Today's papers

THE Sunday Times reports that American healthcare companies are in secret talks with the Government to take over parts of the National Health Service. Some want to buy entire hospitals that face closure, to gain a foothold in Britain.

Convicted drug dealers are holding on to tens of millions of pounds from the profits of their crimes that should have been seized under court orders, the Observer reports. Even after successful prosecutions there is barely a one-in- three chance that government receivers will get their hands on the money.

Millions of pounds of taxpayers' money are being spent by local and health authorities on 'politically correct' training for their employees. According to a survey, more than pounds 1.7m a year was spent last year on courses for public sector workers, according to the Sunday Telegraph.

Social workers caring for a 14-year-old who went on a crime spree during a Centre Parcs therapy holiday had no qualifications, the Sunday Express reports. The new twist in the saga was revealed by one of those looking after the boy.