The Papers: 'Budget for a difficult moment' and Netanyahu's 'fate in balance'

Published28 October 2026, 00:42 GMT

The Budget is on almost all the front pages. The Times and the Daily Telegraph report that the chancellor will scrap standing charges on gas household bills - fixed daily fees that must be paid, even if no gas is used. According to the Telegraph that will knock up to £50 off a typical annual bill, external.

The i Paper reports that lower-income households are expected to get extra help with energy bills., external The paper says the support is likely to come through an increase in the Warm Home Discount, which provides eligible households with £150 a year off their electricity bills. The discount is now expected to rise to £250.

According to the Financial Times, tax rises in the Budget will be modest, external, and targeted at banks and the gambling sector. The paper says the City of London has become resigned to the idea of a tax raid on bank profits.

The Daily Mirror says John Healey is likely to crack down on websites such as Amazon and eBay, external, making them responsible for collecting tax owed by retailers selling on their platforms. The paper warns the chancellor's scope for big giveaways is limited by fiscal rules blocking borrowing for day-to-day spending.

On its front page the Daily Mail says Healey will duck welfare reform and hand out billions of pounds more to benefit claimants, external. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch makes a similar point in the Daily Express - saying the chancellor and the prime minister have "chickened out of tackling out-of-control welfare."

The Times reports that the Budget will assume that drilling for oil and gas will be approved at Rosebank field, external, west of Shetland, which would generate significant tax revenues. The paper says Healey strongly supports the project, but Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband are opposed.

The Guardian says it has been told by government insiders that Rosebank can be approved without breaching the UK's carbon emission targets, external. The paper says that's partly because after the oil is exported, any emissions from burning it no longer count against Britain's domestic targets.

And the Sun calls for Harry Kane to be knighted after he won the Ballon d'Or award., external The paper says the "talismanic skipper" is not just a top-class goal machine for club and country but also a flawless role model and a true patriot.

Sign up for our morning newsletter and get BBC News in your inbox.

Related Internet Links

Daily Express

Daily Express

Daily Mail

Daily Mail

Daily Mirror

Daily Mirror

Daily Star

Daily Star

Daily Telegraph

Daily Telegraph

Financial Times

Financial Times

Guardian

Guardian

Independent

Independent

Metro

Metro

Sun

Sun

The i

The i

Times

Times