« February 2012 | Main | April 2012 »
8.45pm ToryDiary: Tories' lead on economy down from +25% to +4%
5pm WATCH: David Cameron: "Everything that can be done is being done" to solve fuel strike crisis
2.45pm MPsETC: Mike Nesbitt MLA elected new UUP leader
12.15pm WATCH: Ed Miliband: "I am determined that we learn the lessons of what happened" in Bradford West
ToryDiary: If Ministers wish to confront the unions, tanker drivers are not the right way to do it
Thomas Byrne on Comment: An idea for taxpayer-funded politics that makes sense
Local Government: Cllr Paul Dendle seeks nomination for Sussex Police Commissioner
WATCH:
David Cameron seeks to reassure motorists that fuel will not run out, as union postpones strike
"Speaking after chairing a meeting of Cobra, the emergency committee, he insisted the government and fuel companies were doing all they could to address the shortages that have been caused by panic buying in some areas. "The fuel companies are working flat out to resupply petrol stations," he said. "It is frustrating, I know, when petrol stations have queues. Everything that can be done is being done, but it will take some time."" - Guardian
> From yesterday - WATCH:
Tory MPs question Number 10's judgment after the last week of bad headlines
"Although attention has switched to Maude, he is relatively small beer as Tories start to voice, in private for the moment, a thought that would have been unthinkable a few weeks ago: George Osborne, the man hailed by Cameron as the Tories' master strategist, is losing his touch. "It would have been heretical a few weeks ago, but people are starting to be critical of George," one Tory said. "The granny tax shows a genius but it shows an errant genius."" - Guardian
Charles Moore: Even I’m starting to wonder: what do this lot know about anything?
"I do not feel patronised by this milieu, but even I, as I watched the Budget on television and saw the “Quad” of Messrs Cameron, Clegg, Osborne and Alexander all in a self-congratulatory, Oxford Union row, did get that “What do they know about anything?” feeling which, opinion polls suggest, is doing the Coalition harm... Gay marriage, rather than looking modern, begins to seem a typically privileged preoccupation of pampered public schoolboys... Wind farms look like ways of making poor people pay higher energy bills. The endless increase in overseas aid looks like an insult to every basic-rate taxpayer." - Charles Moore
> Yesterday on ToryDiary: Cameron needs Growth, Grit and Grip
First the ‘pasty tax’ now church bells toll challenge for George Osborne
"Already facing a growing backlash over the so-called “pasty tax”, the Chancellor is now on a collision course with the Church of England over plans to impose VAT on restoration work on historic buildings. The change could cost the Church of England, which has 12,500 listed buildings up to £20 million a year. Last week the Bishop of London wrote to the Chancellor warning that the move could be a major “blow” to alterations designed to open up churches more widely to their local communities." - Daily Telegraph
Eric Pickles on David Cameron: "You shouldn’t look down your nose at someone just because he’s had the misfortune to go to Eton. My colleagues [who complain] are foolish"
Eric Pickles interview with the Daily Telegraph: "“David Cameron has had personal experience of the difficulties that life can bring. I have always felt that David had the ability to walk a mile in somebody else’s shoes. You shouldn’t look down your nose at someone just because he’s had the misfortune to go to Eton. My colleagues [who complain] are foolish. This is the chap who took us out of the wilderness. My friends in the Tory party sometimes get used to discussing how many angels can dance on a pin head. That’s fine in opposition but in government it’s our chance to make a difference.”"
