Goldman Sachs predicts strong UK recovery - papers

Britain will turn in stronger growth than any other major economy next year, Goldman Sachs has declared, predicting a significantly stronger-than-expected recovery in the coming years.

The investment bank said that the pound's 25pc depreciation over the course of the crisis would help boost exports, and broader economic growth, and turn the economy around, writes the Telegraph.

The forecast flies the face of the conventional wisdom, which has it that the UK will suffer a protracted, sluggish recovery, and could slide back into a slump.

However, it has also emerged that a key bellwether for economic growth, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's leading indicator, is now at its highest level since 1972, pointing towards a strong recovery. Full story...

BUY-TO-LET investors are back in favour with mortgage lenders for the first time in two years, raising renewed concerns that first-time buyers could once more be squeezed out of the market for one and two-bedroom properties by landlords.

Brokers said that a number of lenders have started to focus on attracting landlords with more favourable interest rates, after a long period of freezing them out, according to the Times.

Despite the credit-fuelled boom and subsequent collapse of the buy-to-let market, which left many city centre flats empty and landlords unable to complete purchases, the lenders that are now re-entering the market perceive their customers as less risky than first-time buyers. Full story...

THE CITY minister is to host a "global debate" on protecting taxpayers from being called on to bail out failing banks in the future, writes the Independent.

Lord Myners will host representatives from the G7 group of nations, the World Bank and the IMF in London on 25 January for the talks, although the agenda is likely to cover only "broad principles" because of the need to secure an international deal.

During the meeting, an American-style insurance levy on financial institutions will be discussed in an attempt to build up funds to avoid costly bail outs in the event of a future banking crisis. Full story...

BILLY BRAGG is urging the public to join him in refusing to pay their taxes unless ministers curb 'excessive' bonuses at Royal Bank of Scotland.

The singer and Left-wing activist has set up a campaign called NoBonus4RBS on the Facebook website to 'convince the Treasury to act', the Daily Mail says.

The group, which had attracted 2,000 members last night, also calls on supporters to write to Alistair Darling expressing their anger.

RBS, which is 84 per cent owned by the taxpayer following a string of bailouts, is expected to pay up to £1.5billion in bonuses to its investment bankers. Full story...