6.45pm WATCH: Andrew Tyrie says that Bob Diamond's evidence to the Treasury Select Committee "lacked candour"
5.45pm ToryDiary: What good is a reshuffle without civil service reform?
2.15pm WATCH: The Telegraph's Damian Reece explains why today's Libor report could scupper Lord Turner's Bank of England chances
11.45am Robert Halfon MP on Comment: The government has worked to keep petrol prices down — now the oil market must bear responsibility too
ToryDiary: What would a Coalition-friendly reshuffle look like?
Chris Kelly MP on Comment: Britain's family firms are some of the nation's leading local, national and global business champions
Local Government: EU rules are obstructing councils from saving money
WATCH: Protests as the Russian band Pussy Riot are jailed
Michael Gove under continuing attack over playing fields
"Applications for the sales of playing fields in England have to be approved by the Education Secretary after being considered by the School Playing Fields Advisory Panel, an independent group of experts. … However, members of the panel told The Daily Telegraph of their frustration at being unable to vet the sale of playing fields by academy schools, which have their own freeholds. … Instead only ministers can scrutinise and if necessary veto any sale." – Daily Telegraph
Comment:
> Yesterday:
South American countries expected to meet to discuss William Hague's Assange warnings
"South American countries are expected to hold two emergency meetings in the coming days to discuss Britain’s action. The Union of South American Nations, which is modelled on the European Union, is due to meet tomorrow in Ecuador. Then the OAS, which has its headquarters in New York, may meet on Thursday. … Whitehall sources suggested that they were relaxed about the outcome because they did not believe it would result in any concrete action. They stressed that they did not believe it would alter the situation around the Falkland Islands." – The Times (£)
> Yesterday's ToryDiary: William Hague must continue to act reasonably over the Julian Assange affair
Turnout for the police commissioner elections expected to hit a record low
"The society estimates that turnout for the poll, which is costing £75 million, will be about 18.5 per cent, the lowest figure for a national election in British history. It blames the Government’s decision to hold the poll in November and its refusal to pay for the distribution of profiles for each candidate. … Nick Herbert, the Policing Minister, has blamed the media for 'carping', yet Home Office officials say he should be thankful for any coverage at all." – The Times (£)
Grant Shapps sets up a "hit squad" to get more homes built
"Details of the push emerged as green groups reacted with horror to revelations that ministers are thinking the unthinkable on planning laws – a move that could lead to building on green-belt land. … Radical plans, opposed by the Department for Communities and Local Government, were discussed at a meeting of senior Coalition ministers last Friday." – Daily Mail
The ministerial car lives on: 15 departments now have a dedicated driver, with 5 having two – The Times (£)
The Telegraph has launched a "Don't Tax Our Savings" campaign
"The Telegraph is calling on the Chancellor to abolish the tax taken from savings accounts – a move that would cost the Government £1.76bn, according to new figures, but would boost returns for millions of savers." – Daily Telegraph
Government officials accused of 'schmooze-athon' with Shell – Guardian
Gay marriage costs Tories support among churchgoes, poll shows
"Almost six out of 10 people who attend services regularly say they are less likely to vote Conservative at the next election because of the plans to redefine marriage. … More than a third of those polled said it had no effect on whether they would support the Conservatives but most of them would never vote for the party anyway." – Daily Telegraph
Tory rising stars say that British idlers ought to emulate Asia – Guardian
> Yesterday's ToryDiary: The "new Right" picks a fight
Bruce Anderson: David Cameron should do more to persuade the public
"The Prime Minister should employ a stratagem which is under-used in politics, and which is frequently successful because it is so unexpected: honesty. He should trust the electorate; treat voters as grown-ups; explain his view of events; admit his mistakes. He should also remind the British people that we have surmounted far worse problems in the past." – Bruce Anderson, Daily Telegraph
> Yesterday's ToryDiary: A priority for Mr Cameron once he returns from holiday: this huge stuff about trust
Simon Heffer: Mr Cameron may soon have no choice but to ditch George Osborne
"To change direction would entail a massive loss of face. To ditch a friend and replace him at the Treasury by someone with the conviction to do what is necessary would be ruthless and even disloyal. … But personal considerations are trifling. And a U-turn wouldn’t be a wrong turn. If Mr Osborne executed one with conviction and humility, he might even survive." – Simon Heffer, Daily Mail
The Treasury Select Committee releases a stinging interim report on the Libor scandal — and attacks Bob Diamond
"‘Select committees are entitled to expect candour and frankness from witnesses before them,’ the MPs’ report says. … ‘Mr Diamond’s evidence, at times highly selective, fell well short of the standard that Parliament expects, particularly from such an experienced and senior witness.’ … The Treasury Committee said it was ‘shocking’ that the Libor corruption, which went on between 2005 and 2009, ‘flourished for so long’." – Daily Mail
Defence chiefs losing perks under cost-cutting drive – Daily Telegraph
> Yesterday by Dr Andrew Murrison MP on Comment: The recent defence review can bolster the bond between government, the armed forces and society
One-in-five jailed rioters have been released early, after serving less than than half their sentence – Daily Mail
Norman Lamb to announce a consultation into consumer rights
"‘Many people will have been ripped off at some point by hidden online charges while booking a holiday, premium-rate helplines when returning a purchase, or extra credit card fees if you don’t use your debit card,’ Mr Lamb said. ‘The Consumer Rights Directive will put an end to certain bad business practices and help consumers make well-informed decisions when buying products or services.’" – Daily Mail
Nick Clegg's ratings fall to a new low – Angus Reid website
Gordon Brown claimed almost £20,000 in travel expenses between June 2010 and January 2012
"He has also participated in only 15 per cent of Parliamentary votes since the 2010 election, according to an analysis. … Priti Patel MP said: 'It’s shocking that Gordon Brown is claiming thousands for travel, but rarely turns up to speak or even vote on his constituents' behalf, in the Commons. … It’s time for Gordon Brown to either step up to the plate or stand down from Parliament.'" – Daily Telegraph
Graeme Archer: Alex Salmond shouldn't be allowed a Devo Max question
"It’s one thing for residents of Scotland (not “Scots”: we don’t all live there) to vote on whether or not they wish to remain part of the UK. But decisions about which further powers, if any, might be devolved to the Scottish administration, were it not to secede, are a matter for the UK Parliament – a Parliament that represents all of us, including Scottish Nationalists." – Graeme Archer, Daily Telegraph
Squeezed middle-classes are turning to teenage au pairs to look after their elderly relatives – Daily Mail
Britain is the tenth most expensive place in the world for petrol – Daily Mail
And finally… Paul Ryan paid a higher federal tax rate than Mitt Romney over the past two years
"Ryan and his wife, Janna, paid an effective tax rate of 20 per cent last year and 15.9 per cent in 2010, according to tax returns released by the Romney campaign on Friday evening. … Romney, who has released his 2010 return and an estimate for 2011, has come under fire for not making public details of his prior income taxes. … Earlier this week he said he paid at least a 13 per cent tax rate every year for the past 10 years." – Daily Mail
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