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Scotland’s papers: PM hints at lowering taxes and teacher cuts warning

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Scottish Daily Express

Several of Tuesday’s papers look ahead to Wednesday’s Autumn Statement and the expected tax cuts which may be announced. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said the government “can and will” cut taxes but has warned “we can’t do everything at once” as speculation grows over how generous any measures will be, the Scottish Daily Express reports.

The Scottish Daily Mail says the move would mark the “return of tax-cutting Tories”, adding that there could be more to come in the spring. Like the Metro, the paper also notes the changes will be viewed as a bid to “turn the tide” for the party at the next election.

Metro notes that any tax changes will come as the “clock ticks down to a general election”. The paper says the PM has distanced himself from his predecessor’s “unfunded” tax-cutting policy last year, insisting: “We will do this in a serious, responsible way, based on fiscal rules, alongside independent forecasts.”

The Daily Telegraph describes the plan as a “Thatcherite tax-cutting drive” – a reference to former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher who favoured reduced income tax rates during her tenure at No 10 in the 1980s. The paper says the current PM has been considering plans to cut National Insurance, raise the 40% income tax threshold and reduce inheritance tax. An image of Mr Sunak with his chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, also makes the front page.

The Daily Record leads with a warning from Cosla that teacher numbers could be cut by local authorities to fund a council tax freeze in Scotland. The move was announced by Humza Yousaf at the SNP conference. Council bosses have asked for powers to make their own decisions on arbitrary teacher numbers before they back the proposal, the paper reports.

First MiniHumza Yousaf has rejected calls from the Scottish Liberal Democrats to refer himself to a parliamentary watchdog over claims he misled parliament about Scotland’s renewable energy capacity, reports the Herald. At First Minister’s Questions on 22 June, Mr Yousaf said that Scotland had “the majority of the renewables and natural resources” in the UK. The correct figure for 2022 was 26%, according to Scottish government figures.

The Scotsman reports that sewage spilled into rivers and seas almost 60,000 times between 2018 and 2022. The paper notes that environmental campaigners have warned the actual number of spillages could be much higher, due to just a small number of combined sewage overflows being reported.

The i reports on news from the UK Covid inquiry. Sir Patrick Vallance told the inquiry Mr Sunak’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme drove the second wave of Covid infections in the autumn of 2020. The i newspaper says it is the first time a senior government figure has confirmed the scheme – which subsidised meals at participating restaurants in August 2020 – was a driver of transmission.

A photo of former prime minister, David Cameron, makes the front page of the Times. The new foreign secretary is pictured being sworn in as Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton in the House of Lords. The paper’s main story is about the government’s plans, expected to be announced in the Autumn Statement, which it says include cutting the welfare bill and “forcing more benefit claimants to look for jobs”.

SNP President Mike Russell has accused the Conservatives of trying to buy Scottish votes by awarding levelling up money to areas with Conservative MPs, reports the National. Both Douglas Ross and Alistair Jack’s constituencies have been awarded funding through the scheme.

The Edinburgh Evening News leads with calls for more bus lane signage in the city, as the fine for motorists caught driving in them increases. Drivers will now been fined £100 if found to be driving in a bus lane. One councillor has told the newspaper: “If you double the fines, double the signs”. Councillor Marie-Clair Munro said a large number of the fines are accrued due to a lack of clear signage across the city.

A man has appeared in court charged with attempted murder in Aberdeen, reports the Evening Express. Alan Bruce, 51, is accused of assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement, danger of life and attempted murder, after a man was attacked in a park. According to the newspaper, a crossbow was used in the attack.

The Glasgow Times speaks to a food bank manager in the Crookston area of the city as demand grows for the service amid the cost-of-living crisis. The newspaper also reports that Glasgow City Council is set to spend £15m redeveloping Drumchapel town centre.

Dundee City Council has called on local businesses to help fund festive activities in the city, reports the Evening Telegraph. The council leader John Alexander said the council can’t afford to run some Christmas activities – such as a light switch-on – due to budget cuts.

The Courier reports that the owners of Taymouth Castle have plans to build a clubhouse and 18 homes on their estate. The redevelopment plans have raised concerns, with some describing the plans as aiming to create a “billionaire’s playground”.

Two men have appeared in court charged with the murder of a 36-year-old man in Inverness, reports the Press and Journal. Ross MacGillivray was found dead in Alness on 23 October. Craig Hayden, 28, of Alness, and Leon Headey, 21, from Liverpool, are accused of tying up Ross MacGillivray by his wrists while attacking him.

And the Daily Star has declared a “victory” on its front page. After being taken to task over the use of the term “boffin” to describe experts in its stories – which it does frequently – the paper says it is in fact OK to use the word if the recipient likes it, according to “boffins” the paper spoke to.

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