Tuesday newspaper round-up: Post Office, The Telegraph, Homebase
A top US antitrust watchdog sued to block the country’s largest-ever supermarket merger on Monday, alleging the deal would raise prices for millions of shoppers. The Federal Trade Commission argued that Kroger’s $24.6bn takeover of rival grocer Albertsons would narrow consumer choice and weaken the quality of products on shelves. – Guardian
Newly published documents show that a “toxic culture of disbelief” persists at the top of the Post Office when it comes to wronged post office operators, MPs have been told. Post Office board members complained of being “tired and constantly distracted by historical issues, short-term crisis management and funding issues”, minutes of one of their meetings last year show. – Guardian
Rishi Sunak’s raid on workers and businesses will cost the country an extra £100bn in taxes by the end of this decade just as surging net migration piles more pressure on public services, the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned. The respected think tank said Britain’s tax burden would jump by 2030 as frozen tax thresholds mean inflation pushes more people into higher brackets and corporation tax weighs on businesses. – Telegraph
The UAE-funded takeover of The Telegraph could be blocked under proposed laws that would grant Parliament a veto on foreign state ownership of the British news media. An amendment that would require approval from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords for such deals has been tabled to the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill. – Telegraph
Homebase could soon be sold to new owners after talks were held with a number of potential buyers. Hilco Capital, which bought the troubled DIY and garden chain for £1 in 2018, is believed to have held discussions with a number of parties, including The Range and B&M European Value Retail, the discount retailers. – The Times