Universities provide rich seam

Higher education proves a rich seam for the newspapers to mine on Monday.

The Times leads with a report that government plans for university expansion will flood the labour market with thousands of graduates unable to find jobs lucrative enough to repay the money they have spent on their education.

The paper says research by two academics challenges a central argument for increased tuition fees. The study suggests 40% of recent graduates are in jobs which do not require degree-level skills three years after graduating.

In its editorial, the Times wonders if politicians have the right emphasis. It wants them to concentrate more on providing vocational qualifications and less on obliging students with A-levels to read something more "academic".

Student IQ tests

The Independent, the Guardian and the Daily Telegraph report on the growing support among teachers for an IQ test for would-be undergraduates.

A study for an education charity suggests schools want an US-style aptitude test to run alongside A-levels to help universities select candidates.

The Telegraph says teachers have lost faith in A-levels as the best way of identifying the brightest students.

Tuition fees

Meanwhile, the prime minister is gearing up for what the Daily Mail calls a "three-day offensive" to try to win this week's parliamentary vote on tuition fees.

The Independent says Labour's internal warfare on the issue is reaching new depths of bitterness. It says the government has accused backbench critics of secretly plotting with the Tories to defeat the bill.

The Telegraph says the Education Secretary, Charles Clarke, has abandoned his emollient approach to the rebels; the paper says his advisers have all but accused them of lying to conceal the plot.

However, the Guardian says Mr Clarke will offer the rebels more concessions as part of a frantic bid to avoid defeat in the vote.

EU battle lines

Battle lines are also being drawn up over another contentious issue facing ministers: the European constitution.

The Times, quoting a senior government adviser, says legislation to ratify the document could come before MPs during the current parliamentary session.

Ministers believe the prime minister wants the issue in the open so he can shoot down what he sees as myths about it.

The Guardian's editorial applauds Mr Blair's move to confront the sceptics. It feels he needs to recapture the debate - and it calls on ministers to be positive rather than emphasise the so-called "red-line issues" on which the government says it will not give ground.

But the Daily Mail says there is growing pressure from Labour rebels for a referendum on the constitution. It says 30 MPs will meet on Monday to see how they can force a public vote.

78p a week

The Guardian has uncovered evidence that an employment agency, involved in a government initiative to clean up the gangmaster industry, has been supplying debt-bonded labour to pack supermarket produce.

The paper says the staff, all from South Africa, had legitimate work permits but were subject to a series of abuses and illegal practices.

The Guardian found that once rent, administrative charges and interest had been paid, one worker was left with 78 pence for a week's work.