Theresa May has only 18 days before curfew laws are lifted on Abu Qatada
"Theresa May has just 18 DAYS to get a deal to boot Abu Qatada out of Britain before tough restrictions on the terror suspect are scrapped. Home Office chiefs have set up a base in Jordan to try to finalise a deal to send the hate preacher back. It comes as Sun readers continue to sign our Must Try Harder To Kick Out Qatada petition, with the total now at 122,000. Qatada was freed from jail last month and put on a 22 hours-a-day curfew. He is banned from using the internet and must wear an electronic tag." - The Sun
Greg Clark: The man behind new planning laws
"His colleagues say that he is the Clark Kent of the Government, the geek in glasses who is fighting to save his country. This week Greg Clark stepped into a telephone box and emerged as Superman, bringing to an end the battle between the mighty Treasury and the powerful countryside lobby over planning. His national policy framework created peace by reassuring environmentalists that the Government had no intention of concreting over the hills and vales of England while comforting developers that building would become easier." - The Times (£)
David Cameron under pressure over Lord Gold links to Conservatives
"David Cameron is facing calls to replace Lord Gold as head of the “cash-for-access” inquiry, after it emerged the peer had business ties with the Conservative Party’s co-chairman... Lord Gold was a senior partner at law firm Herbert Smith, which advised Lord Feldman's family company for many years, until at least 2008. Lord Gold personally acted as a solicitor for the ladieswear company in 1995." - Daily Telegraph
Wales is owed an apology for NHS funding cuts, says David Davies
"The Welsh Government should apologise after new figures suggested funding for the NHS in Wales was being cut while in England funding was going up, a Tory MP claims. Statistics supplied to Monmouth MP David Davies by the House of Commons Library show that between 2008/09 and 2014/15, the health service in Wales will take a 5.1% cut while over the same period the NHS in England will get a funding rise of 7.4%." - WalesOnline
Ed Miliband’s seven dinners with leader of fuel strike union
"Pressure was mounting on Labour last night to distance itself from Unite, as the union refused to rule out the threat of strike action which has stoked panic buying of petrol by motorists across the UK. Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed an announcement by Unite that it would hold off strike action by tanker drivers until after the Easter holiday, but the Tories attacked Labour leader Ed Miliband when he published a list of 43 meals he had with party donors, including seven from the union’s general secretary Len McCluskey." - Scotsman
Miliband promises to do better as George Galloway boasts of 'Bradford Spring' election victory
"Mr Miliband, who had been out on the campaign trail in Bradford, promised to get to the bottom of the defeat and "learn lessons". “We've got to understand the reasons why that happened in Bradford,” he said. “Above all it reinforces for me something that I've emphasised throughout my leadership which is that we need to be engaged and rooted in every community of this country."" - Daily Telegraph
Bradford's peaceful democratic uprising that elected me comes from the wellspring of discontent that swept Britain last summer - George Galloway MP
> From yesterday:
Foreign criminal syndicates 'behind metal thefts in Britain' - Daily Telegraph
Simon Cowell offers work experience scheme after letter from Iain Duncan Smith
"The show's boss made the offer after Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith urged him to give unemployed teens a chance. The minister wrote to Cowell following the pair's clash in The Sun. The music mogul has sent back a letter declaring he is eager to help out." - The Sun
Glut of NHS doctors by 2020, report warns - Daily Telegraph
Migrant domestic violence support scheme extended - BBC
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4.45pm Local government: UKIP snub Boris on second preference vote
12.15pm Local government: Boris launches Olympics manifesto
Noon ConHomeUSA: House Republicans pass Paul Ryan's Budget
10.15am WATCH: George Galloway celebrates most sensational victory in British by-election history. Ever. So he claims.
9.15am LeftWatch: Ed Miliband didn't win in Scotland. Ed Miliband didn't win in Bradford. If he doesn't win in London it's crisis time for him.
ToryDiary: Cameron needs Growth, Grit and Grip
Columnist Bruce Anderson: How many Thusha Kamaleswarans will be maimed or murdered before the rest of us wake up?
Fiona Hodgson on Comment: Our two Party Chairmen are doing a difficult job and they are doing it well
Also on Comment: Gareth Johnson MP - Great news from Kent: a vote to allow the first grammar school expansion for 50 years
WATCH: Osborne - Fuel crisis "caused by unions"
This week's Deep End
Galloway grabs possession of Bradford West in by-election
"Respect swept from fifth place at the 2010 general election to a commanding victory for the ex-Labour anti-war campaigner against his former party on a swing of 36.59%. It was "the most sensational result in British by-election history bar none", he said on stage after being declared the victor with well over half the total votes. ..Mr Galloway won 18,341 votes to the 8,201 for Labour candidate Imran Hussain." - Daily Telegraph
A dire result for Labour...
