Cabinet contenders: departmental debates confirmed – 8 in the morning, March 16th

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

* Peter Mandelson will debate Ken Clarke on business, and other cabinet ministers will also discuss policy on live TV debates with Andrew Neil in the weeks before the election.

* The number of ministers should be cut by a third, reports parliament’s public administration committee.

* The European Commission has warned that the UK is not on course to cut its deficit in line with EU rules by a deadline of 2015.

* Last minute talks between Unite and BA are unlikely to have led to the strike being called off.

* Ladbroke’s outgoing boss has tipped Labour to have most seats in parliament after the general election.

* “Politician, scholar, football fan, reader, writer, storyteller, husband, stepfather and loyal friend”: Michael foot is laid to rest in London.

* Liberal Conspiracy says the “splintering of Stoke’s working class eventually found expression in its politics” and reports on Labour’s collapse there.

* The Guardian asks: Why isn’t every company like John Lewis?

Related posts:

1. Ed Balls calls for education debates: 8 in the morning, January 4th
2. Peter Hain lends support to Robin Hood tax – 8 in the morning, February 16th
3. Budget on March 24th – 8 in the morning, March 10th
4. More tributes to Michael Foot – 8 in the morning, March 4th
5. Gordon Brown steps in to try to stop BA staff strike – 8 in the morning, March 15th