'Disease threat' to election date

The papers continue to speculate about the implications of foot-and-mouth disease on the date of the general election.

The Guardian says Tony Blair is determined not to be thwarted in his plans to go to the voters on 3 May.

The months of preparation, Labour's standing in the opinion polls and the fact that no-one is dying of foot-and-mouth all point to that date, says the paper.

The Daily Mail says the opposite, urging Mr Blair to tear up his election plans for the next few months.

The Times still puts money on May but says the prime minister's conciliatory instincts might put him off barnstorming Britain during a rural crisis.

Festival threat

Gambling on the election may be the only option for betting enthusiasts as the Daily Telegraph reports that the Cheltenham Festival may be postponed after a suspected foot-and-mouth outbreak was discovered in the area.

The managing director of the race course tells the paper that if the outbreak is confirmed, the festival will be put back to April.

Compensation criticised

Several papers report on the compensation paid to a police officer on duty during the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, who suffered post-traumatic stress nine years later.

The Sun says Sergeant Martin Long was paid £330,000 in an out-of-court settlement.

Campaigners for relatives of the fans who died at Hillsborough describe the pay-out as disgusting.

One tells the paper Sergeant Long has received more than supporters who were injured and will never work again.

Minimum wage rise

The Financial Times reports that the national minimum wage - currently £3.70 an hour - is to be increased by about 10%.

It is the second rise since the measure was introduced two years ago.

The paper says Trade Secretary Stephen Byers will announce the increase to MPs next week as part of the budget proposals.

Coffee culture

Coffee shop culture is booming in the UK, according to a report quoted in The Times and The Express, with a 400% increase in the number of outlets likely over the next five years.

But The Express says caffeine addicts are unhappy at the soaring price of their cappuccinos and lattes.

Market researchers are warning the industry not to rest on its laurels, and to look out for the "next big thing" heading here from the US - juice bars.