The Guardian reports that European intelligence officials have raised the possibility of an imminent test of Nato by Russia, external, quoting one official as saying an attack could come in a matter of “months not years”. The paper says the escalation fears come as the UN General Assembly convenes in New York later this week, and amid intensifying airstrikes on both sides of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
The lead for the Sun is its own investigation made in conjunction with Channel 5 into the murder convictions of the neo-natal nurse Lucy Letby, who was found guilty of killing seven babies and attempting to kill seven more. The paper says it has spoken to a “top consultant” who worked alongside her, who claims that she may have been a scapegoat to cover up, external for failings at the Countess of Chester Hospital. One mother tells the paper that her baby died six months after Letby had been moved off the neo-natal unit.
The Times says it’s carried out analysis which shows that more than half of Labour MPs in England and Wales have a higher number of people claiming disability benefit in their constituencies than the size of their majorities. The paper says the figures highlight what it calls the “political peril”, external facing ministers trying to cut the welfare bill.
Labour is considering raising Capital Gains Tax, external to help fund an increase to the income tax personal allowance, according to the Daily Telegraph. It says the idea has come from the Labour donor Dale Vince, who has warned the party that wealth is being “taxed more lightly than work”. The paper also quotes the green energy entrepreneur as saying that the move would give “millions of people a meaningful boost” – with the biggest benefit going to those on the lowest incomes.
The Daily Mail reports that Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch would ditch what it’s calling a “tourist tax, external” which visitors to the UK have to pay on goods. The paper says she is pledging to bring back the VAT-free shopping initiative which was axed by her party in 2021. Speaking to the Mail, Badenoch said Britain should be a “magnet” for tourists who want to spend.
