'UK facing new tax hikes' and 'My Ricky's last hug'

4 hours ago

Several weekend editions of the papers lead with the economic impacts of the Middle East war on the UK, including rising interest rates, upward inflation pressure and speculation of tax increases. "UK facing new tax hikes over 'worst energy shock in history'," writes the i Weekend after "economists warn Britain may need tax rises to cope with the impact of oil war".

"UK facing new tax hikes over 'worst energy shock in history'," reads the headline on the front page of the i Weekend. — Several weekend editions of the papers lead with the economic impacts of the Middle East war on the UK, including rising interest rates, upward inflation pressure and speculation of tax increases. "UK facing new tax hikes over 'worst energy shock in history'," writes the i Weekend after "economists warn Britain may need tax rises to cope with the impact of oil war".

"The UK's borrowing costs soared to their highest level since 2008," is the Financial Times Weekend's lead. It reports: "Ten-year gilt yields, a benchmark for long-term government borrowing costs, surged to 5 per cent." In a separate story, the paper headlines, "Airlines suffer $53bn blow as industry faces its biggest crisis since pandemic", writing that: "Passengers on routes far beyond the Gulf are set to face a steep increase in ticket prices as airlines attempt to shield their profits."

"Borrowing costs soar to 18-year high," reads the headline on the front page of the FT Weekend. — "The UK's borrowing costs soared to their highest level since 2008," is the Financial Times Weekend's lead. It reports: "Ten-year gilt yields, a benchmark for long-term government borrowing costs, surged to 5 per cent." In a separate story, the paper headlines, "Airlines suffer $53bn blow as industry faces its biggest crisis since pandemic", writing that: "Passengers on routes far beyond the Gulf are set to face a steep increase in ticket prices as airlines attempt to shield their profits."

Meanwhile, some of the papers lead with US President Donald Trump's plans to "put boots on the ground" in Iran. "The Pentagon has drawn up plans that could involve seizing Kharg Island, the key oil terminal in the Persian Gulf", according to the paper, citing details confirmed by Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

"Trump ready to put boots on ground," reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Telegraph. — Meanwhile, some of the papers lead with US President Donald Trump's plans to "put boots on the ground" in Iran. "The Pentagon has drawn up plans that could involve seizing Kharg Island, the key oil terminal in the Persian Gulf", according to the paper, citing details confirmed by Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

"Sir Keir Starmer has given the US the green light to carry out strikes from British bases to protect the Strait of Hormuz," reads front page of the Times. Meanwhile, the prime minister chairs an emergency Cobra meeting over the "cost of living impact", the paper says.

"PM agrees Trump can use bases to strike Iran," reads the headline on the front page of the Times. — "Sir Keir Starmer has given the US the green light to carry out strikes from British bases to protect the Strait of Hormuz," reads front page of the Times. Meanwhile, the prime minister chairs an emergency Cobra meeting over the "cost of living impact", the paper says.

The US president calling Nato allies "cowards" is the Guardian's top story. Trump's response to the UK authorising use of an air base to strike Iranian targets also features on the front page.

"Trump brands Nato 'cowards' over war," reads the headline on the front page of the Guardian. — The US president calling Nato allies "cowards" is the Guardian's top story. Trump's response to the UK authorising use of an air base to strike Iranian targets also features on the front page.

The Daily Mirror leads with recent developments at an inquest into the death of boxing legend Ricky Hatton. The paper quotes Hatton's mother who told the inquest "My Ricky's last hug almost broke my ribs". According to the paper: "Family members wept as a coroner ruled there was no evidence the former world champ, 46, intended to take his own life in September."

"My Ricky's last hug almost broke my ribs," reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Mirror. — The Daily Mirror leads with recent developments at an inquest into the death of boxing legend Ricky Hatton. The paper quotes Hatton's mother who told the inquest "My Ricky's last hug almost broke my ribs". According to the paper: "Family members wept as a coroner ruled there was no evidence the former world champ, 46, intended to take his own life in September."

"Coroner told hero Hatton had memory illness," the Daily Star adds.

"Tragic Ricky had brain disease," reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Star. — "Coroner told hero Hatton had memory illness," the Daily Star adds.

Campaigners behind assisted dying legislation say: "Eventually we will win right to die battle" is the Daily Express's headline. It reports that they vow their fight "will not end even if peers succeed in blocking the bill".

"Eventually we will win right to die battle," reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Express. — Campaigners behind assisted dying legislation say: "Eventually we will win right to die battle" is the Daily Express's headline. It reports that they vow their fight "will not end even if peers succeed in blocking the bill".

The Sun leads with an exclusive story alleging the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh "raked in up to £130,000 a year sub-letting converted stables on a £30million estate where they pay only a peppercorn rent".

"Prince Ed-Ward: Duke raked in £130k a year sub-letting Royal stable block," reads the headline on the front page of the Sun. — The Sun leads with an exclusive story alleging the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh "raked in up to £130,000 a year sub-letting converted stables on a £30million estate where they pay only a peppercorn rent".

The Times leads on Sir Keir Starmer giving the US the green light to carry out strikes from British bases, in order to protect the Strait of Hormuz. The paper quotes the government saying the move represents an act of "collective self-defence". President Trump is ready to put boots on the ground in Iran, according to the Daily Telegraph. It says the Pentagon has drawn up plans which involve seizing Kharg Island, the key oil terminal in the Persian Gulf.

A report in the Financial Times suggests the UK's borrowing costs have hit an 18-year high as a result of the war in the Middle East. It says the Chancellor's economic plans risk being torpedoed by the effects of the conflict. The i says the UK is facing new tax hikes over what it calls the "worst energy shock in history".

Survivors of IRA bomb attacks in England have been left "devastated" by the collapse of their trial against the former Sinn Fein leader, Gerry Adams, according to the Daily Mail. The paper says the case was pulled at the eleventh hour after the claimants found they could be liable to pay Mr Adams' half a million pound legal fees. He has always denied involvement in the attacks, and says he was never in the IRA.

The Daily Express reports on a warning from campaigners for the assisted dying bill, who say they will continue fighting, even if the House of Lords blocks the legislation. "Eventually we will win right to die battle" reads the headline. The paper's front page carries a photo of campaigners holding signs saying "let us choose".

The US launch of a new horror novel has been cancelled after allegations its author heavily relied on artificial intelligence to write it, according to the Guardian. The paper says Shy Girl, by Mia Ballard, was published in the UK last year but will now be discontinued. Ms Ballard has denied personally using AI to write the novel.