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| Politics live blog + PMQs: Nick Clegg Today programme interview | Politics live blog + PMQs: Nick Clegg Today programme interview |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| 9.39am: Here is more on the unemployment figures. These are extracts from the ONS bulletin. | |
| Unemployment rate | |
The unemployment rate for the three months to February 2012 was 8.3 per cent of the economically active population, down 0.1 on the quarter. The total number of unemployed people fell by 35,000 over the quarter to reach 2.65 million. These are the first quarterly falls in the unemployment level and rate since March-May 2011. The number of unemployed men fell by 43,000 to reach 1.51 million but the number of unemployed women increased by 8,000 to reach 1.14 million, the highest figure since the three months to November 1987. The number of people unemployed for up to twelve months fell by 61,000 on the quarter to reach 1.77 million, but the number of people unemployed for over 12 months increased by 26,000 to reach 883,000, the highest figure since the three months to September 1996. | |
Claimaint count | |
| There were 1.61 million people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) in March 2012, up 3,600 on February. The number of people claiming JSA for up to six months fell by 13,100 on the month to reach 893,800. This series has now fallen for nine consecutive months and it has decreased by 81,600 since March 2011. | |
| 9.31am: Here are the headline unemployment figures. | |
| • Unemployment fell by 35,000 between December and February to 2.65m. | |
| • The number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance last month increased by 3,600 to 1.61m. | |
| Here is the news release from the Office for National Statistics. And here is the statistical bulletin, with the full details (pdf). | |
| 9.08am: For the record, here are the YouGov GB polling figures from last night. | |
| Labour: 41% (down 2 points since Monday night) Conservatives: 32% (no change) Ukip: 9% (no change) Lib Dems: 8% (no change) | |
| Labour lead: 9 points | |
| Government approval: -37 | |
| 8.31am: Lib Dem poll ratings may be dismal, but that did not stop Nick Clegg sounding on combative form in his Today interview. | 8.31am: Lib Dem poll ratings may be dismal, but that did not stop Nick Clegg sounding on combative form in his Today interview. |
| Here are the key points. | Here are the key points. |
| • Clegg appeared to concede that there would be concessions to charities worried about the impact of the tax relief cap imposed in the budget. Ministers have already said that there will be a consultation before the plans are implemented, but Clegg hinted very strongly this would lead to changes. | • Clegg appeared to concede that there would be concessions to charities worried about the impact of the tax relief cap imposed in the budget. Ministers have already said that there will be a consultation before the plans are implemented, but Clegg hinted very strongly this would lead to changes. |
Of course, as we said at the budget, we will look at this in detail. We have got time to get the details right. We will look at this in the round and we will do so with an open mind and very sympathetically, because we don't want to damage charities. We don't want to inhibit philanthropy. But ... the principle of saying that there should be some limit to what are taxpayer-funded allowances in the tax system as a whole is something which is sensible. | Of course, as we said at the budget, we will look at this in detail. We have got time to get the details right. We will look at this in the round and we will do so with an open mind and very sympathetically, because we don't want to damage charities. We don't want to inhibit philanthropy. But ... the principle of saying that there should be some limit to what are taxpayer-funded allowances in the tax system as a whole is something which is sensible. |
| He also said that the UK was almost unique among developed countries in allowing people to claim unlimited tax relief of this kind (as they can until the cap announced by George Osborne comes into force). Only Australia has unlimited tax relief, he said. Nick Robinson reads this as a hint that the government will impose a cap worth 50% of income, as applies in America, instead of 25%, as proposed in the budget. • Clegg claimed that no future government would try to reverse the increase in the basic tax allowance. The Lib Dems have made raising the tax allowance to £10,000 their key coalition demand and in the budget it was raised to £9,205. This would be the "legacy of this budget", he said. | He also said that the UK was almost unique among developed countries in allowing people to claim unlimited tax relief of this kind (as they can until the cap announced by George Osborne comes into force). Only Australia has unlimited tax relief, he said. Nick Robinson reads this as a hint that the government will impose a cap worth 50% of income, as applies in America, instead of 25%, as proposed in the budget. • Clegg claimed that no future government would try to reverse the increase in the basic tax allowance. The Lib Dems have made raising the tax allowance to £10,000 their key coalition demand and in the budget it was raised to £9,205. This would be the "legacy of this budget", he said. |
| You have small changes in budgets which can be controversial or not. Then you have big changes in budgets which, in my view, can be judged whether they are significant or whether we believe that future governments are going to change them or not. My feeling is that what we are doing on the allowance is one of the biggest, boldest and most radical changes in the personal tax system for a very long time. | You have small changes in budgets which can be controversial or not. Then you have big changes in budgets which, in my view, can be judged whether they are significant or whether we believe that future governments are going to change them or not. My feeling is that what we are doing on the allowance is one of the biggest, boldest and most radical changes in the personal tax system for a very long time. |
