hello, and welcome to our look ahead to what the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are are rachel watson, deputy political editor of the scottish daily mail, and kevin schofield, political editor of huffpost uk. tomorrow's front pages, starting with... the guardian reports increasing alarm at the treasury that the prime minister might be preparing to scrap the national insurance rise. the telegraph says a "work from home tax loophole" that cost the treasury nearly £500 million is to be closed. the picture is of barry cryer, the comedian who's died at the age of 86. according to the i, talks between ministers over dealing with the cost of living crisis have been delayed because of uncertainty over boris johnson's future. the ft reports that new russian gas projects face sanctions if ukraine is invaded. and finally, the metro says "plan a—ok" as millions of people return to work in england after coronavirus restrictions were lifted. so, let's begin. let's start with you, rachel, and the guardian which says treasury alarm if the pm refuses to confirm national insurance rise and this has been subject to a lot of speculation. what do you make of this? , ., ., speculation. what do you make of this? , . ., ., ., ., , this? the guardian have gone on this and there is — this? the guardian have gone on this and there is less _ this? the guardian have gone on this and there is less speculation - this? the guardian have gone on this and there is less speculation about . and there is less speculation about whether this national insurance rise will take place as planned and there has been growing pressure and the cost of living for example from some asking for to be delayed or scrapped. and the guardian have gone on comments from borisjohnson on his refusal orfailure on comments from borisjohnson on his refusal or failure today to confirm that this will happen. he was out and about today and asked about the plans, and he said that it was vital that the money was found for social care and health care systems but when asked how that would happen, he did not confirm that it was the national insurance rise. that seemed to give way to fears and the treasure that this might not happen now and the guardian have a source who said that we have four shots and does faye a no—confidence vote around party gate, this might be one of the ways that he tries to entice some of the party to back him, by saying i will scrap the national insurance rise from april. fix, scrap the national insurance rise from april-— scrap the national insurance rise from april. a briefing on the cost crisis and tour _ from april. a briefing on the cost crisis and tour the _ from april. a briefing on the cost crisis and tour the ship _ from april. a briefing on the cost crisis and tour the ship are - crisis and tour the ship are dominating some of the front pages what do you make of this story? i’m what do you make of this story? i'm a little bit surprised that the guardian splashed with it because this story— guardian splashed with it because this story has really been rumbling since _ this story has really been rumbling since monday. that was when number ten were _ since monday. that was when number ten were asked at the morning lobby forjournalists if the national insurance rise would go ahead and at that point— insurance rise would go ahead and at that point they seem to be saying it would _ that point they seem to be saying it would and _ that point they seem to be saying it would and then later in the day boris _ would and then later in the day borisjohnson was asked would and then later in the day boris johnson was asked if it was going _ boris johnson was asked if it was going to — boris johnson was asked if it was going to go ahead and he could not guarantee — going to go ahead and he could not guarantee it. so this is a dance all week— guarantee it. so this is a dance all week realty— guarantee it. so this is a dance all week really between the journalists and numberten to week really between the journalists and number ten to try and get them to confirm _ and number ten to try and get them to confirm that it would definitely io to confirm that it would definitely go ahead — to confirm that it would definitely go ahead and april. in the language has changed slightly. they won't guarantee it, all they will say it is still— guarantee it, all they will say it is still the _ guarantee it, all they will say it is still the plan but honestly as we know plans can change and there is a lon- know plans can change and there is a long time _ know plans can change and there is a long time between now and april. clearly in — long time between now and april. clearly in number 11 downing st won't _ clearly in number 11 downing st won't -- — clearly in number 11 downing st won't —— want this rights go ahead because _ won't —— want this rights go ahead because they need the money to clear the nhs _ because they need the money to clear the nhs backlog and in turn reformed social— the nhs backlog and in turn reformed social care _ the nhs backlog and in turn reformed social care. but obviously as rachaei— social care. but obviously as rachael said boris johnson social care. but obviously as rachael said borisjohnson is under a lot of— rachael said borisjohnson is under a lot of pressure from conservative mps who _ a lot of pressure from conservative mps who say that raising taxes is not something that conservative governments should be about and the money— governments should be about and the money should be found elsewhere. by cutting _ money should be found elsewhere. by cutting public spending elsewhere in making _ cutting public spending elsewhere in making savings rather than hitting people _ making savings rather than hitting peopie in— making savings rather than hitting people in the pocket and obviously boris _ people in the pocket and obviously borisjohnson has got people in the pocket and obviously boris johnson has got an awful lot on display— boris johnson has got an awful lot on display at the moment. he is trying _ on display at the moment. he is trying to— on display at the moment. he is trying to keep as many of his own mps on—site as he can and i think he dearly— mps on—site as he can and i think he dearly love to cancel this national insurance — dearly love to cancel this national insurance rise but as i say he is under a — insurance rise but as i say he is under a lot— insurance rise but as i say he is