Published8 October 2026, 02:06 BST
Most of Thursday's papers lead with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch's speech at her party's autumn conference. The Daily Mail focuses on what it calls "Kemi's family home pledge", highlighting her promises of "no stamp duty… no mansion tax… [and] no inheritance tax". Her speech "electrified" the Conservative Party at the conference, the paper says
The Metro similarly headlines on "Kemi's no inheritance tax on homes pledge", which the Tory leader says will allow couples to "leave £1m tax-free to loved ones". It's part of a bid to "woo voters", it adds
The Independent carries a photo of Badenoch and her husband arm-in-arm at the conference, saying the Tory leader "bets the family home to win back voters". The paper adds that the inheritance tax pledge comes as she "pitches for [the] middle-close vote"
The Daily Express also leads on the Tories' inheritance tax pledge, quoting Badenoch as saying "nobody will ever pay death tax on family homes". It says the tax is "hated" and describes Badenoch's speech as "rousing", saying she has pitched the Tories as a "no nonsense" party
The Financial Times says "Badenoch invokes core Tory values" with her inheritance tax pledges, calling it a "new wave" for the Conservatives. The story is accompanied by a large photograph of Badenoch smiling and waving, as she stands behind the podium to deliver her speech. Meanwhile, the paper leads on what it calls a fear of "tax rises and spending cuts" as the Iran war "blows £12bn hole in [Chancellor John] Healey's room for maoeuvre"
"We're ready for the fight" is the Telegraph's headline, accompanied by a photo of a grinning Badenoch alongside her husband Hamish. Meanwhile, the paper says Prime Minister Andy Burnham is "ready to raise tariffs on China to get closer to EU", specifically targeting Chinese electric cars
The Times also headlines with Badenoch's speech, echoing her promise that the "Tories 'will make you better off'." Elsewhere on the front page, the paper says Israel is set "to close UK consulate as relationship hits a new low". That, it says, is "despite British efforts to reach an agreement to prevent the closure"
The Daily Mirror reports on Reform UK's internal investigation that said the party did not breach electoral law when senior officials were recorded by an undercover journalist discussing a potential way to secure foreign donations to the party. "Reform not dodgy, says Reform" is the headline on the Mirror's front page. The Metropolitan Police is currently carrying out a separate criminal investigation into Reform, over allegations it broke foreign funding laws
The i leads with the publication of a report on support for people with ADHD, with the paper saying it will conclude that "young people should get ADHD help even without diagnosis". The full independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism "is expected to be published within days", the paper adds
"Labour's flagship plans to reform special education in England are at risk of unravelling", according to the Guardian. The paper says "parents are rushing to secure support for their children before the system changes", citing analysis from the Institute for Government think tank
The Daily Star covers the trial of Katie Price's ex-husband Kieran Hayler, who is accused of three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against a 13-year-old girl. Hayler denies all the charges
Meanwhile, the Sun says a man who travelled to the UK in a small boat had been given a taxpayer-funded home shortly before committing a sexual offence. He has been remanded into custody and will be sentenced next month, the paper adds
Most of the front pages lead with Kemi Badenoch's Conservative conference speech yesterday. "We're ready for the fight", external" is the Daily Telegraph's verdict on the Tory leader's message. The Financial Times, external says her promises to cut taxes represent a return to core Conservative values, but the Guardian describes them as "prioritising the wealthiest", external.
The Daily Express believes Badenoch is a "no nonsense" leader, external – a phrase used by several papers – and that she heads a party that will stop what it describes as inheritance tax "raids". The Times says the Conservatives are now focused on wooing "Middle England"., external
"Reform not dodgy, says Reform", external is the Daily Mirror's review of the party's internal investigation finding it did not breach electoral law, when senior officials were recorded by an undercover journalist discussing foreign donations. The paper describes the probe as a "white wash".
The i reports that a major government review will call for schoolchildren to be given help for ADHD,, external autism and mental health issues even before they are diagnosed. The paper says the report will also question whether the conditions are being over-diagnosed and recommend community-based support.
The Guardian warns that the government's reforms to the special education system , externalin England could "unravel" because parents are rushing to secure support before any changes are implemented. It says experts are now urging ministers to review the timeline for their plans, which they claim are based on optimistic assumptions. The Department for Education says it's committed to implementing its plans by 2030.
A new daily pill could represent the biggest Parkinson's breakthrough, external since the 1960s, according to the Times. It says a clinical trial of Solengepras found it reduced patients' stiffness, slowness and tremors, as well as keeping them more alert.
The Telegraph says scientists could have found a key to helping us live longer in a 194-year-old giant tortoise , externalcalled Jonathan. He lives on the island of St Helena in the South Atlantic and is estimated to have hatched in 1832. Researchers say he has the "super genes" of a 5-year-old that reduce inflammation, regulate insulin and suppress cancer.
منبع: بی بی سی
