The main focus of Tuesday’s newspaper headlines is the announcement made by Rishi Sunak that older people will no longer have to pay tax on their state pension, with some papers suggesting that this move is an attempt to win back pensioners who have become disenfranchised with the Conservative party. The Financial Times believes that the move will be popular not just with the public but also with the Tory MPs, who have criticised Boris Johnson’s proposals for national service for 18-year-olds. The Sun, on the other hand, while welcoming the move, has urged Sunak to think more about the younger generation.
Meanwhile, The Times reports on the endorsement of Labour by 120 business leaders, calling for a “new outlook” in politics. The open letter, written by the business leaders, is seen as the result of years of lobbying by the Labour party to become the party of business before the upcoming general elections. Despite Labour’s efforts, however, The Mirror reports that the shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves, will be accusing Rishi Sunak of taking a gamble on early elections as his economic plan fails.
The Daily Mail claims that four in ten pupils will quit private schools under Labour’s tax plans, citing a survey of parents suggesting that 224,000 pupils could leave if Keir Starmer follows through with his promise to charge 20% VAT on independent school fees. Parents trying to avoid Labour’s VAT raid have been warned that state school places are scarce and, in some cases, students are already on waiting lists, according to The Telegraph.
Finally, The Guardian warns that the Gaza ceasefire talks are in danger following an Israeli airstrike in Rafah on Sunday. The paper describes the scene of children being pulled from the rubble and pictures a young boy standing among the ruins. The attack has put the ceasefire negotiations at risk, the paper argues, just as a tentative deal had been reached
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