Newspaper headlines: Kwarteng spending vow and Moors murders search

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By BBC News
Staff
Reuters

Both Prime Minister Liz Truss and the Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng have written articles defending their tax cuts.

In the Sun, the prime minister insists she has "an iron grip on UK finances" and pledges to return to "sound money", amid - as the paper puts it - fears that her borrowing plans are out of control.

She also promises economic reforms including a reduction in childcare red tape, loosening of immigration rules for some struggling sectors, and deregulation of planning.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Kwarteng says he will publish a "credible plan" in November to bring public spending under control.

He says this will include a "commitment to spending discipline" with new fiscal rules and a blueprint to get government debt falling as a share of GDP.

Mr Kwarteng also admits that not all measures in his mini-budget will be universally popular, but insists he had no other choice.

The Telegraph says the comment is a sign that he will not reverse the abolition of the 45% top rate of income tax.

A number of papers highlight anger within the Conservative Party at the government's economic policies.

Both the Telegraph and the Times say some Tory MPs are talking to Labour to try to find a way to overturn the mini-budget.

The Sun and the Daily Mirror say the prime minister will face a rebellion if she goes back on a promise to increase benefit payments in line with inflation next year, while giving tax cuts to millionaires.

A former Conservative minister tells the i newspaper that a number of MPs have signed letters of no confidence in Ms Truss.

Another senior Tory described the prime minister as "the Conservative Corbyn".

An editorial in the Daily Mail urges the Conservatives to "stick with Liz," because her policies - from reducing energy bills to one of the biggest tax giveaways in history - are "commendable" and "defendable".

The Guardian, though, says the country needs better leadership. Finding a new Tory leader would be messy, its editorial says, but the alternative looks worse.

Reuters

The Daily Express leads on a warning from the bank HSBC that rocketing mortgage payments could result in "mass forced sales".

The paper says that could cause a sizeable fall in house prices of 20% or more.

The Guardian says protests against the rising cost of living are expected to be held today in Birmingham, Bradford, Brighton and London.

The paper says some of those taking part are expected to set fire to their energy bills.

"Have they found Keith at last?" is the headline on the front of the Daily Mail which, like the Mirror and the Daily Star, leads on the new police search for the remains of Keith Bennett - the 12-year-old boy killed by the Moors Murderers in 1964.

The sight of a blue police forensic tent on Saddleworth Moor is described by the Daily Mail as a "haunting reminder" of the horrors perpetrated by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley.