This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2012/feb/13/alexsalmond

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Politics live blog: Monday 13 February Politics live blog: Monday 13 February
(40 minutes later)
11.39am: I'm just back from the lobby. Number 10 aren't ruling out sending Abu Qatada to Jordan in defiance of the European Court of Human Rights. And it sounds as if the government has caved in on holding the Scottish independence referendum in the autumn of 2014. I'll post a full summary in a moment.
10.54am: I'm off to the Number 10 lobby briefing. I'll post again after 11.30am.10.54am: I'm off to the Number 10 lobby briefing. I'll post again after 11.30am.
10.48am: Here are some more lending figures, relating to mortgages. This is from the Press Association.10.48am: Here are some more lending figures, relating to mortgages. This is from the Press Association.
A scramble to get on the property ladder before the end of a duty concession has sparked a 7% jump in loans to first-time buyers, lenders said today.
The withdrawal of the two-year amnesty on stamp duty for first-time buyers purchasing homes worth between £125,000 and £250,000 happens on March 24, fuelling expectations of a rush of purchases before then.
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said this appeared to be the case after figures today showed its members advanced 18,700 loans worth £2.3bn to potential new homeowners in December, up 7% and 10% respectively on November.
The overall number of loans for home purchase was 2% lower on the previous month at 28,700, but the CML said there was an increase in overall lending last year for the first time since 2007, when the financial crisis struck.		A scramble to get on the property ladder before the end of a duty concession has sparked a 7% jump in loans to first-time buyers, lenders said today.
The withdrawal of the two-year amnesty on stamp duty for first-time buyers purchasing homes worth between £125,000 and £250,000 happens on March 24, fuelling expectations of a rush of purchases before then.
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said this appeared to be the case after figures today showed its members advanced 18,700 loans worth £2.3bn to potential new homeowners in December, up 7% and 10% respectively on November.
The overall number of loans for home purchase was 2% lower on the previous month at 28,700, but the CML said there was an increase in overall lending last year for the first time since 2007, when the financial crisis struck.
10.38am: You can read all today's Guardian politics stories here. And all the politics stories filed yesterday, including some in today's paper, are here.10.38am: You can read all today's Guardian politics stories here. And all the politics stories filed yesterday, including some in today's paper, are here.
As for the rest of the papers, I've already covered Trevor Kavanagh's outburst about the supposed "witch-hunt" against the Sun (see 8.30am) and the Prescott interview in the Independent (see 9.16am). Here are some other stories that are particularly interesting.As for the rest of the papers, I've already covered Trevor Kavanagh's outburst about the supposed "witch-hunt" against the Sun (see 8.30am) and the Prescott interview in the Independent (see 9.16am). Here are some other stories that are particularly interesting.
• Robert Winnett and James Kirkup in the Daily Telegraph say the government will impose new restrictions on the bonuses in the public sector.• Robert Winnett and James Kirkup in the Daily Telegraph say the government will impose new restrictions on the bonuses in the public sector.

Francis Maude, the Cabinet Office minister, and Danny Alexander, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, have written to all government departments asking them to review their bonus structures.
Francis Maude, the Cabinet Office minister, and Danny Alexander, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, have written to all government departments asking them to review their bonus structures.
In future, bonuses should only be paid for "genuine excellence" and not "run-of-the-mill performance" after it emerged that up to a quarter of officials automatically qualified for rewards.In future, bonuses should only be paid for "genuine excellence" and not "run-of-the-mill performance" after it emerged that up to a quarter of officials automatically qualified for rewards.
Mr Alexander told The Daily Telegraph that the review would ensure that there was no suggestion of "rewards for failure" in publicly-funded bodies.Mr Alexander told The Daily Telegraph that the review would ensure that there was no suggestion of "rewards for failure" in publicly-funded bodies.
"The idea is to look at the levers government has, to make sure that the remuneration rules are fit for purpose and command public confidence," he said."The idea is to look at the levers government has, to make sure that the remuneration rules are fit for purpose and command public confidence," he said.
"This is not about getting rid of performance pay. It is about making sure that performance pay is there for genuine excellence and not just run-of-the-mill performance.""This is not about getting rid of performance pay. It is about making sure that performance pay is there for genuine excellence and not just run-of-the-mill performance."


• Daniel Martin and James Clayton in the Daily Mail say the number of pensioners dying from hypothermia has doubled in five years.

• Daniel Martin and James Clayton in the Daily Mail say the number of pensioners dying from hypothermia has doubled in five years.
The number of pensioners dying from hypothermia has nearly doubled in five years, a period when a succession of cold winters has been coupled with drastic rises in energy bills.The number of pensioners dying from hypothermia has nearly doubled in five years, a period when a succession of cold winters has been coupled with drastic rises in energy bills.
The official figures emerged after several days of Arctic conditions which drove temperatures across the whole country as low as minus 10C (14F).The official figures emerged after several days of Arctic conditions which drove temperatures across the whole country as low as minus 10C (14F).
They showed that 1,876 patients were treated in hospital for hypothermia in 2010/11, up from 950 in 2006/07.They showed that 1,876 patients were treated in hospital for hypothermia in 2010/11, up from 950 in 2006/07.
The number of sufferers who died within 30 days of admission shot up from 135 to 260.The number of sufferers who died within 30 days of admission shot up from 135 to 260.
Three-quarters of victims were pensioners, with cases soaring among the over-60s more than any other age group.Three-quarters of victims were pensioners, with cases soaring among the over-60s more than any other age group.
• Sam Coates and Richard Ford in the Times (paywall) say spin doctors have been ordered to produce three "positive" Olympic games-related stories every day for nearly three months.• Sam Coates and Richard Ford in the Times (paywall) say spin doctors have been ordered to produce three "positive" Olympic games-related stories every day for nearly three months.
Even the Scotland Office has been drafted in to the massive cross-government effort, preparing press releases on how Scottish companies and tourism will benefit from the event taking place 400 miles away.Even the Scotland Office has been drafted in to the massive cross-government effort, preparing press releases on how Scottish companies and tourism will benefit from the event taking place 400 miles away.
Godric Smith, a former spokesman for Tony Blair, has been brought in to oversee the production of news stories so that they can begin daily Olympic-themed announcements from May 18, when the torch arrives in Liverpool from Greece.Godric Smith, a former spokesman for Tony Blair, has been brought in to oversee the production of news stories so that they can begin daily Olympic-themed announcements from May 18, when the torch arrives in Liverpool from Greece.
This period until the closing ceremony on August 12 has been dubbed "Games Time" inside Whitehall. Departments were informed of the requirement to generate Olympic-related news in a letter sent by Mr Smith in the past fortnight.This period until the closing ceremony on August 12 has been dubbed "Games Time" inside Whitehall. Departments were informed of the requirement to generate Olympic-related news in a letter sent by Mr Smith in the past fortnight.
Insiders said that the Government was desperate to capitalise on any political credit for the Games. However, this risks undermining the broad political consensus behind the event, and opponents are warning of "retaliation" if Mr Cameron and Boris Johnson, the Conservative Mayor of London, hog the limelight.Insiders said that the Government was desperate to capitalise on any political credit for the Games. However, this risks undermining the broad political consensus behind the event, and opponents are warning of "retaliation" if Mr Cameron and Boris Johnson, the Conservative Mayor of London, hog the limelight.
• George Parker in the Financial Times (subscription) says Tony Blair has told Labour MPs that the party needs to stick to the centre ground.• George Parker in the Financial Times (subscription) says Tony Blair has told Labour MPs that the party needs to stick to the centre ground.
Almost five years after stepping down as prime minister, last week's meeting with MPs is a sign that Mr Blair is ready to re-engage in domestic British politics and to deploy his experience in helping Labour return to power.Almost five years after stepping down as prime minister, last week's meeting with MPs is a sign that Mr Blair is ready to re-engage in domestic British politics and to deploy his experience in helping Labour return to power.
