on the budget saying the cost of the government’s long-term borrowing hit its highest level since the election. The paper says investors have “braced themselves” because Reeves plans to fund much of the new investment by relaxing the government’s fiscal rules and increasing borrowing by more than £20bn a year.
‘Armed forces to get funding boost,’ says the Telegraph.
The Telegraph says the armed forces will get a funding boost of nearly £3bn in the budget. The paper says the money will fund a backdated pay rise of 6% for personnel as well as the replenishment of weapons. It means that the country’s defence spending as a proportion of GDP will remain at around 2.3% the paper adds.
‘Minimum wage increase will create genuine living wage,’ claims the Mirror.
The Daily Mirror praises plans to increase the minimum wage by 6.7%. The paper says the move will create a genuine living wage and make work pay.
‘Budget expected to create ‘storm’ for firms,’ says the Times.
The Times has a more negative view, reporting the Institute of Directors has issued a warning that change – along with the expected rise in employers’ National Insurance and workers’ rights legislation – will create a “perfect storm” for firms.
‘Budget should trim the public sector and focus on getting more people into work,’ writes the Mail.
The Mail’s editorial condemns the budget saying it’s nakedly destructive and ideological. The paper says the chancellor is hobbling business at every turn and should focus instead on trimming the public sector and getting more people into work.