Labour targets waiting lists but tax rises 'won't cure NHS'

Many of the papers report on the measures expected to be unveiled in Wednesday’s Budget, particularly those intended to address issues in the NHS. The Guardian says billions of pounds are to be put into cutting record waiting lists, with plans for more surgical hubs and radiotherapy machines to enable an additional 40,000 appointments a week. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is quoted as saying the Budget will revive a health service that is “broken but not beaten”.

The headline in the Guardian reads: "Budget vow to rebuild 'broken not beaten' NHS". — Many of the papers report on the measures expected to be unveiled in Wednesday’s Budget, particularly those intended to address issues in the NHS. The Guardian says billions of pounds are to be put into cutting record waiting lists, with plans for more surgical hubs and radiotherapy machines to enable an additional 40,000 appointments a week. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is quoted as saying the Budget will revive a health service that is “broken but not beaten”.

The Daily Mirror says the NHS has suffered “14 years of Tory neglect” and that the money set to be pledged provides hope it can be saved from “disaster”.

The headline in the Mirror reads: "Labour's war on waiting lists". — The Daily Mirror says the NHS has suffered “14 years of Tory neglect” and that the money set to be pledged provides hope it can be saved from “disaster”.

Reeves has suggested that fixing the NHS will require more tax rises in future, according to the Daily Telegraph. The Budget is already expected to include a number of tax hikes, including a possible rise in national insurance paid by employers. The paper quotes Reeves saying the additional funding for the NHS won’t be enough to undo “14 years of damage” and says the comment raises “the prospect of further rises in years to come”.

The headline in the Telegraph reads: "NHS will need more tax rises, signals Reeves". — Reeves has suggested that fixing the NHS will require more tax rises in future, according to the Daily Telegraph. The Budget is already expected to include a number of tax hikes, including a possible rise in national insurance paid by employers. The paper quotes Reeves saying the additional funding for the NHS won’t be enough to undo “14 years of damage” and says the comment raises “the prospect of further rises in years to come”.

The Daily Mail quotes Health Secretary Wes Streeting saying the NHS will continue to face “real problems” despite what the paper calls the “huge handout” set to be unveiled. It further quotes him saying the extra money will only “arrest the decline” in the health service and that there is “no magic wand” to fix it.

The headline in the Mail reads: "Billions in Budget still won't cure NHS, admits Streeting". — The Daily Mail quotes Health Secretary Wes Streeting saying the NHS will continue to face “real problems” despite what the paper calls the “huge handout” set to be unveiled. It further quotes him saying the extra money will only “arrest the decline” in the health service and that there is “no magic wand” to fix it.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said “pretty well all” the tax rises Labour need to impose will be out of the way after Wednesday, but added that he cannot give a “cast-iron guarantee” there won’t be more in future, the Times reports.

The headline in the Times reads: "Tax rises won't cure the NHS, Labour concedes". — Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said “pretty well all” the tax rises Labour need to impose will be out of the way after Wednesday, but added that he cannot give a “cast-iron guarantee” there won’t be more in future, the Times reports.

Charities have warned they may be forced to make cutbacks and divert funds away from essential services if the rise in employers’ national insurance goes ahead, according to the i. The paper says a group of volunteer organisations has written to Reeves telling her: “With costs climbing and funding falling, our sector already faces a crisis”.

The headline in the i reads: "Budget NI hike will damage core services, charities warn". — Charities have warned they may be forced to make cutbacks and divert funds away from essential services if the rise in employers’ national insurance goes ahead, according to the i. The paper says a group of volunteer organisations has written to Reeves telling her: “With costs climbing and funding falling, our sector already faces a crisis”.

The Financial Times says Volkswagen plans to shut at least three plants in Germany, axe tens of thousands of jobs, and slash pay by 10%. The paper says management at the company, Europe’s largest car maker, believe radical measures are needed amid intense competition from China, slowing sales, and the costly transition to electric vehicle production. It adds that the move marks the first closure of a German factory in the company’s 87-year history and has “set up a battle with [the country’s] powerful unions”.

The headline in the Financial Times reads: "Volkswagen's plan to axe 3 German factories sets up battle with unions". — The Financial Times says Volkswagen plans to shut at least three plants in Germany, axe tens of thousands of jobs, and slash pay by 10%. The paper says management at the company, Europe’s largest car maker, believe radical measures are needed amid intense competition from China, slowing sales, and the costly transition to electric vehicle production. It adds that the move marks the first closure of a German factory in the company’s 87-year history and has “set up a battle with [the country’s] powerful unions”.

