A warm reception for Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles. He says as an Englishman he is "proud" to be part of a United Kingdom, but stresses that more devolved powers for Scotland must mean greater devolution elsewhere in the UK. He says "platinum-card wielding Scottish MPs" should not be able to vote on England-only matters - the so-called West Lothian question. The time has come for English votes on English laws, he says.

tweets:, external Asked by @afneil for a guarantee that he would not be defecting to UKIP. @DanHannanMEP answers "yes" in #bbcdp clip

writes: Businesses that speak out for Britain's EU membership will be punished, vows John Redwood, external. Leading Tory Eurosceptic says companies who publicly back staying in EU will pay "very dear economic and financial price", with executives potentially losing their jobs.

BBC News website reader: It's all very well blaming the poorest in society and freezing their benefits but what about the rich and the business leaders who spend all their energy avoiding their tax obligations? We need increased revenue, not just reduced spending!

Time for a short speech from councillor Gary Porter - chairman of the Conservative Councillors' Association - who focuses his remarks on housing. He welcomes the government's "Help to Buy" scheme, which is designed to help people trying to get on the housing ladder who can afford mortgage repayments but are struggling to raise a deposit.

Francis Maude says the Conservatives have repaired the "ravages of Labour years in office" but counsels that there is much more to do. He says the party must earn the right to continue to serve the British public - but insists it can secure victory next May, "and we need to, for the country".

Francis Maude reiterates the Conservatives' pledge to outlaw strike action where less than half the eligible members have voted and based on outdated mandates - which is met with applause.

On the need for further civil service reform, Mr Maude tells the hall that staff themselves are demanding change. He says the country's civil servants "are probably the best in the world, and we really don't thank them enough" - but it isn't the best civil service in the world yet, he adds. Mr Maude also dismisses claims that he is trying to "politicise" the civil service.

Francis Maude praises the National Citizen Service which he says brings together children from different backgrounds to run community projects. He says more than 100,000 children have taken part and describes it as an "inspirational rite of passage".

Francis Maude says that by cutting the costs of government the Conservatives are able to put "real money" into frontline care. In a message to Labour leader Ed Miliband, he says that's how you protect the NHS, not through "empty slogans".

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude has the stage. He begins by saying Britain is becoming "a better place" with "better services being delivered more efficiently". He says the government has improved public procurement, "slashed" government spending on consultancy and cut the size of the civil service, "with more to come". He concedes it isn't "headline-grabbing stuff" but insists it is making government more efficient and effective.

E.Costen, Lowestoft: Osborne may not be saying what we want to hear but he is being straight us. Surely there's only one party to vote for next year.

The afternoon begins with an introductory speech from Tiz Baskerville, the vice-president of the National Conservative Convention. She praises Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith for working "tirelessly" to reform welfare, cap benefits and ensure that "work pays". Ms Baskerville also praises Francis Maude for his Whitehall efficiency agenda, and Eric Pickles for boosting housing supply and giving more power to local communities

Richard Heath: The manner of Osborne's speech tells you all you need to know about what distinguishes the Tories from Labour. Professional, realistic and honest, compared to fanciful, unexplained, unrealistic promises.

Reg Hodder, Liverpool: As much as it's hard for me to say the Conservatives have done a great job over the last five years, yes it's been hard but I can see light at the end of the tunnel. God help us if Labour get back in.

Speaking to the BBC's World at One programme earlier, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin rejected suggestions that the welfare benefits freeze announced by the Conservatives today was unfair. He admitted that "very tough decisions" have to be taken to reduce the deficit, but insisted the welfare system must be "fair" to the taxpayers who pay for it.

tweets:, external £9b of the £25b of spending cuts outlined by Chancellor today still to be spelt out #cpc14

Conference has now resumed for the afternoon session, which is dedicated to work and pensions, government reform and communities and local government. Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude will address delegates at 14.40 BST, followed a little later by Eric Pickles, the communities and local government secretary - due to speak at about 15.00 BST. The afternoon will end with a keynote speech from Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith.

John Cridland, director-general of the CBI employers' group, says: "The chancellor should be credited for sticking to his guns on deficit reduction but we shouldn't underestimate how far we have to go. Further deficit reduction must include welfare reform, as the chancellor said."