Campaign countdown: Wednesday 11 March

• Prime Minister's Questions has dominated the day at Westminster as David Cameron and Ed Miliband clashed over the TV debates
• Schools in England and Wales are to be given the power to hand top performing teachers a pay rise of up to 2%, with the armed forces, doctors, dentists, prison officers and senior civil servants set to get an average pay rise of up to 1% in 2015-16
• MPs have voted in favour of standardised cigarette packaging in the UK
• David Cameron has had his say on suspended Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson, describing him as a "huge talent"
• Organisers of a digital election debate said they would hold it on 26 or 27 March to meet a deadline set by Downing Street

Thanks for joining us tonight, we'll be back from 06:00 GMT on Thursday with more rolling coverage.

tweets: .@LiamFoxMP on the coalition: "What started up as great romance ended up as doing it for the children and sleeping in separate rooms"

Responding to news of the teachers' pay settlement, Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT union, says: "The fact that the review body has recommended breaking the Treasury's pay cap, albeit only for some teachers, demonstrates the review body recognises there is a real issue in terms of the adverse impact the coalition government's public sector pay policy is having on teacher supply."

tweets: YouGov/Sun poll tonight - Labour lead by one: CON 34%, LAB 35%, LD 7%, UKIP 14%, GRN 5%

Discussing coalitions, former Conservative chief whip Andrew Mitchell says he thinks a minority government would be "the worst of all worlds at the moment". He also doubts predictions that the Lib Dems will be "decimated" on 7 May will turn out to be accurate. For the Lib Dems, Julia Goldsworthy says her party "went into (coalition) with our eyes open - we knew it would be challenging".

Newsnight has been looking back at how the coalition has worked out in practice. Former Lib Dem Energy Secretary Chris Huhne says it would have been better for Nick Clegg to have been made either foreign or home secretary, as well as deputy prime minister. Former cabinet secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell says the alternative vote referendum - pitting the two parties against one another - was about the worst thing to happen in terms of coalition stability. You can watch on the live coverage tab above.

As well as teachers, government sources have told the BBC pay settlements will be announced tomorrow for the following workforces:

• The armed forces
• Independent contractor GPs and dentists
• The prison service
• Senior military and judiciary

The government said it had accepted pay review bodies' recommendations for these groups, who would receive an average of a 1% increase.

tweets: The Mirror's @Kevin_Maguire "The old party allegiances have been dying for some time...both Conservative and Labour"

tweets: Been up since 3am for @bbcworldservice so definitely bedtime. Back up at 4am to launch exciting new @BBCRadio4 'The Listeners' Election.'

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan tells the BBC the flexibility to give schools in England and Wales the power to raise teachers' pay by up to 2% from September is possible because of the "strong economy". It has always been the government's policy to recognise the contribution of the best-performing teachers, she says. "This is particularly important for those who have been in the profession for a few years and are very important to the future of their schools."

The Mail's splash for Thursday is looking ahead to next week's Budget:

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Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna tells LBC Radio the first-past-the-post system will "come under pressure more" and should be scrapped in favour of a more proportional system even if that means permanent coalition government. The comments come days after Ed Miliband dismissed the prospect of pursuing electoral reform if he becomes prime minister, saying he would not put his energies into "a big debate about the electoral system". But Mr Umunna said the need to change Britain's voting system to reflect a new era of multi-party politics cannot be ignored. "We have a first-past-the-post voting system that I don't like. I am an electoral reformer... I believe we need to change the way we do politics and that includes changing our voting system," he said.

Time for the 22:00 news - here's a reminder of today's top political stories:

• PMQs got personal as David Cameron and Ed Miliband clashed over the TV debates
• MPs voted in favour of standardised cigarette packaging in the UK
• David Cameron has had his say on suspended Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson, describing him as a "huge talent"
• The government is understood to be planning to give schools in England and Wales the power to raise teachers' pay by up to 2% from September

Amid suggestions of a rift in the coalition over the issue, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the settlement was affordable and the government should be "as generous as it can be", where possible, to public sector workers. The Lib Dem leader told the Daily Mail online that there was "quite a fierce debate" going on in government about the issue. "The recommendation is that for some teachers, it depends where they are on their pay band, they get a 2% increase," Mr Clegg said. "That's being resisted by George Osborne. I just think it's affordable, it wouldn't cost us the earth, it's recommended and we should get on and do it."

Newspapers and media commentators around the world have been reacting to the BBC's decision to suspend Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson over a "fracas" with a producer. Here's some of the response.

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Here's a bit more from that David Cameron interview on the BBC's Midlands Today. When asked whether the debate should be held before the manifestos come out, Mr Cameron said: "I think everyone knows what people's policies and programmes are. People can see the difference between Labour, Conservative, Liberal, Green and all the rest of it."

tweets: Jeremy Clarkson petition passes 500,000 signatures bbc.in/1wYbZ54 How does online petition for him compare to others?

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While the main parties are refusing to countenance questions about possible coalitions, we've found one front-bencher actively promoting one. Conservative Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb says a Tory, Plaid Cymru and Liberal Democrat coalition could provide an "effective alternative" - in the Welsh Assembly. Mr Crabb criticised the "monopolistic hold on the levers of government in Wales by the Labour Party". But Welsh Labour said the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Westminster coalition has been "terrible for Wales". Assembly elections take place in 2016.

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The Scottish Government has called on the UK Government to cancel the extension of new Work Programme contracts and to keep its promises on devolving further welfare powers. Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil and Fair Work Secretary Roseanna Cunningham made the calls at a meeting of the joint ministerial working group on welfare. They met Scotland Office Minister David Mundell and Department for Work and Pensions Minister Mark Harper to discuss progress on implementing the welfare elements of the Smith Agreement.

There has been much talk about the possible impact the SNP will have on the balance of power after the election. The Election2015 site has produced what it calls the "complete guide" to the various predictions and projections that have been made.

It's the final debate of the day in the Lords, which is looking at the government's review of the EU's competences - the power to act in particular areas conferred on it by the EU treaties. The review was part of the coalition agreement between the Conservatives and Lib Dems when they formed a government together in 2010.

tweets: Fascinating that Chris Grayling, the Justice Secretary, was one of the Tory big hitters to vote against plain packs

Could the Democratic Unionist Party play a part in any hung-Parliament negotiations after 7 May? Nigel Dodds, the party's leader at Westminster, has written an article for the Guardian setting out "very straightforwardly" what he would look for. Spending 2% of GDP on defence is a "bare minimum", he says, and the so-called "bedroom tax" should be "revisited".

tweets: "Weak" "despicable" "useless" - all the nice stuff Mr Cameron and Mr Miliband say to each other on #TodayInParliament @BBCRadio4 1130pm

Labour's Baroness Bakewell does not agree with Michael Grade on the TV debates stand-off. David Cameron and his adviser Lynton Crosby may have succeeded if their aim was to "rubbish the debates", she says, "but they have lost in the eyes of the public".

Former BBC, ITV and Channel 4 boss Lord Grade says nobody asked him to join the row over election TV debates (he has criticised the broadcasters and accused them of "playing politics"). "I have been steaming here for the past few weeks getting crosser and crosser", the Conservative peer says.

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Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson is a controversial figure, but has helped propel the programme to monster proportions around the world, the BBC's Tom Espiner reports.

While he hoped the Clarkson situation can be resolved, David Cameron said he would not interfere with the running of the BBC and added: "The prime minister has many responsibilities - sadly securing the future of Top Gear isn't one of them."

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More from David Cameron on Jeremy Clarkson. Here's what he told BBC Midlands Today: "Of course I don't know exactly what happened. He's a constituent of mine, he is a friend of mine, he is a huge talent. I see that he has said he regrets some of what happened. What I would say, because he does amuse and entertain so many people - including my own children, who will be heartbroken if Top Gear is taken off air - I hope this can be sorted out because it's a great programme and he is a great talent."

David Cameron has just been asked on BBC Midlands Today about the suspension of Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear following what the BBC said was "a fracas" with producer Oisin Tymon. He said Clarkson was "a friend of mine" and added: "My children would be heartbroken if Top Gear was taken off air".

They've always been banned from television and radio in the UK. But online, paid-for political ads are becoming a feature of 2015's election. So-called "attack ads" - many from the UK's main political parties - have emerged across social media in recent months, free from the strict rules that apply to television. Read the rest of the article here.

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Here's Business Minister Baroness Neville-Rolfe bringing a splash of colour to the Lords, where peers are debating the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill, including measures to protect whistleblowers.

