Blears labelled hypocrite on NHS

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Some papers focus on the controversy surrounding the Labour party chairwoman Hazel Blears, who joined a protest about the closure of a maternity unit in her constituency.

"Minister for hypocrisy" is the headline in the Daily Mirror.

And the Sun says two other ministers, John Reid and Jacqui Smith, have also backed the NHS reorganisation yet opposed closures locally.

The Daily Mail says British scientists are on the verge of producing a revolutionary flu vaccine that works against all major types of the virus.

Apparently two injections could provide long-lasting immunity, and the jab is to be tested on humans in the next few months.

Council tax fears

The lead item in the Guardian says NHS patients who have undergone operations will in future be referred to their GPs rather than hospital consultants.

The change could save the health service about £2bn a year. Ministers argue it will also enable senior doctors to spend more time in theatre, rather than in their consulting rooms.

The Times carries the news that householders face what it calls "inflation-busting" council tax rises of at least 4% in April.

That is to help pay for the spiralling cost of private sector contracts with local authorities, for services like rubbish disposal, road repairs, and care services.

The paper says ministers are so worried by the increases in costs that they are setting up a high-level review, to include industry and council leaders.

Rape law reform

Several papers carry the news that men who have sex with women who have had too much to drink could soon run a higher risk of being convicted of rape.

The Daily Mail says that under legal reforms being considered by ministers, a woman would be deemed incapable of giving consent after drinking heavily.

The Independent is among those which explains how from Monday, chart position will no longer be pegged to sales of CD singles or vinyl releases.

For the first time, digital downloads will dictate the risers and fallers in the top 40, with much back catalogue material and many "golden oldies" expected to make a strong showing.

'Vote a dope'

The Sun reflects the despondent mood after England's demise in the Ashes series and recalls the ill-fated World Cup football campaign and other flops.

It is inviting readers to vote for the "Sports Liability of the Year" so one of the football, rugby, or cricket "dopes" can finally win something.

Anyone looking forward to celebrating the New Year will have to take care.

"Eighty mile-an-hour killer storms to lash Britain" say the Daily Express, which warns bad weather threatens the festivities.