Conservative Home

25 Jan 2013 08:30:21

Newslinks for Friday 25th January 2013

3pm Lord Risby on Comment: Never, ever again must Tory differences on Europe pave a way for Labour

2.15pm Local Government: Cllr Philippa Roe on The EU's hidden cost to Council Taxpayers

1.30pm Local Government: Council byelection results from yesterday

12.30pm ToryDiary: Warsi - under a quarter of Britons think Muslims are compatible with the British way of life

10.30pm ToryDiary UPDATED: GDP shrank by 0.3 per cent in the last quarter of 2012

9.30am ToryDiary: GDP shrank by 0.3 per cent in the last quarter of 2012

9.30am As the world goes bonkers about the brilliance of Clare Foges, David Cameron's speechwriter, ConservativeHome republishes her Comment article on the death of political rhetoric: Antiseptic oratory

ToryDiary: Ruth Davidson moves to distance Scotland's Conservatives from England's

On ConservativeHome's culture column, Paul Goodman peers at Pinter's adolescent views and mature art as he reviews the playwright's Old Times

Andrew Lilico on Comment: What would we need to renegotiate in order to stay in the EU?

Also on Comment: Peter Luff MP - Training more engineers should become a national priority

John Bald on Local Government: Elizabeth Truss is right about maths - why do some teachers disagree?

The Deep End: Heresy of the week: The Big Society leaves no room for the little platoons

WATCH: Osborne - not for turning on the economy

Today 1) Growth figures to be released. And Osborne's not for turning as he snubs IMF plea to ease austerity...

"The Chancellor insisted he will plough ahead with spending cuts until 2017. The IMF’s chief economist Olivier Blanchard had called for the UK to slow down its austerity programme. But speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Mr Osborne said: “I don’t think it is right to abandon a credible deficit plan.”… “We do have to carry on with the cuts,” he said. “We’re not about to bring that programme to an end. It will go on until 2017. We are walking a difficult road but we are going in the right direction.” - Daily Express

...But the Curse of Clegg strikes again as LibDem leader agonises over Coalition policy in haplessly-timed House Magazine interview

"Mistakes have been made over the economy by the Coalition, Deputy PM Nick Clegg dramatically said last night. He risked a huge row with Chancellor George Osborne by admitting the Government should have spent MORE on big building projects to boost jobs. The Lib Dem leader’s startling honesty is terrible timing for the Treasury as it braces itself for a fresh dose of grim tidings today" - The Sun

Full Clegg interview: woe, woe and thrice woe - PoliticsHome
"LibDem Ministers are demanding action on growth" (So who would they be, Vince?) - The Independent
Cable wants business rates revaluation decision to be revisited - Financial Times (£)
Clegg’s confession on the economy is startling and troubling - Sun Editorial
Petrol prices to rise by 4p a litre - Daily Telegraph
Labour refers Prime Minister to statistics watchdog over debt 'error' - The Guardian

> Yesterday: ToryDiary - Fraser Nelson is right – the Tories should stop saying that they’re paying down Britain’s debts

Today 2) Same-sex marriage bill to be published. "The most divisive vote of Cameron's leadership."

"The issue threatens to shatter the Tory unity that Mr Cameron engendered with his Europe speech this week. MPs have warned party whips that the issue of gay marriage is by far the most toxic for them among grassroots party members. The Times has spoken this week to MPs from all parts of the country, all of whom have reported that local association members are deserting the party over the issue. Opposition to gay marriage had dominated their postbags and was driving members to UKIP, the MPs said." - The Times (£)

No plans to change the voting age, says Downing Street - Daily Telegraph

Today 3) Ruth Davidson to distance Scottish Tories from English party

"She will say the Conservatives are unfairly characterised as controlled by Westminster, and they need to prove to voters “beyond all reasonable doubt” they put Scotland first. Although many people north of the Border continue to share Tory values, she will argue the party’s hostile attitude to devolution has meant they are perceived as “a brake on the aspirations of Scotland and not a torch bearer”. Senior sources close to Ms Davidson said she had not yet decided to cross the constitutional “line in the sand” she promised to draw during her successful leadership campaign in 2011." - Daily Telegraph

Salmond in appeal to UK over Scots EU membership - Scotsman
Most wind farms in Scotland after SNP 'overrules' councils - Daily Telegraph

> Today: ToryDiary - Ruth Davidson moves to distance Scotland's Conservatives from England's

No early poll bounce for Cameron's EU speech

"The first YouGov poll since the Prime Minister's speech, the fieldwork for which was conducted between 5pm on Tuesday and 5pm yesterday, shows no sign of an early boost for the Tories. Instead, support for Labour has risen by two points to 43 per cent, while the Tories are unchanged on 31 per cent. We will, of course, need to wait until the weekend polls for a clear picture of what effect, if any, Cameron's speech has had on the Conservatives' standing." - The New Statesman

Populus poll finds that Britons would vote to quit the EU. "The poll also shows that the Prime Minister’s landmark speech on Tuesday did little to improve his chances of an outright Tory victory at the next election in 2015" - The Times (£)

The Prime Minister meets Merkel in Davos. She doesn't mention his speech during hers...

"Cameron held a 20-minute meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss his plan to negotiate a new deal for Britain. She had indicated a “fair compromise” could be possible to allow the UK to loosen ties. He also met other EU premiers including Italy’s Mario Monti and Enda Kenny of Ireland. Mr Cameron made a passionate defence of his referendum plan in a speech to the Forum. He said: “This is not about turning our backs on Europe – quite the opposite." - Daily Express

...But Clegg suggests EU referendum wouldn't hold up a second Coalition...

"Nick Clegg, Britain’s deputy prime minister, said Mr Cameron’s proposals for a renegotiation were “vague” and it was “wholly implausible” that a future Conservative government could rewrite the rules to the sole advantage of the UK. However the pro-European Liberal Democrat leader did not rule out the possibility that he would back Mr Cameron’s call for an in-out referendum, if the 2015 general election propels his party back into a second coalition with Mr Cameron’s Tories." - Financial Times (£)

Clegg: I won't stop my wife if she wants to send our eldest son to a private school - Daily Mail

...Though Boris concedes it could split the Conservatives...

"Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, put a question mark over whether he would support continued EU membership in the referendum. “I can’t say now,” he told an interviewer at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “But my overwhelming instinct would be that we can get sufficient changes, reforms and improvements to the treaty to make it sensible, for most people in my country to vote to stay in the single market.” - The Times (£)

More than 100 Conservative MPs could vote for Out, including Michael Gove, Iain Duncan Smith, Owen Paterson and Chris Grayling - Daily Telegraph

...And meanwhile, Miliband has EU troubles of his own

"Labour’s rifts on Europe deepened yesterday when ex-minister Kate Hoey said party leader Ed Miliband had “got it wrong” by declaring his opposition to a nationwide poll. Mr Miliband insisted he was acting “in the national interest”. He said: “It’s clear what the priorities of the British people are — growth and jobs.” - The Sun

Labour’s referendum position is inconsistent, wrong and a political error - The Times (£)
Under Miliband's leadership, the Opposition has become the party that will do anything for the working class: except trust them - Fraser Nelson, Daily Telegraph

David Jones: Let's debate the EU in Wales

"The Welsh Government should not shut down a “vitally important” debate about the future of Britain’s relationship with the EU, Secretary of State for Wales David Jones warned yesterday. The Conservative Clwyd West MP met with leading Welsh industrialists yesterday as the impact of the Prime Minister’s pledge to hold an in/out referendum on EU membership continued to reverberate through Wales and beyond." - Wales Online

UK may be fined over failure to honour single market agreement - The Independent

Over half of young people in Spain are out of work - Daily Mail

"Dear Britons, please stay! You are so gloriously crazy!": European reaction to the speech - Daily Mail

The Daily Mail profiles Clare Foges, the woman who wrote the speech

"Clare is on the same traditionalist wing of the party as Mr Duncan Smith, with her beliefs forged as a young girl when she watched her mother, a foster parent, care for children in their family home. She has said: ‘I used to think about what happened to the children when they left care, and how the State works in terms of welfare…A few years ago, she set out her beliefs about what was important in political speeches. In an article for ConservativeHome website, she lamented the death of rousing political speech making." - Daily Mail

Read Clare Foges's original ConservativeHome article here

Paul Goodman: Cameron's speech was a gamble to get the Euro-sceptic monkey off his back

"So why has this cautious politician, naturally restrained in temperament and outlook, taken such an extraordinary gamble, risking the very unity and future of his party? There is no great mystery about the answer. It is the only way he can think of to get the eurosceptic monkey off his back. Almost half his backbenchers voted for an EU referendum last year. The rightwing newspapers have clamoured for one. In some opinion polls, the UK Independence party has overtaken the Lib Dems as the third party of British politics." - Financial Times (£)

Now for the real hard work, Mr Cameron - Daily Mail Editorial
Cameron's speech told Europe's emperors to get dressed - Simon Jenkins, The Guardian
Does the speech herald the end of Tory modernisation? - Benedict Brogan, Daily Telegraph
David Cameron has appeased Tory backbenchers for now - but may have fatally wounded his party - Amol Rajan, The Independent

> Today: Andrew Lilico on Comment - What would we need to renegotiate in order to stay in the EU?

> Yesterday:

ToryDiary: David Cameron will enjoy this morning's newspapers
Roger Scruton: Border control must be at the heart of any EU renegotiations
David Campbell Bannerman MEP on Comment: I now know I made the right decision in leaving UKIP and joining the pro-referendum Conservatives
Richard Ashworth MEP on Comment: David Cameron's is a vision of Europe we can all share
Local Government - Will UKIP councillors return to the fold?
MPsETC: What is the Bruges Group? Matthew Barrett profiles the long-running Tory Eurosceptic group that helped the Maastricht rebels

Cameron planning major speech to woo ethnic minority voters...

"Senior government sources say that David Cameron is so concerned that the issue of race is damaging support for the Tories that he is planning to address it head-on with a speech in the next two months. The Prime Minister chaired a Cabinet meeting last week at which ministers were shown evidence that the single biggest factor in voters not backing the Tories is race – far outweighing wealth, class or where someone lives." - Daily Mail

...And in Davos, he calls for worldwide tax avoidance clampdown

"He said that firms have a moral duty to pay tax - in comments which angered global business leaders meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Mr Cameron is to spearhead an international tax "transparency" drive this year which is expected to lead to firms being forced to publish details of where and how much tax they pay…The Daily Telegraph today publishes the responses of more than 50 FTSE companies. The letters show that 32 of the 52 members of the FTSE-100 who have responded warn against publishing more details of their tax affairs." - Daily Telegraph

General Houghton tipped to lead military - Financial Times (£)

Women on march towards frontline combat - The Times (£)

It's not sensible to predict Romanian and Bulgarian numbers, says Mark Harper

"Mark Harper, the immigration minister, has said it would not be “sensible” to try and predict how many Romanians and Bulgarians are expected come into the country after getting the right to live and work in the UK. He insisted that the Government is not doing any research on their likely impact because “there are so many variables”…n an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live Mr Harper said the Government is “not going to start speculating about numbers." - Daily Telegraph

Ministers consider clampdown on 'industrial users' of Freedom of Information - BBC

Crime plunges, but Iphone and Ipad thefts soar as the figures are questioned - The Sun

Truss prepares to issue childcare vouchers and slash childminder rules

"Working families are to be given an extra boost to help pay for childcare as the coalition tries to ease the burden on parents struggling to meet the soaring cost of nursery fees and encourage more mothers back to work. The coalition is working on a package worth up to £1.5bn involving a new voucher scheme for families with young children as part of a wider overhaul of childcare. Each family is expected on average to receive at least £1,000 per year in extra support." - Financial Times (£)

> Today: John Bald on Local Government - Elizabeth Truss is right about maths - why do some teachers disagree?

First-time buyers will need a £60,000 deposit by end of decade - Daily Mail

Soubry latest: "It's disgusting eating lunch over a keyboard"

"Health minister Anna Soubry said busy workers should not eat over their computer keyboards, but should take a proper lunch break to give them time to 'enjoy' their food. But research has shown that 60 per cent of workers eat their lunch at their desk every day, with many admitting they would feel 'guilty' if they left the office for an hour. Ms Soubry's comments came after she sparked controversy by suggesting that poor people were more likely to be obese." - Daily Mail

Ministers and MPs who oppose hospital changes risk 'perpetuating mediocrity', says NHS Chief - The Guardian

Persistently high death rates at eight hospitals - Daily Telegraph

Looking back at the reshuffle, Heywood says sacked Ministers were harshly treated

"He disclosed that members of the Government are left in the dark to such an extent that they can be sacked following a year of “silence” from their superiors. “It would be quite good to think about how we can continue to give feedback to ministers between reshuffles because it’s a pretty brutal system,” Sir Jeremy said. “Most ministers don’t really get much feedback about their performance until the moment they are reshuffled and they are either promoted or sacked or kept in place. That feels a bit binary.” - Daily Telegraph

Britons urged to flee Benghazi in terror alert - Daily Express

Bashar al-Assad's mother has fled Syria, US ambassador claims - Daily Telegraph

Free schools: Pickles helps Gove out

"Free schools will be able to open in offices, hotels and warehouses without planning permission under changes to be announced by ministers today. Eric Pickles, the Communities and Local Government Secretary, will announce new rules that will allow proposed free schools to speed through red tape. This will include rewriting planning laws to allow schools to open before they have received council permission to occupy their new buildings. They will have 12 months’ grace before requiring change-of-use approval." - The Times (£)

GCSE results set to accelerate drive to turn schools into academies - The Guardian

Inmates eat rats in the secret North Korean prison camps made public by Google Earth - Daily Mail

Hogan-Howe calls in outside force to police Plebgate response - The Times (£)

In the bleak mid-winter: more snow on the way - Daily Express

> Please use the thread below to provide links to news topics likely to be of interest to ConservativeHome readers and to comment on political topics that haven't been given their own blog. Read our comments policy here.