Newsnight's Chief Correspondent Laura Kuenssberg blogs: "Talk of SNP deal will dog Miliband." She goes on: "English MPs suggest voters in marginal constituencies hate the idea of Scottish Nationalist MPs dictating their futures. So as Prime Minister's Questions demonstrated in a noisily grisly session on Wednesday, David Cameron will try to ram in a reference to the supposed 'deal' between Labour and the SNP at every possible opportunity."

More on the news that the government is expected to allow schools to raise teachers' pay by up to 2% from September. Teachers received a 1% rise last year, after two years of salary freezes, in line with the general 1% pay cap across the public sector, which is due to be extended to next year. But the BBC understands it has been decided that the upper end of the main pay band will increase by 2% and schools can decide whether to award this based on performance. The full BBC story is here.

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In the House of Commons, Jack Straw, currently the independent MP for Blackburn, is making what's likely to be one of his last speeches in the chamber. Mr Straw, who was first elected in 1979, is standing down at the general election. He is using an adjournment debate to raise the case of a constituent affected by a pensions mis-selling scandal.

Tweets: Very senior Tory ministers voted against plain packaging, according to @pressassoc: Chris Grayling, Esther McVey, Liz Truss, Greg Hands

There will be something missing when the new parliament meets in May. The imminent retirement of crossbench peer Viscount Tenby will remove a direct link with David Lloyd George. The third Viscount Tenby, who is 87, is taking advantage of a new law that allows members of the House of Lords to retire and will formally leave on 1 May.

Daily Telegraph sketch writer Michael Deacon has been examining David Cameron's PMQs claim that Ed Miliband wants to "crawl to power in Alex Salmond's pocket". "For one thing, crawling is a highly difficult manoeuvre to execute while inside a pocket", Deacon points out. "Useful though pockets are for the transportation of small items such as keys and wallets, they are not typically designed to enable easy perambulation for a human occupant."

Labour has welcomed today's vote in favour of standardised packaging for cigarettes. "Experts say it will make children less likely to take up smoking, and so will ultimately save lives," says shadow public health minister Luciana Berger.

The expected development on teachers' pay comes after the Lib Dems said they were in dispute with the Conservatives over whether to implement the recommendations of the School Teachers Review Body. The Lib Dems argued schools should have flexibility to offer individual teachers a rise of up to 2% next year. Any claims of a split were denied by their coalition partners.

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UKIP leader Nigel Farage says today's decision in favour of plain packaging for cigarettes "breaches property rights and trademark laws". He said the government had forced through the legislation, without a debate in the Commons chamber. "How anyone who believes in free markets can now support the Conservative Party is beyond me," he added.

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UKIP's Winston McKenzie has been speaking today about being replaced as the party's Commonwealth spokesman. "That's politics, man", the former champion boxer told LBC. Speaking to the Mirror, he compared the decision to Fredo Corleone's demise in The Godfather Part II.

At the European Scrutiny Committee, Labour MP Kelvin Hopkins says the views of left wing eurosceptics are under-represented in the media. He cites famous Labour figures including Tony Benn and Barbara Castle. "That opinion is still represented within the party," he says. "It never appears, and the populous gets the impression that euroscepticism is a right wing movement."

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Ed Balls has been interviewed by the New Statesman's George Eaton. Their train trip from Wales to London saw the shadow chancellor talk about his marriage to Yvette Cooper, his desire to get into No 11 and what he's learned from Gordon Brown. It also saw him address Ed Balls Day, the Twitter phenomenon marking the anniversary of the time Mr Balls accidentally tweeted his own name. "Who in postwar British politics has had a day named after them?" he muses. "You take what you can, really, don't you?"

It's been a busy day in the politics world so far. Here are some of the highlights:

• David Cameron and Ed Miliband clashed in a heated PMQs - the last but two before the general election
• Mr Miliband accused the prime minister of "chickening out" of a debate with him, saying: "Like all bullies, when the heat is really on he runs for cover"
• But Mr Cameron said the Labour leader was "weak and despicable" for not ruling out a post-election deal with the SNP
• A former Ministry of Defence special adviser said Mr Cameron gave a "personal assurance" that defence spending would increase after 2015
• MPs voted in favour of the introduction of standardised packaging for cigarettes in the UK
• Organisers of a digital election debate said they would hold it on 26 or 27 March to meet a deadline set by Downing Street

At this point Alex Stevenson and Nick Eardley are signing out. But Tom Moseley and Vanessa Barford will be here to take you through until midnight.

