What The Sunday Papers Said

Independent on Sunday: The UK needs national talent bank

A coalition of Britain's biggest manufacturing companies will call on the Government this week to create a national skills strategy to spearhead a radical overhaul of the country's fragmented training infrastructure. Siemens, BT, BAE Systems, United Utilities, Scapa and Pilkington have drawn up a report, Skills for Industry – Bridging the Divide, to recommend that two new organisations be set up to deliver the strategy including a talent bank.

The Sunday Times: Severn Trent suitors may walk away

A consortium of foreign bidders is weighing up a fourth attempt to buy Severn Trent, the British water company, after three rejections. Another offer could come today, but sources close to the consortium, led by Borealis, the infrastructure arm of

the £35bn Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System, said it could walk away. A Takeover Panel deadline for offers for the FTSE 100 water and sewerage services company expires tomorrow.

The Mail on Sunday: Payday lenders face competition probe

The controversial payday loans industry is set to face a full investigation from the Competition Commission over concerns that it makes huge profits from consumers who cannot afford the loans in the first place. The Office of Fair Trading is already holding its own inquiry, but is expected to refer the industry to the Competition Commission, which has stronger powers to restrict or ban activities against consumers.

The Sunday Telegraph: Tougher rules for bankers

The Banking Commission report on standards in the City is to demand a radical overhaul of the punishment of bankers who have overseen failed institutions and open the door to new rules on multi-million-pound pay deals and competition in the sector. The final report by the Commission on Banking Standards could be released as early as this week and will contain a series of recommendations on bank governance among other changes.