Mixed feelings on unions' return

New talks with the unions could spell a journey back to the "bad old days" for Blair, or pave the way for an easier ride at next week's TUC conference - depending on which paper you read.

The Daily Mail's headline will infuriate its readers everywhere: ''The Brothers are Back in Number Ten''.

The decision to set up a forum between ministers and union leaders is a sign, according to the paper's leader writer, that Blair's Britain is lurching back to the bad old days of beer and sandwiches - when under ''complacent Labour Governments, bullying unions called the shots''.

According to the Daily Telegraph business leaders have also been angered by Tony Blair's agreement to give the trades unions a greater role in the reform of the public services.

The Sun concurs, arguing that it threatens to hand the unions powers not enjoyed since the troubled 1970s; and that's despite Labour's election pledges to keep them at arms length.

The Guardian thinks that the new relations may ease the pressure on the Prime Minister at next week's TUC conference.

But the Daily Mirror believes the refusal of Mr Blair to agree to end what it calls his divisive policies on the NHS and schools, only paves the way for a showdown next week in Brighton.

In fact, the Financial Times reports that he is steeling himself for a string of defeats at this month's Labour party conference - after signalling that he is determined to push through controversial plans for reform of the public services including foundation hospitals.

As the papers continue to pore over the minute detail of the evidence given to inquiry into the death of the scientist Dr David Kelly, the Independent offers an overview.

There is a growing expectation, it says, that Lord Hutton's report may echo comments made by Dr Kelly's widow, that the Ministry of Defence failed to give him adequate support and protection.

Apparently, the prevailing mood in Downing Street is that the government may well be accused of failing in its duty of care towards Dr Kelly, but cleared of allegations, reported by the BBC, that it "sexed up" the dossier on Iraqi weapons.

Under a world exclusive heading, the Daily Mirror reports that the British army has apologised to 11 Iraqi civilians who were beaten by SAS soldiers in what is described as a bungled raid.

One victim said he lost consciousness, another's shoulder was dislocated and a woman was hit in the head by troopers looking for the killers of six Royal Military policemen. The paper says the army has written an unprecedented open letter of apology.

A survey which has found that one third of children under four have a TV in their bedrooms has caused consternation among the tabloids.

The Star says the kids hooked on TV are turning into school flops, the Mail speaks of a couch potato generation, while the Sun asserts that devotion to the small screen does not help language or behavioural development.

Finally, the Express reveals that burning issue - what do office workers gossip about?

Two per cent discuss sport or politics. Marriage, divorce and babies attract eight per cent; the lives and loves of the rich and famous is most likely to get tongues wagging - closely followed by the sexual indiscretions of work colleagues.