25 January 2013 in January 2013 newslinks | Permalink | Comments

24 Jan 2013 08:30:42

Newslinks for Thursday 24th January 2012

5pm Nicholas Boys Smith on Comment: High-rise living means crime, stress, delinquency – and social breakdown. Instead, we must Create Streets

2.45pm Local Government: Will UKIP councillors return to the fold?

1.45pm WATCH: Two clips from David Cameron's speech at Davos...

1pm Columnist Garvan Walshe: What Israel’s electoral upset means

12.15pm Comment: Richard Ashworth, the leader of Britain's Conservative MEPs, says that David Cameron's is a vision of Europe we can all share

11.30am ToryDiary: Fraser Nelson is right – the Tories should stop saying that they’re paying down Britain’s debts

ToryDiary: David Cameron will enjoy this morning's newspapers

David Campbell Bannerman MEP on Comment: I now know I made the right decision in leaving UKIP and joining the pro-referendum Conservatives

Also on Comment, Roger Scruton says that border control must be at the heart of any EU renegotiations

In his latest Red, White and Blue column, Henry Hill asks: Why is Labour standing clear of Northern Irish politics?

MPsETC: What is the Bruges Group? Matthew Barrett profiles the long-running Tory Eurosceptic group that helped the Maastricht rebels

On Local Government, Brandon Lewis MP launches a new series on how Conservative councils are saving money, starting with the Forest of Dean

On Thinkers' Corner, Michael Bentley says that the market cannot provide the cultural values we need to flourish.

The Deep End: Shale gas: Good news for Europe, bad news for Putin

Support for David Cameron's speech from Angela Merkel

"Downing Street was delighted and surprised as Chancellor Merkel, Europe’s most powerful figure, responded to Mr Cameron’s speech by opening the door to a renegotiation of Britain’s membership terms. ... ‘Germany, and I personally, want Britain to be an important part and an active member of the European Union,’ she said. ‘We are prepared to talk about British wishes but we must always bear in mind that other countries have different wishes and we must find a fair compromise. We will talk intensively with Britain about its individual ideas.’" - Daily Mail

> Yesterday on International: Reaction abroad to Cameron's Europe speech.

...and from various Tory figures...

"Conservatives must rally behind the Prime Minister, because yesterday he spoke in the national interest and not just the party interest. We have waited a long time to hear this message – we must not squander the opportunity." - Liam Fox, Daily Mail
"...Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, the Cabinet’s Eurosceptic standard-bearer, told the Daily Mail that Mr Cameron’s long-awaited speech on Britain’s future in Europe was ‘bloody marvellous’." - Daily Mail
"David Cameron has changed the political landscape by being honest about the problems that the EU faces." - John Redwood, The Times (£)

> Yesterday:

ToryDiary: Cameron bets the farm on the kindness of strangers (and, more perilously still, of his party)
ToryDiary: Who deserves most credit for today's Cameron speech?
The ConservativeHome Jury—including the MPs Nadine Dorries, Bernard Jenkin, Andrea Leadsom, Mark Reckless and Laura Sandys—gives its take on David Cameron's Europe speech
Lord Ashcroft on Comment: So we've got a Europe policy – now all we need is a Tory government
Christopher Howarth on Comment: The Conservative tribes should—and should be able to—unite behind Cameron’s speech

...and from the centre-right newspapers...

"After the months of build-up and delay, David Cameron pulled off the seemingly impossible yesterday. He delivered a speech on Europe that not only lived up to the high expectations raised of it, but even exceeded them. ... At a stroke, he wrong-footed Labour, while making the Lib Dems look even more arrogant and remote than before." - Daily Mail leader
"...many of the arguments in yesterday’s speech were made in another keynote address, delivered by Margaret Thatcher in Bruges in 1988. ... What even she did not offer, however, was to let the people decide whether they wanted to stay in. In proposing that they should, Mr Cameron has taken an audacious and momentous step, and one deserving of the highest praise." - Daily Telegraph leader
"Mr Cameron has not caused a problem, but elucidated one. The rest of Europe must join him in solving it." - Times leader (£)
"Some will fear the PM’s big speech could yet turn out to be a cynical stunt — a promise he won’t deliver. ... But Mr Cameron insisted yesterday that he will keep his pledge. ... If he does, one thing is clear — in or out, it WILL finally be our shout." - Sun leader
"[David Cameron] will have a powerful and popular proposition to put before voters at the next election: that, if he is returned to No. 10, the question of British sovereignty will finally be decided by the British people. It now falls to the hierarchy of the European Union to give us their best offer." - Spectator leader

> Today on ToryDiary: David Cameron will enjoy this morning's newspapers

...and from various commentators...

"His was a strong speech, a bold speech, and almost certainly the best of David Cameron’s life, delivered with a passion so often missing from his performances." - Max Hastings, Daily Mail
"How the Prime Minister outfoxed his foes" - Simon Heffer, Daily Mail
"My marks: 8/10 for eloquence, 8/10 for strategy, and (this is where I differ from most commentators) 10/10 for caution." - Matthew Parris, The Times (£)

> Yesterday on Comment: Ian Birrell—a former speechwriter to David Cameron—annotated a copy of the PM's speech

...and the businesspeople who have written to the Times

A letter to The Times signed by 56 industry and City leaders has endorsed Mr Cameron’s promise of a negotiation followed by an 'in-out' referendum within five years. It is 'good for business and good for jobs in Britain', they say." - The Times (£)

But the centre-left newspapers aren't nearly as impressed...

"Hopes of a fudge to come are, at best, cold comfort. Five years of uncertainty on so fundamental an issue would be damaging at any time. With the economy flatlining, they are potentially catastrophic." - Independent leader
"But the prospect of repatriating real powers from Brussels may prove fanciful. ... The notion of the UK unpicking old treaties and enjoying access to the market without observing its laws will provoke disbelief not only in France, which has never shared the UK’s liberal take on Europe, but Germany, which broadly does." - Financial Times leader (£)
"Most likely Mr Cameron will be left securing cosmetic concessions. He then has to follow Harold Wilson in 1975, and claim these are something much more – or else actually start the march to the door. Either way, the promise of seeking a popular mandate for a radically reformed Europe disappears in the haze." - Guardian leader
"Whether you regard Mr Cameron’s gamble as a sincere attempt to reform and improve Europe or a cynical ploy to head off party opposition to his leadership, he does not seem to be a man with a plan." - Peter Mandelson, Financial Times (£)

...and neither is Nigel Farage...

