Sun. Dec 22nd, 2024
Occasional Digest - a story for you

The Times headline reads: "Big money says time is right to buy into Britain".

The Times focusses on a business summit being held in the UK on Monday. Major banks and companies have written a letter to the paper arguing it is “time to invest in Britain”, it reports. The paper’s front page says: “Big money says time is right to buy into Britain”.

"PM's tax on jobs 'will scare away business'", is The Daily Telegraph's front page headline.

The Daily Telegraph also leads on the International Investment Summit in London, highlighting economic concerns among City bosses. “PM’s tax on jobs ‘will scare away business'”, its headline warns.

The Guardian front page reads: "Safety fears as Starmer pledges to slash red tape for investors."

The Guardian, too, splashes on the issue, but focuses instead on what it says is Keir Starmer’s promise to “rip out the bureaucracy that blocks investment”, ahead of the event. “Safety fears as Starmer pledges to slash red tape for investors,” is the newspaper’s lead headline.

The i's front page headline reads: "University bosses claim £1m expenses amid cash crisis warning".

The i has an exclusive story on the expenses claims of vice chancellors at UK universities. The revelations, including claims for a herb chopper and a £1 drink, come as the sector faces a funding crisis. “University bosses claim £1m expenses amid cash crisis warning”, reads the headline.

The Daily Mirror's front page reads: "Not a g'day for Charles".

The Daily Mirror says King Charles III has seen “every one of the six Aussie state premiers” turn down an invitation to greet him and Camilla during their tour of Australia. “Not a g’day for Charles”, is how it headlines its front page.

The Sun's front page headline reads: "BBC Gregg's sex chat probe".

The Sun has an exclusive story about Masterchef host Gregg Wallace and allegations about his conduct. The paper’s headline says “BBC Gregg’s sex chat probe”. Wallace’s representatives have not commented, the Sun reports, while the BBC said it does not “tolerate any form of inappropriate behaviour and have robust processes in place.” ­

Metro's front page headline reads: "12 years and nothing's changed".

Metro splashes on the forthcoming parliamentary debate on assisted dying. It quotes the daughter of a campaigner who died in 2012, saying he would be frustrated by further delays. “12 years and nothing’s changed”, reads the paper’s headline.

The Daily Express headline reads: "Labour 'betrays' voters with eight more years of illegal migration".

The Daily Express focuses on immigration, looking at contracts at processing centres, which it says are due to expire in 2032. “Labour ‘betrays’ voters with eight more years of illegal migration”, its headline says.

The Daily Mail's headline reads: "Who asked the Attorney General to help Taylor Swift get a VIP escort?"

The Daily Mail again lead with ministers’ input on Taylor Swift gigs in London – branding it “Taylorgate” and adding: “the scandal grows”. Its front page asks: “Who asked the Attorney General to help Taylor Swift get a VIP escort?”

The Financial Times' headline reads: "China's deflationary pressures mount as investors hope for more stimulus".

The Financial Times leads on a story about the Chinese economy, though it nods to the return of a SpaceX booster with its main picture. Its headline reads: “China’s deflationary pressures mount as investors hope for more stimulus.”

The Times features more details of the letter written by some of the world’s top businesses before today’s investment summit, who say Britain now has a real opportunity to grow its economy. They argue that our universities, legal expertise and financial services have provided what they call the ‘bedrock of a strong investment proposition’. The 14 signatories include five of the world’s richest banks, private equity firms, leading insurers and tech giants. They say Britain’s greater stability has increased its attractiveness to investment, which the paper says is a reference to Labour’s election victory at a time of uncertainty in many large economies.

The Daily Telegraph, though, highlights a warning from business leaders that any government raid on National Insurance contributions could damage investment in the UK. It suggests they were worried by a strong hint from the Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, that the Budget could include plans to increase employers’ NI contributions. The paper says City figures such as the chief executive of Lloyds Bank – Britain’s biggest lender – said NI would be one of the worst taxes to increase because it would in effect put a handbrake on investment by making it more expensive to hire staff.

The Telegraph also reports that Israel has accused the United Nations of turning a blind eye to Hezbollah in Lebanon — because Israeli troops discovered one of the organisation’s tunnels just 100 yards from a peacekeeping base. An Israeli general tells the paper that construction of the tunnels needs a lot of equipment which would be very difficult to hide from peacekeepers. The UN has defended its peacekeeping mission.

Meanwhile China — says the Financial Times — is under increasing pressure to deliver more measures to stimulate its economy. Analysts says lower than expected consumer and factory prices last month have worried investors. They are said to be disappointed that there have been no more clearer details about a stimulus package first announced at the end of last month. It is thought official figures to be released this week will paint a picture of a two-speed economy in China, with strong trade figures, but still overall lower-than-expected third quarter GDP.

According to the Daily Mirror, all six state premiers in Australia have turned down a chance to meet the King during his tour there. They had been invited to meet him at a reception in Canberra next Monday. Buckingham Palace has not commented. The pro-royal Australian Monarchists League told the paper the ‘snubs’ were a slap in the face for the Royal Family.

PA Media King Charles and Queen Camilla stand at the top of a staircase leading on to a plane, on which a stewardess waits for the pair, next to an Australian flag.PA Media

File photo of King Charles and Queen Camilla in Australia in 2015

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