| • He said that he enjoyed being in government. Asked if he was enjoying being in government, he replied: "Yes. It's a great privilege. Of course it's tough but it's a great privilege. I feel genuinely lucky that I am playing a role, as other people are, in making sure this country is strong, prosperous and safe in the future." | • He said that he enjoyed being in government. Asked if he was enjoying being in government, he replied: "Yes. It's a great privilege. Of course it's tough but it's a great privilege. I feel genuinely lucky that I am playing a role, as other people are, in making sure this country is strong, prosperous and safe in the future." |
| • He cited the fact that the Lib Dems did not win the election as the reason why they broke their promise not to vote for an increase in tuition fees. When Jim Naughtie challenged him on this, he said that he had only 8% of the MPs in the Commons. (On this, Clegg is actually missing the point. Breaking the tuition fee promise has been toxic for the Lib because it was not a promise about what they would do if they formed a government. It was a promise about how they would act as MPs - regardless of whether they were in power or not.) | • He cited the fact that the Lib Dems did not win the election as the reason why they broke their promise not to vote for an increase in tuition fees. When Jim Naughtie challenged him on this, he said that he had only 8% of the MPs in the Commons. (On this, Clegg is actually missing the point. Breaking the tuition fee promise has been toxic for the Lib because it was not a promise about what they would do if they formed a government. It was a promise about how they would act as MPs - regardless of whether they were in power or not.) |
| 8.23am: That wasn't particularly revealing. Nick Clegg went further than any minister has gone already, I think, in signalling that there will be concessions to charities, and his last answer might cause him problems, because it could lay him open to the charge that he enjoys being part of a government cutting spending. (Politicians aren't supposed to say things like this, according to certain daft media conventions, although of course we all know they enjoy politics - that's why they do it.) I'll post a full summary in a moment. | 8.23am: That wasn't particularly revealing. Nick Clegg went further than any minister has gone already, I think, in signalling that there will be concessions to charities, and his last answer might cause him problems, because it could lay him open to the charge that he enjoys being part of a government cutting spending. (Politicians aren't supposed to say things like this, according to certain daft media conventions, although of course we all know they enjoy politics - that's why they do it.) I'll post a full summary in a moment. |
| 8.17am: Still going on the budget. Q: You talked about fairness. But people are saying what you are doing is not fair. Is that why you are lagging in the polls? | 8.17am: Still going on the budget. Q: You talked about fairness. But people are saying what you are doing is not fair. Is that why you are lagging in the polls? |
| Clegg says the government is taking big, controversial decisions. The economy suffered a heart attack. The aftershocks will last for years. | Clegg says the government is taking big, controversial decisions. The economy suffered a heart attack. The aftershocks will last for years. |
| Lib Dem councils have all either frozen or cut council tax. Labour and the Conservatives cannot say that. Lib Dem councils are also more likely to help employees on low pay, he says. | Lib Dem councils have all either frozen or cut council tax. Labour and the Conservatives cannot say that. Lib Dem councils are also more likely to help employees on low pay, he says. |
| Q: People remember you breaking a promise on tuition fees. People think that, if they cannot believe you on that, they cannot believe you on anything. | Q: People remember you breaking a promise on tuition fees. People think that, if they cannot believe you on that, they cannot believe you on anything. |
| Clegg says he did not win the election. He only has 8% of MPs in the Commons. He has to deal with the world as it is. He would love to have a Lib Dem government. But he doesn't. | Clegg says he did not win the election. He only has 8% of MPs in the Commons. He has to deal with the world as it is. He would love to have a Lib Dem government. But he doesn't. |
| The Lib Dems are delivering on all their four main promises, he says. | The Lib Dems are delivering on all their four main promises, he says. |
| Also, as Liam Byrne said, "there is no money". Two years ago it would have been easy to "retreat" to his tribal corner and throw bricks at the other parties. But he decided to sort out the mess left by Labour. That requires resilience and courage. Q: So you are enjoying it? | Also, as Liam Byrne said, "there is no money". Two years ago it would have been easy to "retreat" to his tribal corner and throw bricks at the other parties. But he decided to sort out the mess left by Labour. That requires resilience and courage. Q: So you are enjoying it? |
| Yes, says Clegg. He is proud of the fact that the Lib Dems are playing a courageous role in government. | Yes, says Clegg. He is proud of the fact that the Lib Dems are playing a courageous role in government. |
| 8.14am: They are still on tax. | 8.14am: They are still on tax. |
| Q: Your answer shows how much the government has moved. You are saying you will change what was in the budget. You are constantly on the defensive, aren't you? | Q: Your answer shows how much the government has moved. You are saying you will change what was in the budget. You are constantly on the defensive, aren't you? |
| Clegg says he is not in the slightest bit defensive about the fact that he has launched the Youth Contract, increased pensions, raised the tax allowance and increased the pupil premium. | Clegg says he is not in the slightest bit defensive about the fact that he has launched the Youth Contract, increased pensions, raised the tax allowance and increased the pupil premium. |
| He needs to "tell the other side of the story", he says. | He needs to "tell the other side of the story", he says. |
