Papers consider effect of VAT cut

Many of the Sunday papers look ahead to Monday's pre-budget report and agree the Chancellor is planning to cut VAT in an effort to kick-start the economy.

The Independent on Sunday says no-one knows if reducing VAT from 17.5% to 15% will work or prolong the recession.

The Sunday Telegraph warns of large tax rises in future to pay for the cut.

Its cartoon shows Alistair Darling throwing a "tax cuts" snowball up a hill, only for it to roll back down gathering snow and labelled "tax rise".

Public sector cull

Several papers report on money-raising alternatives for the Chancellor.

The Mail on Sunday says he should order utility companies to refund the £4bn in over-payments it claims have been made by customers who pay by direct debit.

The Sunday Times wants Mr Darling to cull the public sector, with its "easy hours" and "generous pensions".

It notes that adverts for jobs like a "principle nuisance response officer" may be exasperating in the good times, but in bad times they are unacceptable.

'End to in-fighting'

The Prime Minister's handling of the economic crisis has resulted in unexpected support from a bitter political rival, says the Observer.

It says former home secretary Charles Clarke has lavished praise on Mr Brown - a sign that Labour is pulling together after years of in-fighting.

The Observer and the Sunday Mirror both speculate on whether this all makes an early general election more likely.

The answer seems to be "no" - the favourite date is 2010.

Sergeant 'broken'

Pictures of John Sergeant waltzing his way out of Strictly Come Dancing grace many of the papers.

The Sunday Mirror and the People both offer behind-the-scenes exclusives.

His dancing partner tells the News of the World that the former political correspondent was "broken" by the cruelty of the judges' comments.

The Sunday Express's TV editor is furious with the judges and the BBC for allowing this "odious gang of four" to force out the people's choice.

Poetry vote

The Sunday Telegraph reports that the people will have a say in selecting the next poet laureate.

As Andrew Motion's tenure comes to an end, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham tells the paper he is keen to involve the public in choosing his replacement.

The process of finding a new one starts this Tuesday but the paper says there will be no telephone vote.

And it stresses the final decision will remain with the Queen and the process will remain "very formal".