Chancellor Rachel Reeves continues to face backlash over accusations that she misled the public about the state of the nation’s economy, and the story is prominent in most Sunday newspapers. The consensus of voters polled by the Mail on Sunday was “Reeves must go”. The newspaper reported that the majority of those surveyed were in favor of Reeves’ resignation.
The Prime Minister is also being dragged into the scandal, with the Sunday Telegraph newspaper saying Sir Keir Starmer was aware there was no black hole in the public finances but still approved of Reeves talking about the need for tax increases in the Budget. The paper quotes No 10 as saying the Chancellor’s speech was “entirely accurate”, adding that the Prime Minister was aware of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) figures and “the content of the speech”.
The Sunday Times remains focused on the Prime Minister, reporting that Sir Keir will pledge to tackle the cost of living crisis next week in a bid to divert attention away from the embattled chancellor. The Prime Minister will promise to eliminate “misguided” regulations and eliminate unforeseen costs from the country’s economy, the paper says.
The budget’s impact on working families has been leading the Sunday Express. The newspaper cites a new report that says as a result of Reeves removing the two-child benefit cap, working families with three children will need to earn £71,000 to match the welfare benefits of a similar unemployed family.
The Observer fills its front page with a black-and-white tribute 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 on.”
The Independent turns its attention to the war in Ukraine and highlights an interview with a Russia expert and former White House adviser. Fiona Hill, a security adviser during Donald Trump’s first administration, warns that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “manipulating” the US leader and “doesn’t want peace.”
Moving on to entertainment news, the Sunday Mirror is previewing an interview with I’m a Celebrity contestant Alex Scott. Scott told the newspaper his concern that his partner, singer Jess Glynne, was not there to meet him during his dismissal from the jungle. Glynne’s mother had suffered a stroke and needed emergency surgery.
In other TV news, popular BBC crime drama This City has been shot by real-life criminals, the Daily Star reports. The newspaper says that while the second series was being shot in Spain, a crew member’s room was ransacked and his personal belongings were stolen.
Finally, the Sun features TV star Freddy Brazier’s interview with his former partner on its front page. Holly Swinburn details their troubled relationship, telling the newspaper: “I’ve had enough, I don’t know if he can change.”