“In a big blow for Ed Miliband, Labour lost the seat which it has held since 1974 to the anti-war Respect politician, who will return to Westminster after a two-year absence.By the grace of God we have won the most sensational victory in British political history,” Mr Galloway said. The result will be seen as an indictment of Labour’s performance under Mr Miliband and it comes amid one of David Cameron’s most trying periods as Prime Minister." - The Times (£)
...And the Conservative vote collapses too
"The Tories, still needing to make inroads in northern immigrant areas, floundered badly as the party licked its wounds over its shambolic handling of the potential petrol strike. Jackie Whiteley, the Tory candidate came third, with 2,746 votes, 8.37%, a drop of 22.78% on the last election." - The Guardian
Labour Policy Chief Liam Byrne wants to quit front bench to fight Birmingham Mayoral election. More bad news for Miliband...
"Ed Miliband was rocked last night after his policy chief announced he wants to quit — to become Mayor of Birmingham. Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Liam Byrne will formally unveil his plans to step down today. He will leave if Birmingham votes to have an elected mayor in May. It is a blow to Mr Miliband's bid to draw up a blueprint for Britain. Mr Byrne is in charge of his policy review and was due to report in the autumn." - The Sun
...And another day of dreadful headlines for Cameron. Fleet Street turns on Cameron as drivers queue, tempers fray, prices rise, the LibDems brief against Tory Ministers and Downing Street seems rudderless
"Despite there being no possibility of a strike by tanker drivers for at least 11 days, motorists formed queues up to half a mile long at filling stations. In Dorset, police were forced to step in and ask seven forecourts to close temporarily because of fears for road safety. Elsewhere pumps ran dry, fuel was rationed and tempers frayed as drivers waited for up to an hour to fill up, buying 81 per cent more petrol and 43 per cent more diesel than on an average day." - Daily Telegraph
Coalition partners unite - and blame Maude...
"One senior Tory said: "Francis Maude has completely mucked up this week. He is to blame for the gargantuan queues outside petrol stations"…The Lib Dems blamed Maude for creating the panic buying. Dorset police confirmed that five garages were asked to close for a period, because lines of cars were causing congestion in Bournemouth and Weymouth, and there were reports of forecourt closures and petrol shortages across the UK." - The Guardian
...And now Davey adds to chaos
"Lib Dem Energy Secretary Ed Davey added to the chaotic Government warnings yesterday by calling for drivers to keep tanks two-thirds full. He said: “The impact of a tanker strike could disrupt the lives of millions of people.” - Daily Express
> Yesterday: Mark Field MP on Comment - The cost of keeping the Liberal Democrats inside the Coalition may undermine Tory candidates' election prospects
Tory MPs blame Craig Oliver and will tell Cameron: Get a grip
"Tory backbenchers have become so concerned at the lack of grip at No 10 that they will urge changes at the next meeting in Downing Street when Parliament returns after the recess. They are worried by the performance of Craig Oliver, the Prime Minister’s director of communications, and rumours that he has difficult relationship with several other key media figures at No 10 that are tarnishing the reputation of the Conservatives." - The Times (£)
Petrol prices soar
"Some garages had pushed prices well above even the record averages set yesterday of 140.9p per litre for unleaded and 147.1p for diesel. In places as far apart as Gateshead in the North East and Chorleywood in Hertfordshire, motorists were having to pay an extra 3p to 4p overnight." - Daily Mail
Miliband opens fire...
