Ed Balls continues to heap pressure on Chancellor George Osborne over the HSBC tax row by writing him a letter asking five questions:

• Why has there only been one prosecution out of 1,100 names? Was the "selective prosecution policy" a decision made by ministers?

• When were you first made aware of these files, what action did you take and did you discuss it with the prime minister?

• Why did you and David Cameron appoint Lord Green as a Conservative peer and minister months after the government received these files?

• Did you and David Cameron discuss tax evasion at HSBC with Lord Green, or did you turn a blind eye? Did you discuss allegations of money laundering at HSBC during Lord Green's time at HSBC which led to the bank being fined $1.9bn?

• Why did you sign a deal with the Swiss authorities in 2012 which prevents the UK from actively obtaining similar information in the future?

Receiptgate - oh dear - rumbles on. Labour's shadow work and pensions secretary Rachel Reeves was asked about it by the BBC's World at One. "The tax gap under this government between what should have been collected and what is collected is £34bn," she said. "That is not through window cleaners and hedge trimmers, that is through some very wealthy companies and individuals getting out of paying their fair share of tax."

She added: "It's not always that easy to get a receipt… it's not the wrong thing to do."

Danny Shaw
Home affairs correspondent, BBC News

Tweets, external: BBC News - National Crime Agency 'must seize more from criminals'

A statutory five-year term has reset Britain's political dynamics. But not in a good way, says David Hayes. Writing for Australian current affairs website Inside Story,, external he argues it has "propelled [Britain] into a 'permanent campaign' of the kind many in London used to decry when gazing across the Atlantic". The result? "Executive stasis and legislative torpor."

One of the party's MPs, Douglas Carswell, thinks the controversial Channel 4 show "will magnify UKIP's appeal". "The Channel 4 mockumentary reinforces the view amongst voters that we are presided over by a smug, arrogant, out-of-touch commentariat class," he said.

"The mockumentary was supposed to damage UKIP, but I think it's reinforced the sense of cultural alienation and I think it makes people more likely to vote for UKIP against the cartel in Westminster."

Here's our full story on the fall-out from the programme.

Image source, Getty Images

Explaining the aim of the letter, the Bishop of Norwich the Rt Rev Graham James said: "We're conscious that there are a number of voices around, probably the most famous of which is Russell Brand, telling people that they shouldn't bother with voting...

"And while one may think that the bishops of the Church of England don't quite have the sex appeal of Russell Brand, we think that we should counter it."

The full text, external of a letter sent by Church of England bishops to their congregations has been released. In it they say it is the "duty" of every Christian adult to vote. The letter warns of "worrying and unfamiliar trends" appearing in our national life and a "growing appetite to exploit grievances, find scapegoats and create barriers between people and nations".

Iain Watson
Political correspondent, BBC News

Tweets, external: Labour to unveil their full and final election pledge card - which they have so far launched pledge by pledge - in Birmingham on March 14th

Mr Miliband was also asked about the issue of anti-Semitism and Israel following recent events in Paris and Copenhagen.

He said the UK must help re-establish "a proper peace process", but added: "We have also got to say to people, 'Don't mistake your criticisms of the government of Israel and let them slide into something else which is anti-Semitism.' I mean, look, I am Jewish and I am a critic of some of the things that the government of Israel have done."

Labour leader Ed Miliband has been talking about the rise of extremism at one of his "People's Question Time" event in Lincolnshire.

Asked about the recent attacks in Paris, Libya and Copenhagen Mr Milband said: "I think there is real fear among Jewish families, among Muslim families, among people from all backgrounds about the rising intolerance that people see.

"Now we have got to recognise it. But in my view recognising it is not enough. I think Europe's leaders have got to show a unity of purpose in tackling these issues, because I don't think we can walk by on the other side when we see the kind of events we saw in Copenhagen.

"This was a free speech event where people were attacked and people were killed. That goes to the heart of what we stand for as a country. Defending those rights to freedom of speech."

He added that there had been a rise of attacks in the UK related to religion. He said governments needed to work with social media companies to try and counter some of the extremist views which were spread online.

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has also responded to today's news about inflation figures. He said "we have the golden opportunity to have a sustained economic recovery which will benefit people for years to come".

He added: "The biggest danger to our economic recovery now in my view is a Labour only or a Conservative only government, lurching to the left or the right. I think this is good news today, lower prices, more people in work, strong growth, golden opportunity to secure economic recovery for the long term."

Channel 4 has commented on its programme, UKIP: The First 100 Days, which envisaged rioting on the streets in the event of an election win for Nigel Farage's party.

"This rise of UKIP's electoral support is one of the biggest political phenomena in recent years and this is reflected in The First 100 Days, which used policies and statements made by the party and its members to create a fictional future where the party is in power. The programme was produced in accordance with the Ofcom Broadcast Code and its obligations to be fair, accurate and duly impartial. The election period set out in the Ofcom Broadcasting Code has not started. Channel 4 has a role to encourage debate and engage viewers in political issues - and the schedule will include a broad range of programming in the build up to the election including news and current affairs investigations, a party leader debate and a major new political drama on the formation of the coalition government."

Do you want to talk to senior politicians live on TV and tell them what they need to do to win your vote? The BBC's Victoria Derbyshire is hosting a series of big debates during the general election campaign. If you would like to take part in the debate and talk directly to politicians get in touch. The first one will be on the economy and will take place in Newcastle on 13 April.

Labour's shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Chris Leslie said that the inflation figures - which although show a fall - do not address the "underlying problems that we have still got in our economy", such as productivity.

Asked if he thought the inflation figures were the result of the government's strategy, he told BBC News: "No it's nothing to do with the government. Do you think the government have driven oil prices lower on a worldwide basis? I think even George Osborne would be a bit embarrassed if he tried to claim it was all down to him."

The University and Colleges Union said Mr Cameron's speech exposed "his party's lack of understanding of the problems too many young people face".

A spokesman added: "Polling shows young people desperately want to work, but many fear they never will. What young people need is politicians who have a plan to help them, not subject them to scapegoating. The individual human tragedy is only part of the story as young people outside education or work cost the country millions of pounds every year. We need to give our young people a commitment of proper guidance and stable, properly rewarded jobs, or educational opportunities."

Ofcom, the communications watchdog, says it has received 731 complaints following the screening of a Channel 4 docudrama depicting riots in the wake of a UKIP general election victory. The programme was called UKIP: The First 100 Days.

An Ofcom spokesman said: "We will assess these complaints before deciding whether to investigate."

Image source, PA

The BBC's own Ben Wright crossed the line first in the annual Parliamentary Pancake Race this morning, securing victory for the media over the MPs and peers. Asked how he felt about the triumph, Ben told Politics Live: "I haven't won any sort of competitive race for at least 20 years, possibly ever, so this is quite a thrill. I was very nervous beforehand because I was running the last leg and it was neck and neck. I was running against Tory MP David Amess, but I think he fumbled it so I was able to build a lead and hold onto it until the end."

Mr Cameron was asked whether he thinks people should demand receipts in light of Ed Balls' suggestion on Sunday. His reply? "I want Ed Balls to have more time to clean his own windows and cut his own hedge."

Ross Hawkins
Political correspondent, BBC News

Tweets:, external Cameron doesn't answer on his personal receipts policy, but makes gag about Ed Balls windows and IDS's age

In answering a question from the press, Mr Cameron says he is trying to toughen up youth benefits because he wants a "country with the right values. We will not go on supporting you unless you put something back in."

In a separate answer, he says he has no problem with the Church of England commenting on politics - that relates to the letter the Church has sent to its members encouraging them to vote.