Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Wednesday’s front pages report heavily on the plans announced by prime minister Boris Johnson to raise National Insurance to pay for social care.
‘High stakes gamble’
The Daily Telegraph claims the PM has “sounded the death knell for Conservatism” and chides Boris Johnson for appearing to feel no shame.
The Guardian, the Sun, the i, the Times and the Daily Mail all portray the plan as a high stakes gamble. The Guardian asks “Will it deliver?” as the paper claims the PM’s reputation is at stake on the outcome.
The Daily Express leads with a promise from Sajid Javid who claims not a single penny of taxpayers’ money will be wasted. The paper says a “bold move” was needed on social care, even though it has ruffled Tory feathers.
The Daily Mail sees the announcement as a victory for its own campaign against “prudent pensioners” being penalised for paying the full cost of care.
‘Low paid and the young exploited’
However, The Sun says it rankles that “struggling workers will be paying to preserve middle class homes and in inheritances.
The Daily Mirror says raising National Insurance rates is the “worst solution” to the care crisis and that “the low paid and the young will be exploited to protect the inheritances of the wealthiest.”
The Financial Times says the threatened Tory backbench rebellion over the issue has “melted away.” The paper says “only a handful” of Tory MPs are expected to defy the PM.
The Daily Mail and the Telegraph say opposition from within the Conservative party appears to have crumbled partly thanks to speculation the PM is to reshuffle his team as soon as tomorrow.