What the Sunday papers said

The Independent on Sunday: Watchdog probe likely if Sports Direct seeks to buy JJB stores

An inquiry is likely to be launched by the Office of Fair Trading if Sports Direct tries to buy any of JJB Sports' stores. Sportswear retailer JJB is expected to file for administration this week, but although it has 180 stores, Mike Ashley's Sports Direct is believed only to be interested in fewer than 50 of these, meaning thousands of jobs are at risk.

The Mail on Sunday: Lloyds retail boss in pledge to preserve free banking

The boss of retail banking at Lloyds, Alison Brittain, has promised not to abandon free banking for in-credit current account holders. Following recent claims from Sir David Walker, the new chairman of Barclays, that free banking may have contributed to the mis-selling of financial products, Ms Brittain said such a move would not be welcomed by the public and would not "enhance the reputation of the banking industry".

The Sunday Times: CEBR says households' real incomes set to rise next year

Next year will be the first time since 2009 that households sees an increase in real incomes, according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR). The analysis by the CEBR shows that households with incomes of less than £26,000 will enjoy the biggest rise in income of 1.5 per cent, while those above £50,000 will see a gain of just 0.7 per cent.

The Sunday Telegraph: Xstrata board 'close to giving green light to Glencore merger'

The board of Anglo-Swiss miner Xstrata is understood to be close to approving Glencore's improved terms for the two's proposed mega-meger. After pressure from shareholders, including Qatar Holding, the commodity trader raised its offer earlier in the month to 3.05 Glencore shares for every one of Xstrata's, and a decision on the new terms could be announced as early as Wednesday.