PM Newsletter

Hello.

There's rather a lot going on. We'll have more on yesterday's by-election...listen out for George Galloway by the way on Radio 4's The World at One. And don't be shocked if Martha Kearney herself appears on PM, discussing bees. She keeps bees, you know.

We'll update you on the petrol situation. We'll look at how changing adoption rules might affect children. And in Previously on PM, listeners discuss the fuel story, facial disfigurement and whether they've given Stirling Moss a lift.

See you at 5,

Eric

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Thursday's PM Newsletter

Hello.

Sorry for the late newsletter. I've been frantically topping up my mobile phone which was half out of credits. The queue at the shops was mind-boggling.

Remember a recent report on PM about grammar schools expanding? It's in the headlines tonight and we have a follow up. Also, how the armed forces are doing in their quest to recruit more people from ethnic minorities (hint: not that well). We'll report on Spain's strikes and a US Supreme Court decision that could decide the Presidential election. And we'll do something to mark the 100 years since Captain Scott's last diary entry.

See you at 5,

Eric Muir

Wednesday's PM newsletter

Hello.

For some reason yesterday's newsletter didn't arrive. I don't know why. It was fine leaving here, as they say. What could have caused the problem? My big worry is that if there is a backlog of newsletters, people might begin to panic-read them. Then there wouldn't be enough to go round and, well I just don't know what we would do. Perhaps you could keep some old newsletters at home in a jerry can, so that if no more are ever sent, you'll at least have something to fall back on.

I won't go on. We must use newsletter words sparingly.

Eric

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PM Newsletter

Hello.

I hope you'll join me at 5 o'clock for PM. Why not enjoy the programme whilst enjoying a kitchen supper? There have been one or two developments this lunchtime on the question of which Conservative party donors have been dining at Downing Street. Full details at 5.

We'll also have a report on Titanic (the area in Belfast, not the new Julian Fellowes thing).

See you at 5.

Eric

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PM Newsletter

Hello

A minimum price for alcohol. The Home Secretary Theresa May says the policy – which would apply to England and Wales – would not penalise responsible drinkers and proprietors. Is that true? Will it work? We discuss.

We want to look at the child benefit changes in the budget and how they will be administered. Is HMRC the best body to do that?

We visit the school in Hackney where they've constructed a mockup of an Oxbridge Don's office so that students can practice for university entrance interviews.

Think you understand what the coup in Mali is all about? Gaps in your knowledge will be ably plugged by the expert Africa analyst I've just interviewed.

We're trying to track down the Sunday League football team which has entered the record books – for suffering a 58 – nil defeat. Their goalkeeper was said to be "furious" after the match. I bet he was.

And "previously on PM" is being prepared right now. Goodness, you've been busy with the emails this week. I've been up all night reading them. Enough now!

See you at 5

Carolyn

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Thursday's PM Newsletter

Hello,

Plenty of you have told us what you think of the changes for pensioners announced in yesterday's budget. Our correspondent Ben Wright is en route to Eastbourne on the south coast to record the views of some of those living there. The removal of the age-related allowance is one of the angles we are trying to pursue this afternoon. And we'd like an accountant to tell us honestly what measures are taken to evade tax by high earners – and will they stop evading just because the higher rate is being reduced from 50p to 45p.

The siege in Toulouse is over:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17473207
Richard Galpin will explain how the whole saga unfolded.

Fashion writer Hadley Freeman will be casting her critical eye over the strip that has been chosen for Team GB to wear.
We want to discuss the morality of paying ransom money to free relatives from kidnappers

And – you know all those signs that urge you to "clear up after your dog"? Some people (and you know who you are ) go as far as bagging up their dog's poo but then might hang the bag on a tree or drop it on the roadside. Now the Marine Conservation society is warning that piles of said poo wrapped in plastic bags could threaten the health and safety of beach visitors. We'll be discussing the etiquette of dog excrement tonight. I suspect you may have some "tails" of your own!!!

