Newspaper headlines: Healey’s bank raid plans, Brand trial and ‘Topless Monster’ coverage

Banks and Budget proposals

The Daily Telegraph reports that John Healey is considering raising a surcharge on bank profits ahead of the Budget on 28 October. It says the chancellor is poised to tax banks despite previously describing them as “the crown jewels” of the UK economy.

The Guardian says the government could seek extra revenue from the financial sector to help address damage to public finances linked to war in the Middle East. The paper notes that think tanks and trade unions have called for higher bank taxes, and reports that the four biggest banks made about £15bn collectively in the first six months of the year.

The i Paper focuses on household costs, reporting that energy bills are set for a double rise in the new year. It says Healey has not committed to extending the prime minister’s cost-of-living measure.

Brand trial in the papers

The Daily Mirror reports that an alleged victim told a court Russell Brand became “monster-like” and asked her to take a photograph of him before he allegedly raped her. Brand denies three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault and one charge of indecent assault.

Royal and political stories

The Metro features Prince Harry and Meghan’s walkabout in Nottingham, describing it as “(not) royal” and highlighting Meghan in burgundy. It reports that this was her first public outing since returning to the UK. The Daily Express leads on Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s anger over the case of a failed asylum seeker jailed after an attempted rape.

Broadcasting, health and education

The Independent reports that the UK government plans to extend the public broadcaster’s licence fee to online services including Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon. The paper says new revenue would support journalism and efforts to tackle misinformation.

The Times reports that new NHS England guidance says transgender patients should be placed on single-sex hospital wards according to their biological sex rather than gender identity. It describes this as a reversal of the previous policy.

The Daily Mail reports criticism of government plans to make speaking skills as important as reading and writing. It says Conservative shadow minister Baroness Spielman warned that children would be “losers”.