"In a mere 15 months, the Prime Minister has done a complete U-turn from the shambles of that October to now telling the people that he is the man to deliver their wishes for a change in our relationship with the EU. Why should we believe him, especially when he has the power to offer an In/Out referendum in this parliament?" - Nigel Farage, Independent

> Today, by David Campbell Bannerman MEP on Comment: I now know I made the right decision in leaving UKIP and joining the pro-referendum Conservatives

...nor Peter Oborne...

"The Prime Minister has moved the bomb, but he has not defused it. It remains in the room, ticking away. It is simply in a different place, and the circumstances have changed: Mr Cameron, by committing the Tories to an in-out referendum, has greatly increased the likelihood that Britain will eventually leave the European Union, while a formal split within the Conservative Party over Europe now looks almost certain." - Peter Oborne, Daily Telegraph

...nor the French

"President Hollande rejected any renegotiation to satisfy Mr Cameron’s demands. 'Europe must be taken as it is,' the French President said. 'We can help it evolve tomorrow, but we can’t offer to reduce it or diminish it on the ground of [Britain] staying in it.'" - The Times (£)

The New Statesman says that "Lord Ashcroft is right to warn the Tories not to bang on about Europe" - New Statesman

> Yesterday, by Lord Ashcroft on Comment: So we've got a Europe policy – now all we need is a Tory government

Both Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg distance themselves from an In/Out referendum

"The next general election campaign took dramatic shape yesterday after Ed Miliband set himself against an 'in-out' referendum on Europe. ... Nick Clegg also critcised the offer of a referendum in 2017 for opening 'years of grinding uncertainty' about Britain’s future EU membership." - The Times (£)

Ed Miliband unnerves colleagues by rejecting in-out EU referendum - Guardian

> Yesterday on ToryDiary: Ed Miliband issues the Anti People’s Pledge in PMQs

The newspapers report yesterday's encouraging employment figures

"The number of people in work is at a record high of almost 30million. ... At the same time, unemployment dropped by 185,000, the biggest annual fall for more than a decade, to 2.49million. This is around the same level as when David Cameron entered Downing Street in May 2010." - Daily Mail

And yesterday's A-level annnoucement

"The exam system in England faces the biggest upheaval in its history after Michael Gove confirmed plans to shake up A levels and GCSEs in the same year. ... Pupils taking A levels will be examined once, at the end of their two-year course. AS levels, a stepping stone to the full A level for the past 12 years, will become a stand-alone qualification." - The Times (£)

Cambridge attacks Gove A-level reforms - Financial Times (£)
Arts world unites to oppose Gove plan to scrap GCSEs - The Times (£)

Yet another immigration backlog

"Border inspectors have discovered a new backlog of 16,000 immigrants who have not yet been told whether they can remain in Britain with their spouse, raising fresh concern over the operations of the UK Border Agency. ... The Home Office said the agency was 'taking action' to deal with historic backlogs and had a “transformation plan” that would put it on a surer footing." - Financial Times (£)

"Immigrants are being granted permission to settle in Britain despite having ‘zero income and no employment’, a government inspector warned last night." - Daily Mail

> Today, by Roger Scruton on Comment: Border control must be at the heart of any EU renegotiations

The Tory leadership is making a final push to secure the boundary reforms

"Andrew Lansley, the leader of the House of Commons, urged backbench MPs to help the Government to keep changes to constituency boundaries. ... The Commons will vote on Tuesday to try to overturn a vote by peers which effectively pushed any change to after the expected 2015 election. ... Mr Lansley is understood to have told a meeting of the 1922 committee that the peers’ intervention was 'constitutionally' unjustified because they are unelected." - Daily Telegraph

Philip Hammond raises further concerns about same-sex marriage legislation

"Mr Hammond made clear his opposition last May, insisting gay marriage was ‘not a priority’ for voters. ... But he went further when replying to a letter from a student in his constituency last week. ... He wrote: ... ‘I do not believe there is a compelling reason to prioritise legislation to go further at the present time and I have concerns about the robustness of the protections for religious organisations that are being put in place.’" - Daily Mail

Edward Timpson warns councils: buck up, or we'll take adoption away from you

"Children’s Minister Edward Timpson will today outline plans to create new powers for ministers to intervene in councils which fail to recruit more adoptive parents and consider the needs of children nationally. ... They could be stripped of their role recruiting and assessing potential parents and instead required to deal with voluntary agencies to find them." - Daily Mail

"The Government’s flagship energy-saving scheme was branded a 'rip-off' last night — as it emerged that families face eye-watering interest rates." - The Sun

People should be able to stick with a favourite GP after moving house, according to Government review - Daily Telegraph

Cameron's patient ratings system could cost £600 million - Daily Telegraph

Sajid Javid is interviewed in The Spectator: "I'm still a Thatcherite"

"What will particularly cheer the party, though, is Javid’s heavy hint that the coalition will not raise taxes again. ... This isn’t the end of Javid’s tax agenda. ‘I’m still a Thatcherite,’ he boasts. ‘I believe in a smaller state and I believe in not just lower taxes but flatter taxes, simpler taxes.’" - James Forsyth, The Spectator

Could Labour drop their demands for statutory underpinning of press regulation?

"Labour has postponed its plan to force a Commons vote on the Leveson report amid signs that it might drop its demand for statutory underpinning of a new press regulator. ... Harriet Harman, the Shadow Culture Secretary, said the party did not want to rule out options in cross-party talks, including the Conservative idea of underpinning a press regulator with a Royal Charter." - The Times (£)

But... "[Harriet Harman] said the problem was no one knew how a royal charter would work in relation to the press. 'It's a bit like Dolly the sheep, it might look like a sheep, but we do not know if it will do all the thing that a sheep is supposed to do,' she said." - Guardian

Chuka Umunna leads calls for a "full investigation" into blacklisting in the construction industry

"MPs have called for a 'full government investigation' into blacklisting in the construction industry after The Times revealed that trade union officials helped to block their own members from work. ... Labour used an Opposition Day debate to call for construction companies to apologise for the 'secret, insidious, shameful practice' which Chuka Umunna, the shadow business secretary, said was a national scandal." - The Times (£)

Andy Burnham warns that "production line" hospitals are failing the eldery

"Andy Burnham says there is a 'deep' problem in the NHS that requires a comprehensive overhaul of treatment. ... Writing on The Daily Telegraph website, Mr Burnham concedes that a report into the Mid Staffordshire NHS trust scandal, due later this month, will find that 'regulatory failures' led to the deaths of hundreds of elderly people. He claims that the problems were down not to poor nursing standards but systemic issues." - Daily Telegraph

Scottish support for independence has slumped to 23 per cent - The Times (£)

Northern Ireland considers a "border poll"

"The largest unionist party in Northern Ireland has said it may support Sinn Féin’s call for a poll on the province’s constitutional future as it could bolster the link with Britain rather than lead to a vote for a united Ireland." - Financial Times (£)

> Today, in his latest Red, White and Blue column, Henry Hill asks: Why is Labour standing clear of Northern Irish politics?

