Dutch trouble, selling the family silver, Scots prefer Connolly to Queen and the Chinese company that wants to eat Weetabix.
…TROUBLE IN HOLLAND …..
DAILY TELEGRAPH
DUTCH CRISIS PUTS EUROZONE DEBT RESCUE PLANS AT RISK
By Louise Armitstead
The Dutch prime minister is to launch a bid to save his austerity budget amid chaos that could plunge Europe’s debt rescue plans into disarray. He is expected to resign today and announce snap elections, pushing yet another “core” eurozone country into political and economic uncertainty.
….. TROUBLE AT HOME …..
DAILY MAIL
MINISTERS ORDERED TO FIND ANOTHER £16BN IN SPENDING CUTS
By Tim Shipman
The plans emerged as former Chancellor Ken Clarke yesterday warned it would take ‘long hard work’ before the economy returns to normal. ‘2012, I think, will undoubtedly be challenging,’ he said.
DAILY EXPRESS
RECESSION FEARS RISE AS UK FIRMS FEEL THE STRAIN
By David Shand
A raft of profit warnings and low dividend payouts, suggest British business is feeling the strain ahead of key data this week which will show whether the country has escaped sliding back into recession. Although today’s Dividend Monitor from Capita Registrars shows first- quarter dividends soared 25 per cent to a record £18.8billion, the figure was distorted by unusually large payouts from Vodafone and Cairn Energy – the general picture is not good.
…… THE REST OF THE NEWS …..
FINANCIAL TIMES
FAMILY SILVER GOES INTO MELTING POT
By John Murray Brown in Birmingham
Middle-class families are opting to “sell the family silver”, as its rising price means the scrap value of Georgian silverware outweighs its antique value. The price of silver has risen from £2.95 an ounce in 2003 to a high of £29.25 in 2011, and gold has gone up almost fivefold in the past decade.
DAILY EXPRESS
WEETABIX FACES CHINA BID
By Edited by David Shand
Weetabix could soon be eaten up by new Chinese owners , which could value the company at £1billion. The Chinese State-backed firm Bright Food is thought to be in talks with Lion Capital, the private equity owner of Weetabix. Lion like breakfast companies as they already own Alpen and Ready Brek.
GUARDIAN
POSTAL WORKERS' UNION VOWS TO STEP UP RESISTANCE TO ROYAL MAIL PRIVATISATION
By Dan Milmo
The postal workers' trade union has vowed to step up its campaign against Royal Mail privatisation after warning that the process will be a "ripoff". The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said the 30% increase in the price of first-class stamps from 30 April proves that selling the business will disadvantage consumers.
FINANCIAL TIMES
UK REGULATOR LOSES UBS SUPERVISION TEST CASE
By Caroline Binham and Megan Murphy in London
The UK financial regulator’s efforts to punish senior managers when failings occur have been dealt a severe blow after it lost a test case involving UBS. The FSA was trying to fine John Pottage, the former chief executive of UBS’s UK wealth management division, £100,000 for misconduct after uncovering a series of compliance problems that did not involve Mr Pottage personally.
THE SCOTSMAN
SCOTS TAKE MORE PRIDE IN BILLY CONNOLLY THAN THE QUEEN, SAYS SURVEY
By David Maddox
THE majority of Scots believe the Queen contributes nothing to their sense of national pride, according to a new survey , which calls into question support for the monarchy if Scotland becomes independent. Only 41 per cent of Scots surveyed said the Queen made them feel proud to be Scottish.
BBC.CO.UK
PPI MIS-SELLING: 'NO NEED TO PAY' FOR CLAIMS
Banks and consumer groups will meet to shed light on the cost of using claims management companies for payment protection insurance claims. People who believe they were mis-sold PPI can apply for compensation by writing to providers themselves. But many have used claims management companies who then take a cut of any subsequent payout.
