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What makes me most proud is the impact this is having on people's lives, says Mr Pickles. These are families who were previously "a million miles" from holding down sustainable employment, he adds.

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Local authorities, "irrespective of political control", have worked closely to deliver the programme "at great pace", Eric Pickles says. The communities and local government secretary adds that the troubled families programme has sought to end the "revolving doors" experienced by many families. "It's tough love and practical help from people who take a no-nonsense, persistent approach, for people who won't go away, give up, who won't be put off by missed answers or unanswered doors."

That means 105,000 families now have better lives, Mr Pickles says. And there is still time left in this parliament to reach even more, he adds.

Eric Pickles says 90% of the 120,000 troubled families targeted by the government have "had their lives turned around".

tweets:, external Tory Alistair Burt says voters are as reassured by talk of 'Our Long Term Economic Plan' as they are by...."evensong in an Anglican church"

tweets:, external At Treasury Qns asked Chief Secretary whether Govt would bring in legal penalties for tax avoidance & evasion in Finance Bill. No answer

tweets:, external Pointed out at Treasury questions that Tory Govts always raise VAT e.g. in 79,91,,94,2010 - Minister refuses to rule out doing it again

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Communities Secretary Eric Pickles is about to give a statement to the Commons on the government's troubled families programme. We're all ears on your behalf.

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The future of grammar schools is being debated on the Daily Politics. They're focusing on Kent, where Tory MP Graham Brady is seeking to secure approval for a new school. He's opposed by Dr Mary Bousted of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers union. "One of problems Kent has is it performs very poorly for those pupils who go to secondary modern schools. They don't get the academic chances they need," she says. "That's just not the experience in my area," UKIP's Rochester and Strood MP Mark Reckless replies. He says UKIP's policy is to reserve a number of places for poorer children.

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Pollster Peter Kellner, YouGov president, is sizing up the Liberal Democrats' prospects at the election on the Daily Politics. They're not going to be "wiped out", he says, because many of the party's incumbents have a "strong personal vote". The question is: "How many will be shielded by that from defeat? My guess is they'll hang on to about 30 of their seats."

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"What this government is doing is sorting out the mess left by that government," Treasury minister Andrea Leadsom declares, to shouts from both sides of the Commons. We've heard that line again and again throughout this parliament, but as the election approaches it's clear it's hasn't lost any bite.

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Keith Vaz, who chairs the Commons' home affairs committee, is asked on the Daily Politics whether he thinks the intelligence agencies can be blamed for the radicalisation of 'Jihadi John' - a claim rebuffed forcefully by Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in his speech earlier. "I don't believe any of the atrocities can in any way be put down to the security services, but I would like to see them come out of the shadows, make a case to government for additional powers and resources and be able to answer the questions you've just posed, so that the public are reassured they've got it right," Mr Vaz says. You can watch the programme by clicking on the 'live coverage' tab above.

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In the Commons, shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Chris Leslie asks Lib Dem Danny Alexander why he signed off "Tory plans" for £70bn of spending cuts in the next parliament. Mr Alexander responds by saying that Labour would "borrow too much". Mr Leslie, undeterred, quotes a letter from the Office for Budget Responsibility's Robert Chote stating the plan for a £23bn of surplus by 2019/20 - and the additional austerity it implies - was "signed off by the quad". "Did the chief secretary not realise what he was signing up to?" Mr Leslie asks. Mr Alexander, again not answering the question directly, attacks Labour's approach instead. "I heard yesterday about their zero-based review. It seems to me zero ideas, zero savings, zero economic credibility," he says, to roars of approval from the government benches.

tweets, external: Has the fall in oil price given Osborne breathing space? If he relaxes spending cuts in next week's Budget makes life harder for Labour...

And life becomes easier post May 7th for potential dealings with Libdems -

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The first seriously funny moment of the Commons day comes with Dennis Skinner's question. "I'm gonna give him a chance," he tells Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander. "Will he answer the question about meetings with Lord Green? Now's the opportunity to make a name for himself. Come on!" Before Mr Alexander can reply Speaker John Bercow intervenes, pointing out that Mr Skinner's question didn't relate to the topic being discussed, investment and infrastructure. "How do you know?" Mr Skinner yells out. And with that the Speaker backs down and allows Mr Alexander to reply. "I don't recall having any conversations about investment and infrastructure with Lord Green," he says, smiling, before adding that appointments are a matter for the cabinet secretary.

Ipsos Mori has put out some research on the impact voters think social media will have in the election campaign. They're rather wary: 52% think platforms like Facebook and Twitter are making the debate more divisive, and 50% think they're making it more superficial. But 71% feel social media platforms give a voice to people who wouldn't normally take part.

"Modern users of social media are sophisticated enough to recognise its disadvantages - and don't seem to be dropping other news sources entirely - but its potential to widen access to politics could be key in halting the decline in political engagement among younger generations," managing director Bobby Duffy says.

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Shabana Mahmood, the shadow Treasury minister, demands an answer to the question the chancellor "failed to answer six times on the Today programme". That question is: "Did the chancellor ever discuss tax evasion at HSBC with Lord Green, yes or no?" David Gauke insists that the "proper processes were undertaken" and points out Labour welcomed his appointment. But Ms Mahmood says Lord Green should answer MPs' questions, either by appearing in front of a parliamentary committee or making a statement. "Why are the parties opposite so desperate to silence Lord Green?" she asks. Mr Gauke replies: "We're not afraid of anything."

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Treasury questions is now under way, with the first group of questions looking at the work of the taxman. Next week's Budget, Labour backbencher Mary Glindon says, could include measures tackling tax avoidance and tax evasion. But the number of staff working at HMRC is set to drop from 50,000 to just over 40,000. "HMRC has brought in more yield year after year," minister David Gauke replies. He says the number of staff engaged in compliance has gone up.

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Image source, ITV

With an election coming, politicians are appearing on all sorts of radio and TV shows. Viewers are used to seeing them in political interviews, and some even hosting radio phone-ins, but now they are making it to Loose Women and other programmes that are not usually known for their Westminster coverage. On Tuesday's Daily Politics - around 12:45 GMT - Jo Coburn will talk to presenters Jane Moore and Nick Ferrari about having those seeking power as guests after they watch these clips of those seeking office on the airwaves

Actually, slight correction. Mr Osborne won't be at Treasury Questions because he's at an Ecofin meeting of EU finance ministers. This article from City AM, external accuses him of trying to "avoid the post-election cuts debate by ducking out".