PRESS DIGEST - Financial Times - April 1

GOVERNMENTS CONSIDER RADICAL MEASURES TO FIGHT CREDIT CRISIS

Governments and central banks are actively discussing radical strategies to fight the credit crisis, including temporary suspension of capital requirements, taxpayer-funded recapitalisation of banks and outright public purchase of mortgage-backed securities. These were among possible next steps discussed on Friday at a meeting in Rome of the body set up to co-ordinate the global response to turmoil in the financial markets, the Financial Stability Forum, led by Mario Draghi, former governor of the Bank of Italy.

FSA ISSUES WARNING ON GROWTH OF CARBON TRADING

The Financial Services Authority warned on Monday that the fast-growing market in carbon dioxide emissions poses risks that could threaten other commodities markets. Although the watchdog does not have a direct hand in regulating carbon trading, and stated it had no plans to do so, it said "the emissions markets justifiably demand the FSA's continued attention". The FSA said problems including confusion over the regulation of emissions traders, insufficient official data and investors being sold unsuitable products created risks to both the fledgling global emissions markets and to related commodities such as electricity and gas.

SURVEYORS FOR NEW HOMES FEEL CHILL FROM SLOWDOWN

According to new data from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, growth in the market for building surveyors has fallen to its lowest rate in more than a decade. The gloomy figures for the first quarter coincide with housebuilders cutting back on new-build programmes. Private housing was the worst-hit sector, with growth in workload turning negative for the first time since 1999. Just one percent of chartered surveyors reported an increase in workload in the past three months, compared to 16 percent in the last quarter of 2007. It looks increasingly unlikely that the government will now hit its housing target of 240,000 new homes a year.

AIR PARTNER FORECASTS BELT-TIGHTENING

Air Partner (AIP.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), the leading air charter broker, announced improved first-half profits in spite of the market turmoil, but warned on Monday of "emerging evidence of corporate belt-tightening, as companies reviewed budgets during uncertain times". The group said the level of demand for private jets, which accounts for 24 percent of sales, remained high. Total sales in private jets - including broking, jet card membership schemes and executive jet management - increased 11 percent in the six months to January 31. The interim dividend was increased ten percent to 7.4 pence on earnings per share of 25.1 pence, up nine percent. The shares rose 15 pence, closing at 925 pence.

MAN BUYS HALF SHARE IN CREDIT SPECIALIST