under a lot of pressure from the man next door, _ under a lot of pressure from the man next door, rishi sunak, who also as we all— next door, rishi sunak, who also as we all know— next door, rishi sunak, who also as we all know has got half an eye on boris _ we all know has got half an eye on borisjohnson'sjob. gnlglr we all know has got half an eye on boris johnson'sjob._ boris johnson's 'ob. only half and i? let's boris johnson's 'ob. only half and n let-s move — boris johnson's job. only half and i? let's move on _ boris johnson's job. only half and i? let's move on to _ boris johnson's job. only half and i? let's move on to the _ boris johnson's job. only half and i? let's move on to the i- boris johnson's job. only half and i? let's move on to the i because j i? let's move on to the i because this is obviously all connected with the economic picture and febrile politics. the pm's plan for the consul of the crisis delayed by the downing street turmoil. yes. consul of the crisis delayed by the downing street turmoil.— consul of the crisis delayed by the downing street turmoil. yes, so the i have downing street turmoil. yes, so the i have gone — downing street turmoil. yes, so the i have gone with _ downing street turmoil. yes, so the i have gone with the _ downing street turmoil. yes, so the i have gone with the cost-of-living i i have gone with the cost—of—living crisis but have a link to this to party gate and the ongoing paralysis they claim around number ten and downing st at the moment. and they have sources who have warned of a delay around trying to tackle that because of the crisis which we all know is going to affect thousands across the country. people are desperate for the government to try and step in and look at ways around the energy cap for example and the i explains a new cap on energy bills to be looked at. and they are looking this to party gate is saying that the concentration of the government is not actually on these areas of the moment, which is understandable because a lot of us are focusing and talking about party gate, the suit gray report, the meta— investigation, will boris johnson survive, will he not and he looks number ten? kevin mentioned rishi sunak having half an eye on it and who else has equipment there is a lot going on and a lot in that little bubble that has seeped out people in the public are talking about it as well. that's the ijust say at the same time as we have this going on, there are other issues like a cost—of—living crisis that the government is not focusing on at the government is not focusing on at the moment. find the government is not focusing on at the moment-— the government is not focusing on at the moment. and the huffington post would ou the moment. and the huffington post would you have _ the moment. and the huffington post would you have written _ the moment. and the huffington post would you have written has _ the moment. and the huffington post would you have written has fought - would you have written has fought again on the same story really with borisjohnson again on the same story really with boris johnson accused again on the same story really with borisjohnson accused of leading zumba government and tell us a bit more about what you have written there. ., ,., more about what you have written there. ., ., ., more about what you have written there. ., . ., ., , there. labour have left on really there. labour have left on really the inertia _ there. labour have left on really the inertia l _ there. labour have left on really the inertia i think— there. labour have left on really the inertia i think it _ there. labour have left on really the inertia i think it said - there. labour have left on really the inertia i think it said to - there. labour have left on really the inertia i think it said to say l the inertia i think it said to say at the — the inertia i think it said to say at the heart of government at the moment— at the heart of government at the moment and that the house of commons is rising _ moment and that the house of commons is rising really early considering we are — is rising really early considering we are still midterm in parliament and he _ we are still midterm in parliament and he would think there would be an awful lot _ and he would think there would be an awful lot of— and he would think there would be an awful lot of legislation that mps have to — awful lot of legislation that mps have to deal with. in actual fact things— have to deal with. in actual fact things seem to have ground to a halt so calling _ things seem to have ground to a halt so calling it — things seem to have ground to a halt so calling it a zumba government led by prime _ so calling it a zumba government led by prime minister whose eye is not on the _ by prime minister whose eye is not on the joh — by prime minister whose eye is not on the job. because he by prime minister whose eye is not on thejob. because he is by prime minister whose eye is not on the job. because he is so worried about— on the job. because he is so worried about using — on the job. because he is so worried about using his ownjob and he is spending — about using his ownjob and he is spending an awful lot of time talking — spending an awful lot of time talking to conservative mps, trying to get _ talking to conservative mps, trying to get them back on site and they have _ to get them back on site and they have but— to get them back on site and they have but in— to get them back on site and they have put in letters of no—confidence and they— have put in letters of no—confidence and they say instead of getting on with the _ and they say instead of getting on with the job of actually running the country— with the job of actually running the country he — with the job of actually running the country he is more concerned about saving _ country he is more concerned about saving his _ country he is more concerned about saving his own skin. this is with all the — saving his own skin. this is with all the challenges the government in the country is facing, which includes _ the country is facing, which includes a cost—of—living crisis in particular. — includes a cost—of—living crisis in particular, that is where the government's focus should be when in actual— government's focus should be when in actual fact _ government's focus should be when in actual fact honestly because of the problems— actual fact honestly because of the problems that he's got elsewhere, boris _ problems that he's got elsewhere, borisjohnson is not giving it all the attention that he needs to. now this was— the attention that he needs to. now this was put to a spokesman again today— this was put to a spokesman again today this — this was put to a spokesman again today this morning and he as you might— today this morning and he as you might expect completely rejected this suggestion that the government is paralysed really. by pointing to things— is paralysed really. by pointing to things like the lead role the government is taking in the vaccine booster— government is taking in the vaccine booster roll—out and that has been successful— booster roll—out and that has been successful so they say it is totally untrue _ successful so they say it is totally untrue but — successful so they say it is totally untrue but i think there is more than _ untrue but i think there is more than an— untrue but i think there is more than an element of truth in the fact that the _ than an element of truth in the fact that the prime minister really has -ot that the prime minister really has got so _ that the prime minister really has got so much on his mind right now that maybe — got so much on his mind right now that maybe it's a bit understandable that maybe it's a bit understandable that running the country is not the top priority— that running the country is not the top priority that perhaps it should be. �* ., , top priority that perhaps it should be. �* . , , ., top priority that perhaps it should be. �* . , , , top priority that perhaps it should be. . , be. and what is your sense and honestly we — be. and what is your sense and honestly we have _ be. and what is your sense and honestly we have seen - be. and what is your sense and honestly we have seen the - be. and what is your sense and - honestly we have seen the scottish tories coming out very publicly against borisjohnson's leadership against boris johnson's leadership now. against borisjohnson's leadership now. what is this is your picking up their about how quickly they think things could move if they do or whether boris johnson things could move if they do or whether borisjohnson is just going to be able to tough this out? i was in scottish parliament _ to be able to tough this out? i was in scottish parliament today - to be able to tough this out? i —" in scottish parliament today and spoke to some scottish conservatives who were about and they are feeling like everybody, it feels like we are in a very static position at the moment. they still believe that douglas ross to the right thing and calling for borisjohnson to resign and they have not changed their mind despite the potential awkward situation that borisjohnson might remain leader of the party with a scottish leader having called for him to go. and scottish conservative conference a couple of month away. with the prime minister configured to, give a speech. but they feel that we are in a very static position right now and they are not at westminster and not a runner collates down there who might be putting in letters of no—confidence and who might have a little bit more chatter so they are feeling very removed from at the moment. and i think it's all really hinging on that report and whether we see some kind of mass movement and ask her to someone today who said that they are having a view of it that nothing was coordinated really happening at westminster and they felt that boris johnson might cling on for a bit longer than they had first thought when douglas ross did for copper infinite do resign. but they stand by that decision and they still support douglas ross calling for him to go. fin support douglas ross calling for him to no. ., support douglas ross calling for him to no. . ., support douglas ross calling for him to o. . . , , ., support douglas ross calling for him too. . . , , to go. on that, what is your sense was my honestly _ to go. on that, what is your sense was my honestly waiting for - to go. on that, what is your sense was my honestly waiting for the i was my honestly waiting for the report sounds like the title of a play now but a lot does potentially hinged on that and the police investigation and the further this goes on, maybe it's helpful to johnson and the dentistry operation because the coup loses its momentum. yeah, it's difficult to judge because the coup loses its momentum. yeah, it's difficult tojudge really because — yeah, it's difficult tojudge really because everything could change once the report— because everything could change once the report comes out if it is particularly damaging for number ten, then— particularly damaging for number ten, then obviously that could precipitate more letters coming in but it— precipitate more letters coming in but it feels at the moment because we are _ but it feels at the moment because we are in— but it feels at the moment because we are in a — but it feels at the moment because we are in a bit of a local waiting for the — we are in a bit of a local waiting for the report to come out that some of the _ for the report to come out that some of the sting has been taken out of the furore — of the sting has been taken out of the furore surrounding borisjohnson at the _ the furore surrounding borisjohnson at the beginning of the week. it looks— at the beginning of the week. it looks like — at the beginning of the week. it looks like he was really up against it in the _ looks like he was really up against it in the report was imminent and there— it in the report was imminent and there was— it in the report was imminent and there was lots of briefing that is soon _ there was lots of briefing that is soon as— there was lots of briefing that is soon as it — there was lots of briefing that is soon as it came out, regulus of what it said. _ soon as it came out, regulus of what it said. lots _ soon as it came out, regulus of what it said, lots of tory mps were ready to submit— it said, lots of tory mps were ready to submit those letters. as i mentioned earlier, there is a real reared _ mentioned earlier, there is a real reared action going on now for more shots _ reared action going on now for more shots and _ reared action going on now for more shots and is — reared action going on now for more shots and is ls try their very best to rally— shots and is ls try their very best to rally conservative mps around them, _ to rally conservative mps around them, warning from jacob rees mogg early