The papers of Middle England lead on the rising tax burden in Britain this morning,
The Express headlines
60% tax raid on middle Britain
HARD-WORKING families could be hit with an extra £6,000-a-year tax bill under a Gordon Brown government it emerged last night.The Chancellor’s supporters have given warm backing to a report calling for swingeing increases to make Britain “more equal”.But last night experts warned that the shock plans by Left-wing think-tank Compass would be equivalent to raising the basic rate of income tax to 62 per cent.
The Telegraph leads with
4 in 10 caught in death tax
Four in 10 families now face paying inheritance tax as Gordon Brown comes under mounting pressure to raise the £285,000 threshold.
A year ago, only a third of householders were liable for death duties, which were traditionally the province of the super-rich, Scottish Widows said. But more and more families are being affected as the Chancellor refuses to raise the tax threshold in line with rising house prices.
A year ago, only a third of householders were liable for death duties, which were traditionally the province of the super-rich, Scottish Widows said. But more and more families are being affected as the Chancellor refuses to raise the tax threshold in line with rising house prices.
The Mail headlines on the same theme,
10 million families to pay death tax
A record ten million families face massive inheritance tax bills, a report has warned.
Huge rises in house values have seen soaring numbers caught in the "death tax trap". Experts blame Chancellor Gordon Brown for ignoring unprecedented house price inflation and making only small rises in the level at which the 40 per cent tax kicks in.
Huge rises in house values have seen soaring numbers caught in the "death tax trap". Experts blame Chancellor Gordon Brown for ignoring unprecedented house price inflation and making only small rises in the level at which the 40 per cent tax kicks in.
Away from tax the Guardian's lead is
Judges try to block rape trial reforms
Government plans for changes in the law to boost rape conviction rates are in disarray after the judges who would have to put them into practice told ministers they oppose them.
The Council of Circuit Judges, the influential body representing all 637 circuit judges in England and Wales, has dismissed all the proposals, including a measure to try to make it easier to convict in cases where the victim was binge-drinking.
The Council of Circuit Judges, the influential body representing all 637 circuit judges in England and Wales, has dismissed all the proposals, including a measure to try to make it easier to convict in cases where the victim was binge-drinking.
Whilst the same paper gives the results ofits latest Icm poll which claims
Blair effect is hurting Labour
Declining public trust in Tony Blair is dragging down wider public support for Labour, according to a Guardian/ICM poll published today. It shows that the Conservatives have secured a lead in policy areas that once helped Mr Blair win three commanding general election victories.
The poll underlines the scale of the job facing Gordon Brown if he is to renew support to win a fourth general election. On nine key issues that shape the way people vote, Labour now has a lead in only three. The political map of Britain has been reshaped since 2005, with the Tories now ahead as the party with the best policies in such former Labour stronghold areas as education, tax and public services. Labour leads only on the fight against terrorism, the economy and health.
The poll underlines the scale of the job facing Gordon Brown if he is to renew support to win a fourth general election. On nine key issues that shape the way people vote, Labour now has a lead in only three. The political map of Britain has been reshaped since 2005, with the Tories now ahead as the party with the best policies in such former Labour stronghold areas as education, tax and public services. Labour leads only on the fight against terrorism, the economy and health.
The Mail headlines
Honours police 'closing in on the Blair Gang of Four'
Scotland Yard detectives are closing in on a 'Gang of Four' suspects – including Tony Blair – at the heart of the cash-for-honours affair, sources have revealed.
The Prime Minister, his chief of staff Jonathan Powell, Labour’s chief fundraiser Lord Levy and Downing Street’s director of government relations Ruth Turner are now the main focus of the police probe
The Prime Minister, his chief of staff Jonathan Powell, Labour’s chief fundraiser Lord Levy and Downing Street’s director of government relations Ruth Turner are now the main focus of the police probe
More pressure on the Prime Minister accordin to the Indy which reports
Blair under pressure to name resignation date as May elections loom
Labour MPs called on Mr Blair to announce the date he intends to quit Downing Street, before the potentially disastrous elections for in Scotland, Wales and local councils in England.
A timetable could avoid the embarrassment for Mr Blair of having to quit immediately if one of his staff is charged with criminal offences over the alleged Number 10 cover-up that the police are now investigating. So far, he has said he will quit before the next Labour party conference in September but has not given a date.
A timetable could avoid the embarrassment for Mr Blair of having to quit immediately if one of his staff is charged with criminal offences over the alleged Number 10 cover-up that the police are now investigating. So far, he has said he will quit before the next Labour party conference in September but has not given a date.
The Times reports on the
Police collusion with loyalist killers went up to senior ranks
Police colluded with loyalist paramilitary informers in up to 15 murders in Northern Ireland during what Peter Hain, the Northern Ireland Secretary, described yesterday as a “dark and murky” period in the province’s history.