Last year, the resisdents of Rochdale spent the equivalent of "£340 for every man, woman and child in the town" on high stakes betting machines - Daily Mail

Policy Exchange suggests that terrace homes replace high-rise tower blocks

"Modernist tower blocks should be demolished and replaced with streets of terrace houses and low-rise flats that people actually want to live in, an influential Conservative thinktank will claim on Thursday. ... [Policy Exchange] quotes wide-ranging research showing ... that [high-rise housing] is linked to problems including crime and poor health in communities, stress and neurosis among tenants and hyperactivity and juvenile delinquency in their children." - Guardian

"Nearly one in three leading employers are forced to leave graduate jobs open because they are unable to find suitable candidates to fill them" - Daily Mail

The number of stay-at-home fathers has reached a record level - Daily Mail

And another record: it now costs, on average, £222,500 to raise a child to the age of 21 - Daily Mail

And finally 1)... civil servants, or cyberslackers?

"Cyberslacking civil servants are spending thousands of hours browsing shopping, social networking and sports websites at the office. ... Whitehall officials found time last year to log on to Facebook, Twitter and Sky Sports millions of times, official figures have revealed. ... However, a spokesman said it was part of civil servants work to ‘engage with the public’ on these sites." - Daily Mail

And finally 2)... one last bit of reaction to David Cameron's Europe speech

"[Tony Blair] compared Mr Cameron’s negotiating strategy to a scene in Blazing Saddles, the satirical Western comedy directed by Mel Brooks, where a character threatens to shoot himself in the head. ... Mr Blair, who was speaking from Davos in Switzerland, also said it was 'pretty mad' to suggest that Britain could potentially leave the EU." - Daily Telegraph

24 January 2013 in January 2013 newslinks | Permalink | Comments

23 Jan 2013 07:55:41

Newslinks for Wednesday 23rd January 2013

9.15pm International: "Britain’s scepticism, its non-conformism and its liberalism were always the engine for Europe. Nothing is final. What is needed today is a German-British axis. It is now a question of Europe’s future, not its past" - Die Welt. Reaction abroad to Cameron's Europe speech.

6pm ToryDiary: Who deserves most credit for today's Cameron speech?

5pm LeftWatch: Has Polly Toynbee actually read what Tim Montgomerie writes?

4pm Over on Comment, Ian Birrell—a former speechwriter to David Cameron—has annotated a copy of the PM's Europe speech

2pm Christopher Howarth on Comment: The Conservative tribes should—and should be able to—unite behind Cameron’s speech

1.30pm ToryDiary Ed Miliband issues the Anti People’s Pledge in PMQs

12.45pm UPDATE: The ConservativeHome Jury in response to David Cameron's speech now includes the thoughts of Bernard Jenkin MP

11.45am UPDATE: The ConservativeHome Jury in response to David Cameron's speech now includes the thoughts of Daniel Hannan MEP

11.30am ToryDiary: Cameron bets the farm on the kindness of strangers (and, more perilously still, his party)

10.30am The ConservativeHome Jury—including the MPs Nadine Dorries, Andrea Leadsom, Mark Reckless and Laura Sandys—gives its take on David Cameron's Europe speech

9.45am MPsETC: Full text of David Cameron's Europe speech

9.15am Lord Ashcroft on Comment: So we've got a Europe policy – now all we need is a Tory government

ToryDiary: Four reasons why Cameron's In/Out pledge could be very good news for Conservative chances at the next election

And a ToryDiary post from midnight: Cameron's historic pledge to Britain --- Vote Conservative and you'll get an In/Out referendum on Europe

Our columnist Stephan Shakespeare says that people are now slightly more likely to vote for Cameron's re-election, but they won't vote to leave the EU: "...it should come as no surprise that the majority for an 'out' vote that we've been recording in our in/out EU referendum tracker should have suddenly collapsed. (As my colleague Peter Kellner noted, from 51-30 to 34-40. That's a 27% swing in favour of EU membership in just eight weeks)."

Nick Pickles on Comment: European justice can be strengthened by a Home Affairs opt-out

Also on Comment, Emil Agazade responds to Daniel Hamilton's post from yesterday: Why single out Azerbaijan?

Local Government: Who will monitor the Monitoring Officers?

The Deep End: How the rise of the robots could give socialism a second chance

David Cameron pledges an In/Out referendum on Europe

"Voters will have the chance to leave the European Union before the end of 2017, David Cameron will pledge today as he sets Britain on course for a momentous referendum. ... The Prime Minister will commit himself to winning an 'in-out' vote even if the campaign puts him at odds with much of his party or even if the EU remains largely unreformed. But he will seek to give the referendum unstoppable momentum by publishing a draft Bill before 2015 and setting a deadline of November 2017 before which it must be held." - The Times (£)

"So that’s that. Vote Tory and you’ll get an in-out referendum on Europe. ... Just what The Sun’s been asking for. ... David Cameron deserves considerable credit for going where his predecessors would not." - Sun leader
"....Mr Cameron’s speech perhaps sets a benchmark for the most pro-European speech by a self-proclaimed eurosceptic Tory leader" - George Parker, Financial Times (£)
"...ministers will be ringing round big inward investors after the speech reassuring them that everything will be fine. 'We will explain that it is all about the backbenchers,' says one minister, with a refreshing honesty." - David Wighton, The Times (£)

> Today:

ToryDiary: Cameron's historic pledge to Britain --- Vote Conservative and you'll get an In/Out referendum on Europe

> Yesterday, by Laura Sandys MP on Comment: In Europe, who would want to be the Odd Man Out?

