Economic concerns grip the papers

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7406076.stm

Version 0 of 1.

The Daily Express bucks the trend of economic gloom expressed by many of the papers by confidently announcing on its front page that the recovery has begun.

It sees the 100 share index ending on a four-month high on Friday as good news for savers, borrowers and those who have invested in pension funds.

But for the Daily Telegraph the economic signs are not so rosy.

It says the average family has been left with less than £50 a week to spendon anything other than essential bills.

Estate agents

The Independent warns that consumers rather than businesses are bearing the full cost of the credit crunch.

The paper points to the large profits reported by British Airways on Friday, along with those listed by Shell, BP, Tesco, Sainsburys and Premier Foods.

A further bad sign can be found in the Times which reports that one of Britain's largest estate agent chains, Humberts, is close to collapse.

Other chains are hiking fees after an average 40 percent decline in business.

Oil pressure

The Financial Times reports that Saudi Arabia has pledged to increase its oil production to a two-year high.

The paper believes the kingdom bowed to intense US pressure after oil prices surged to a record of $128 a barrel.

But the Guardian has an opposite take on the situation, reporting that president Bush's talks with King Abdullah failed.

The paper says Mr Bush had attempted to persuade the Saudi leader to boost oil production and ease the effect fuel prices are having on the US economy.

Pompey vs Bluebirds

The Daily Mail shows journalist Heather Brook smiling after her High Court victory forcing MPs to open up about their £12m-a-year housing perks bill.

The Sun previews the FA Cup Final by telling the stories of two veteran supporters who will be at Wembley.

David Morgan, a 97-year-old Cardiff fan, saw his beloved Bluebirds in their only Wembley triumph when he was 16.

Among Portsmouth's fans will be 89-year-old Julian Linington, who last cheered Pompey to FA Cup glory in 1939.