Papers analyse UK education slump

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News that the UK has slipped down the international league table for reading, maths and science standards prompts some papers to offer a solution.

The Sun says teaching such subjects is not rocket science. All that is needed, it believes, is discipline and learning by rote to memorise facts and figures.

The Daily Mail says money, selective admissions, choice for parents and firm discipline would improve performance.

The Independent wants head teachers to have more control over schools.

Credit crunch

Banks have stopped lending, customers are not spending, investors are not investing and houses are not selling, according to the Independent.

The Daily Mail calls for a cut in interest rates ahead of the Bank of England's monetary policy committee meeting on Thursday.

Two former members of the committee also urge the Bank to lower the cost of borrowing in the Daily Telegraph.

The Times says a cut of at least 0.25% would be a Christmas present for all.

Nimrod crash

Many papers discuss the official report into the cause of an RAF Nimrod crash in Afghanistan, which killed 14 people.

The Times talks of the government's "abject apologies" after the inquiry found the air force failed to ensure the plane was safe.

The Daily Mail asks how many times Defence Secretary Des Browne must say "sorry" before he gives overstretched troops the modern equipment they need.

The Guardian says compensation claims will be dealt with "expeditiously".

Biggest bullock

A picture spread in the Guardian attempts to do justice to The Field Marshall, the six-year-old bullock thought to be the country's biggest.

He stands 6ft 8in (2m) tall, 10ft long and weighs 1.3 tonnes.

The Charolais munches through 16 pounds (7.3kg) of oats, barley, maize, sugar beet pulp and beef nuts a day.

His owner, Arthur Duckett, from Alstone in Somerset, tells the Daily Mail the beast will pile on another 650 pounds (295kg) during the next 12 months.