Newspaper headlines: Reeves needs ‘Christmas miracle’ and King’s ‘message of unity’

The Financial Times leads with Chancellor Rachel Reeves admitting she has a “huge” task to turn around the economy after it saw zero growth between July and September, with business warning of a tough start to 2025. The shadow chancellor, Mel Stride, is calling for Reeves to revisit her “disastrous Budget”, which included a rise in national insurance contributions. The broadsheet’s main image shows young choristers at St Paul’s Cathedral practising for the Christmas services, with girls included for the first time in 900 years.

Also focusing on the economy, the i headlines that Reeves “needs a Christmas miracle” to boost the economy, according to one economist. If current trends continue she may have to increase taxes, the paper reports. Reeves said the Budget and the government’s plan for change would deliver sustainable long-term growth.

The Daily Express splashes on a picture of the King as it reports his annual Christmas Day speech message will “call for togetherness and hope”. This year the monarch will deliver his pre-recorded speech from a former hospital chapel “amid his ongoing cancer battle”, the paper observes. Also pictured is British Tennis number one Katie Boulter who has announced her engagement to world number nine Alex de Minaur.

“King’s message of national healing” headlines the Daily Mail as it too leads on the monarch’s Christmas message. It writes that the content of his speech has been inspired by the way the UK pulled together after the Southport riots. The paper adds he will also reflect on a difficult year for his family following cancer diagnoses for him and the Princess of Wales, as well as those who have suffered in the UK and abroad. Elsewhere pictured is Bashar al-Assad, the deposed leader of Syria who fled to Russia, and his London-born wife Asma. The paper asks: “Does Assad’s wife want to divorce him and return to Britain?”

The Sun also splashes on a picture of the King delivering his speech in the former hospital chapel. It reports he recorded the speech at Fitzrovia Chapel in central London a fortnight ago amid high security. The paper notes it is the first Christmas broadcast in 14 years to be filmed away from the royal estate.

More than 10,000 serving sailors, soldiers and air crew cannot go to war because they are medically unfit, the Times reports. Nearly 15,000, it says, can only be deployed if the mission meets certain criteria, like the weather is not too hot or too cold. The shadow armed forces minister, Mark Francois, said the figures were “deeply worrying” and called for urgent action. The Times says research suggests that among drivers aged 17-25, 21% of males and 15% of females are committing insurance fraud by falsely claiming that they are not the main driver on their policy.

“Honour the brave” headlines the Daily Mirror as it leads with a call for an extra bank holiday to mark next year’s 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two. A poll by the paper suggests 73% back a day off to honour the remaining veterans of the conflict. Also on the front page are characters Nessa and Stacey from show Gavin and Stacey ahead of the screening of a Christmas special and its final episode.

A mock-up of a boy visiting Santa and asking for an internet connection is on the front of the Daily Star. Quoting “boffins”, the paper writes there are fears there could be a “techno meltdown” this Christmas as people stream TV. Also making an appearance on the front page is the reptile that featured in the film Crocodile Dundee. Burt the crocodile died over the weekend at the age of 90.