MPs' salaries will rise by 1.3% from April to £74,962, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has said.

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Downing Street has responded to former Conservative leader Lord Howard's decision to campaign for EU exit.

A No 10 spokesman said David Cameron had "huge respect for Michael Howard but on this issue they disagree", adding that they "do not view the opportunities and risks to the UK in the same way".

On the idea of a second referendum if Britain votes to come out, floated by Mr Howard, the PM's spokesman said Mr Cameron had made his view clear in the House of Commons on Monday.

On that occasion, he described the prospect of another vote on the basis of a fresh re-negotiation as "for the birds". 

We were talking earlier about Lib Dem activists in Scotland gathering for their spring conference. Well it is not the only spring conference taking place around the country. The Green Party of England and Wales are meeting in Harrogate, where its leader Natalie Bennett will speak later. Meanwhile UKIP are getting together in Llandudno. Nigel Farage is due to speak on Saturday. 

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Voting is under way in the Republic of Ireland to elect 157 new members of parliament.

The Irish parliament (Dáil) has reduced in size, meaning any new government needs the support of nearly 80 elected members (called Teachtaí Dála or TDs).

More than three million people are eligible to vote, including Irish and UK citizens.

Polling stations across 40 different constituencies opened at 07:00 local time (same as GMT) and will close at 22:00 on Friday. Read more

Friday sittings in the House of Commons are always dedicated to private members' bills, external. 

Many members choose to spend Friday in their constituencies instead, which is why the green benches often appear sparsely attended.

At the moment, the EU Membership Bill is being debated. There are very few Labour, Lib Dem, SNP or MPs from other parties in the House this morning - and most of those sitting on the Conservative backbences appear to be in favour of leaving the European Union.

Michael Howard's call for an EU exit - and suggestion of a second referendum - could sway wavering Tories.

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Making his case for Britain to leave the EU, Mr Chope says the PM has failed to bring net migration down "to the tens of thousands", as he promised in the Conservative Party's 2015 manifesto. 

The MP refers to figures released yesterday showing that net migration to the UK from the EU remains near record levels.

These "shocking" figures show it is in "our absolute best interests" for Britain to leave the European Union, he says.

What to remember if School Reporters cover the run-up to the EU referendum on 23 June.

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Mr Chope says he is concerned that government data published in the run up to the referendum will become a "biased source" of information.

Conservative MP Philip Hollobone offers his support and says "spin is already being trotted out" by the government.

More information on both the 'Leave' and 'Remain' campaigns can be found here.

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We often hear the statistic that no-one under the age of 58 has ever had the chance to vote on the issue of the UK's relationship with Europe. 

And with David Cameron saying June's referendum will be the most important political choice in people's lifetimes, spare a thought for those who won't be able to take part but will have to live with the consequences.

The First News, external newspaper has been speaking to seven to 14-year olds about what they think about the issue. David Cameron and Boris Johnson have both written articles for the latest edition of the weekly publication, which has sales of 80,000 and can be found in over half the UK's schools, setting out the Leave and Remain arguments.

An online "poll" of more than 1,000 First News readers found 74% would vote to remain in the EU if they were able to. One reader told the newspaper doing so is "a safer bet”, whilst another said “it would keep us safer from terrorism”.

The newspaper said "little attention has been paid until now on how the vote will affect children - the next generation of Britain and arguably the demographic whose futures will be most affected by the vote".

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House of Commons
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Mr Chope welcomes the forthcoming EU referendum on 23 June. 

The bill has been "overtaken by events" but he says it is a necessity that there is "open debate" about Britain's future in the European Union. 

The Conservative MP says he is delighted that his friend and the former Conservative leader Michael Howard, has decided to join the 'Leave' Campaign.

Read more about this here.

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Christopher Chope is on his feet again to introduce another private members' bill: the EU Membership Bill (Audit of Costs and Benefits) Bill.

The bill is sponsored by Conservative Peter Bone, who Mr Chope says has "been waiting for this opportunity for a very long time", but can't be in the chamber today.

The bill requires an independent audit of the benefits and costs of UK membership of the European Union.

Michael Howard is wrong to claim that voting to leave the EU could lead to Britain getting a better deal, the main cross-party campaigning to stay in the EU is arguing. Responding to the former Conservative leader's comments, a spokesman for Britain Stronger in Europe said there was "simply no prospect" of Britain getting further reforms following an out vote. 

The Scottish Liberal Democrat spring conference is getting under way in Edinburgh. The party's leader in Scotland, Willie Rennie, will set out his party's plans to boost education spending in a speech later on Friday. UK leader Tim Farron is billed to speak on Saturday. Read our story