And the Metro reports that a student used AI technology to turn photos of real children into indecent images which he then sold to other paedophiles online. Hugh Nelson, 27, from Bolton was jailed for 18 years on Monday after pleading guilty to 16 child sexual abuse offences. The paper says Nelson had customers all over the world and was only stopped after he unwittingly began exchanging messages with an undercover police officer in May last year.

The headline in the Metro reads: "Deepfake photo paedo". — And the Metro reports that a student used AI technology to turn photos of real children into indecent images which he then sold to other paedophiles online. Hugh Nelson, 27, from Bolton was jailed for 18 years on Monday after pleading guilty to 16 child sexual abuse offences. The paper says Nelson had customers all over the world and was only stopped after he unwittingly began exchanging messages with an undercover police officer in May last year.

Many of the papers report on the measures expected to be unveiled in Wednesday’s Budget, particularly those intended to address issues in the NHS.

The Daily Mirror declares there is “hope for the health service” and calls the budget “Labour’s war on waiting lists”. It says the chancellor will pump billions of pounds into the health service tomorrow to “save it from disaster”.

The Guardian says an injection of funds by Chancellor Rachel Reeves will revive a “broken but not beaten” NHS and quotes her saying she wants to “end the neglect” of the service under the Conservatives.

The papers suggests the funding boost could be as much as £7bn.

Other papers strike a note of caution. The Daily Telegraph quotes Reeves saying the additional funding for the NHS won’t be enough to undo “14 years of damage” and says the comment raises “the prospect of further rises in years to come”.

The Times and the Daily Mail both highlight an acknowledgement from the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, that the budget is unlikely to deliver major improvements or – the Mail adds – “prevent patients dying while waiting for care this winter”.

The i carries a warning from charities that they may be forced to make cutbacks if an expected rise in employers’ national insurance goes ahead. The paper says a group of volunteer organisations has written to Reeves telling her: “With costs climbing and funding falling, our sector already faces a crisis”.

The Daily Express continues its campaign for restoration of the winter fuel payments to all pensioners, with a front page message to the chancellor that “it’s not too late for a U-turn”.

The Financial Times says Volkswagen plans to shut at least three plants in Germany, axe tens of thousands of jobs, and slash pay by 10%.

The paper says management at the company, Europe’s largest car maker, believe radical measures are needed amid intense competition from China, slowing sales, and the costly transition to electric vehicle production. It adds that the move marks the first closure of a German factory in the company’s 87-year history and has “set up a battle with [the country’s] powerful unions”.

The sacking of Erik Ten Hag, who left Manchester United on Monday after two and a half years in charge, leads some of the papers

Reuters Former Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag is seen gesturing from the sideline during a game. He is holding both hands outstretched and looking despondent. — The sacking of Erik Ten Hag, who left Manchester United on Monday after two and a half years in charge, leads some of the papers

A warning from Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza that social media companies are ignoring the harm they inflict on children, while making billions of pounds from them, also makes the Telegraph’s front page.

A report based on children’s experiences reportedly found examples of cyber-bullying, sexual grooming by adult predators, and guides on self-harming.

Dame Rachel criticises the government and the regulator Ofcom for going too slowly in introducing safeguarding laws to tackle the “multiple hazards in the online world”.

An Ofcom spokesman tells the paper they are “bound by law” to consult on codes to protect children, and though that took time, it resulted in better and more “legally robust” regulation.

The Sun’s front page carries a picture of Eric Ten Hag, who was sacked as Manchester United manager on Monday. The paper reports that the Dutchman – who they call “Eric Ten Swag” – has been given a £15m pay-off. The Daily Star adds that Ten Hag was on a private plane within hours of his dismissal from the club. “Jet me out of here,” reads the headline.

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Thiru Venkatam: Author

Thiru Venkatam is the Chief Editor and CEO of www.tipsclear.com, with over two decades of experience in digital publishing. A seasoned writer and editor since 2002, they have built a reputation for delivering high-quality, authoritative content across diverse topics. Their commitment to expertise and trustworthiness strengthens the platform’s credibility and authority in the online space.