Newspaper headlines: 'Pub tax U-turn' and 'caring Catherine'

Newspaper headlines: 'Pub tax U-turn' and 'caring Catherine'

Several major UK newspapers have highlighted a recent reversal on planned increases to pub business rates, portraying it as a significant political backtrack. The Daily Express’s front page carries the headline “Cheers! It’s yet another ‘too late’ U-turn from PM,” criticizing the delay in reversing the tax rise and accusing Sir Keir of “flip-flopping” early in the year. The paper also features the Princess of Wales’s visit to Charing Cross Hospital, where she celebrated the efforts of NHS workers.

The Daily Mail similarly condemns the government’s decision as “too little too late,” describing the climbdown on pub taxes as “humiliating” for the Labour party. According to the paper, the retreat was signaled by ministers some six weeks after Chancellor Rachel Reeves had introduced the rate hikes in her earlier Budget. The Daily Telegraph reports on Reeves’ decision to withdraw the pub tax increase as part of a broader series of policy reversals, which also includes changes to inheritance tax policies affecting farmers and adjustments to winter fuel payment schemes. It additionally notes the Princess of Wales’s hospital visit, where she reflected on her chemotherapy experience and praised NHS staff for their kindness. The paper also briefly covers the internet shutdown in Iran amid growing protests.

In defence news, The Times leads with a warning from a senior military official about the urgent requirement for an additional £28 billion in funding. Facing pressure to prepare armed forces for a potential conflict with Russia, defence chiefs are simultaneously planning substantial cuts within the military. The paper also reports that Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson has postponed issuing guidance on single-sex spaces, citing concerns about implementation costs.

Other front pages include the Sun’s story on the Beckham family dispute, where their eldest son Brooklyn has reportedly restricted contact to legal channels and demanded that his parents avoid tagging him on social media. The Daily Mirror focuses on Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, criticizing him for attending the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix while allegedly neglecting his parliamentary duties, and dubbing him “freeloader Farage.” Meanwhile, the Guardian covers accusations from 34 former schoolmates against Farage concerning racist behavior, which he denies, characterizing the claims as “complete fantasy land.” Additional headlines featured in papers like the i Paper and Financial Times cover security concerns linked to Russian “shadow fleets” near UK waters, unrest in the US following a fatal shooting, and ongoing discussions about resetting ties with the EU, particularly regarding financial services and the reluctance of the City of London to accept closer alignment

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