Papers revved up over Jaguar aid

The fallout from the economic downturn again fills up most space on the front pages this morning.

The Financial Times says Business Secretary Lord Mandelson is under growing pressure to offer a short-term cash lifeline to Jaguar Land Rover.

It says the car maker - owned by the Indian firm, Tata - is set to get hundreds of millions of pounds this weekend.

It believes Lord Mandelson could present the package as a way to help keep important research in Britain.

'Helping hand'

The Guardian's editorial says any loans package for Jaguar raises the issue of which firms should be rescued.

In this case, the paper believes that if Jaguar does not get "a helping hand", the government risks losing the sort of highly skilled jobs the country needs.

The Mirror says the collapse of Jaguar - or any other big manufacturer - would be "disastrous" for Britain.

But Matthew Parris in the Times questions a bailout. "A 'lifeline' is a lobbyist's word for a bung", he says.

Staff face axe

The Times says one in three charities may have to start laying off staff, because donations are drying up - both from companies and from the public.

It says the charities are asking the government for a £500m bailout.

The Guardian has an interview with Britain's leading police officer on tackling gang culture, Cdr Sue Akers.

She warns that gang members are becoming younger and more violent, with 14 and 15-year-olds being killed for "trivial slights".

'Strictly at War'

After John Sergeant's decision to waltz off the show and the semi-final voting problems, this year's Strictly Come Dancing final is here.

And the Sun says the show is " Strictly at War", as anger continues about last week's voting fiasco.

Tom Chambers is the bookies' favourite to beat his rivals, Lisa Snowdon and Rachel Stevens.

Judge Len Goodman tells the Telegraph he has no idea who will win but promises "a fantastic final".