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With today's vote on standardised tobacco packaging, it means from 2016 every packet will look the same except for the make and brand name, with graphic photos accompanying health warnings - if the House of Lords also approves the move. The Irish Republic passed a similar law earlier this month and Australia has had plain packaging since 2012. Our full story's here.

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In the Commons the Democratic Unionist Party's debate on the TV debates has wrapped up. Earlier, the party's deputy leader Nigel Dodds and Ian Paisley argued the case for why they should be included. "This party, its members, could actually have a say after 8th May on who walks into Downing Street as prime minister," Mr Paisley said. "That being the case, isn't it only right and proper that the national audience know where smaller parties like my party stand on the issues of national defence, on the issue of the union, on the issue of grammar school education, on issues of healthcare, taxation, the cost of living and defence spending?" he added. David Simpson, another DUP MP, was deeply critical of the BBC, which he said had displayed "blatant arrogance". The Commons is now debating serious organised cross-border crime.

Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg asks whether the BBC's "institutional mindset" has changed since the 2005 Wilson review. He says he is not suggesting a deliberate bias, but rather a reluctance to challenge the status quo - a perception that "this is what decent people think". James Harding says he hopes this is not the case. The BBC "genuinely lives beyond London" with coverage around the country, he says, which "forces us to wrestle with the news agenda and what, if you like, the status quo is or should be". He also says the corporation needs to make sure everyone feels their issues are represented.

The European Scrutiny Committee is discussing a 2005 review of the BBC's coverage of the European Union. The independent inquiry said coverage must become "more demonstrably impartial". Director of news James Harding says the review "reminded people that there was real impartiality in the BBC". He also says coverage has enabled people to understand highly complex issues such as quantitative easing.

Does Lord Hall believe the roles of director general and editor-in-chief should be divided? "I think we would find it very hard to divide it," he tells the European Scrutiny Committee. "People will say 'all right, you're the chief executive but hang on, what do you think about it? You must have a view on it'."

James Harding tells the European Scrutiny Committee the BBC's Europe editor Katya Adler is an "outstanding" journalist and people who care about the scrutiny of Europe should be "very pleased" to have someone like her doing that job.

Sir Bill Cash, chairman of the European Scrutiny Committee, says "a lot of people sense" a "pro-European bias" in BBC coverage. Lord Hall, BBC director general, replies: "We are and we will be impartial in all matters concerning our coverage."

In a quick break from EU coverage questions, BBC director general Lord Hall is asked at the European Scrutiny Committee whether he is involved in the suspension of Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson. "I have been involved in that, I am involved in that, we have an inquiry taking place on that, I can't say any more than that," he replies.

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Such is the value of the BBC's online political journalism that our contributions are pored over by media journalists many, many years after their newsworthiness has faded. BuzzFeed has devoted an entire article to the BBC's Politics 97 website, which it points out "is still online in all its web 1.0 glory". But it has missed a trick: the BBC's Budget 97 website is even more magnificent. Just who is that politician walking Reservoir Dogs style towards the camera?

Yesterday Labour supporters might have been temporarily baffled by receiving an email in their inbox from David Cameron. "I'm not currently prime minister of the United Kingdom. I'm actually a Labour member from Glasgow," its author explains, before asking party supporters for cash. Today a follow-up has arrived from George Osborne. "I am furious with what the other George Osborne has done to our country, and I urge you to help me get him out of government," he writes. Carl Packman, the author and researcher, is not impressed. "I'd like for the Labour Party to find a living member called Margaret Thatcher to email me now," he's tweeted.

The European Scrutiny Committee is discussing the BBC's coverage of European affairs. After criticism by the MPs of previous refusals to give evidence, BBC director of news James Harding (pictured below) says: "If you detect a reluctance of people like me to come to Parliamentary committees to discuss editorial judgements... you are right". He asks the committee not to misunderstand this. The reason the BBC's independence is "prized so dearly", he says, is because the public would not want to see journalists called to account for what they do before politicians. Sir Bill Cash says the BBC would have no money were it not for Parliament's authorisation. "We wouldn't have anything worth paying for if it weren't independent," James Harding replies.