"The largest cull of the army in two decades"

"Members of Prince Harry’s flying wing will be among 5,300 soldiers facing the sack in the largest cull of the Army in two decades. ... Threatened troops face five months of uncertainty after the planned redundancies, announced yesterday, caused dismay in the ranks." - The Times (£)

"Prisoners are to keep on getting housing benefit — while squaddies’ families will lose out under Government reforms." - The Sun
Three new £650m spy planes cannot refuel in mid-air - Daily Mail

And the newspapers respond:

"Mr Cameron cannot have it both ways. Either he must restrain his ambitions and accept that Britain is destined to become just another middle-ranking European power, or he should use the next defence review in 2015 to develop a more ambitious strategy that builds on the unrivalled skills of our Armed Forces." - Daily Telegraph leader
"Nobody disputes that cuts must be made across Whitehall – and the MoD, with its vast and incompetent bureaucracy, was always a prime target. ... But to cut front-line numbers, while entangling our Forces in another country’s war, is simply indefensible." - Daily Mail leader
"If it looks as though the pessimists are right and the Government is wrong about the effects of cuts on the military, they will have to be reversed. Opting out is not an option." - Times leader
"The continued slashing of our troop numbers looks more and more baffling." - Sun leader

> Yesterday:

Tony Blair backs David Cameron's stand against al-Qaeda in north Africa

"We cannot afford to allow large areas of our world, no matter how remote or inhospitable they might seem, to fall under the control of those determined to export their brand of violence and hatred. ... I wish I could say it was straightforward, or that there will be no more tragedies. ... But David Cameron is right to warn that this is a battle for our values and way of life which will take years, even decades. ... It is also a battle we cannot shirk." - Tony Blair, The Sun

"The new War on Terror won’t be won by armies, but by helping moderate Muslim governments defeat extremism" - Paddy Ashdown, The Times (£)
"The choice in the Sahel is not between doing nothing, and intervening with British and other Western nation’s combat forces. There is a wiser and more effective response that combines diplomacy, development, politics and security." - Douglas Alexander, Independent
"Only a political settlement, guaranteed by regional African forces, can end the conflict." - Seumas Milne, Guardian

> Yesterday's video to WATCH: David Cameron: "This evolving threat demands an international response"

George Osborne faces Cabinet "revolt" over further cuts

"George Osborne on Tuesday faced a cabinet revolt over spending cuts, as senior ministers warned their budgets were already at their limits and that he should look elsewhere for savings. ... Theresa May, the home secretary, Vince Cable, the business secretary, and Philip Hammond, the defence secretary, urged the chancellor to reconsider his strategy for reducing the budget deficit." - Financial Times (£)

Fears for Britain's AAA rating, after underwhelming fiscal data...

"Britain's coveted credit rating was hanging by a thread last night as the country sank deeper into the red. ... Official figures showed the Government borrowed £15.4billion last month, up from £14.8billion a year earlier, fuelling fears that Britain will be stripped of its gold-plated AAA credit rating." - Daily Mail

"Britain forked out almost £520million a day on benefits last month — as debts soared to a new high." - The Sun

> Yesterday on ToryDiary: Welcome to Gloomsville, George Osborne

...although Mervyn King reckons there's cause for hope

"The economy is springing back to life and there are ‘good reasons to suppose a gentle recovery is under way’, the governor of the Bank of England said last night. ... Delivering his most upbeat speech since the financial crisis, Sir Mervyn outlined a set of policies which he said could ‘roll back the dark cloud of uncertainty’ hanging over the economy." - Daily Mail

> Yesterday on the Deep End: For economic growth you first need to have the potential for growth

The Independent writes up Greg Clark's article for ConservativeHome yesterday

"A Treasury minister has warned the Conservative Party not to divide the British people into 'shirkers and strivers' as it defends the Government’s squeeze on the welfare budget. ... Mr Clark said that 'worklessness is a complex problem' and that 'talk about "shirkers" is too simplistic.' Writing on the ConservativeHome website, Mr Clark said there is nothing wrong with being a 'striver' but argued that not everyone wants to be one." - Independent

Get religious groups on board with Work Programme, think tank urges - Independent

> From yesterday, Greg Clark MP's latest letter from a Treasury minister: It’s not all about ‘shirkers’ and ‘strivers’ – we must be the party of ordinary working people

Anna Soubry suggests that people from poor backgrounds are more likely to be overweight

"'When I go to my constituency, in fact when I walk around, you can almost now tell somebody’s background by their weight,' she said. 'Obviously, not everybody who is overweight comes from deprived backgrounds but that’s where the propensity lies.'" - Daily Telegraph

Oliver Letwin to publish plans for press regulation

"Oliver Letwin is expected this week to publish his proposals for press regulation backed by a royal charter in an effort to flush out an agreement between the main political parties in the wake of the phone hacking scandal. ... The Cabinet Office minister’s decision to put forward a royal charter rather than new legislation comes as cross-party talks between Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Labour politicians hit a stalemate." - Financial Times (£)

Labour wants vote on Leveson report proposals within two weeks - Guardian
A Sun reporter and a former police officer face corruption charges - Daily Mail
"Brussels was accused of a ‘flagrant attack on Press freedom’ last night after a major report proposed giving the EU draconian powers to control the media and even sack journalists." - Daily Mail

Michael Gove primes the new A-level examinations

"Under the radical plans, pupils who start their courses in September 2015 will no longer sit simpler AS-levels after one year of their course as a stepping stone to A-levels. ... Mr Gove has written to exams watchdog Ofqual revealing that he has secured the backing of the Russell Group of top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, to oversee the new A-levels." - Daily Mail

"Thousands of head teachers defied Michael Gove and closed their schools yesterday despite a warning from the Education Secretary that they should do “everything” to ensure children were being taught throughout the cold spell." - The Times (£)
Academy to spend £32,000 of taxpayer cash to send teachers and pupils to New York - Daily Mail
MPs criticise schools’ career services - Financial Times (£)

Eric Pickles highlights the cost of "problem families"

"Layabout problem families are costing taxpayers up to £100,000-a-year each, figures show today. ... Communities Secretary Eric Pickles will today declare councils can save billions of pounds a year tackling the issue." - The Sun

"Why our work on troubled families is so important" - Eric Pickles, Daily Telegraph

Bill Bratton tells No.10: Come and get me

"The American 'supercop' who David Cameron would like to see take charge of Scotland Yard said last night that he was ready and able to take on the biggest job in British policing." - The Times (£)

Ministers want to shake-up the honours system

"Ministers have ordered a shake-up of the honours system amid fury that Mo Farah did not get a knighthood and Jimmy Savile cannot be stripped of his. ... Tories are amazed that the civil servant at the Department of Education who is responsible for picking those who get honours was himself granted an gong this year." - Daily Mail

Nick de Bois warns that our best talents are leaving Britain

"The Coalition Government is picking up the pieces of the last government’s failure, and I would suggest that it is crucial that policy experts and strategic thinkers pay close attention to this issue. Work needs to begin on keeping people here and not relying on importing others to fill the gap." - Nick de Bois MP, Daily Telegraph

