tweets, external: Here it is - the winning design for the brand new £1 coin. More details to follow tomorrow #yourpoundcoin

Image source, Treasury

We mentioned earlier that campaigners have been on the streets of London today calling for more homes to be built to address the UK's housing shortage. It has been suggested that 245,000 extra homes need to be built in England alone every year to deal with the growing population. However, planners say only half that number are being completed. Mark Easton's report on the subject is up on our website now. You can watch it here.

James Landale
Deputy Political Editor, BBC News

On the subject of George Osborne's Budget tomorrow, our deputy political editor says there will always be surprises - that's the way the chancellor does things. But he says we can expect to hear about pension reform - allowing pensioners to cash in annuities - and there is also a "huge expectation" there will be an increase in the personal tax free allowance. Interestingly, on Thursday, the Lib Dems will also be revealing their own version of the Budget, which will set out what the party would have have done had they not been in coalition with the Tories.

tweets, external: For Budget Day, #r4today live from a Reading factory (M4 corridor = 8% of British econ output.) Will spoil you with more data in the morning

AND

tweets, external: We'll have @Peston, @BBCNormanS, @zoeconway1 in Newport, and my report on contrasting experiences of the economy from Swindon #r4today

Some of the emails we have received from Politics Live readers on the TV debates:

If there is only a single 7-way debate by leaders it will be one of the most craven sell-outs ever by UK broadcasters, allowing one party's tactical objectives (ie the Conservatives' determination to avoid a head-to-head with Labour) to over-ride all other parties' and all the major broadcasters' wishes.

Shame on the BBC leading this process if David Cameron prevails.

R Waumsley, Powys

Living in the United States, we are used to the debates between the candidates that take place prior to the election. I frankly do not find them to be very useful. They are more about political theatre, sound bites, and shouting down your opponent. Something insightful is rarely heard, it's more about providing entertainment.

Gaurav Singhvi

tweets, external: I want to see unionists working together to maximise the unionist vote. Too often divisions are manufactured to create difference.

Tweets, external: Wonderful generosity of Mirror readers, external but another reminder of why we must scrap the cruel & nasty bedroom tax.

Tweets, external: Good news that David Cameron's said for the first time he's willing to do the first debate on 2 April - even if it's on ITV.

And

Tweets, external: Of course, debates still work in progress. B'casters sounded out Cons on proposals, then Lab, Lib Dem & other parties. Discussions continue

Tweets, external: Tonight on #Newsnight - ahead of the budget we debate George Osborne's legacy as Chancellor, plus @simon_schama on the #IsraelElections

And

Tweets, external: Also tonight - former DPP Ken MacDonald on abuse whistleblowers and the Official Secrets Act

Image source, Getty Images

Here's a bit more detail on what Ed Miliband has been saying on today's TV debate developments. The Labour leader says he is still "fighting for" a head-to-head debate with David Cameron.

"I'm fighting for the debate between me and David Cameron which the British people want," Mr Miliband said.

"We now have the tawdry spectacle of the Prime Minister going to any length to avoid that debate.

"I say to David Cameron, even at this late stage: agree to this debate which the British people deserve."

Mr Miliband said there was no new proposal on the table from the broadcasters beyond the latest offer of three debates; two with seven party leaders and one head to head between Ed Miliband and David Cameron.

Image source, PA

The leader of Britain's biggest trade union has attacked Labour figures for trying to create a "phoney war" between him and Ed Miliband. Unite general secretary Len McCluskey accused the media team around Mr Miliband of an apparent "obsession". He said they were constantly seeking opportunities for the Labour leader to "face down Red Len" and Unite to show his "macho authority". Writing on Labour List,, external Mr McCluskey said: "They deliberately brief stories (off record of course) in order to create a phoney war between Miliband v McCluskey. It's so transparent and crude, it's getting tedious. These minnows should concentrate on the more important task of attacking this government and trying to improve Miliband's image so we can achieve a Labour victory."

tweets, external: Great book launch tonight. I even signed a copy for @MichaelLCrick and didn't hit him over the head with it!

tweets, external: Should be as many photo-ops btwn Nicola, Natalie & Leanne as poss. Displays a better political future instantly, indelibly. #BBCFreeSpeech

What would you do about national debt?, Leanne Wood is asked. Would your policies saddle future generations with debt? She says the welfare state was built when there was no money, and that investment enabled wealth for future generations. She thinks that is what will happen if we invest now. The converse would be cuts and the decimation of the welfare state which would saddle future generations with problems, she adds.

When alcohol and tobacco are the biggest killers, but cannabis is illegal, we've got our priorities wrong, Leanne Wood says to applause from the Free Speech audience.

Discussing the renewal of Trident, she says she would rather see the money spent elsewhere.

I'd like to see the voting age lowered to 16, Leanne Wood says when asked how she will get more young people involved in politics. She wants political education for young people, and politics that is more interesting - moving beyond "four shades of Westminster grey". She also won't make a prediction on the number of seats she will get. But she will say she considers her party socialist.

How often do you deal with sexism in your job?, Leanne Wood is asked. Women in all professions have to deal with sexism on a daily basis she says. One of the reasons she came into politics was to fight sexist attitudes, she tells the Free Speech audience. She says Nicola Sturgeon has seen more sexism directed at her and describes her treatment in the media as "appalling".