What made the nationals: sponsored by PressChoice

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.