Tories are miles behind Labour when it comes to support from women - Daily Mail

"A gay businessman who quit the Tories over their attitude to homosexuality is hoping to become an MP for the party." - Daily Mail

"Edward Leigh, the Tory MP, is calling for a change to the Equality Act to prevent a repeat of the case of a Christian housing trust manager who was demoted for airing his views on gay marriage on Facebook." - Daily Telegraph

"The Conservative group leader at Cornwall council has quit her post over the use of 'lie detector' tests on people claiming benefits." - Guardian

"The number of ‘snooping’ powers available to town halls and public bodies has risen despite Coalition pledges to rein them in" - Daily Mail

Nick Clegg warned that he's opening a "Royal Pandora's box" with succession changes

"The Deputy Prime Minister told the Commons that rules giving precedence to men and the ban on heirs marrying Roman Catholics belonged to a ‘bygone era’. ... But MPs said the Succession to the Crown Bill was being ‘rushed’ through Parliament." - Daily Mail

"First-born daughters of British aristocrats should be able to inherit their fathers’ titles, one of only two female hereditary peers in the House of Lords has said." - The Times (£)

Danny Alexander says there's no need for a like-for-like Trident replacement

"In an interview with the Guardian, Alexander said MPs from all parties and senior officers in the military should accept there are 'credible and compelling alternatives' to continuous at-sea deterrence, and he warned that the Treasury did not have 'a magic pot of money' to pay for a new generation of Successor submarines." - Guardian

Read the full interview here
"Trident will not protect us" - Nick Harvey, Guardian

Labour go on the attack over social care

"David Cameron is in danger of acting in an 'extremely foolish' manner if the government introduces a cap of £75,000 on the costs of long-term care for the elderly, Labour has warned. ... the shadow social care minister, Liz Kendall, says ministers must implement a 'carefully balanced package' drawn up by an independent commission." - Guardian

"Fear of the grey vote has turned our politicians into cowards" - Mary Riddell, Daily Telegraph

MPs are racking up over £4 million a year in travel expenses - Daily Mail

SNP ministers want "extensive" powers over universities - Daily Telegraph

The suicide rate among men aged 45 to 59 is at its highest level for 25 years - Financial Times (£)

And finally 1)... David Cameron avoids an open mic disaster

"When David Cameron last appeared at the National Television Awards, he shocked the film crew by discussing sensitive political matters with his fellow Conservative guest David Davis. The Conservative leader had to be reminded that he was on an open microphone and everyone on set was sworn to secrecy. ... Happily, no such calamity can befall the Prime Minister on Wednesday as his appearance on the awards show, which will be screened by ITV, has been pre-recorded." - the Daily Telegraph's Mandrake column

And finally 2)... is Joe Biden positioning himself for a shot at the Presidency?

"Joe Biden in 2016? The inauguration is barely over but the vice president already is dropping plenty of hints that he might have another political act. ... Biden packed his schedule with events and receptions attended by party stalwarts throughout the long weekend of inauguration festivities, stoking speculation he may be laying the groundwork to carry the torch from President Barack Obama." - Daily Mail

"Obama is far better at hope than at audacity" - Daniel Finkelstein, The Times (£)

> Yesterday on International: Thirteen thoughts on the future of American conservatism

23 January 2013 in January 2013 newslinks | Permalink | Comments

22 Jan 2013 08:31:40

Newslinks for Tuesday 22nd January 2013

Midnight ToryDiary: Cameron's historic pledge to Britain --- Vote Conservative and you'll get an In/Out referendum on Europe

10pm MPsETC: Derek Thomas selected to contest St Ives in 2015

6.30pm Andrew Lilico on Comment: Mid-term splits don't lose elections, but wrong policies and strategies do

4.30pm WATCH: A defence cuts double-bill...

3.15pm Bendict Rogers on Comment: UK should lead the way on North Korea: accountability, information, critical engagement

1.30pm Daniel Hamilton on Comment: We should register our discontent about Azerbaijan's human rights record

12.45pm ToryDiary: Welcome to Gloomsville, George Osborne

Noon Local Government: The Left's self-serving defence charity "sock puppets"

10am Laura Sandys MP on Comment: In Europe, who would want to be the Odd Man Out?

ToryDiary: David Cameron's running battle with military chiefs

Greg Clark MP's latest letter from a Treasury minister: It’s not all about ‘shirkers’ and ‘strivers’ – we must be the party of ordinary working people

Gareth Johnson MP on Comment: Let's balance the scales of justice

International: Thirteen thoughts on the future of American conservatism

Local Government: Councils advised to scrap "Equalities Impact Assessments"

The Deep End: For economic growth you first need to have the potential for growth

WATCH: David Cameron: "This evolving threat demands an international response"

David Cameron offers further support to the French in Mali – could more follow?

"Britain is to send spy planes, unmanned drones and special forces to Mali to ‘find and dismantle’ the Al Qaeda network behind the slaughter in Algeria. ... The Prime Minister said the UK must ‘act with an iron resolve’ to tackle what he called a ‘generational struggle’ against the ‘scourge of terrorism’ after the Algerian attack." - Daily Mail

"The Times understands that units from the Army, Royal Navy and RAF are on 'high readiness' to deploy if requested in support of France, which is attempting to repel Islamist extremists from the north of the country." - The Times (£)

"Defence bosses want to block David Cameron’s bid to join a war against al-Qaeda in North Africa." - The Sun

Prince Harry reveals that he has killed enemy forces in Afghanistan - Daily Mail

> Today on ToryDiary:

> Yesterday, by Mark Field MP on Comment: Will the Amenas gas plant siege be t he first skirmish of many?

And the papers respond

"In a sense, [Mr Cameron] is a better custodian of Mr Blair’s foreign policy than Mr Blair himself. He buys the former prime minister’s basic arguments but filters them through a very Tory temperament before taking action. It is hard to imagine him overreaching." - Janan Ganesh, Financial Times (£)
"As Cameron moves onto dangerous terrain, he is lucky to have a Foreign Secretary with experience but no political ambition" - Steve Richards, Independent
"Nobody could call the War on Terror a crusade today. It’s a cynical, weary, jaded, compromised and compromising thing, unconcerned with human destiny and concerned only with human safety. Think of all the fuss we could have skipped if that was how we’d started out." - Hugo Rifkind, The Times (£)
"The juxtaposition of the hostage crisis and the Europe debate highlights a clash between new and old politics within Mr Cameron." - Rachel Sylvester, The Times (£)
"A year ago, David Cameron and Nick Clegg were cheerleaders for the Arab Spring which, for all the understandable euphoria at the time, did so much to destabilise the region." - Daily Mail leader

That Europe speech will be delivered tomorrow...