"Mr Miliband said the government had played “political games” with the issue after days of negative reaction to the Budget and hospitality for Conservative party donors. “In a delicate situation which demanded statesmanship, the government showed partisanship,” Mr Miliband said. “They made a crude decision to play politics with petrol without regard for the consequence.” Mr Miliband said that the crisis was another sign that ministers were “out of touch”." - Financial Times (£)
...As does David Davis, who says: Cameron and Cabinet are seen as well-fed toffs living in a different world
"He also warned that the decision to cut child benefit had convinced voters that Old Etonian Mr Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne ‘don’t know how we feel and work, what our lives are like’…Mr Davis, who grew up in a council flat, said: ‘It’s an unfair allegation, but it’s a powerful one, and it works against us. They think we’re toffs. ‘The truth is, they look at the front bench, they see them all very well dressed, well turned out, well fed, and perhaps feel that they’re in a different world to them." - Daily Mail
> Yesterday:
Three attack stories on Conservatives:
The OECD claims that Britain is back in recession
"Britain is back in recession, according to the latest unwelcome forecast from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The UK economy shrank at an annual rate of 1.2 per cent in the final three months of 2011 and will contract by 0.4 per cent in the first quarter of this year, it said. Two successive quarters of economic contraction is the technical definition of a recession. Some ministers are also privately concerned that the problems afflicting the eurozone could still return with a vengeance." - The Independent
The Sun keeps going with the pasty VAT row...
"The Pasty Tax is helping George Osborne to take more cash from millions of ordinary Brits than he is giving them, The Sun can reveal. The Chancellor trumpeted last week's Budget as a boost for hard-pressed pockets because he raised the income tax threshold. But a Sun analysis of official Treasury figures we have seen tells a different story. And it shows an average hard-working Sun reader earning £19,000 a year will be £21.52 worse off." - The Sun
...And the Independent raises the impact of the "tycoon tax" on charities
"They warn that the practical impact will be to deter rich philanthropists – as well as more ordinary people who receive a once-in-a-lifetime cash windfall – from handing over money to the good causes that increasingly rely on their largesse. They are questioning how the move (which reportedly came as a surprise to the Arts minister, Ed Vaizey) fits in with David Cameron's commitment to foster the "Big Society"." - The Independent
Payment by results will transform public services for the better - Oliver Letwin, The Guardian
Osborne aims to hit back with spending trap for Balls
"George Osborne will challenge Labour to match a detailed coalition programme of cuts stretching into the middle of the next parliament in an attempt to “finish the job” of eliminating the structural budget deficit by 2017. While the strategy will infuriate some Liberal Democrats, people familiar with the plan say it will underline their party’s economic credentials and has the support of Nick Clegg. It will also force Ed Miliband, Labour leader, to spell out how a Labour government would deal with the deficit." - Financial Times (£)
Editorials:
Neil O'Brien: Cameron needs friends in the north
"They still need far more female and ethnic minority MPs. But our polling shows people think it’s even more important that they also find candidates who are working class, northern and have real-world experience. However, it’s hard for such outsiders to get into the professionalised game of modern politics, not least for financial reasons. Quotas won’t work and aren’t fair. Instead, the party should think about how potential candidates are funded and developed at the start of their careers." - Neil O'Brien, Daily Telegraph
Other Comment
NHS watchdog not ready for new responsibilities, say MPs - The Guardian
Heseltine swings into action for Birmingham Mayoral vote
"At the centre of attention and munching on a banana was Lord Heseltine. Age may have greyed his locks and he no longer holds elected office but he still eclipsed the Cities minister, Greg Clark – tipped for promotion to the Cabinet, but who yesterday didn't have a prayer of competing with Tarzan…Mr Clark was asked why, if the Government was so keen on city mayors, it was refusing to give them any more powers than the council leaders they would replace. Lord Heseltine intervened. "No, no, you're asking the wrong question," in patrician tones." - The Independent