But Mr Blair's audience with seven Labour MPs at his Grosvenor Square headquarters is likely to be seen by some as an attempt to steer Ed Miliband on to New Labour territory and away from his crusade against "predatory" capitalism and City excess.But Mr Blair's audience with seven Labour MPs at his Grosvenor Square headquarters is likely to be seen by some as an attempt to steer Ed Miliband on to New Labour territory and away from his crusade against "predatory" capitalism and City excess.
One MP at the meeting said: "Blair said we have to be credible with business. We can't go into the next election without the support of a single CEO from a big company, as we did at the last election.One MP at the meeting said: "Blair said we have to be credible with business. We can't go into the next election without the support of a single CEO from a big company, as we did at the last election.
"He also believes that if you want to win, you have to be convincingly in the centre ground. This is someone who has won three elections: you can't do that if you don't have a strategic brain.""He also believes that if you want to win, you have to be convincingly in the centre ground. This is someone who has won three elections: you can't do that if you don't have a strategic brain."
10.13am: David Mundell (left), the Scotland Office minister, told BBC Scotland this morning that we should not expect too much out of today's meeting between Alex Salmond and Michael Moore.10.13am: David Mundell (left), the Scotland Office minister, told BBC Scotland this morning that we should not expect too much out of today's meeting between Alex Salmond and Michael Moore.
Today's meeting is likely to be the first in a series of meetings. We shouldn't expect to have a definitive position emerging from today's meeting. We certainly wouldn't have a definitive position emerging from any meeting this week between the prime minister and Mr Salmond. The Scotland Office and the Scottish government will be the vehicle for reaching that agreement.Today's meeting is likely to be the first in a series of meetings. We shouldn't expect to have a definitive position emerging from today's meeting. We certainly wouldn't have a definitive position emerging from any meeting this week between the prime minister and Mr Salmond. The Scotland Office and the Scottish government will be the vehicle for reaching that agreement.
9.50am: Under Project Merlin, the banks were supposed to lend £76bn to small and medium-sized businesses in 2011. According to the figures just released by the Bank of England, they only lent £74.9bn.9.50am: Under Project Merlin, the banks were supposed to lend £76bn to small and medium-sized businesses in 2011. According to the figures just released by the Bank of England, they only lent £74.9bn.
9.44am: Abu Qatada will be released from jail this week. But, according to the Press Association, he won't be allowed to do the school run.9.44am: Abu Qatada will be released from jail this week. But, according to the Press Association, he won't be allowed to do the school run.
A radical cleric described as Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe will be banned from taking his youngest child to school when he is released from prison, sources said today.
Abu Qatada, who will be released from a maximum security prison this week while he fights deportation to Jordan, will not be allowed out of his home during school opening and closing times.
Under the terms of his release, Qatada, who Home Secretary Theresa May has said poses a real threat to the UK's national security, must obey a 22-hour curfew and will be kept in during the school run, sources said.		A radical cleric described as Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe will be banned from taking his youngest child to school when he is released from prison, sources said today.
Abu Qatada, who will be released from a maximum security prison this week while he fights deportation to Jordan, will not be allowed out of his home during school opening and closing times.
Under the terms of his release, Qatada, who Home Secretary Theresa May has said poses a real threat to the UK's national security, must obey a 22-hour curfew and will be kept in during the school run, sources said.
9.16am: I'll post a full paper round-up later, but Oliver Wright's interview with John Prescott in the Independent is worth a special mention because it's such good copy.9.16am: I'll post a full paper round-up later, but Oliver Wright's interview with John Prescott in the Independent is worth a special mention because it's such good copy.
Here are the key points.Here are the key points.
• Prescott defended the right of politicians to interfer with operational decisions being made by the police. This is important. Prescott gave the interview because he's campaigning for election as Humberside's police commissioner. Elected police commissioners are supposed to hold chief constables to account. But they are not supposed to get involved in operational policing matters. As the Home Office explains on its website, "the statutory protocol sets out the roles and responsibilities of the PCC [police and crime commissioner], chief constable, Home Office, police and crime panel ... and makes clear that operational independence of the police will be safeguarded."• Prescott defended the right of politicians to interfer with operational decisions being made by the police. This is important. Prescott gave the interview because he's campaigning for election as Humberside's police commissioner. Elected police commissioners are supposed to hold chief constables to account. But they are not supposed to get involved in operational policing matters. As the Home Office explains on its website, "the statutory protocol sets out the roles and responsibilities of the PCC [police and crime commissioner], chief constable, Home Office, police and crime panel ... and makes clear that operational independence of the police will be safeguarded."
