tweets: , externalThe moral case against ring-fencing pensioner benefits in one graph.

Image source, FT

BBC Radio 4 Today

Here's a bit more on the Green Party's idea for a "citizen's wage". Natalie Bennett told Today it was a long term policy idea that wouldn't happen in the next parliamentary term. She said: "What it's really doing is moving towards a system, getting away from where we are now, where so many people are living in fear of not being able to put food on the table, not being able to keep a roof over their head. Citizen's income is an important way of moving forward with that.

"We will be releasing a full costing before the election. The costing won't be part of the manifesto. The costing will be before the election but the commitment to it [the policy of a citizen's income] will be in the manifesto."

tweets:, external People need to debate and deliberate of course, but time is a luxury we can't all afford. Shahana Hashmi on 3-parent IVF #r4today

For those unfamiliar with the idea, the Greens' citizen's income would be an unconditional basic payment of £72 a week for every individual in the country, including children. It would replace personal tax allowances and most means-tests benefits

tweets: , externalLeader of @TheGreenParty Natalie Bennet says Citizens Income will be in their manifesto - but not something for next parliament

BBC Radio 4 Today

On the subject of Russia and potential threats of aggression from other countries, Ms Bennett said: "We have to stand up for international law and human rights... building international alliances and working together." She added: "I don't think that more anti-aircraft missiles is any kind of answer and I don't think people should be suggesting it is either."

BBC Radio 4 Today

Natalie Bennett is trying to explain her policy on a "citizen's income" - which involves paying everyone an amount of money per week regardless of income - after she appeared unable to explain how such a policy would be funded in a previous BBC interview.

"A commitment to the citizen's income will be in our manifesto... it's a massive change in the welfare system and it's something we want to consult on and offer over time," she said.

tweets: , externalNatalie Bennett says Green manifesto will contain a "commitment" to universal citizen's income. #r4today

tweets: , externalWhat a mess! Now Green leader Natalie Bennett says universal £72/week in benefits WILL be in manifesto - weeks after ditching it

BBC Radio 4

Green Party leader Natalie Bennett is talking to Today. She says her party's membership has now grown to 54,500.

The debate over MPs and second jobs has been reignited after former foreign secretaries Jack Straw and Sir Malcolm Rifkind were secretly filmed apparently offering their services to a private company for thousands of pounds. Here's a quick explainer about what the actual rules are surrounding second jobs.

Other events around Westminster today include a debate in the House of Lords on the regulations that should govern the creation of babies using the DNA from three people - a piece of legislation that was passed by the Commons recently. To find out a bit more about what the process involves, check out our interactive explainer.

tweets:, external Full story, external on first in @DailyMailUK/@ComResPolls series giving Tories 2-point lead as Ukip slips #GE2015

The Green Party is set to launch its election campaign today. Here's a quick recap of some of the things they want to introduce:

• A wealth tax

• £10 minimum wage by 2020

• 10% cheaper public transport

• 500,000 new social rented homes

• Bringing the railways into public ownership

• Scrapping tuition fees

• A people's constitutional convention, "with the aim of achieving democracy for everyone"

There needs to be a "cultural shift" in the way victims of crime in England and Wales are treated, a panel of criminal justice experts have said. The group, set up by the Labour Party, makes recommendations, including giving judges the power to control the cross-examination of vulnerable witnesses. Get the full story here.

tweets:, external Update: Lab & Con tied - Latest YouGov / The Sun results 23rd Feb - Con33%, Lab33%, LD8%, UKIP13%, GRN7%; APP -19

Norman Smith
BBC Assistant Political Editor

There is a routine meeting of the Intelligence Security Committee at 10:00 GMT. Sir Malcolm Rifkind's fate as chairman of that committee will be discussed at that meeting. The pearl-handled revolver will be pushed across the desk to him, but it will be for him to decide his own fate I believe.

BBC Newsnight
BBC Two, 22:30

Here's a bit more of what Labour MP Kim Howells said to Newsnight last night on Sir Malcolm Rifkind's future. "It's going to be very difficult for him, but the decision has got to be made by the committee." Mr Howells warned that "if the intelligence and security services are not properly overseen and accountable to Parliament and the people, then all hell can break loose." And he added that he was "a bit bewildered" that Sir Malcolm suggested he had the time to take on the role being offered by the undercover reporters because "the amount of reading on that committee is phenomenal, so much classified material comes across the desks of the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), and you have to read it in the offices of the ISC". Kim Howells used to be the chairman of the same committee, before Sir Malcolm took up the role.

tweets:, external In quotes: Westminister reaction, external to the 'cash for access' scandal

If you've got a spare couple of minutes why not have a quick flick through today's papers. There is a veritable smorgasbord of stories dominating the front pages this morning with the cash for access claims involving Jack Straw and Sir Malcolm Rifkind gaining much attention.