Collusion with the informers went right up to the senior ranks of the Northern Ireland police force, a devastating Ombudsman’s report revealed.
Even though Special Branch handlers protected the Ulster Volunteer Force gang by destroying evidence and thwarting criminal investigations, no officers are to face prosecution. Nor will there be a public inquiry into the scandal despite Mr Hain’s admission that similar incidents probably occurred elsewhere in the province. He described the report as a devastating indictment but said that it should draw a line in the sand.
Collusion with the informers went right up to the senior ranks of the Northern Ireland police force, a devastating Ombudsman’s report revealed.
Even though Special Branch handlers protected the Ulster Volunteer Force gang by destroying evidence and thwarting criminal investigations, no officers are to face prosecution. Nor will there be a public inquiry into the scandal despite Mr Hain’s admission that similar incidents probably occurred elsewhere in the province. He described the report as a devastating indictment but said that it should draw a line in the sand.
According to the Guardian,
There was clear evidence of collusion between members of the banned Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) in north Belfast and police officers over a period of 12 years, the ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan, declared.
Last night there were calls for the resignation of the former chief constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, who is now head of the Inspectorate of Constabulary, with an overview of standards throughout policing.
Last night there were calls for the resignation of the former chief constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, who is now head of the Inspectorate of Constabulary, with an overview of standards throughout policing.
The papers are full of the goings on the Devon coast,the Telegraph reporting
Beach bounty: Napoli's goods are up for grabs
Thousands of people picked over wreckage from a damaged container ship yesterday and made off with goods including £12,000 motorbikes, beauty cream, carpets and exhaust pipes.
The Times reporting
Dawn breaks and the treasure hunters emerge with their haul
As dawn broke over the steeply shelving shingle banks of Branscombe beach in South Devon yesterday, a motley procession of figures emerged from the gloom, struggling with heavy loads.
One was bowed under a complete stainless steel car exhaust system, another clutched a brand new headlight housing for a BMW. A man struggled with two large bin bags of disposable nappies, while others dragged sacks of shoes and perfume. A tractor laden with car gearboxes, two large oak barrels and a silver BMW motorcycle made its way up the beach. Not since Whisky Galore has there been such a scramble for salvage. The procession continued through the day as though carried by a column of ants.
One was bowed under a complete stainless steel car exhaust system, another clutched a brand new headlight housing for a BMW. A man struggled with two large bin bags of disposable nappies, while others dragged sacks of shoes and perfume. A tractor laden with car gearboxes, two large oak barrels and a silver BMW motorcycle made its way up the beach. Not since Whisky Galore has there been such a scramble for salvage. The procession continued through the day as though carried by a column of ants.
The redtops have found a new Jade,both the Mirror and the Sun lead on the same story,
CHANNEL 4 faces fresh fury after a teenager more racist than Jade Goody aired her vile views on a new reality show.
Shipwrecked star Lucy Buchanan, 18, said black people were "really bad", fat people were "disgusting" and criticised gays.
The public schoolgirl told fellow contestants: "I'm for the British Empire and things. I'm for slavery."
Shipwrecked star Lucy Buchanan, 18, said black people were "really bad", fat people were "disgusting" and criticised gays.
The public schoolgirl told fellow contestants: "I'm for the British Empire and things. I'm for slavery."
Reports the Mirror,The Sun leading with,
A new race storm for Channel 4
Public schoolgirl Lucy Buchanan’s rant on the first episode of reality show Shipwrecked follows international fury at Jade Goody’s Big Brother bullying of Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty.
In an outburst aired at just 6.25pm on Sunday, Lucy, 18, said black people were “really bad”, adding: “My mind is completely open to different cultures — but I just do not think they should bring them to Britain.”
In an outburst aired at just 6.25pm on Sunday, Lucy, 18, said black people were “really bad”, adding: “My mind is completely open to different cultures — but I just do not think they should bring them to Britain.”
The Times reports that
Big Brother put on probation
The chairman of Channel 4 ordered an inquiry last night into whether underhand tactics had been used by the producers of Celebrity Big Brother to stoke up the race row between Jade Goody and the Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty.
After a two-hour discussion between the network’s board members, Luke Johnson said that Big Brother had been put on notice, but also indicated that the conduct of all connected with the show would be thoroughly investigated.
After a two-hour discussion between the network’s board members, Luke Johnson said that Big Brother had been put on notice, but also indicated that the conduct of all connected with the show would be thoroughly investigated.
The Start of a Trial in Canada is arousing a lot of coverage in the papers this morning,The Sun headliningthe lurid details
Horror at 'mass murderer' farm
TWO human heads sawn in half were found in fridge-freezers used to store pork at the home of suspected serial killer Robert Pickton.