But Prescott said he did not accept this.But Prescott said he did not accept this.
The police always argue that [many things they do] are a matter of operations and politicians should not be involved. Well, I'm afraid I have a big argument with that.The police always argue that [many things they do] are a matter of operations and politicians should not be involved. Well, I'm afraid I have a big argument with that.
To back his case, he described what happened when the police conducted a terror raid in Forest Gate in East London in 2006.To back his case, he described what happened when the police conducted a terror raid in Forest Gate in East London in 2006.
At one stage the police were going to turn out all the residents of the street at 2am in the morning. John Reid was the home secretary and I was working with him. Andy Hayman, who was in charge, wanted to turn them out and I said to John Reid – no, you can't do that.At one stage the police were going to turn out all the residents of the street at 2am in the morning. John Reid was the home secretary and I was working with him. Andy Hayman, who was in charge, wanted to turn them out and I said to John Reid – no, you can't do that.
He said: 'John, it's operational'. I said sod operational, there are political considerations here. Turning out a street of Asians at 2am with the allegations of a gas plot and we don't know what the evidence is for that. I am not against the police running the organisation, but there are times someone should just say: Hang on I don't think that's right. Convince me about it.He said: 'John, it's operational'. I said sod operational, there are political considerations here. Turning out a street of Asians at 2am with the allegations of a gas plot and we don't know what the evidence is for that. I am not against the police running the organisation, but there are times someone should just say: Hang on I don't think that's right. Convince me about it.
In that case, as we now know, one person was shot and was eventually found quite innocent.In that case, as we now know, one person was shot and was eventually found quite innocent.

Sir Hugh Orde, the president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, won't be happy. Yesterday, in an interview on Sky, he repeated his promise to resign if the creation of elected police commissioners led to the operational independence of chief constables being criticised.
Sir Hugh Orde, the president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, won't be happy. Yesterday, in an interview on Sky, he repeated his promise to resign if the creation of elected police commissioners led to the operational independence of chief constables being criticised.
• Prescott said he always thought the Metropolitian police were "questionable".• Prescott said he always thought the Metropolitian police were "questionable".
Twenty years ago, I remember looking at how many police officers retired from the Met – for obviously very funny reasons. And they kept their pensions and nobody ever got sacked. We've been through four or five commissioners who said they were going to change that and nothing's happened.Twenty years ago, I remember looking at how many police officers retired from the Met – for obviously very funny reasons. And they kept their pensions and nobody ever got sacked. We've been through four or five commissioners who said they were going to change that and nothing's happened.
He made it clear that he had much more respect for police forces outside London.He made it clear that he had much more respect for police forces outside London.
• He claimed that he was badly let down by Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson after the News of the World discovered that his wife Pauline had given a son up for adoption when she was young.• He claimed that he was badly let down by Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson after the News of the World discovered that his wife Pauline had given a son up for adoption when she was young.
The press had heard about it and went looking for him. They found him. He was a Lieutenant Colonel up in Scotland, and they knocked on the door and said, 'We're printing the story about who your mother is'. I had to say to Rebekah Brooks [then editing the News of the World]: 'Look, let them get together first'.The press had heard about it and went looking for him. They found him. He was a Lieutenant Colonel up in Scotland, and they knocked on the door and said, 'We're printing the story about who your mother is'. I had to say to Rebekah Brooks [then editing the News of the World]: 'Look, let them get together first'.
But then [Brooks] moved to become editor of The Sun and Andy Coulson took over. She tried to take the exclusive with her. Les Hinton [chief executive of News International] had to call them both in.But then [Brooks] moved to become editor of The Sun and Andy Coulson took over. She tried to take the exclusive with her. Les Hinton [chief executive of News International] had to call them both in.
