Newspaper headlines: 'Axe looms' over HS2 as Tories plan new policies

A number of papers report on speculation that the HS2 link between Birmingham and Manchester is set to be scrapped

The uncertainty surrounding the Birmingham to Manchester stretch of the HS2 rail line features in many of Sunday's papers.

"Axe looms" is the Sunday Telegraph headline. The lead article quotes a Whitehall source as saying an increase in costs has put the scheme on course to wipe out the budget for other transport projects.

The Observer reports that there are strong rumours at least one "middle-ranking" minister could resign if the route is cut back. The paper goes on to look at the timing of any announcements, with a source saying the plan is to do it before the Conservative party conference due to get under way next weekend in Manchester.

According to the Mail on Sunday, Rishi Sunak is set to fight the next election with a promise to keep the pension triple lock, despite its spiralling costs. The paper says the prime minister has been told it would be "political suicide" to abandon it, although he has previously declined to commit to safeguarding the policy.

The Sunday Times leads on reports of another offer from Mr Sunak, who is allegedly reviving plans to slash inheritance tax.

Reflecting on what it's called the government's policy "blitz", the Sunday Express says the prime minister is drawing up a "wave of eye catching announcements" to try to boost his party's popularity.

Meanwhile, the Sun on Sunday reports that ministers have put local councils on standby for a general election in the Spring.

The Sunday Telegraph says French border force and police are tethering buoys across rivers as part of attempts to try to stop people smugglers using "taxi boats" to transport migrants across the Channel.

Gangs are said to have been using the waterways to try to evade patrols and surveillance. The tactic, as well as increased beach patrols, is believed to have played a role in the 22% fall in successful Channel crossings by small boats this year.

Dehenna Davison - the Conservative MP who stepped down as a minister last week due to chronic migraines - has written in the Sunday Times about her condition.

She says at times she was in so much pain she was crying under her ministerial desk - and that no matter how hard she tried, her symptoms made it impossible to keep up with the demands of her role.

Ms Davison says she's been overwhelmed by support since her resignation, but says she has received some negative comments. She says this highlights that some just do not understand migraines, and so "the stigma remains".

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