As with so many days in the past fortnight, a flurry of stories about the activities and plans of US President Donald Trump lead some of Saturday’s front pages. The i newspaper kicks off by reporting that the White House is expected to demand lower UK taxes for tech giants – such as Amazon, X and Facebook – in exchange for the UK escaping trade tariffs. Treasury sources tell the paper the chancellor is set to hold talks with the US, in which she is expected to come under pressure to exempt tech firms from certain taxes. This comes after Trump imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese imports this week and set out plans for a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico.
More on the US president in the Financial Times as the paper says Trump’s new cryptocurrency has “sparked a flood of imitators”. More than 700 copycat and spam coins have been deposited into Trump’s digital wallet in “apparent attempts to suggest his endorsement”, according to Financial Times analysis. Trump and his wife Melania launched their own meme-coins – a cryptocurrency with no utility other than for fun or speculation – earlier this year.
And the Guardian says Foreign Secretary David Lammy has warned that Trump’s plans to make large cuts to the US’s international aid budget could be a “big strategic mistake”. Lammy said the plan could instead allow China to “further its global influence”, the paper adds. This comes as the US president has vowed to close down USAID, the government’s main overseas aid agency, arguing it is not a valuable use of taxpayer money.
Lammy is also mentioned on the front page of the Daily Telegraph, as the paper writes that his department is open to talks on slavery payouts. The paper adds that the Foreign Office is understood to be meeting with members of a Caribbean reparation team which has long demanded compensation. Sources told the paper that Caribbean officials and political leaders will “restate demands that Britain pay for its role in the slave trade.”
Meanwhile, the chancellor has been warned that axing tax-free saving pots known as ISAs could hurt savers and “crash the mortgage markets”, writes the Daily Mail which is unequivocal with its headline “Hands off our cash ISAs”. Rachel Reeves is understood to be open to “axing or significantly reducing” the current cash ISA tax-free allowance, which sits at £20,000 per year, the paper adds.
Also leading on Reeves, the front page of the Daily Express says the chancellor has been warned that changes to inheritance tax “hurts” British farms. In an interview with the paper to back what it calls its “crusade” against the plan announced in October’s Budget, Countryfile star Adam Henson urges Rachel Reeves to “soften the blow” by considering some “simple alternatives”.
British universities risk cuts to their research budgets if they do not prioritise diversity and inclusion, writes the Times newspaper. Under proposals to change how £2bn of taxpayer funding for academic research is distributed every year, universities will need to show how they are promoting diversity and inclusion and tackling inequalities, the report outlines. The paper headlines the plan “Alarm over diversity push” and points to critics who warn the plan “will put ideological conformity above academic excellence”.
The Daily Mirror’s front page features a picture of farmer Tony Martin, who died on Sunday aged 80. He was jailed for killing 16-year-old Fred Barras and wounding Brendan Fearon at his Fenland home in 1999. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Fearon says he has “no anger” towards Martin, who – the newspaper writes – left him “injured for life”.
“It’s time to get the big coat out”, the Daily Star says on its front page, as a spell of cold weather has set in across the UK. Over the weekend, some places are likely to see sleet and snow and temperatures ranging between about 5 to 8C – with a wind chill in the south making it feel closer to freezing.
The Sun’s front page features a picture of 2009 I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! winner Gino D’Acampo and runner-up Kim Woodburn, as the latter criticises D’Acampo’s behaviour on the reality show when they appeared together 16 years ago.
The Guardian leads on a warning from the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, about President Trump’s plans to make substantial cuts to the US’s international aid budget. He tells the paper the move could be a “big strategic mistake” that allows China to step into the gap and further its global influence.
President Trump is also the focus of the front page of the i Weekend. The paper reports that the White House is expected to demand the UK cuts taxes and red tape on tech giants — such as Amazon, Facebook and X — as part of a trade-off over tariffs. Britain and the US are due to hold talks, and a Treasury source says the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, expects to come under pressure to exempt technology firms from certain taxes.
Several papers report that Justin Welby has permission to live at Lambeth Palace with his family until the early summer, despite his resignation as the Archbishop of Canterbury. He left the role following a damning report into safeguarding failures in the Church of England. The Daily Telegraph says the arrangement was disclosed in papers to be published before the Church’s General Synod next week. A church source tells the Times it’s common practice to ensure clergy have accommodation after leaving their post until they have found somewhere new.
The Daily Mirror has spoken to Brendan Fearon, who was injured when he was shot during a burglary at a Norfolk farmhouse owned by Tony Martin in 1999. Mr Martin – who served three years in prison after fatally shooting 16-year-old Fred Barras in the same burglary – died earlier this week at the age of 80. The case sparked a national debate about the rights of householders to defend themselves. Brendan Fearon tells the paper he’s “never felt any bitterness or animosity” towards Mr Martin.
The Daily Telegraph says Health Secretary Wes Streeting has criticised the NHS for being too keen to hire migrants. He tells the paper that while the health service is stronger for having drawn on “talent from around the world” it has become too reliant on pulling — what he calls — the “immigration lever” in recent years. He adds that the government is committed to boosting “home grown talent” and giving more people across the country a chance to work for the NHS.
Most of the papers feature photographs of the King hosting an Italian-themed dinner at Highgrove. The guests included David and Victoria Beckham, Donatella Versace and Dame Helen Mirren. The Daily Mail says the event boasted “a glorious home grown menu showcasing the best of British produce, with a touch of Italian flair”. The Express explains that the night was a warm-up for the King and Queen’s state visit to Italy in April. The Times says the King, who was diagnosed with cancer a year ago, is “revitalised” and keen to “fill every gap in his diary”. He’s still undergoing treatment but those close to him have apparently decreed that the “best medicine” is keeping busy.
