PRESS DIGEST - Financial Times - Nov 6

ECONOMY STILL STUCK IN SLUMP, ESTIMATES SUGGEST

New figures from the economic think-tank: the National Institute for Economic and Social Research (Niesr) revealed that Britain's economy was officially in recession last month. The figures have dampened hopes of a strong recovery. Data from the think-tank indicated that Britain's economy shrank by 0.4 percent in the three months to the end of October, a rate of contraction that remained unchanged from the previous quarter. Discussing the figures, Martin Weale, director of Niesr, said: "People have been hoping for a clear recovery and that isn't visible yet. The past pattern doesn't lead us to think there has been a strong turnaround."

HOUSE PRICE REBOUND EXPECTED TO END NEXT YEAR

The UK's house price recovery will come to an end this year as a result of the lingering effects of the weak economy, leading estate agent Savills (SVS.L) predicted on Thursday. Savills revealed that its forecasts expect value to weaken in both the mainstream and prime residential sectors during 2010. Savills predicts that, during 2010, the main UK market will fall by 6.6 percent before growth returns in 2011 at a rate of 2.7 percent. Further gains of 5.5 percent are forecast in 2012 and 8 percent in 2013. Lucien Cook, a Savills director, said: "We've seen the pent-up cash-rich demand chasing low levels of stock, but that is going to weaken and then buyers will have to operate within the constraints of the mortgage market."

POLLUTERS MUST BE GIVEN TOUGHER FINES, SAYS WATCHDOG

On Friday, the Environment Agency will call for even tougher penalties for companies found to be polluting the environment as it says judges are frequently too lenient in the way they decide on sentences for the crime. The latest figures from the UK's environmental watchdog show that there are still, on average, two serious incidents of pollution every day despite the total number of serious cases falling by 13 percent last year to 723. Paul Leinster, Environment Agency chief executive, said: "We want to see higher fines for pollution incidents to provide a greater deterrent. There are still an average of two serious pollution incidents a day and this is too many."

HUNT FOR C4 CHIEF BEGINS AS BURNS TAKES CHAIR

As Lord Burns was confirmed Channel 4's new chairman on Thursday, senior industry figures were quick to offer advice on who to appoint as its chief executive. According to sources close to Ofcom, the regulator wants a person with digital knowledge to become the broadcaster's new chief and there is a preference against choosing "yet another white middle-class, middle-aged male". This kind of approach could dent the chances of ITV's(ITV.L) director of television, Peter Fincham, and Kevin Lygo, C4's director of programming, both of whom have been named as favourites.

BA CABIN CREW LOSE STAFFING CHALLENGE