this— them, warning from jacob rees mogg early this week that if there is a change — early this week that if there is a change of— early this week that if there is a change of leadership, there has to be a general election and obviously that's— be a general election and obviously that's not— be a general election and obviously that's not true but itjust ejects a little bit — that's not true but itjust ejects a little bit of— that's not true but itjust ejects a little bit of doubt in the minds of wavering — little bit of doubt in the minds of wavering conservative mps... little bit of doubt in the minds of wavering conservative mps. .. because labour are ahead _ wavering conservative mps. .. because labour are ahead in _ wavering conservative mps. .. because labour are ahead in the _ wavering conservative mps. .. because labour are ahead in the polls. - labour are ahead in the polls. exactly and do you really want to check _ exactly and do you really want to check a _ exactly and do you really want to check a guy who couple girls go one and 80 _ check a guy who couple girls go one and 80 seat majority? along as it goes _ and 80 seat majority? along as it goes on. — and 80 seat majority? along as it goes on, and there is no more controversial parties or have the rebuild — controversial parties or have the rebuild of— controversial parties or have the rebuild of the media, perhaps a portion— rebuild of the media, perhaps a portion of— rebuild of the media, perhaps a portion of the can be breathing a little _ portion of the can be breathing a little bit — portion of the can be breathing a little bit easier everything hinges now on the report and if it's damaging, then it will be very difficult for him but if it is not as bad as some suspect it might be, then he _ as bad as some suspect it might be, then he might live to fight another day. then he might live to fight another da . �* , ., then he might live to fight another da . �* , . , . day. it's all very intriguing. we are going _ day. it's all very intriguing. we are going to — day. it's all very intriguing. we are going to move _ day. it's all very intriguing. we are going to move onto - day. it's all very intriguing. we l are going to move onto another day. it's all very intriguing. we - are going to move onto another story there and the independent headlining there and the independent headlining the story that has emerged today, lives try spending half £1 million they said and they broke it originally on a private jet to australia with critics saying it was an outrageous source of emissions so the actual cost and the carbon cost being questioned here. this the actual cost and the carbon cost being questioned here.— being questioned here. this is interesting — being questioned here. this is interesting to _ being questioned here. this is interesting to flash _ being questioned here. this is interesting to flash on - being questioned here. this is interesting to flash on and - being questioned here. this is interesting to flash on and it l being questioned here. this is| interesting to flash on and it is closer they got earlier today to say that liz truss took a private jet on her trip to australia and it's not just that half—million to the taxpayer but it is around the emissions and the fuel when they point out that from london to sydney that she could have got. the government have divided this and all government trips and whether they are worth the money and this falls into that and this sort of transport. but i think we are still very much, copp 26 is not on our minds as much as it might have been with party way or owen patterson which happened afterward but people are still very much looking at carbon emissions how to cut those and this is one of those that is obviously embarrassing for the government when you look at modes of transport. and i think the government here, they of course limit this allows business to be done and the costs are weighed up but this is a good talker of a story because it is people talking about this and the cost of emissions and wejust had the this and the cost of emissions and we just had the summit and we are having a cost—of—living crisis and it's just one of those good talking stories, i think. it's just one of those good talking stories, ithink. you it'sjust one of those good talking stories, ithink.— stories, i think. you is assumed that they would have _ stories, i think. you is assumed | that they would have known that chartering a plane and sitting in a commercialflight will chartering a plane and sitting in a commercial flight will be something that would have to be carefully thought through. but only woman to take that kind of flight, is it not? and other for the costs are take that kind of flight, is it not? and otherfor the costs are huge. they are and i was a much more expensive — they are and i was a much more expensive than if you go in a private — expensive than if you go in a private plane then if you go commercially. if you are a cynic, you might — commercially. if you are a cynic, you might think that it's in the interests — you might think that it's in the interests of rishi sunak the chancellor for this to be revealed obviously — chancellor for this to be revealed obviously the treasury would be well aware _ obviously the treasury would be well aware of _ obviously the treasury would be well aware of how much this flight cost and am _ aware of how much this flight cost and am i_ aware of how much this flight cost and am i suggesting that's what happened, but i have seen it suggested to people might think there's— suggested to people might think there's a — suggested to people might think there's a lot of dark arts going on in the _ there's a lot of dark arts going on in the background there. also embarrassingly for liz truss it also emerged _ embarrassingly for liz truss it also emerged later on the day that in 2007— emerged later on the day that in 2007 she — emerged later on the day that in 2007 she co—authored a report from the reform _ 2007 she co—authored a report from the reform think tank in which he talked _ the reform think tank in which he talked about public spinning cuts in which _ talked about public spinning cuts in which she _ talked about public spinning cuts in which she said that publishing the workers _ which she said that publishing the workers should treat track chair money— workers should treat track chair money as— workers should treat track chair money as if