My colleagues making iPM are eagerly scanning their inbox (ipm@bbc.co.uk) waiting to read your headlines for this week's "Your News" - which, as it's Budget week, will be read by Hugh Pym. Please keep 'em coming.

See you at 5,
Carolyn

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Budget Newsletter

Hello

It's the budget. We're covering it. We'll have the key points and reaction from politicians, business, and news of how ordinary folk like us will be affected. You know the kind of thing. It's probably the most challenging moment for a leader of the opposition as Ed Miliband will frame Labour's response to George Osborne in the Commons. And we'll have interviews with Labour's Rachel Reeves, and Danny Alexander, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

Two other big stories: the French killer – as I write he is still holed up in a flat in Toulouse, heavily armed. Details are emerging of his claim to be linked to Al Quaeda, and also that he was one of the escapees from the Kandahar prison break.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13184920
We could know a lot more by the time we come on air.

And the woman seized by Somali kidnappers in Kenya last September has been released by her captors. We hear about the negotiations to release Judith Tebbutt.

I shall leave it at that. And hope you can join me at 5pm

Carolyn

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Tuesday's PM Newsletter

Hello

The Speaker John Bercow described her as "the kaleidoscope Queen". There were smiles all round as MPs and Peers were addressed by the Monarch in Westminster Hall this morning. And she got first sight of the stained glass window that was unveiled in her honour. Peter Hunt will report on the highlights of the day and we talk to the MP who came up with the idea of the window – and set about raising the money to buy it.

Last week, a Lib Dem told me relations with his coalition colleagues were "pretty scratchy". Both Libs and Tories have been making their demands known before George Osborne's budget tomorrow. So how much do they think their lobbying will result in success for their respective campaigns? We'll bring together in debate David Laws who's spent his time since quitting as Chief Secretary to the Treasury as a close adviser to Nick Clegg, and Elizabeth Truss – Conservative MP and leading member of a backbench group calling for lower taxation, more help for business and the scrapping of the 50p rate.

Also tonight – the latest from Toulouse as police continue to search for the gruesome killer motorcyclist. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17445305

As the controversial Health and Social Care Bill finally approaches the end of its journey through parliament – what is actually left in it? Our health correspondent will help us out with that.

And we speak to one of the bus drivers from Corby in Northamptonshire who each scooped more than 3 million pounds in the EuroMillions jackpot. He tells me he couldn't carry on working because "he wouldn't be able to concentrate and he could have put his passengers at risk". He's off to Las Vegas soon.

Eloise is in charge today – something else is bound to happen.

See you at 5,

Carolyn

PM News Letter

Hello,

I'm multi-tasking - listening to the Prime Minister delivering his much-trailed speech outlining proposals for how our roads could be funded and managed in future while I write this newsletter and drink a cup of coffee. Howzat! He's just said "If our infrastructure is second rate then our country will be too". Is the Government paving the way for privatisation of our roadways? We're going to see if we can get the Transport Secretary to answer that.

David Cameron's speech comes as France is reeling from the news that three children and a teacher have been shot by a gunman on a scooter who opened fire on a Jewish school in Toulouse.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17426313
We'll report from there , hearing about any possible links with two separate incidents in the same part of France last week and asking how much the debate on culture and immigration is featuring in the French Presidential race. The names of the 10 candidates are due to be announced this afternoon.

Also tonight: business start-ups in Manchester, who is George Osborne , and what does our Eurovision entry (courtesy of Engelbert Humperdinck) sound like?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17429151

And….what are you doing to save wildlife if you are in a drought-affected area? Conservationists are worried that ponds, wetlands and streams may dry out. Your tips, please, for saving your local newts, frogs etc.
This could all change by 5pm of course. Tune in then.

