What the papers say – March 14

Escalating tensions between Britain and Russia over the poisoning of Sergei Skripal lead many papers on Wednesday, with several also drawing attention to the death of another Russian exile on Monday.

Chancellor Philip Hammond’s Spring Statement also features prominently, with the papers analysing what the forecasts mean for hopes of increased spending in the next Budget.

“Putin raises the stakes”, declares the Daily Mail’s front page, leading with the Russian president’s warning not to threaten a nuclear power, alongside an image of Nikolai Glushkov who was found dead at his London home.

The Times also leads on Moscow’s warning to Mrs May against trying to intimidate Russia, as the PM is expected to tell MPs of plans to retaliate for the use of the nerve agent in Salisbury.

The Daily Telegraph leads with the death of Mr Glushkov, who was the right-hand man of Boris Berezovsky, once Vladimir Putin’s fiercest rival, who died in 2013.

The Sun also leads with the death of Mr Glushkov, saying the Russia crisis has “ramped up” as a result.

Mr Glushkov’s death also features on the front of The Guardian, alongside its lead coverage of the sacking of Rex Tillerson as US secretary of state by Donald Trump.

Mr Tillerson is pictured on the The Independent’s digital front page, which leads with a report saying Mrs May is drawing up plans for an “economic war” with Russia.

The i says Mrs May will target Russians with a “wave” of sanction that could see oligarchs’ UK assets frozen.

Leading with the Spring Statement, the Financial Times highlights the economic forecasts, saying hopes for a big rise in the spending are “likely to be dashed” as predictions suggest the UK will be near the bottom of the Group of Seven on growth.

The Daily Express also leads with Mr Hammond’s Spring Statement, saying the Chancellor “raised hopes of a bright future for Brexit Britain”.

Meanwhile the Daily Mirror leads with Mr Hammond’s review of whether to end the use of 1p and 2p coins.