| There has been an a "massive expansion" in pre-school support for children. | There has been an a "massive expansion" in pre-school support for children. |
| The governmnent is doing necessary things to rescue the economy, and good things that will last. | The governmnent is doing necessary things to rescue the economy, and good things that will last. |
| Q: But the budget appears to be incompetent: pasties, granny tax, charities. | Q: But the budget appears to be incompetent: pasties, granny tax, charities. |
| Clegg says the "bigger picture" on the budget is that the government has stuck to its deficit reduction programme. Other governments have had to re-invent budgets. The government has made the economy safer. It has also introduced reforms worth £3.5bn that will make the tax system fairer. That will be "the legacy of this budget". | Clegg says the "bigger picture" on the budget is that the government has stuck to its deficit reduction programme. Other governments have had to re-invent budgets. The government has made the economy safer. It has also introduced reforms worth £3.5bn that will make the tax system fairer. That will be "the legacy of this budget". |
| 8.10am: Jim Naughtie is doing the interview. He is starting now. | 8.10am: Jim Naughtie is doing the interview. He is starting now. |
| Times are tough for the Lib Dems, Naughtie says. | Times are tough for the Lib Dems, Naughtie says. |
| Q: You have to defend coalition decisions. Are you going to claim credit for a budget that you describe as fair? | Q: You have to defend coalition decisions. Are you going to claim credit for a budget that you describe as fair? |
| Clegg says he attaches great importance to the lifting of the personal tax allowance in the budget. It will take 2m people out of tax altogether. You can have small changes in budgets, and you can have big changes. Clegg says this is "one of the biggest, boldest and most radical changes in the personal tax system for a very long time". Q: Budgets are packages. The stuff that is unravelling is stuff that comes from the Lib Dems. Charities are "livid" about the changes coming from your tycoon tax idea. | Clegg says he attaches great importance to the lifting of the personal tax allowance in the budget. It will take 2m people out of tax altogether. You can have small changes in budgets, and you can have big changes. Clegg says this is "one of the biggest, boldest and most radical changes in the personal tax system for a very long time". Q: Budgets are packages. The stuff that is unravelling is stuff that comes from the Lib Dems. Charities are "livid" about the changes coming from your tycoon tax idea. |
| Clegg says everyone should pay their fair share of tax. | Clegg says everyone should pay their fair share of tax. |
| Q: Are you saying that people who contribute to charity are evading tax? | Q: Are you saying that people who contribute to charity are evading tax? |
| No, says Clegg. But it is normal in other countries to cap tax relief. | No, says Clegg. But it is normal in other countries to cap tax relief. |
| The government will look at this in detail. It will look at this "in the round" with an open mind and "very sympathetically", he says. | The government will look at this in detail. It will look at this "in the round" with an open mind and "very sympathetically", he says. |
| 8.00am: PMQs is back today and, in Ed Miliband's office this morning, they are going to have a real problem: what budget disaster should they raise, given that there have been quite so many? As the Guardian says today in its editorial, "the budget is the gift that keeps giving – to the coalition's enemies." Even the Daily Telegraph agrees. "Rarely has a budget speech spent quite so long unravelling; rarely has the political impact been so negative," it says in its editorial today. | 8.00am: PMQs is back today and, in Ed Miliband's office this morning, they are going to have a real problem: what budget disaster should they raise, given that there have been quite so many? As the Guardian says today in its editorial, "the budget is the gift that keeps giving – to the coalition's enemies." Even the Daily Telegraph agrees. "Rarely has a budget speech spent quite so long unravelling; rarely has the political impact been so negative," it says in its editorial today. |
| But first we've got Nick Clegg, who is being interviewed on the Today programme in 10 minutes. In the light of a poll this week showing that, on the basis of their current performance, the Lib Dems could lose 50 of their 57 parliamentary seats, it could be good. | But first we've got Nick Clegg, who is being interviewed on the Today programme in 10 minutes. In the light of a poll this week showing that, on the basis of their current performance, the Lib Dems could lose 50 of their 57 parliamentary seats, it could be good. |
| Here's the agenda for the day. | Here's the agenda for the day. |
| 9.30am: Unemployment figures are published. | 9.30am: Unemployment figures are published. |
| 10.30am: The Crown Prosecution Service publishes guidelines on how journalists can use public interest as a defence against prosecution. 12pm: David Cameron and Ed Miliband clash at PMQs., | 10.30am: The Crown Prosecution Service publishes guidelines on how journalists can use public interest as a defence against prosecution. 12pm: David Cameron and Ed Miliband clash at PMQs., |
| 1.15pm: Tory MPs Jesse Norman and Dominic Raab and Michael Pinto-Duschinsky, a former member of the Commission on the Bill of Rights, speak at a Policy Exchange conference on human rights reform. | 1.15pm: Tory MPs Jesse Norman and Dominic Raab and Michael Pinto-Duschinsky, a former member of the Commission on the Bill of Rights, speak at a Policy Exchange conference on human rights reform. |
| 2pm: Alistair Burt, the Foreign Office minister, gives evidence to the Commons foreign affairs committee on the Arab Spring. | 2pm: Alistair Burt, the Foreign Office minister, gives evidence to the Commons foreign affairs committee on the Arab Spring. |
| 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 lunchtime summary after PMQs and another in the afternoon. | 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 lunchtime summary after PMQs and another in the afternoon. |
| 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. |