Carolyn

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Friday's PM Newsletter

Hello,

Bets are already being placed on the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu becoming the next Archbishop of Canterbury following the announcement today of Dr Rowan Williams' departure:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17399403et

Dr Williams isn't off quite yet, but doesn't mean we won't be talking about it this evening and getting an assessment of his ten years in the post. Also on our wishlist for tonight:

• The lawyer of the US soldier who killed 16 Afghan civilians has been talking about his client. We're trying to get our own interview with him.
• What is happening to Tesco – the vagaries of retail life? A lack of strategic planning? We discuss
• The millionaire stableboy who took a bet on the Cheltenham Gold Cup – and may not be a stable boy for much longer.
• And "Previously on PM" charts your responses to some of our items this week.

Lucy Sheppard is in charge – assisted by Charlie Bell . Let's see what happens at 5.

Carolyn

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PM News Letter

Hello,

Our reporter Jon Manel brings us a twist to a familiar story today – he's seen leaked Cabinet papers from four days after the Hillsborough disaster which reveal that the Chief Constable of Merseyside Police told Mrs Thatcher that a key factor in causing the disaster was large numbers of Liverpool fans turning up without tickets. Obviously it will provoke strong reactions, not least from campaigners for families affected. We'll bring you the full details this evening.

Also tonight:

• The Fitch credit ratings agency joins Moody's in putting the UK's top AAA rating on "negative outlook". We consult an expert on whether or not it should matter.

• We trailed it yesterday – you'll get it today – how the solar power industry is facing troubles in Germany.

• Gay marriage – As the government launches its 12 week consultation, a lesbian tells us why it's not a good idea, and we're bidding for a Church of England vicar who argues in favour.

• And John Simpson on the unusual public row that is shaking Chinese politics.

And don't forget, please, that our iPM Editor this week, Richard Knight is poised, waiting, by his computer for your headlines from your week to flood in . In a sentence what has happened to you this week? If you let Richard know, he can pass it on to Sarah Montague who will be reading "Your News" on this Saturday's iPM. You can send your contribution to: ipm@bbc.co.uk
Please keep Richard happy. You wouldn't like him when he's angry.

Join us for PM at 5 if you can,

Carolyn

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Wednesday's PM Newsletter

Hello,

There'll be a news conference, we're told , at 4pm our time in Washington. After hours of talks between David Cameron and Barack Obama, will they be able to confirm a speeding up of the timetable for a change in the combat role of Nato troops and a transfer to Afghan control? And what will all this mean to Afghanistan itself?

We'll be reporting on the investigation into that coach crash in Switzerland in which 28 people, including 22 children, were killed.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17362643

Also tonight – how to police riots; how to get more black youngsters into work; how to make going to the dentist a bit more pleasant; troubles facing the solar power industry in Germany ; and should you ever refer to your clients as "muppets". Listen at 5 and see how far we get with our efforts to secure interviewees on those topics.

This week's Editor of iPM, Richard Knight, asks me to tell you this:

In iPM this Saturday "Your News" will be read by the Today Programme's Sarah Montague. So if you have a sentence of news for Sarah, please send it to: ipm@bbc.co.uk.

PMQs time now – must listen.

See you at 5.

Carolyn

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Tuesday's PM Newsletter

Hello,

This evening David Cameron arrives in Washington for those two days of talks with President Obama – and a basketball match (watching, not participating). Top of the agenda of course is Afghanistan and what seems to be a redefined date for troop withdrawal. But Iran and Syria also will take up their time. We'll be hearing the latest from Washington but also , of course, keeping a watch on the reaction among Afghans as the investigation continues into the murder of 16 civilians by a US soldier.

Have you seen this video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc

It's a campaign to track down and capture Joseph Kony, the leader of the Lords Resistance Army in Uganda. Viewed by nearly 76 million people, the campaign has provoked discussion and criticism. We'll be having our own discussion on it tonight.

Also this evening:

We get the latest from the Leveson inquiry and follow news that the former chief executive of News International Rebekah Brooks and her husband, the racehorse trainer Charlie Brooks, have been arrested by police investigating phone hacking.

