Ed Balls

Labour leader Ed Miliband denies wiedling a dead hand over policy, telling Michael Crick: “Jon Cruddas thinks that we need a radical bold offer… the devolution of power to city and county regions.”

Nigel Farage likes being pictured with a pint in his hand, while his wife says he drinks too much. But the Ukip leader is not the only politician to enjoy a drink.

A new garden city is to be built in Ebsfleet in the Thames estuary, and the government’s help to buy scheme is to be extended until the end of the decade, Chancellor George Osborne announces.

Environmental experts say the damage caused by the recent flooding could have been prevented if the correct water management techniques had been used.

Ed Balls says he welcomes GDP figures showing economic growth but maintains the cost of living crisis continues – George Osborne hits back, saying Labour have been wrong on the economy throughout.

Labour’s announcement that it will re-introduce a 50p top rate of tax has been greeted with fury by business leaders, but if the opinion polls are right, Ed Miliband has got the public on his side.

A Channel 4 News survey finds the majority of people are in favour of the 50p top rate of tax, which Ed Balls said Labour would reinstate if elected.

“I think that is right” – Ed Balls agrees that politicians have to enshrine budget pledges in law in order to get the public to trust them. Watch his only interview at 6:30pm on Channel 4 News.

He’s not “squeezing the rich for the sake of it”, Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls tells C4 News, after announcing a return to the 50p rate. But he wants to show Britain that Labour is serious about change.

Labour will restore the 50p tax rate if they get back into power, Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls announces.

Chancellor George Osborne will cut energy bills by an average of £50 and offer home efficiency eco-grants of £1,000 by cracking down on tax avoidance.