Newspaper review: Focus on public spending cuts

Public spending cuts and reaction to government plans to scrap the mandatory retirement age of 65 fill many papers.

The paper claims to have seen a leaked assessment of the potential savings drawn up by the Ministry of Defence.

The loss of half of the UK's fleet of fast jets would raise questions about the RAF's long-term viability, it says.

'Good economics'

Meanwhile the government's plans to scrap the mandatory retirement age of 65 provoke a mixed response.

But the is less enthusiastic, saying the choice between an old age spent reluctantly toiling or in poverty is no choice at all.

Sham weddings

The case of the Church of England vicar found guilty of conducting sham weddings to allow illegal immigrants to stay in the UK features in most papers.

The reports Reverend Alex Brown married one man twice in the same day.

The paper and the say police fear the case may be the tip of the iceberg as criminal gangs exploit weaknesses in Anglican procedures.

OAP alcohol ID

The number of people living here will swell to 77 million - overtaking France and Germany - it reports.

According to the , staff were still not convinced when he produced his OAP bus pass and birth certificate.