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Dr Matthew Ashton, a politics lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, offers his take on the Downing Street strategy over the TV debates - and a clue as to why the PM might be prepared to say yes to the digital debate. "They're hoping that the debate involving multiple leaders will turn into a farcical circus, allowing him to duck the big issues and avoid Labour and UKIP making an easy hit," Dr Ashton says. "If he avoids the debates altogether then he could try to look statesmanlike, while the other leaders squabble amongst themselves on TV. If he does agree to the proposed digital debate, it will be in the likely knowledge that the viewing figures are likely to be much smaller than they would be on the BBC or ITV."

On the issue of previous requests for him to appear before the European Scrutiny Committee, Lord Hall says he would never use his peerage "as an excuse not to appear". "I don't know where that idea came from but it's simply untrue," he says. He has not been "dragged" to the committee, he says, adding that he has been "wrestling" with two principles - the BBC's editorial independence versus the scrutiny of select committees.

The Greens sound enthusiastic about the digital debate idea put forward today. A spokesperson says: "We are looking forward to receiving the invitation from the Guardian/ YouTube and Telegraph. We welcome the opportunity for the Green Party's views to be heard and relish this chance to put across our policies to the voters of Britain."

At the European Scrutiny Committee, Lord Hall, the director general of the BBC, has just been asked whether a "trade off between what's important and what's popular and entertaining" is responsible for "widespread ignorance" about the EU. He says the corporation has to make sure important issues are covered. "I think there are very interesting ways in which we can lead people from programmes which have a mass audience to the background which enables them to understand much more," he adds.

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John Rentoul wasn't impressed by Ed Miliband's decision to focus all six of his questions on the TV debates at PMQs today. "Looking at the Labour benches it was written in all their faces," he writes. "They thought it was pathetic and unleaderly to ask about political processes. One or two inveterate hecklers among Labour MPs, it is true, enjoy making chicken noises at the prime minister, but that only confirms the impression of deep gloom on the Labour side." He suggests opposition MPs like Stella Creasy and Gisela Stuart did a better job of pressing the PM on issues that really matter.

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"Empty-chairing" the prime minister continues to be a possibility - and the broadcasters' resolve to do so may be strengthened by a poll out this lunchtime. Research from ComRes/ITV News shows that the proportion of people who now think the TV debates should go ahead even if David Cameron does not take part has risen seven points to 71%. Meanwhile 59% think the prime minister is being cowardly in trying to avoid TV debates with the other leaders. ComRes interviewed 2,026 British adults online between 6 and 8 March 2015.

Asked by Sir Bill Cash whether he agrees with the BBC's Europe editor that this could be a "defining moment" for the future of Europe and the UK (given the possibility of a referendum on the UK's membership and "increasing euroscepticism"), Lord Hall says the BBC takes coverage of European issues "very seriously indeed", including live coverage of the European Parliament online.

The BBC's director general, Lord Hall, and its director of news and current affairs, James Harding, are appearing before the European Scrutiny Committee. Chairman Bill Cash opens by asking Tony Hall (below) why he has declined previous requests to appear before the committee.

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The Conservatives are quick to respond to Peter Mandelson's comments. They've put out a line from Tory chairman Grant Shapps linking his prediction that we're heading for another hung parliament to David Cameron's big campaigning message in PMQs about Labour and the SNP. "Lord Mandelson is confirming what we now all know - the only way Miliband will get into Downing Street is if he's carried there in Alex Salmond's pocket," he says. "That would mean more borrowing, higher taxes and weaker defences. Hardworking taxpayers would pay the price for the resulting economic chaos and a weak leader who simply isn't up to the job of being prime minister."

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Peter Mandelson isn't expecting Ed Miliband to secure an overall majority. He's told a Retail Week conference that Labour hasn't done enough to win over voters - a comment which isn't going to be greeted with delight at party HQ. "The two big parties in British politics have never polled a smaller share of the total vote as they are doing now," the Telegraph quotes him as saying. "Why? Because people basically are unhappy with what's on offer. They are therefore shopping around in politics in a way the large parties are ill-equipped to deal with, which will almost certainly deliver us a stalemate hung Parliament in two months' time."