Kent expands grammar schools in first major expansion of selective schools for 50 years - Daily Mail
Hague confirms funding of Syria's opposition
"Britain will provide a further £500,000 to support Syria’s political opposition in the face of president Bashar Assad’s regime, the Foreign Secretary said. William Hague is expected to announce the extra funding tonight during his annual speech at the Lord Mayor’s Easter Banquet. Mr Hague said the money would help 'hard-pressed' opposition groups to document the regime’s violations." - Daily Mail
IDS and Grayling clash with Osborne over budget cuts
"Ministers in the Department for Work and Pensions are understood to be arguing that their budget should be spared. An aide to Iain Duncan Smith, the DWP Secretary, said: “From our perspective, we wouldn’t see this as simply £10billion of the DWP budget, and I’m pretty sure we’ll be making that point as and when we sit down with the Treasury.” And yesterday Employment Minister Chris Grayling said his department should not bear the entire brunt of the latest cuts." - Daily Express
London Mayoral election news and comment from the Times
Extradition 1) Home Affairs Select Committee says extradition treaty "must be reformed": Powerful committee of MPs backs Daily Mail's campaign - Daily Mail
Extradition 2) Reforming the extradition treaty between the UK and the United States cannot be impossible - Daily Telegraph editorial
Scotland Yard press chief resigns - Daily Express
Northern Ireland MLA McCallister delivers his baby son in the bathroom - Belfast Telegraph
Yes, Prime Minister returns to television with a six-episode season - The Times (£)
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7pm Local government: Liam Byrne wants to be Birmingham's Mayor
5.15pm ToryDiary: Only 23% of Tory members expect an outright Tory majority after next election
4.30pm Eamonn Butler on Comment: Disillusionment with politicians is so great there is serious talk of clipping their wings
3.45pm ToryDiary: David Davis warns remoteness from working class Britain could be as toxic for David Cameron as sleaze was for John Major
2.45pm Simon Kirby MP on Comment: I'm proud to say I've never voted against the Government or abstained
Noon ConHomeUSA: Rubio and Bush Snr both endorse the "inevitable" Romney
10.45am WATCH: Transport Minister Mike Penning says Francis Maude made a "mistake" with jerrycan of petrol advice
10.30am Local government: Will Livingstone condemn Olympics disruption by Occupy London?
ToryDiary: It's a crisis? Send for Fallon!
Columnist Andrew Lilico: Conservatives believe in property and we should understand that a Conservative should not believe in wealth taxes
Mark Field MP on Comment: The cost of keeping the Liberal Democrats inside the Coalition may undermine Tory candidates' election prospects
Christian Guy on ThinkTankCentral reflects on the conclusions of the Riots Communities and Victims Panel: The Social Justice Strategy should become the centrepiece programme of the Coalition
Local government: Kent County Council to vote on grammar school expansion
WATCH: Francis Maude and Charles Hendry talk to media about fuel strike precautions
David Cameron launching a Right to Provide and Right to Choose in the public sector: "Brick by brick, we’re tearing down the big state"
"State bureaucracy has proved too clumsy and inefficient, stifling the innovation we need at a time when value for money is so critical. I also have an instinctive belief that parents, patients and professionals are so much better equipped to make the choices that will drive improvements in our public services. Give the power to them, allow new providers to come forward with new ideas, and good things will happen." - The Prime Minister in The Telegraph
Cameron has said there is "absolutely no justification" for strike action by fuel tanker drivers - Guardian
Nearly half of Labour MPs are sponsored by Unite, the union which has called a strike of well-paid fuel tanker drivers - Telegraph leader
Forget Cruddas and Cameron. The REAL political travesty is Ed Miliband's silence about Red Len McCluskey - Andrew Pierce in the Daily Mail
The Sun Says: "Britain is, outrageously, at the mercy of a handful of well-paid tanker drivers, whipped up into militancy by the hard-Left boss of the Unite union which bankrolls the Labour Party. Ed Miliband can pathetically say he hopes a strike can be avoided. But he cannot and will not condemn the politically-driven bullying of Britain by his paymaster, Red Len McCluskey."
