I support the idea of permanently moving the clocks an hour forward as suggested in the Daylight Saving Bill.  I believe there are economic benefits, and potentially safety benefits also?  It has been running through Parliament, and calls on the government to review the costs and benefits of putting clocks forward, resulting in lighter evenings every day of the year.  Despite widespread support, it appears that the Bill is now unlikely to proceed further due to lack of parliamentary time, after an alliance of some Conservatives with SNP colleagues - yes - filibustered and obstructed progress to the Bill, talking it out of time.  Is this a way to run a democracy, whatever the rights and wrongs of the issue?  What is for sure is that the thing not being considered are the views of residents and businesses.

The government is to review the formula it uses to decide how much money local authorities receive to provide rural services.  The pledge is contained in the government's response to a consultation on proposals for councils to keep a share of business rates rather than paying them to Whitehall.  Published today, the response has been welcomed by the Rural Services Network, which has long campaigned on behalf of rural local authorities for a fairer funding deal from central government.  The document says the government will consider limited technical adjustments to the relative need formulae to determine funding for rural services and concessionary travel.  Let us see if this translates to any real benefits for East Dorset residents?

It mkes no sense to have a universal pensioner's winter fuel allowance, whilst hard-working families on low pay are having their tax credits cut.  Crazy politics!  Lets target the money we have, on those who need it, whatever their age.

So in England the government spends an average £8.6k per person, but this is over £10k in Scotland.

This cannot be right in any way.  When will the government right this wrong?

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Government today got broad support from International Monetary Fund for current fiscal policies.  The risks are there, the pain is there for all of us, but it remains right.  As was said, the Labour Party didn't leave us with a Plan B.  Ed Balls flailing around was comical.