He decided that one paper could have the photographs and one paper could have the interview. But then Coulson went and found photographs of my wife's son dressed as a woman in a kind of army show – suggesting he was kind of gay. You know these two bastards are employed by the same Murdoch operation.He decided that one paper could have the photographs and one paper could have the interview. But then Coulson went and found photographs of my wife's son dressed as a woman in a kind of army show – suggesting he was kind of gay. You know these two bastards are employed by the same Murdoch operation.
8.56am: The CBI has published its latest economic predictions today. It is saying that Britain will avoid a double-dip recession although, as the BBC reports, other economic surveys out today are more negative.8.56am: The CBI has published its latest economic predictions today. It is saying that Britain will avoid a double-dip recession although, as the BBC reports, other economic surveys out today are more negative.
John Cridland (left), the CBI director general, was talking about this on the Today programme earlier. According to PoliticsHome, he stressed that the signs of growth were "very tentative".John Cridland (left), the CBI director general, was talking about this on the Today programme earlier. According to PoliticsHome, he stressed that the signs of growth were "very tentative".
CBI member companies are just beginning to see the storm cloud that's hit us over the winter slightly move over, so business investment is picking up a little bit, and export growth is picking up a little bit because things are going well elsewhere in the world outside of Europe. For those on the high street, for the avoidance of doubt, CBI companies in leisure and retail, that's not getting better, because the domestic consumer is still constrained.CBI member companies are just beginning to see the storm cloud that's hit us over the winter slightly move over, so business investment is picking up a little bit, and export growth is picking up a little bit because things are going well elsewhere in the world outside of Europe. For those on the high street, for the avoidance of doubt, CBI companies in leisure and retail, that's not getting better, because the domestic consumer is still constrained.
I want to stress these signs of restarting of growth are very tentative, but all the evidence now I think is, in our latest forecast, that the worst moment was in October, not in December. So we're just seeing the first tentative signs of a turn.I want to stress these signs of restarting of growth are very tentative, but all the evidence now I think is, in our latest forecast, that the worst moment was in October, not in December. So we're just seeing the first tentative signs of a turn.
8.30am: The Commons is not sitting today. That's a shame, because it would be nice to have culture questions and find out what MPs find out about the latest arrests at the Sun. In the Sun Trevor Kavanagh, the paper's former political editor, says that the paper is the victim of a "witch-hunt" that has put Britain behind ex-Soviet states in terms of press freedom.8.30am: The Commons is not sitting today. That's a shame, because it would be nice to have culture questions and find out what MPs find out about the latest arrests at the Sun. In the Sun Trevor Kavanagh, the paper's former political editor, says that the paper is the victim of a "witch-hunt" that has put Britain behind ex-Soviet states in terms of press freedom.
The Sun is not a "swamp" that needs draining.The Sun is not a "swamp" that needs draining.
Nor are those other great News International titles, The Times and The Sunday Times.Nor are those other great News International titles, The Times and The Sunday Times.
Yet in what would at any other time cause uproar in Parliament and among civil liberty and human rights campaigners, its journalists are being treated like members of an organised crime gang.Yet in what would at any other time cause uproar in Parliament and among civil liberty and human rights campaigners, its journalists are being treated like members of an organised crime gang.
They are subjects of the biggest police operation in British criminal history — bigger even than the Pan Am Lockerbie murder probe ...They are subjects of the biggest police operation in British criminal history — bigger even than the Pan Am Lockerbie murder probe ...
Under the draconian terms of police bail, many journalists are barred from speaking to each other. They are treated like threats to national security. And there is no end in sight to their ordeal.Under the draconian terms of police bail, many journalists are barred from speaking to each other. They are treated like threats to national security. And there is no end in sight to their ordeal.
Their alleged crimes? To act as journalists have acted on all newspapers through the ages, unearthing stories that shape our lives, often obstructed by those who prefer to operate behind closed doors.Their alleged crimes? To act as journalists have acted on all newspapers through the ages, unearthing stories that shape our lives, often obstructed by those who prefer to operate behind closed doors.