We'll hear from Doreen Lawrence, the mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, about the family's call for an inquiry into police wrongdoing to be reopened in light of fresh allegations of corruption.

Our Security correspondent Frank Gardner describes what it's like to be on a ship in the Red Sea which has been threatened by pirates.

Private security companies getting involved with police forces. We have a report.

And red meat… …..do you think it's damaging to health to eat a lot of it? What do you think of the latest health warnings? Is it wise advice to lay off processed meat or just another in the list of things we shouldn't do but will probably ignore and carry on doing?

Off for lunch now

See you at 5.
Carolyn

PM Newsletter

Good Morning All,

Ed has charged me with guiding you through PM – so here goes…
As you can imagine, Afghanistan remains dominant on our running order after those murders of 16 Afghan civilians by a US soldier. President Hamid Karzai says the act was "unforgivable". Taliban militants are vowing revenge. What happens now? And where does this leave the "mission" in Afghanistan. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17339468

Also tonight:

As Labour unveils its latest budget suggestions, can any tax be fair?

What now for Syria after the breakdown of talks between the UN envoy to Damascus, Kofi Annan and President Assad?

Why do so many men under 35 commit suicide?
We have a report: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17325174

And the price of eggs. What's that got to do with the price of eggs, we ask?

More to come. Charlie Bell is in charge.

Join us at 5pm if you can.

Carolyn

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Friday's PM Newsletter

Hello.

Jonty Gloom will be on the programme tonight. I am told he was at some kind of lavish corporate dinner last night so goodness knows what state he'll be in but if I know Jonty he will be on fine form. He was down in our office trading insults with me earlier and we talked about perhaps starting a feud but our hearts really weren't in it.

One of today's stories is making tonight's editor (Amanda) giggle incessantly. I cannot tell you which one and please do not try to guess.

In fact I've said too much already. Let's change the subject by looking at Russia's Eurovision entrants:

<http://storyful.com/focus/curatorschoice>

We received so many interesting items from subscribers about marriage that we're devoting all of iPM tomorrow to the subject. It's on very early in the morning so if you'd rather download it later to enjoy for 14 minutes at your leisure, click here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0089nbb

It will be available from tomorrow unless you have a time machine in which case, enjoy.

Eric Muir

Thursday's PM Newsletter

Hello.

The Transport Secretary Justine Greening has been explaining how the government plans to save billions of pounds from spending on the railways. Full details at 5.

Also in the programme, names and faces have been put to the six soldiers whose fate we discussed last night.

Plus, day one of the Queen's Jubilee Tour. The one and only Becky Milligan gets a glimpse of what it's like being Francis Maude.

And we'll hear at length from Darren Rathband, the identical twin of PC David Rathband. Darren is busy arranging a celebratory service for his brother's life which will take place in Newcastle this weekend.

Join me if you can at 5,

Eric Muir

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Wednesday's PM Newsletter

Hello.

Six UK soldiers are missing, presumed dead in Afghanistan. You can read more here, and we will have the latest for you at 5: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17282903

Also in the programme, marriage (thanks to all the subscribers who took the trouble to email yesterday). We'll hear from the Leveson inquiry, we might talk about Rangers http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17283440 and for fans of Sarah Lund and her colleagues, a special report from Denmark.

See you at 5,

Eric.

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PM Newsletter

Hello. I have a question for you.*

First, there are all sorts of delights in the programme tonight. Jane Peel is at the you know what. We'll talk about Nissan's new plans http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17266087 and hear from the man who invented BRICS. That is not one of my usual spelling errors.

It's Super Tuesday in the US, but it feels like a rather ordinary one here. At key moments in the Presidential campaign we're going to test the water/take the temeprature/run a slide rule over/insert your own broadcasting cliché what's happening with two experts. It's their first night tonight.

Plus, how the Danes do child care? And we'll look at how a mansion tax would affect people with mansions.

