Judging from many of Saturday's newspapers, a clamour for tax cuts is getting louder the closer we get to the government's Autumn Statement next week.
The Daily Telegraph says its interview with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is the clearest indication yet that he will unveil both personal and business tax cuts.
In its editorial, the Telegraph urges the government to immediately scrap inheritance tax – in part, to give its wavering supporters a reason to go to the polling booth at the next general election.
The Daily Express is of the same view. "Time to cut taxes is now" is the headline above its leader column. The paper says it would welcome tax cuts for businesses, but adds that measures to reduce personal tax bills are needed now more than ever.
But the Times argues that the scope for tax cuts is scant. It says figures showing an improvement in the public finances are deceptive since tax revenues have been boosted by inflation and wage growth. In an editorial, the paper says the chancellor must maintain fiscal discipline to reassure financial markets.
The Daily Mirror says cutting inheritance tax would be not just immoral but also deeply insulting. The paper says the tax is paid by just about 4% of people and most of them are worth at least £2m. The editorial says that, with public services on their knees, the last thing "this lamentable government of losers" should consider is another tax cut for the super-rich.
According to the Guardian, Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron will say – in a paper to be published on Monday – that he wants to unlock billions to spend on foreign aid over the next decade as part of a "moral mission" to help the world's poorest people. The paper says the internationalist tone is likely to infuriate the Tory right.
On its front page, the Daily Mail says thousands of lives could be saved thanks to a landmark prostate cancer screening trial, expected to start next year. Around 300,000 men across the UK will be invited for MRI scans and other screening methods to detect the disease.
The Times highlights a warning from the health ombudsman for England, Rob Behrens, that patient safety is being put at risk by "toxic" behaviour in the NHS. He says care is harmed by rivalries between doctors and nurses or midwives and obstetricians. An NHS spokesman tells the paper the vast majority of care is well delivered by dedicated staff.
Meanwhile, the Sun says football is in turmoil after Everton were deducted 10 points for breaching financial rules.
The paper says Burnley, Leeds and Leicester City – all close relegation rivals in recent seasons – now plan to sue Everton for £300m in estimated lost revenue after dropping into the Championship.
And finally, the Times has spoken to a skipper of a catamaran who believes he's discovered the best way to deter orca whales from attacking boats. Pawel August says he played heavy metal on full volume when three orcas set upon his vessel in the Strait of Gibraltar and they immediately left.
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