What the Sunday Papers Said

Independent on Sunday: Firms fight for Iraq investment opportunity

Executives from Eversheds, Foster Wheeler and BT will embark this week on the biggest British trade mission to Iraq for a decade. UK Trade & Investment wants to boost trade with the oil-rich nation, as British companies failed to win many lucrative contracts in Iraq even after its heavy involvement in deposing Saddam Hussein. Experts estimate that Iraq needs $1 trillion (£620bn) of investment.

The Mail on Sunday: Energy firms ‘too profitable’ says Davey

Energy firms could be “too profitable”, the Energy Secretary, Ed Davey, has told the paper. At the same time he indicated he expected the Government to keep the most controversial of its green levies, known as the carbon price floor, despite the review of climate taxes now under way in Whitehall. David Cameron has promised to “roll back” green levies on home energy bills.

The Sunday Times: Saga owners eye stock market float

Saga, the over-fifties travel agent and insurer, is set to press the button on a bumper stock market float. Saga’s owners last week interviewed 10 investment banks who are jockeying to handle the share sale. Renowned for its 2.7 million loyal customers, the company is expected to be valued as high as £3bn. The float, which will follow a rash of recent listings, looks set to rank among the largest market debuts of 2014.

The Daily Telegraph: BCC calls for two-year business rates freeze

George Osborne should freeze business rates for two years and overhaul the “iniquitous” and “broken” tax system, one of Britain’s leading business groups has demanded. The British Chambers of Commerce has urged the Chancellor to use his Autumn Statement to “abandon” increasing business rates until 2015 in a move that it says would boost the economy by helping sales and exports.