A court heard millionaire farmer Pickton, 57, cut the two women’s skulls vertically with a power saw — in a similar way to how he would butcher his pigs.
The heads were inside large plastic buckets and it is believed the brains had been removed. Police also found feet sawn off at the ankles and hands cut off at the wrists inside a freezer — which was also used to store meat sold to locals.
A court heard millionaire farmer Pickton, 57, cut the two women’s skulls vertically with a power saw — in a similar way to how he would butcher his pigs.
The heads were inside large plastic buckets and it is believed the brains had been removed. Police also found feet sawn off at the ankles and hands cut off at the wrists inside a freezer — which was also used to store meat sold to locals.
The Telegraph reporting that
A pig farmer admitted murdering 49 women and planned to kill one more to make it 50, a court was told yesterday.
Canadian prosecutors told a jury of Robert Pickton's confession at the start of a trial of which the judge had already warned them to expect "something that might be as bad as a horror movie".
Canadian prosecutors told a jury of Robert Pickton's confession at the start of a trial of which the judge had already warned them to expect "something that might be as bad as a horror movie".
More Horrors in Iraq are reported this morning,The Mirror calling yesterday,
BLOODY MONDAY
AT least 102 people were killed and 210 injured as three bomb blasts rocked Iraq yesterday.
Eighty eight died and 170 were hurt in two car explosions which went off within seconds of each other at a Baghdad market.
Hours later, 14 people were killed and 40 others wounded in another atrocity at a market near Baquba, 30 miles north east of the Iraqi capital.
Eighty eight died and 170 were hurt in two car explosions which went off within seconds of each other at a Baghdad market.
Hours later, 14 people were killed and 40 others wounded in another atrocity at a market near Baquba, 30 miles north east of the Iraqi capital.
The horrific blasts, two of them suicide attacks, targeted mainly Shia areas.
The Indy reports that
Al-Qaida's deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahri has mocked President George Bush's plan to send 21,000 more troops to Iraq, challenging him in a new videotape to send "the entire army" and vowing insurgents will defeat them.
The Washington-based Site Institute said it had intercepted the video, which had not yet been posted on Islamic militant websites, where messages of that type are usually posted.
The Washington-based Site Institute said it had intercepted the video, which had not yet been posted on Islamic militant websites, where messages of that type are usually posted.
The Guardian with that in mind reports
'Lame duck' Bush faces struggle to push through new agenda
George Bush is expected to use the annual State of the Union address tonight to tackle the perception that he is now a lame-duck president by shifting attention from the carnage in Iraq to domestic issues such as health, energy conservation and immigration. But with record low poll ratings, mainly because of Iraq, and a Democrat-controlled Congress, he faces a challenge to persuade the public that his plans for the year stand any chance of being enacted; in particular, an ambitious health reform plan.
The same paper reports on the problems at BA as the cabin crew announce a series of strikes,
The same paper reports on the problems at BA as the cabin crew announce a series of strikes,
Walsh seeks a route over the storm
Acas, the conciliation service, was on standby last night as British Airways and union officials resumed talks over averting a wave of crippling strikes by cabin crew.
BA faces a bill of around £100m if three 72-hour walkouts go ahead from next Monday after a dispute over pay and working conditions. Willie Walsh, BA's chief executive, invited Acas to mediate in the talks yesterday morning but the Transport and General Workers' Union, representing 11,000 cabin crew, refused to sanction the move unless the latest round of talks breaks down.
BA faces a bill of around £100m if three 72-hour walkouts go ahead from next Monday after a dispute over pay and working conditions. Willie Walsh, BA's chief executive, invited Acas to mediate in the talks yesterday morning but the Transport and General Workers' Union, representing 11,000 cabin crew, refused to sanction the move unless the latest round of talks breaks down.
Finally we started with attacks on Middle England and a number of the papers report on what could be interpreted as another,
DRIVERS caught using their mobile phones at the wheel will be fined £60 and get three penalty points from the end of next month.
The tough measures are being brought in because the existing punishment - a £30 fine - is not enough of a deterrent, with 21 per cent of motorists still admitting to flouting the ban that was introduced in 2003.
Insisting there was strong public support for the move, Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander said: "Research shows that talking on a mobile while driving affects your concentration and ability to react. It's quite simple - it's impossible to do two things at once and do them well."
The tough measures are being brought in because the existing punishment - a £30 fine - is not enough of a deterrent, with 21 per cent of motorists still admitting to flouting the ban that was introduced in 2003.
Insisting there was strong public support for the move, Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander said: "Research shows that talking on a mobile while driving affects your concentration and ability to react. It's quite simple - it's impossible to do two things at once and do them well."
Says the Mirror,
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