Some of the early editions have witness reports about the stabbing attack on a train in Cambridgeshire. The Sun, external quotes a passenger as saying there was “blood everywhere” and that it was “like something from a film”. The Times, external says witnesses described some passengers being “stamped [on]” as they tried to flee.
“2 p, or not 2p,” wonders the Observer, external, as its columnist, Andrew Rawnsley, considers whether Chancellor Rachel Reeves may increase income tax in the Budget later this month. He suggests “there’ll be a steep penalty for breaking Labour’s tax pledge – but the price may have to be paid.” The Times, external says prominent tax campaigners are urging her to offer people earning a £100,000 a tax break, because of what it calls a “tax trap” deterring the ambition of people who could otherwise help drive the economy.
The Telegraph, external says the chancellor is thinking about doubling the council tax on the most expensive properties in the Budget – which could lead to some homeowners paying more than £10,000 a year. The paper says the Conservatives believe this will leave many pensioners – particularly in London – unable to afford their bills. Its cartoonist Matt depicts Guy Fawkes, carrying a barrel of gunpowder, saying “I’m planning to blow up my own house. I’m worried about a mansion tax.”
The Mail on Sunday, external revisits a different story about the chancellor. It says two estate agents told her she would need a licence to rent out her home – and reminds readers that she originally told the prime minister that she didn’t know she needed a permit. The paper says a spokesperson for Reeves pointed to the fact that the prime minister’s adviser on ministerial standards advised that no further investigation was necessary.
“Come clean, Mr Windsor,” is the Sunday Mirror’s, external headline, as it reports that the ex-Duke of York is facing mounting pressure to speak to a powerful Congressional committee in the US, set up to investigate the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Express, external quotes a top US civil rights lawyer as saying the King should urge his brother to testify. The Sun, external looks closer to home, saying pressure is also mounting for a Scotland Yard inquiry into the former Duke of York – who denies any wrong-doing. Writing in the Mail, external, Sharon Churcher – who first published the photo of Andrew with Virginia Giuffre – says “the story doesn’t end with him; there are other powerful men who must be held accountable.”
“The gloves are off,” says the Observer, external as it considers the autobiography of the former England women’s football goal-keeper Mary Earps. It says that in the book, Earps criticises manager Sarina Wiegman and reveals her fury at being replaced as goalkeeper by Hannah Hampton. The paper says “the comments are a marked change from the usual tone around the women’s game, which has more commonly been celebrated for its positive atmosphere.”