Here's some of your comments following this lunchtime's PMQs and the chief issue raised by Ed Miliband, the TV debates:

Surely PMQs provides the ideal platform for Ed Miliband to debate with David Cameron. He is allowed to ask up to six questions each week of his own devising. Let us hope his questions in the final two sessions relate to policy.

Graeme Lowe

Maybe if the Tories stopped going on about Labour doing a deal with the SNP and tried to win some seats in Scotland the people of Scotland might take them seriously.

Jim Noble

In our democratic society we have the amazing freedom of the leader of the country being called to account on how our nation is run. It is then a travesty that the leader of the opposition with such an opportunity before him chooses to ask six questions all around having a political debate. Stay on what's important to the country not on what's important to Westminster Mr Milliband!

Richard Gamble

It is beyond me how anyone can defend Cameron regarding these TV debates, those that do must be Tory supporters. Who on earth does this guy think he is to dictate to a nation when he is or is not prepared to engage in debate?

Andy Davison

Keep sending your comments over to politics@bbc.co.uk and we'll include some more later this afternoon.

Here's an explanation of the thinking behind the decision by the digital debates' chief to move their proposed forwards to 26 or 27 March. Chris Birkett, director of the consortium leading a proposal for an online debate featuring YouTube, the Guardian and the Telegraph, told the BBC they've moved their plans forward a week and hope it's enough to unblock the "log jam". He said: "We're not let anyone off the hook; we just want to create a situation which everybody agrees. We want to see our leaders debate on big public platform."

Mr Birkett added: "Last time around we had three TV debate speaking to exactly the same demographic each time. We say let's have just one debate speaking to an entirely different demographic. And don't forget we are making it available for all the broadcasters free of charge to broadcast as well - we want as many as possible to engage."

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John Bercow has apologised for comparing employment minister Esther McVey to a washing machine. In response to a point of order from Tory backbencher Heather Wheeler, he said he didn't mean to cause offence while rebuffing Ms McVey for an excessively lengthy answer on Monday afternoon. "It was an off-the-cuff remark, it may well have been a foolish one and I apologise for it," he said. Mr Bercow had observed after one of Ms McVey's contributions to work and pensions questions: "I am reminded of the feeling when one thinks the washing machine will stop - but it does not."

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The TV debate story has moved on again today. Here's a recap of where we stand right now:

• Broadcasters and No 10 had been in a standoff after Downing Street made clear David Cameron would not participate in a TV debate after 27 March
• This morning the organisers of the digital debate said they would break the deadlock by bringing forward their debate to meet the PM's deadline
• Conservative party chairman Grant Shapps told the Daily Politics he thought the revised proposal is a "plausible way forward"
• Nigel Farage backed the digital debates proposal minutes before PMQs, saying "scrutiny is an important part of democracy"
• PMQs saw Ed Miliband press David Cameron over the TV debates in general
• In a fresh statement the broadcasters declared they are trying to deliver debates "because we know our audience wants them"

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On the suspension of Jeremy Clarkson over a "fracas" with a producer, Maria Miller, the Tory MP and former culture secretary, says the BBC has a "clear obligation" to its staff, but also to the licence fee payer. She says the mess should be sorted out quickly so fans aren't punished.

Asked about TV debates, she says the BBC would have to cautious about appearing to enter a political debate by "empty chairing" the prime minster.

Angus Robertson, who is the SNP's leader at Westminster, makes clear he thinks it's obvious why Labour won't rule out a deal with the nationalists. "If the numbers are such that the Labour cannot command a majority in the House of Commons without other parties, they will have to work with the SNP," he says. "Voters are very well aware that a vote for the SNP will get you the SNP. We've said we are prepared to work with Labour and the Liberal Democrats."

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The SNP's Angus Robertson wasn't impressed at all by Ed Miliband's choice of questions in today's PMQs. "If I had the opportunity to raise six questions which the leader of the opposition did, I would be raising questions about austerity, that effect the man and woman on the street, rather than the debates," he says. Yvette Cooper replies that Mr Miliband raises all sorts of issues in PMQs.

David Cameron is behaving "shamefully", shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper tells Wato. "It's weaselly," she adds. "The problem is the prime minister is still running away from the debates I think the public are entitled to see." Defence minister Penny Mordaunt says the PM is "clearly not" a "shrinking violet", and therefore Labour's criticisms won't "stick".