In The Times (£), Dom Raab MP accuses the Unite strikers of a political agenda: "Unite isn’t striking over earnings — oil tanker drivers’ pay is double that of other haulage drivers. It wants “reasonable minimum standards” covering health and safety and “wider stability” in the industry. But oil tankers are subject to onerous EU safety standards and haulage companies can do little about the volatility of global oil markets. These arguments are a fig leaf for Red Len’s political agenda. He opposes all cuts. He believes “there is no such thing as an irresponsible strike”. He advocates disruption during the Olympics and civil disobedience against public sector cutbacks."
The continuing hot pasties saga...
The Chancellor’s approval rating has slumped from 72% in December to 53% in a ConservativeHome survey
"The survey revealed misgivings about the coalition. While 50% of respondents felt it was a good thing for the nation, compared with 44% who did not, far fewer (31%) thought it had benefited their party. The number of party members who are confident that the Conservatives will still be in power after the next election has fallen from 88 per cent in July last year to 62% yesterday." - Times (£)
Osborne must choose: Are you Chairman or Chancellor?
"Osborne can be told to choose between his role as part-time Chancellor and part-time Tory chairman. At present he is doing both jobs badly. The Conservatives are in urgent need of a chairman with independent power and authority, capable of standing up for the membership and tasked with securing the general election victory that Cameron and Osborne signally failed to deliver in 2010." - Peter Oborne in The Telegraph
Must-read of the day: The Tories' uphill election struggle
"The simple truth is that Cameron needs to increase the Tory vote share at the next election if he is to secure a parliamentary majority. But not since 1974 has an incumbent prime minister pushed up his party's share of the vote. It was beyond the ability of Margaret Thatcher (in 1983 and 1987) and Tony Blair (2001 and 2005) and as a leading psephologist, John Curtice of Strathclyde University, points out: "Cameron is no Thatcher or Blair. If you look at his leader ratings, he is basically an average prime minister . . . He doesn't enthuse people."" - Mehdi Hasan in the New Statesman
Lords Committee questions wisdom of 0.7% aid target becoming law - Daily Mail
"In a report published on Thursday, the House of Lords economic affairs committee said enshrining the 0.7% figure into law "would deprive future governments of the flexibility to respond to changing circumstances at home and abroad"." - Guardian
Andrew Mitchell held shares in company which avoided millions in stamp duty - Telegraph
Osborne is facing opposition from within the government over plans to cut £10bn from welfare budgets - FT | Telegraph
Some charities say they are pulling out of the government's Work Programme for the long-term jobless, claiming the payments received are inadequate - BBC
"At last the government has set a target date for the privatisation of Royal Mail. By autumn of next year, the Queen’s head could fall into private hands" - FT leader (£)
"ONE in five UK adults is "functionally illiterate" a report reveals today. The staggering total means up to EIGHT MILLION are so poor at reading and writing they struggle in their daily lives." - The Sun
Peer slams cost of English students studying at Scottish universities - Scotsman
Lords reform Committee recommends referendum to approve any changes
"Nick Clegg is facing a severe setback over his plans for an elected House of Lords after a decision by a cross-party committee to call for a referendum before any changes are introduced. The Deputy Prime Minister is likely to reject the call as it would ruin any chance of the first elections for the new chamber to coincide with the next general election, in May 2015." - Times (£)
The budget, the NHS risk register, the riots report – the coalition seems badly news-managed. Or is all this noise a smokescreen? - Zoe Williams in The Guardian
Sally Bercow has said the Government's plans to ban a so-called legal high - "Mexxy" - made her tempted to try it before it was too late - Independent
"Sally Bercow drew sharp criticism from drugs campaigners last night after saying she was tempted to try the latest legal high before it is banned. Ministers are set to outlaw the sale of methoxetamine – also known as mexxy or MXE – within days after it was linked to two deaths and experts warned of its dangerous effects." - Daily Mail
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4.30pm MPsETC: Tory MPs debate assisted suicide
4pm Alex Morton of Policy Exchange on ThinkTankCentral: The National Planning Policy Framework changes nothing
2.30pm WATCH: David Cameron isn't great at badminton
1.15pm WATCH: “I love a hot pasty" says David Cameron as he tries to defuse pie tax row
12.30pm Alec Shelbrooke MP on Comment: Union members should opt in to the political fund on an annual basis
12.15pm ConHomeUSA: Speculation that ObamaCare will be declared unconstitutional
11am ToryDiary: Osborne has ordered the Treasury to do new work into the dynamic effects of tax cuts...
