Petrol car ban eased and US to 'press on' with tariffs

The UK treasury plans to water down rules for private equity and hedge funds by introducing softer regulations for smaller groups to incentivise investment, the Financial Times reports. And US President Donald Trump's officials show no sign of halting the "bruising tariffs" on imports from around the world and are rejecting "fears of a looming recession."

The i Paper leads with the easing of a ban on manufacturing petrol cars, described as an effort to "shield" the UK from a trade war and boost the automobile industry. The paper says the government expects to move towards a "more interventionist state" to work directly with businesses to compensate for the "damage done" by the new US tariffs.

The Times says it will be "cheaper and easier" to own an electric car, as Sir Keir warns Trump's tariffs are "not a phase". Also on the front is a report on young British Muslims "growing more disillusioned and isolated" due to the ongoing siege on Gaza from Israel.

Taking a broader view on the petrol car story, the Guardian declares Labour will "support key industries" to shelter vulnerable sectors from the 10% US export levy. In addition to the car companies, life science industries are expected to be among those receiving extra support. Elsewhere, Israel's military "razed" Gaza to create a kill zone, the paper reports, quoting Israeli soldiers.

Headlining on what it calls the NHS's "radical" plan to tackle the "health crisis," the Daily Telegraph reports medics will be sent door-to-door in a new scheme greenlit by the health secretary. There's also room for a picture of Lesley Manville and John Lithgow with their best actress and actor gongs at the Olivier awards, and Sir Keir Starmer.

The Metro leads on Elon Musk "undermining" Donald Trump's tariff order, just days after the president unveiled the plan. The tech billionare "advised against" Trump's 20% tax on European imports and 10% on UK goods, the paper says. The front is illustrated with Trump prodding a finger at Musk.

Family doctors overwhelmingly support the NHS's prostate screening programme, according to the Daily Mail's splash. Referencing its own campaign the paper says 94% of GP's surveyed in a poll think the government should roll out standard prostate checks for high-risk men.

And the Sun says the planes of Britain's Red Arrows aerial display team may be traded in for Russian-designed M-346's, sparking "RAF fury". Nodding to the ongoing tariffs reaction, Sir Keir will be boosting the "white van man" by allowing drivers to buy petrol and diesel vehicles for another five years, the paper says.

Billed by the Guardian as the prime minister's "first significant intervention" since President Donald Trump's announcement of US import tariffs, Sir Keir Starmer's speech in the West Midlands later features on many front pages. According to the Times, there will be a relaxation of the electric vehicle mandate, with fines for manufacturers for each non-compliant vehicle sold reduced from £15,000 to £12,000.

The Daily Mirror says saving the British car industry is "critical". The Sun uses its editorial to urge the prime minister to go "much further," saying giving drivers tax breaks for buying electric vehicles makes more sense than fining manufacturers.

The Daily Telegraph reports that an army of health workers will be sent door-to-door as part of a radical NHS scheme to tackle "Britain's sickness crisis". According to the paper, the plan will see one worker looking after 120 homes, typically paying monthly visits to check if help is needed. It is due to be rolled out in 25 parts of England, the paper says. Results from a pilot in Westminster suggest it has led to a 10% drop in hospital admissions over a year.

Luxury car firms such as Aston Martin will still be allowed to keep producing petrol cars beyond 2030

"Our heroes will get help to pay respects to fallen comrades", declares the Daily Express. It says Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to fund travel, bed and board for all British Second World War veterans wanting to attend VE Day events.

The Daily Mail leads on a survey of GPs which suggests 94% of them believe the government should roll out life-saving checks for prostate cancer. The paper highlights analysis indicating that hundreds of lives would be saved by targeting the programme at men with the highest risk. The Mail's editorial says people should be invited for tests - pointing out how such a policy has "worked spectacularly well with breast cancer".

Under the headline "Reds Arrows", the Sun reports that the RAF display team may trade in its fleet for Russian-designed jets. The team's Hawk T-1s are due to be retired by 2030 and the factory that made them has closed. One retired RAF pilot says opting for Russian-designed jets would be "bordering on treasonous". The Ministry of Defence says it has not yet, in its words, "engaged the market" on the future model.

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