“Reeves pledges to invest, invest, invest,” reads the headline in the Financial Times, as the chancellor prepares to boost borrowing to fund a multi-million pound capital program in this month’s Budget, the newspaper reports. Seeking to calm ‘potentially jittery’ markets, Rachel Reeves has indicated that higher taxes could go some way to filling the £22 billion ‘hole’ she has identified in the public finances, the report says. The front also features a photo of a man taking cover in a Beirut suburb “during an Israeli airstrike.” A court ruling against FIFA could disrupt the system of player sales between European football clubs, the newspaper also reports. (BBC)
As Labor implements a ‘once in a generation’ review of workers’ rights, more than seven million people will have access to sick pay, maternity benefits and unfair dismissal protection from day one, the Times said. Trial periods will also be shortened to a maximum of six months, but managers will still be able to fire “unsatisfactory employees”, the newspaper said. Dominating the front page is a ‘portrait of determination’: a photo of 17-year-old cancer patient Liz Hatton, who was embraced this week by Catherine, Princess of Wales. Liz has fulfilled an ambition to take photos for the Times, the newspaper said. (BBC)
“Showbiz bomb!” Nick Knowles has left Strictly Come Dancing after suffering a second knee injury, the Mirror reports. (BBC)
Argentina is plotting a “new grab for the Falklands”, according to the Daily Mail, following the British decision to transfer sovereignty from Diego Garcia to Mauritius. (BBC)
The Express calls Labour’s abolition of the winter fuel payment for pensioners ‘disgraceful’ and says more than one in four people affected are over 80. (BBC)
In a nod to Star Trek, the Daily Star says Hurricane Kirk is heading towards Britain and could cause “havoc”. (BBC)