*Marriage is a talking point at the moment, and I'm curious to know something. On the basis of your own personal experience - what does marriage mean to you?

It may be you are married, your parents were married, or perhaps you've been through separation or divorce. I thought it might be interesting while this debate goes on, to hear from real people (that's you, matey) about their experiences of this institution.

Whatever it is/was...if you're happy to share, please drop me an email. If you would rather we didn't use your name, that's fine, though personally I hate it when people hide behind fictional identities.

See you at 5,

Eric Murphy-O'Connor

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PM Newsletter

Hello,

On Friday, the Editor of the Times, James Harding told us that when he had a dinner with Vladimir Putin he could see no signs of the alleged "nipski tuckski" around the eye area. Putin's eyes get a lot of attention today – all those shots of him with tears running down his face as he addressed his supporters after his Presidential win ( "it was the wind ").

Anyway, we're talking to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation who monitored the election process and which says it was "clearly skewed" in favour of Putin – and we'll be in Moscow's Pushkin Square this afternoon where protesters in their tens of thousands are expected to turn out.

Also tonight: the government is bracing itself for a series of parliamentary challenges to its plans to reform legal aid. Ken Clarke, the Justice secretary insists that those on low incomes who need a lawyer will defiinitely get representation under the new schemes. But the Law society and other groups claim the measures will limit the ability of many people to secure justice. We'll try to get both sides of the argument together for a discussion later.

Our technology correspondent Rory Cellan Jones is learning how to fend off a cyber attack – you never know when you might need that information.

We get the latest in our updates on how the city of Manchester is battling to restore its economy .

And big foxes. Do you care ?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-17259087

Join us if you can at 5.

Carolyn

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PM with CQ

Hello,

Eddie's away having a breather after "leaping" all week. And, of course, reflecting on the advice you've given him about how he should be more polite to Robert Peston in future!!! (Then again, maybe not.)

Our main story tonight is surely going to be Syria, as a Red Cross convoy has arrived in the city of Homs aiming to deliver supplies to the Baba Amr district after the month-long siege there.

<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17228912>

We're hoping to do our own interview with someone inside Homs - and discover more about the attitude of Russia towards President Assad.

Also tonight...

· What happened at the EU summit?
· What's the attitude of Labour and the Liberal Democrats to the SNP's plans for an independence referendum? Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg are addressing their respective Scottish party conferences. We'll be listening on your behalf.
· We pay another visit to the Merlin Theatre in Frome in Somerset which has lost most of its public funding - our reporter Michael Buchanan attended a meeting to decide whether to shut for good.
· What can Britain learn from Denmark about provision of childcare?
· And our usual Friday roundup of your correspondence - in "Previously on PM".

See if you can guess the star name introducing it...

Join us for all that - fingers crossed - at 5pm.

Carolyn

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Thursday's PM Newsletter

Hello,

Syria and the Leveson inquiry are likely to feature tonight.

We'll also update you on what our listeners did yesterday - including news of how Geoffrey got on.

And as a special treat for YOU, there's this:

"Dear Eddie & Robert,

Well I've done it! I made my literal leap for PM by jumping 50 feet on a fan drop. The first step into nothing was the worst thing I've ever done having a great fear of heights. If you look at the video I have to confess to being very rude about Eddie for which I would like to apologise but can't.

Tracy Archibald

<http://youtu.be/h3aqG4fAmh0>"

See you at 5,

Eric

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This email may contain confidential information. If you receive it in error please immediately advise the sender and delete it from your system without copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance upon it. Red Bee Media Limited has taken precautions in respect of its email communications to preserve confidentiality and to ensure that any attachment has been checked for viruses. However, we cannot accept liability for any damage sustained as a result of interceptions and software viruses and you should take your own precautions before responding to us by email and carry out your own virus checks before opening any attachment.

Red Bee Media Limited
Registered No: 04257461 England
Registered Office: BC2 A1 Broadcast Centre, 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TP

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