Image source, AP

London Mayor and Conservative MP Boris Johnson is to tell the Conservative Party conference later that the government must support the "hardest working and lowest paid" as it reforms welfare.

The capital's economy would "collapse" without those who work through the night and aspire to a better life, the Mayor of London and Tory MP will say.

It comes amid a row over plans to curb tax credits for million of workers.

Ministers insist they are sticking to the plans, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt saying they send a "cultural signal".

Read the full story.

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In her LBC interview on likely successors to David Cameron - see previous entry - new Conservative MP Heidi Allen says she thinks Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson is "amazing", adding: "I want to see someone with a bit of fire in their belly. Whether you're a fan of Jeremy Corbyn or Nigel Farage or those sorts of characters, it's clear that people are looking for somebody with a bit of oomf and a bit of honesty and a different way of talking."

Could that be Boris Johnson? asks interviewer Iain Dale, earning himself a memorable answer.

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That brings the interview to a close but the PM can be heard remarking away from the microphone: "Well that was wide-ranging."

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Turning to Syria, David Cameron maintains that its president, Bashar al-Assad, can have no part in the future of Syria. Asked how long he's prepared to see him in power as part of a transition process he says that's not a question he can answer. But he adds that the Syrian people wouldn't accept Assad staying in power either.

The PM is asked if he's building a parliamentary consensus to support UK participation in air strikes against IS in Syria. He says he'd like to go further, "as it would be the right thing for us to do". But he says he can't put a timescale on the vote, as a majority is required. 

He's asked if he would authorise UK involvement with the support of Labour MPs but not the opposition leader, Jeremy Corbyn - who opposes intervention.

Mr Cameron says Mr Corbyn "doesn't see what the ISIL risk is".

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David Cameron says he believes he's making good progress in his EU reform negotiations, ahead of the in/out referendum which is to be held by the end of 2017.

The PM adds that EU leaders are going through the "technical changes that could deliver the outcomes I want", such as opting the UK out of ever closer union and changing the welfare system.

"The talks are under way, EU leaders are engaging with them," says Mr Cameron. He says it's his birthday this Friday and that he'll be spending it with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss Britain's EU aims. He says it won't be easy but he's confident he can get the changes he wants.

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Asked about Theresa May's warnings - which will come later today - about uncontrolled mass immigration, the PM agrees with her that it is impossible to create a cohesive society if there is uncontrolled immigration.

Yes we're an open economy, he says, but it's easier to welcome and integrate migrants if you can provide school places and hospital beds - and that is made more difficult with excessive migration.

He acknowledges the government has missed its net migration target but says this was because the economy has been so strong. He cites the need for welfare reform and expanding skills and schools to train British people for the jobs being created and highlights measures taken to sort out the system inherited in 2010.

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The prime minister says the government has been able to expand the NHS because it has managed the country's finances effectively.

On tax credits, David Cameron says tax credits, when they were introduced by Labour, initially cost £1bn but were £30bn in 2010 "and yet in work poverty has actually gone up". He says the over-reliance on tax credits has not worked, and argues that lower taxes are a better way to help people in work.

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David Cameron says the government has made progress but adds there are "unmet challenges" and things the government needs to do, such as prisons reform, tackling poverty and problems in the care system. He promises "a crusading Conservative programme of social reform".

Today Programme
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David Cameron's Today interview begins with a question on his expectations and aims for the next five years. He says the government has rescued the economy and is now rebuilding to provide security - in the economy, jobs, taxes, schools, home ownership - for every Briton. He says he wants to tackle the "deep social problems" in the UK.

David Cameron ends his 5live interview by revealing that his daughter is recording the Great British Bake Off final, so there's no risk of him missing it after his big closing speech to the Conservative conference tomorrow... the Today programme is next.

David Cameron is asked if he was going to change his mind on plans for cuts to tax credits - he says that he thinks that they are "fair changes" when the higher minimum wage and higher threshold for paying any tax is taken into account.