Chancellor Rachel Reeves has revealed a support package for British pubs, which the Mirror describes as "long-awaited". "Half measures" declares the paper, reporting that publicans have not been impressed by the 15% discount on business rates she announced. The discount will come into effect in April.
The Wednesday edition of the i Paper calls the move a "pubs u-turn to save Britain's locals from extinction". The chancellor has risked a backlash from other hospitality venues, the paper says, who have not been included in the temporary extra support. It adds that diners and travellers can expect to face price increases for food, drink and hotel rooms this spring, as a result of higher property taxes.
The business rates "u-turn" has been branded "too little, too late" by the Mail, which warns of a "high street meltdown". It says the exclusion of small shops, restaurants and hotels from the discounted tax rates is a "betrayal", and accused the chancellor of trying to dodge "humiliation" by asking Treasury Minister Dan Tomlinson to make the announcement.
The Times reports that fake jobs are being sold to migrants for up to £20,000, as part of a fraudulent scheme to secure work visas and stay in the UK unlawfully. After the paper alerted the Home Office to its findings, the government said it would launch an "urgent investigation" into the scheme.
The Express provides an update on the "one in, one out" migrant scheme in its main story, alleging that the policy has been called a "total farce". The paper says 350 asylum seekers have arrived in the UK over the past six months under the scheme, while just 281 migrants were returned to France.
"Starmer led 'witch-hunt' against Iraq veterans" says the Telegraph, which says Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer worked as the lead barrister on a 2007 human rights claim that "reshaped the law governing troops in war zones". According to the paper, the landmark case prompted years of criminal investigation into soldiers it says were wrongly accused - all at "enormous cost" to taxpayers. A spokesperson for Downing Street told the Telegraph that Sir Keir had not advocated for "either side" in the case, and his role had been to "assist the court on points of law". They added that the prime minister would "never forget" the sacrifices made by British servicemen and women.
Tributes left outside the Iranian embassy in London feature prominently on the front page of the Guardian, which has focused in on "Iran's hidden death toll". After speaking to medics based in Iran, the paper says that deaths in the Middle Eastern country have exceeded 30,000, after a "surge in regime brutality".
The Financial Times leads with discussions between the US and Ukraine on making a peace deal with Russia to end the war. It reports that US officials have indicated any security guarantees for Ukraine would be contingent on territorial concessions, and would probably see the nation forced to cede the contested Donbas region to the Kremlin. The paper says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hoped to sign documents on US security guarantees as early as this month.
"Run for the hills, Katie" warns the Sun, focusing on model Katie Price's recent marriage to Lee Andrews in Dubai.
"Away at the races" declares the Sun, leading on a Cheltenham-themed "betting and beers" package holiday in Benidorm.
The Metro leads on a woman with a brain tumour who is suing the NHS, after she alleged she was treated with chemotherapy for more than six years despite only needing six months of the treatment.
Several papers highlight Sir Keir Starmer's trip to China. The Daily Mirror goes with the headline "the woo dynasty", and says the prime minister will be on a "charm offensive" as he seeks "growth-boosting ties with the world's second largest economy". In its analysis, the Daily Telegraph argues he is "unlikely to find a pot of gold at the end of the Chinese rainbow". The Sun's editorial says Britain should "of course" have a trade relationship with China but asks "at what price?". The Guardian says the prime minister has insisted the government remains "clear-eyed" about the national security threat posed by Beijing.
"Reeves puts nail in coffin of high street" declares the Daily Mail on its front page. It says the chancellor is facing a "growing backlash" after restricting temporary help on business rates to pubs. The paper says the decision leaves "thousands of small shops, restaurants and hotels facing crippling tax rises in April". The Daily Express says the support is "small beer" for our high streets.
The Times leads with an investigation into how criminal networks sell fake jobs to migrants to help them get work visas. The paper says in meetings with undercover reporters, agents explained how salaries would be paid to make jobs appear real - but that the money had to transferred back to a different bank account. The Home Office says it is "investigating" the "illegal activity", which it says "will not be tolerated".
Several papers react to the government's announcement that leaseholder ground rents will be capped at £250 per year. The Financial Times carries a warning from a group representing 10 of the biggest landlords - which argues the change would "seriously damage investor confidence in the housing market". The i Paper argues that there's every chance the government's changes will make leasehold homes "easier to sell - and worth more".
Pictures of Sir Keir Starmer wearing a pair of aviator sunglasses during a podcast interview feature widely. "Flop gun" says the Daily Star, which explains that he was handed the shades by the host, and then quipped "bonjour". The paper calls it a playful swipe at French President Emmanuel Macron who had been "sporting sunnies" because of a bloodshot eye.
