Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Many of Tuesday’s front pages carry reports about potential announcements in Thursday’s Autumn Statement. Elsewhere, the papers carry pictures of US president Joe Biden meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Bali.
The Sun continues with its exclusive from the upcoming interview with Cristiano Ronaldo and Piers Morgan and most papers report on the upcoming World Cup as the countdown begins.
Autumn statement – ‘axe triple lock and people will die’
The Daily Telegraph reports local authorities are expected to be allowed to increase council tax by up to 5%, to help fund social care. The paper says the move could result in the average household’s bill exceeding £2,000 for the first time.
The Daily Express continues to report on the pensions triple lock, the paper interprets comments by the PM, who said the problems of pensioners are “always at the forefront” of his mind, to be a signal that he will protect the triple lock.
The measure ensures state pensions go up in line with whatever is highest: consumer price inflation, average earnings, or 2.5%. The paper throws its support saying: “Rishi gets it.”
The Daily Mail agrees, saying that “there could be nothing crueller than leaving elderly households at the mercy of inflation”.
But the Daily Mirror is less reassured by the PM’s words. The front page leads with a message from actor Ricky Tomlinson – “axe the triple lock and people will die.”
A warning from Tory-run councils in Kent and Hampshire features on the front page of the Guardian. The councils say they could be forced to declare bankruptcy within months, because of soaring inflation. The paper says the leaders have written a joint letter to the PM, saying the government needs either to improve funding or remove the legal obligation on town halls to provide services such as libraries.
G20 summit – Biden meets Xi
Several papers feature pictures of US president Joe Biden meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping at the G20 summit.
The Times reports the pair promised there won’t be a new cold war. Whilst the Sun opts for “Nice to Xi you,” and the Financial Times says the talks were overshadowed by what the paper calls “Taiwan tensions.”
Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo
Elsewhere, the Sun’s front page leads with an interview with Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo. The player talks about why he is no longer friends with former colleague Gary Neville.
