Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Friday’s front pages report heavily on the dire state of the UK economy, leading with grim warnings from the Bank of England. The papers note that the UK is facing its longest recession in almost 100 years.
Another lead story for the newspapers is the damning verdict of a judge who said victims of the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017 were “failed at every stage” by emergency services. The papers report there were serious failures and at least one man – John Atkinson, could have survived. Several of the front pages carry an image of eight-year-old Saffie-Rose Roussos, who was the youngest victim in the attack.
UK economy in dire state
The Daily Telegraph says Jeremy Hunt is preparing a “raid on entrepreneurs, savers and landlords” to help plug a £50bn hole in the public finances. The Treasury is reportedly considering increasing the headline rate of capital gains tax, as well as raising taxes on dividends.
The Financial Times says the Treasury is also looking at halving the tax-free allowance on dividends.
But right-wing papers, including the Daily Mail, are warning Mr Hunt against tightening the nation’s belt. The paper’s editor Alex Brummer says the biggest danger to prosperity would be to “pile on the hardship.”
The Bank of England’s economic warnings dominate the front page of the Daily Express – which describes it as “stormy times ahead” as the UK faces its longest recession on record.
“Pain and no gain” is the Daily Mirror’s take on the economic outlook, coupled with the biggest rise in interest rates for more than 30 years.
Manchester Arena bombing
“What has happened to our 999 services?” asks the Daily Mail, which says the reports into the bombing identified “appaling failings” in the way emergency crews reacted to the attack.
The paper says survivors and families of the victims are furious after the inquiry found the response of the police, fire and ambulance services was characterised by “caution, confusion and deadly delay.”
The Mirror leads with eight-year-old Saffie-Rose Roussos – the youngest victim of the bombing – whose father tells the paper “she fought, but she was badly let down.”
World Cup, Princess of Wales and Boy George
The headline of the Sun newspaper says “HMS WAG sets sail” – the paper says the WAGS of England footie team are to stay onboard a luxury cruise liner when they travel to Qatar for the world cup.
Images of the Princess of Wales make the front page – Princess Kate is dressed in all beige – as she met wellwishers in Scarborough.
Boy George features on several pages – ahead of his time on I’m A Celebrity.
