Several papers are reporting on Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s speech at the Labour conference and speculation the government could raise taxes in the November Budget. The Financial Times reports Reeves has urged supporters to “have faith” while also insisting she will not relax fiscal rules to boost spending, as some critics have pushed for. Remarks by Darren Jones, chief secretary to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, are also quoted where he refused to rule out higher income tax, VAT or national insurance rates.
Playing on Labour’s 1997 campaign anthem, Things can only get better, the Metro reports that Labour says things are going to get “bitter” in tone amid its “gloomy warnings” at the Liverpool conference. The paper describes “fears” of tax rises following the chancellor’s speech, and previewing Sir Keir’s speech today where he will tell supporters “Britain is at a fork in the road”.
The i Paper also says the chancellor is weighing up possible tax increases in the forthcoming Budget. Reeves has not ruled out freezing tax thresholds, which the paper reports “would mean tax hikes for millions dragged into higher bands when their pay rises”.
The chancellor could deliver a “tax bombshell” when she hands down the November Budget, the Daily Express reports. Reeves hinted she would need to fill a £50bn black hole by making “harder choices” on tax and spending, the paper reports.
The chancellor is considering options for adding VAT to private healthcare and financial services, according to the Daily Mail. Whitehall insiders have told the paper the Treasury is looking at placing VAT on measures that are currently exempt. It says private health insurance could help raise £2bn for the Treasury.
A Gaza peace plan announced by US President Donald Trump and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads the Guardian. The White House hosted talks between the two leaders, who are now urging Hamas to adopt the 20-point peace plan. Hamas has not formally received the proposal, the paper says, quoting recent remarks from a Hamas spokesperson. The Guardian also reports former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair will play a “key role” in post-war Gaza.
The Times also features the US and Israeli leaders announcing a plan to end the war in Gaza. It leads with Trump’s comments that he was close to achieving “eternal peace in the Middle East” with the paper reporting he would co-chair a Board of Peace to govern post-war Gaza. It includes details on the peace plan, such as an immediate ceasefire and exchange of all remaining hostages for 2,000 Palestinian detainees.
The prime minister’s plan to announce a new online health service leads the Daily Mirror. Sir Keir plans to tell the Labour conference later today that NHS online will add 8.5 million appointments over three years by offering virtual chats with specialist doctors, the paper reports. It explains patients could be able to access prescriptions and get referred for tests through the NHS app.
Gaza’s peace proposal also leads the Daily Telegraph, which reports Sir Tony’s potential role in the post-war recovery. It explains the former prime minister will sit on a Board of Peace led by Trump. The paper reports on details of the 20-point peace plan released by the White House after Trump’s meeting with Netanyahu.
Sir Keir will use his address at the Labour conference to attack Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, reports the Daily Star. The prime minister is expected to frame a “defining choice” saying “we can choose decency. Or we can choose division. Renewal or decline”. The speech will expand on Sir Keir’s earlier remarks in London that the UK faced a “battle for the soul” of the country.
Harry Potter author JK Rowling’s criticism of actress Emma Watson leads the Sun newspaper. Rowling sent a stinging response to Watson after the Harry Potter actress recently spoke about their relationship and a public disagreement over the issue of gender identity.
