'Trump wants UK tax cuts for tech giants' and 'hands off our ISAs'

Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive officer of Meta Platforms Inc., from left, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com Inc., Sundar Pichai, chief executive officer of Alphabet Inc., and Elon Musk, chief executive officer of Tesla Inc., during the 60th presidential inauguration in the rotunda of the US Capitol in WashingtonImage source, AFP via Getty Images
  • Published

As with so many days in the past fortnight, a flurry of stories about the activities and plans of US President Donald Trump lead some of Saturday's front pages.

The Guardian leads on a warning from the Foreign Secretary, external, David Lammy, about President Trump's plans to make substantial cuts to the US's international aid budget. He tells the paper the move could be a "big strategic mistake" that allows China to step into the gap and further its global influence.

President Trump is also the focus of the front page of the i Weekend. The paper reports that the White House is expected to demand, external the UK cuts taxes and red tape on tech giants -- such as Amazon, Facebook and X -- as part of a trade-off over tariffs. Britain and the US are due to hold talks, and a Treasury source says the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, expects to come under pressure to exempt technology firms from certain taxes.

Meanwhile, the chancellor has been warned that axing tax-free saving pots known as ISAs could hurt savers and "crash the mortgage markets", writes the Daily Mail which is unequivocal with its headline, external "Hands off our cash ISAs". Rachel Reeves is understood to be open to "axing or significantly reducing" the current cash ISA tax-free allowance, which sits at £20,000 per year, the paper adds.

Several papers report that Justin Welby has permission to live at Lambeth Palace with his family until the early summer, despite his resignation as the Archbishop of Canterbury. He left the role following a damning report into safeguarding failures in the Church of England. The Daily Telegraph says the arrangement was disclosed in papers, external to be published before the Church's General Synod next week. A church source tells the Times it's common practice, external to ensure clergy have accommodation after leaving their post until they have found somewhere new.

The Daily Mirror has spoken to Brendan Fearon, external, who was injured when he was shot during a burglary at a Norfolk farmhouse owned by Tony Martin in 1999. Mr Martin - who served three years in prison after fatally shooting 16-year-old Fred Barras in the same burglary - died earlier this week at the age of 80. The case sparked a national debate about the rights of householders to defend themselves. Brendan Fearon tells the paper he's "never felt any bitterness or animosity" towards Mr Martin.

The Daily Telegraph says Health Secretary, external Wes Streeting has criticised the NHS for being too keen to hire migrants. He tells the paper that while the health service is stronger for having drawn on "talent from around the world" it has become too reliant on pulling -- what he calls -- the "immigration lever" in recent years. He adds that the government is committed to boosting "home grown talent" and giving more people across the country a chance to work for the NHS.

Most of the papers feature photographs of the King hosting an Italian-themed dinner at Highgrove. The guests included David and Victoria Beckham, Donatella Versace and Dame Helen Mirren. The Daily Mail says the event boasted, external "a glorious home grown menu showcasing the best of British produce, with a touch of Italian flair". The Express explains, external that the night was a warm-up for the King and Queen's state visit to Italy in April. The Times says, external the King, who was diagnosed with cancer a year ago, is "revitalised" and keen to "fill every gap in his diary". He's still undergoing treatment but those close to him have apparently decreed that the "best medicine" is keeping busy.

News Daily banner

Sign up for our morning newsletter and get BBC News in your inbox.

News Daily banner