Tuesday's papers

The latest opinion poll in the Times suggests that almost half of voters think that anyone would do a better job than Gordon Brown as Labour leader.

Nine months at most from a general election, a Populus poll for The Times suggests that 48 per cent of voters believe that “literally anyone” from Labour’s ranks could do better, without naming alternatives. Only a third say that Mr Brown is the best leader available to Labour.

The Guardian meanwhile reports that

Gordon Brown will today risk the wrath of the unions in a major speech to the TUC by insisting he will have to reduce spending in some areas to protect front-line staff. In doing so, he will make his first reference to the need for cuts, a word that was hitherto apparently taboo.

According to the Independent,

Moves to vet every adult who works with children are set to be watered down after the Government ordered a last-minute review of the controversial anti-paedophile scheme.

adding that

Ed Balls, the Children's Secretary, acted amid fury that the criminal record checks would affect parents who give lifts to children on behalf of sports teams or voluntary organisations such as the Scouts.

The Telegraph claims that

Workers who fall ill during their holidays could now claim the time back from their employers following a landmark European Court of Justice judgment that lawyers warned was open to abuse.

Most of the papers report that three British terrorists were jailed for life today for plotting to murder thousands of passengers on transatlantic flights in an atrocity which would have compared to the September 11 attacks.

The Guardian reports the comments of the business secretary who says that Labour is committed to making the state more efficient but Tories are intent on slashing its size

Lord Mandelson set out the cabinet's definitive attempt to reframe the election debate today by claiming the choice would lie between Labour's "effective state", built on tighter spending and accelerated reform, and the Conservatives' minimalist one, reduced by savage cuts and opt-outs for the rich.

The Mail reports that

Lord Mandelson threatened to axe ID cards and the Trident replacement today as he unveiled plans for Labour's public spending squeeze.

Police officers have accused the Government of being willing "to sell its soul for trade deals" following the disclosure that Jack Straw agreed that the killer of Pc Yvonne Fletcher would not be brought to justice in Britain. reports the Telegraph