Newspaper headlines: May woos business, Blair 'return' and a Winter 'blunderland' By staff

BBC News Published duration 21 November 2016

Theresa May's aim to keep UK corporation tax low is the lead story in the Times and the Daily Telegraph.

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Both papers believe the policy is designed to build bridges with business leaders with the Times describing it a "conscious change of tone" and the Telegraph suggesting the prime minister is to "back away" from plans to force companies to put workers on their boards.

The Sun says Mrs May will adopt a "carrot-and-stick" approach to business, by offering £2bn investment to make them global hi-tech leaders "but only if they do more for society".

Arguing that business must work with government to make sure people on modest to low incomes are not "left behind by the forces of capitalism", Mrs May claims she will "always" be one of the strongest advocates for business but warns that when a small minority "appear to game the system", the reputation of all is undermined.

'Short-term giveaways'

Several papers also look ahead to this week's Autumn Statement, after the chancellor told the BBC's Andrew Marr that uncertain times were ahead.

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It says the findings have "alarmed councils and charities" which are worried about increased levels of poverty and homelessness and will "increase the pressure" on Mr Hammond to offer relief to the Jam households in his Autumn Statement.

The Daily Mail says a major study carried out by government and Public Health England has found that two thirds of the fresh chicken sold in British shops is "contaminated with an E.coli superbug".

Describing the implications as "truly frightening", the Mail wants to see tougher rules on the use of antibiotics, and strict hygiene standards at abattoirs and farms. The British Retail Consortium has told the paper it is working with suppliers to minimise the presence of all bacteria.

According to the front page story in the Daily Mirror, a "secret" Conservative plan to slash £22bn of NHS funding could lead to the closure of hospitals, wards and A&E departments. It says a health think tank has warned that sustainability proposals currently being drawn up are "being used as cover" for a "huge programme of cuts".

The Mirror's editorial argues that the "terrifying depth" of the NHS crisis has been laid bare.

The editorial in the Times considers the state of Britain's trains, after more than 20 senior rail bosses wrote to the paper to call for massive investment in new technology.

The Times thinks the pitch for more funding makes "eminent sense" after "dismal underinvestment" but argues the money "must come with conditions". The most important, it says, is ending the wrecking tactics of unions.

But its leader column is downbeat, arguing that the chances "must be high that she will lose" given the anti-Establishment mood of voters around the world. Like Mrs Thatcher, it concludes, Mrs Merkel "may yet find that she is not invulnerable".

Blair 'return'

The potential return of Tony Blair to British politics is noted by many of the papers, after the former prime minister sparked speculation he hopes to play a larger role in the Brexit debate by announcing plans to open a new London office.

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Mr Blair, he writes, is "deranged enough" to believe he could cut a better deal than Theresa May, but as a negotiator he is "a proven catastrophe".

Winter 'blunderland'