The ones to watch: Local elections
Mid-term elections which will soon be forgotten? Or a pivotal moment which will help determine the fate of the political parties?
Childcare benefit: Are you eligible?
From this September, 15 hours of free childcare a week will be made available. Are you eligible? Find out here.
Spare room subsidy or bedroom tax?
There’s no doubt we need to tackle the rising housing benefit bill but are new welfare reforms a fair way forward?
Live updates
Anger over new homes
Campaigners have expressed anger at the proposals for a new town of 6,500 homes in Hampshire. The proposed community known as Welborne will be built to the north of Fareham near the motorway on a thousand acres of open countryside.
The Fareham Society, Wickham Society and local village residents' associations along with planning experts from the Campaign to Protect Rural England are unhappy about the scheme saying it will lead to traffic congestion and impact on their quality of life .
PM tackles motorway fuel prices
The cost of petrol at motorway service stations in our region has come under the spotlight today. The Prime Minister has ordered a review of prices in an effort to force them down. Our Transport Correspondent Mike Pearse reports.
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Norman Baker - Greenpeace accusations 'unfair'
Lewes MP Norman Baker has responded to claims he is blocking new legislation to reduce carbon emissions from new cars, after Greenpeace activists unfurled a huge banner criticising him in the town today.
The Transport Minister said: "It is quite wrong of Greenpeace to make unfair and inaccurate allegations of this nature. I am not trying to water down this legislation.
"On the contrary – as always and as I have throughout my political career, I am trying to get the most sensible result for the environment. Greenpeace, in their campaigns, should challenge those who don’t care about the environment, rather than those who do.
"The Department for Transport is working hard to drive down emissions from vehicles, both through these complex negotiations in Europe, and elsewhere. We are rightly focussed on getting the best outcome from the 2020 targets – which is the main point of current negotiations.
"We are not in principle against setting a tough 2025 target, but to do so now risks setting industry an overly generous target. Greenpeace should withdraw these allegations."
Vicky Pryce statement after release
Statement on behalf of Vicky Pryce after her release from prison.
Press scrum as Huhne prepares statement
Before giving his statement, Chris Huhne was surrounded by photographers eager to take his picture.
Statement from Chris Huhne after release
Former Eastleigh MP gave a statement to the press after his release from prison.
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Local MP attacked for 'blocking green laws'
Greenpeace activists have scaled a five storey building on Lewes High Street, unfurling a huge advertising banner demanding local MP Norman Baker takes action to limit carbon emissions.
The campaign group has criticised the Transport Minister for "blocking new legislation to reduce carbon emissions from new cars".
It says it has a leaked briefing in which Mr Baker calls colleagues to oppose a proposal by fellow Liberal Democrat Fiona Hall MEP to reduce CO2 emissions from all new cars to 70g CO2/km for 2025.
Greenpeace campaigner Sara Ayech said: “These documents reveal that there is a split at the heart of the Liberal Democrats over policy to reduce carbon emissions and save motorists money.
"Norman Baker should follow the progressive political lead of Fiona Hall and support laws that will help the environment, whilst putting an average of £400 a year back into the pockets of hard pressed motorists."
Council leader's 'profound regret' after drink drive ban - statement
Councillor Stephen Mansbridge, leader of Guildford Borough Council, has expressed his profound regret for driving whilst in excess of the legal alcohol limit.
Cllr Mansbridge received a driving ban and a fine, which were increased because of an earlier offence nine years before.
Cllr Mansbridge said "I am deeply sorry for this dreadful lapse of judgement and regret my actions in every sense possible. I am fully aware that I have caused intense embarrassment to my family, friends, political colleagues and the Council and offer them all my unreserved and heartfelt apologies.
"I commend the officers of Surrey Police for acting quickly and sensibly and fully accept the punishment of the Court, which I did not seek to contest in any way. "I do completely understand the impact of drink driving and can only offer my complete and utter apology for this error on my part.
"I will take every opportunity available to me in the future to work with our partners on drink and road safety issues.
"I fully accept that my actions set a very poor example and I want to put right what I have done by working as hard as possible for the good of all the residents of Guildford Borough and the Council."
2,500 town hall staff paid over £100,000 last year
More than 2,500 town hall staff were paid over £100,000 last year, research has shown.
Despite the number earning in six figures falling by 11% between 2011 and 2012, 103 councils were still employing more staff on that level than before, the TaxPayers' Alliance said.
It added that one executive was handed almost £600,000.
Town hall 'Rich List': Top ten employees
Figures from the TaxPayer's Alliance have shown that more than 2,500 town hall staff were paid over £100,000 last year.
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