Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing criticism over allegations she misled the public on the state of the country’s economy, a story featured prominently in several Sunday newspapers. The consensus of voters participating in a mail-in poll Sunday is, “Reeves should go.” The newspaper reports that the majority of those who participated in the poll are in favor of Reeves stepping down.
The Prime Minister is also being dragged into the scandal, with the Sunday Telegraph saying Sir Keir Starmer knew there was no black hole in the public finances but still approved Reeves’ speech about the need for tax rises in the Budget. The newspaper quoted Number 10 as saying that the Chancellor’s speech was “completely accurate”, adding that the Prime Minister was aware of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) figures and “the content of the speech”.
Turning its attention to the Prime Minister, the Sunday Times reports that Sir Keir will pledge to tackle the cost of living crisis next week in an attempt to divert attention from the embattled Chancellor. The newspaper says the Prime Minister will pledge to end “misguided” regulations and eliminate unexpected costs to the country’s economy.
The impact of the Budget on working families leads the Sunday Express. The paper cites a new report which says Reeves’ scrapping of the two-child benefit limit would result in working families with three children needing to earn £71,000, equivalent to a similar unemployed family’s welfare benefits.
The Observer has filled its front page with black-and-white tributes to playwright Tom Stoppard, who has died aged 88. The paper also includes a famous quote from Stoppard’s play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead: “Words, words. They’re all we have to go by.”
The Independent has turned its attention to the war in Ukraine, highlighting an interview with a Russia expert and former top White House adviser. Fiona Hill, a security adviser during Donald Trump’s first administration, has warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “manipulating” the US leader and “doesn’t want peace”.
Moving on to entertainment news, the Sunday Mirror previews an interview with I’m a Celebrity contestant Alex Scott. Scott told the newspaper of his concerns when his partner, singer Jess Glynn, was not there to meet him while he was out in the woods. Glynn’s mother had suffered a stroke and required immediate surgery.
In other TV news, the town has been attacked by real-life criminals from the BBC’s hit crime drama, the Daily Star, reports. The newspaper says a crew member’s room was ransacked and personal belongings stolen while the series was filming its second series in Spain.
Finally, the Sun has published an interview with the former partner of TV personality Freddie Brazier on its front page. Holly Swinburne details their troubled relationship, telling the newspaper: “It’s been enough, I don’t know if he can change.”