These stories sometimes involve whistleblowers. Sometimes money changes hands. This has been standard procedure as long as newspapers have existed, here and abroad.These stories sometimes involve whistleblowers. Sometimes money changes hands. This has been standard procedure as long as newspapers have existed, here and abroad.

In the Guardian we've got an editorial expressing a different view.
In the Guardian we've got an editorial expressing a different view.
As police arrested five more Sun journalists in connection with the possible corruption of public officials at the weekend, there were inevitably voices asking whether, on the tail of the closure of the Sun's sister paper, there was now a wholesale witch-hunt against tabloid journalism in general.As police arrested five more Sun journalists in connection with the possible corruption of public officials at the weekend, there were inevitably voices asking whether, on the tail of the closure of the Sun's sister paper, there was now a wholesale witch-hunt against tabloid journalism in general.
There is no evidence that the police, the courts or Lord Justice Leveson have any such thing in mind. Saturday's arrests appear to have been provoked by information handed to the police by News Corporation itself, as part of the company's belated attempt to understand, and deal with, the systemic failings within the company that have been laid bare in civil proceedings. Only last month Rupert Murdoch's company accepted, for the purpose of assessing damages, that News Group Newspapers – which published his two British tabloids – had engaged in lying, obstruction, criminal intrusion and the destruction of evidence. Getting to the bottom of what happened while the company had lost its ethical compass is legally and morally necessary – though fraught with the difficulties inherently involved in co-operating with the authorities while protecting journalistic sources.There is no evidence that the police, the courts or Lord Justice Leveson have any such thing in mind. Saturday's arrests appear to have been provoked by information handed to the police by News Corporation itself, as part of the company's belated attempt to understand, and deal with, the systemic failings within the company that have been laid bare in civil proceedings. Only last month Rupert Murdoch's company accepted, for the purpose of assessing damages, that News Group Newspapers – which published his two British tabloids – had engaged in lying, obstruction, criminal intrusion and the destruction of evidence. Getting to the bottom of what happened while the company had lost its ethical compass is legally and morally necessary – though fraught with the difficulties inherently involved in co-operating with the authorities while protecting journalistic sources.

If there's any more political reaction to this throught the day, I'll be reporting it here.
If there's any more political reaction to this throught the day, I'll be reporting it here.
Although the Commons is having a mini-recess (because it's half-term week), the Lords is sitting. Here's the agenda for the day (such as it is).Although the Commons is having a mini-recess (because it's half-term week), the Lords is sitting. Here's the agenda for the day (such as it is).
9.30am: The Bank of England publishes figures showing whether the banks have met their Project Merlin lending targets.9.30am: The Bank of England publishes figures showing whether the banks have met their Project Merlin lending targets.
9.30am: Alex Salmond, Scotland's first minister, and Michael Moore, the Scottish secretary, meet in Edinburgh to discuss the devolution referendum. As the Guardian reports, the Scottish government indicated before the meeting that it would not compromise on its plan to hold the poll in the autumn of 2014.9.30am: Alex Salmond, Scotland's first minister, and Michael Moore, the Scottish secretary, meet in Edinburgh to discuss the devolution referendum. As the Guardian reports, the Scottish government indicated before the meeting that it would not compromise on its plan to hold the poll in the autumn of 2014.
Around 3pm: Peers resume their debate on the health bill. We'll be covering the debate on our health bill live blog.Around 3pm: Peers resume their debate on the health bill. We'll be covering the debate on our health bill live blog.
As usual, I'll be covering all the breaking political news, as well as looking at the papers and bringing you the best politics from the web. I'll post a summary at around 1pm and another at around 4pm.As usual, I'll be covering all the breaking political news, as well as looking at the papers and bringing you the best politics from the web. I'll post a summary at around 1pm and another at around 4pm.
If you want to follow me on Twitter, I'm on @AndrewSparrow.If you want to follow me on Twitter, I'm on @AndrewSparrow.
And if you're a hardcore fan, you can follow @gdnpoliticslive. It's an automated feed that tweets the start of every new post that I put on the blog.And if you're a hardcore fan, you can follow @gdnpoliticslive. It's an automated feed that tweets the start of every new post that I put on the blog.