"David Cameron will finally deliver his long-delayed speech promising a referendum on Britain’s relationship with the European Union on Wednesday, Downing Street has announced. ... Mr Cameron will now stay closer to home to set out his European vision and make the speech in central London ahead of appearing at Prime Minister’s Question Time." - Independent

Then there is the immediate challenge of his Europe speech tomorrow. ... The indications are that it will serve for now, but he has opened a debate about what he can and cannot achieve in Brussels that will dog him to the end of this parliament." - Benedict Brogan, Daily Telegraph
"British foreign policy in Europe has long been marked by a desire to intrude upon, if not break down, the Franco-German duumvirate" - Dominic Lawson, Independent

> Yesterday:

ToryDiary: Let's acknowledge that Cameron has moved towards the Conservative Mainstream in recent months
ToryDiary: Lib Dems have no credibility in opposing an in/out EU referendum
LeftWatch: The EU's huge funding for fascists and communists
International: Narrow defeat for Merkel's CDU points to close federal election
The Deep End: Is leaving the EU that big a deal anyway?

...as Conservative europhiles decide to back a referendum

"Conservative europhiles are to swing behind David Cameron’s call for a referendum on the European Union amid fears that failing to embrace the merits of a public vote would hurt the 'yes' campaign. ... A group of about 30 MPs who make up the pro-European wing of the party will meet next week to discuss their approach to such a vote." - The Times (£)

Eric Pickles appeals for Tory unity over PM's Europe speech - Daily Telegraph

What is the Prime Minister's "golden thread"?

"The international development committee has called on David Cameron, the UK prime minister, to give a 'clear and consistent' definition of what he means by the 'golden thread' of development as he seeks to influence global policy on poverty reduction." - Guardian

Chris Grayling highlights the cost of legal aid to the taxpayer – as he looks to restrict it

"Two gangs of Al Qaeda terrorists who plotted to inflict mass murder on the British public shared more than £30 million in legal aid, it emerged last night. ... Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said of the revelations: 'Of course everyone deserves a defence. ... But when you look at costs involved in some cases, you have to ask whether we can afford to provide this level of support in criminal trials.'" - Daily Mail

"Justice works across borders without Brussels" - Dominic Raab, The Times (£)

Michael Gove urges schools to stay open in the snow - The Times (£)

Snowball fight! Headmaster condemns "over-cautious" schools for shutting their gates at the first sign of bad weather - Daily Mail
"Be honest, how many times can you remember your old school being closed because of the weather? Once? Twice? Never?" - Richard Littlejohn, Daily Mail

Exeter University backs free school for maths - Guardian

> Yesterday, by Dr Owen Corrigan on Comment: Let's focus on high quality technical and vocational education

"Charities afraid to challenge public policy amid retribution fears" - Guardian

Nick Boles wants offices to be converted into homes

"Developers will be able to convert offices into flats without council permission under government plans to deliver more new homes. ... Nick Boles, the Planning Minister, will announce changes to the planning system this week designed to increase the number of homes coming on to the market in towns and cities." - The Times (£)

Making workers work for the universal credit

"Nearly 1m people who are in work and claim benefits may be required to work longer, increase their earnings or face losing access to the new universal credit, two welfare ministers, Lord Freud and Mark Hoban, said on Monday. ... The state's capacity to ask more of those in work and those that are self-employed is likely to be transformed by the introduction of universal credit in April, the ministers said at a Policy Exchange event." - Guardian

Planning experts write to Patrick McLoughlin – and urge his Department to back up claims with proof

"Ministers should stop promising that controversial road-building and high speed rail schemes will give economic boosts to Britain unless they can present real ‘evidence’ to back up their claims, the UK’s top transport planners said today. ... The broadside came in a letter to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin from 32 leading professors of transport and the two major professional bodies which together represent more than 3,000 UK transport planners." - Daily Mail

Ministers under pressure to fund separate cycle lanes - The Times (£)

The expected level of immigration from Romania and Bulgaria: will the Government soon have a figure?

"Despite ministers’ silence on the estimated figure, the Financial Times understands that the Foreign Office has commissioned the National Institute of Economic and Social Research to prepare an independent estimate which, officials say, will be published 'sooner rather than later'." - Financial Times (£)

"Ministers are under pressure to allow migrant workers from Russia, Ukraine and Turkey into the UK to mitigate a predicted shortage of fruit pickers" - Financial Times (£)

"Plans to fast-track a royal succession Bill before the birth of the first child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were attacked by peers last night." - The Times (£)

"An unseemly rush to alter the succession" - Daily Telegraph leader

"The growth of wind farms and other renewable energy projects is heading for a sharp slowdown after 2020 according to official forecasts" - Financial Times (£)

Labour would reverse the Government's benefit uprating policy... oh, no, actually, maybe they wouldn't

"Ed Miliband was forced to slap down his own welfare spokesman last night after he appeared to commit Labour to a £2 billion a year increase in benefits to ensure handouts rise faster than wages. ... Speaking in the Commons last night the shadow employment minister Stephen Timms said it was Labour’s policy to increase benefits by the rate of inflation each year, even though wages have crept up by a lower amount for years." - Daily Mail

Diane Abbott to warn about the "pornification" of children's lives

"Children are being seriously damaged by the ‘pornification’ of British culture, a senior Labour figure will warn today. ... After David Cameron’s new childhood guru Claire Perry warned on Sunday that parents must challenge children about their text and internet messages, Miss Abbott will agree that there is a pernicious culture of ‘sexting, slut-shaming and striptease’ in schools." - Daily Mail

Denis MacShane faces a renewed police investigation into his expenses - The Times (£)

The Director of Public Prosecutions vows to get tough on tax evaders – and not just the rich ones

"Middle earners who dodge tax will be targeted in a major crackdown by the Crown Prosecution Service. ... Keir Starmer will say it is a ‘long-standing myth’ that tax evasion – by outright fraud or concealment – is a victimless crime." - Daily Mail

"A group of top finance directors has joined the fray as big business seeks to confront intense public scrutiny of corporate tax planning, saying companies’ tax treatment has undergone a 'dramatic change' in recent years and that the overall burden they face has increased." - Financial Times (£)

"Thousands of patients are dying in hospitals each year because there are not enough doctors or nurses, research shows." - Daily Mail

Hospital pays £1,800 a day for a nurse in NHS staff crisis - Daily Telegraph

Peter Oborne: Israel’s moderate voices won't be heard at this general election - Peter Oborne, Daily Telegraph

And finally... Barack Obama soaks in the view

"...as [Barack Obama] left his public swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol building early this afternoon, he was seen pausing a moment to look back towards the crowds and reflect on the vast sea of people before him. ... 'I want to look out one more time because I'm not going to see this again,' he said quietly to someone next to him as he took in the spectacular view." - Daily Mail