9.30am LeftWatch: Ed Miliband launches five point pledge card to help families pay their bills
ToryDiary: Which of the following factors are the biggest threat to Tory chances at the next election?
Columnist Jill Kirby: George Osborne's crazy cap on big donors to charities must be reversed
Greg Clark MP and John Howell MP on Comment: The Coalition's blueprint for sustainable development
Local government: Will elected Mayors be able to scrap council chief executives?
WATCH:
Downing Street says motorists should consider stockpiling petrol to dodge tanker drivers' strike - Telegraph
"With the AA warning against filling up tanks in case it caused a shortage, Labour accused Downing Street of stoking the risk of a mass rush to the pumps. ‘It’s the height of irresponsibility for Downing Street to give the impression that people should be panic-buying. They should be using all their efforts to get a settlement,’ a spokesman said. Labour leader Ed Miliband has so far refused to condemn the strike threat, with the Unite union behind the ballot being the party’s largest paymaster." - Daily Mail
Ken Clarke: Convicted criminals will face tougher community sentences which could include strict curfews, travel bans and ankle tags armed with “sat nav” - Telegraph
“My cheque book has been put away... there is no possibility of privacy” - The FT says Tory donors are unhappy at public gaze
Campaigners have welcomed the Government’s decision to "water down" planning reforms - Telegraph
At last the government has reined in the cowboy lobbyists and allowed urban renewal to trump rural development - Simon Jenkins in The Guardian
The Sun launches "Who VAT all the pies?" campaign saying "Hot takeaway food from bakery shops is a staple of ordinary Brits"
George Osborne has been mocked by MPs over his “pasty tax” after it emerged people could avoid paying VAT on hot baked goods if they wait for them to cool in the shop - Telegraph
"Under the rules released by the Treasury, a lukewarm pasty would not attract the sales tax in warm weather, because it would be the same temperature as the shop. But the same pasty could be hit with a VAT charge in winter when it would be warmer than the ‘ambient’ temperature." - Daily Mail
The Sun Says: "It's fun to imagine Mr Osborne as a modern Marie Antoinette. But there are serious parallels. She had no concept of starvation. Likewise the Chancellor and his rich Cabinet colleagues cannot begin to understand what it's like to be so hard-up that a sharp rise in the price of a pasty will hurt."
How bad has the last week been for the Conservatives?
George Osborne opens door to unfunded tax cuts by inviting Treasury to consider dynamic effects of tax cuts
"Sources say that lowering the top rate of income tax could, for example, boost VAT receipts by incentivising people to spend their additional disposable pay. This is not at present taken into account. A cut in corporation tax, they add, could attract more businesses to Britain. Introducing that information would make lower tax rates more appealing." - Times (£)
"An aide to Mr Osborne criticised the Office for Budget Responsibility for taking insufficient account of the effect of corporation tax cuts on attracting companies to locate in Britain" - FT (£)
In her Express column Ann Widdecombe backs George Osborne on Granny Tax: "I can see no good reason why a pensioner who yesterday was working and economically active should have his retirement income assessed more favourably for tax than anyone else."
David Cameron has "forgotten" about dementia patients in care homes because "not a single penny" of the extra money he has just pledged will help them - Telegraph
More than one-third of schools in the government’s academy converter programme have cited additional money as their primary reason for taking part - FT (£)
Citing US pre-9/11 experience, David Davis warns of dangers of secret courts plan - Daily Mail
Panel concludes that riots were fuelled by a lack of opportunities for young people, poor parenting and suspicion of the police - Guardian
Joint Committee on House of Lord Reform says Bishops should stay - BBC
London 2012's legacy plans praised by International Olympic Committee (IOC) - Evening Standard
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