In the Commons, the DUP's Nigel Dodds is now speaking in his party's opposition day debate about the general election television debates.

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Michael Lyons, the former chairman of the BBC Trust, tells Wato there is a very real public appetite for TV debates. He says it is clear the broadcasters have done their best to find a solution after "quite a challenge" - although admits there was a bit of a "dog's dinner" in some respects. He says a head-to-head debate between David Cameron and Ed Miliband is something "the public would want to see".

tweets: Former BBC Chairman Sir Michael Lyons describes Lord Grade's #tvdebate comments as "audacious" @bbcworldatone #wato

Yvette Cooper says the Labour Party doesn't support unilateral disarmament - the UK should continue to have a deterrent. Angus Robertson says 75% of Labour candidates support SNP policy on not renewing Trident and there is room for a "progressive alliance" on that front.

The SNP's Angus Robertson says the MoD should not pretend to spend 2% on defence by including pensions and other non-relevant costs. He says Trident "squeezes out" spending on other areas.

Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, says supporting the armed forces is important. The Labour MP says she doesn't see how the Tories could meet their warm words and aspirations given the scale of cuts they plan after the election. Her party won't do what the Tories are planning, she says - but she won't commit to the 2% pledge in the next Parliament either.

Penny Mordaunt, the Tory MP, says the government should be judged by its record - so far, the 2% pledge has been kept. There will be a comprehensive spending review after the election, but those who care about the defence spending can take comfort from pledges already made, she adds. She hopes the 2% threshold will continue to be met.

What counts is real military activity, not creative accounting says Anders Fogh Rasmussen. It follows newspaper reports that David Cameron has asked Oliver Letwin to find ways to meet the 2% target while spending less by including the money spent on war pensions and the intelligence budget in the 'defence spending' total.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen says we're in a "new security environment" which has seen "drastic" changes after Russia's actions in Ukraine. We need to strengthen national defences, he says, and that will cost money. He says he believes the UK will continue to meet the commitment of spending 2% of GDP on defence.

Defence spending is being discussed by WATO. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the former head of Nato, says the 2% of GDP figure is important - it's about sharing the burden between members. All 28 allies signed up to the pledge to reach the benchmark over the next decade and David Cameron has assured him the UK will stay above the 2% figure, he adds.

Here's a recap of the highlights from this week's PMQs

• Ed Miliband focused his questions on the ongoing row over the TV debates
• The leader of the opposition suggested David Cameron had lost his nerve, claimed he was "worried he might lose again" and accused him of "chickening out"
• The prime minister insisted he would be prepared to hold a debate on 23 March and said he wanted to talk about "the country", not a "television programme"
• Mr Cameron's main attack against the Labour leader repeated the claim that Alex Salmond could help Mr Miliband into Downing Street
• UKIP MP Douglas Carswell, previously treated by leniently by the party he defected from, was booed by Tory MPs during his question on immigration
• The prime minister denied he is backtracking on the government's 2% defence spending pledge following a question by Labour's Gisela Suart

Even by the rowdy standards of PMQs, the BBC political correspondent Carole Walker says today's exchanges were "furious".

tweets: Labour - " we will look at idea of digital debate" #tvdebates

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Nick Boles, the apprenticeships minister, has been filmed getting his hands dirty - or wet - helping out as a plumbing apprentice. "Finally, an honest day's work from a politician, eh?" he says.

tweets: Labour points out Tories had confidence and supply voting deal with SNP in Holyrood in 2007. Shows "massive hypocrisy and their idiocy"

tweets: Downing St say " more than happy" to look at idea of digital debate #tvdebates

The broadcasters have issued a statement after today's proposal from YouTube, the Telegraph and the Guardian for a digital debate before 27 March. It reads: "The joint broadcasters are trying to deliver debates because we know our audiences want them. In 2010 they were watched by more than 20 million people and our research suggests there is an appetite for them in 2015. We have issued invitations to seven party leaders and we continue to hope they will all agree to take part."

tweets: It's official. No10 spksmn, asked if PM now rules out head to head TV debate with Miliband:"Yes. Final offer means final offer"

tweets: I had a little piece of jacket pocket related theatre if I had got called at #pmqs today. Alas, it will have to wait.

Grant Shapps appears to be conflating a confidence-and-supply arrangement with a coalition. They amount to the same thing, he says - "propping up the government". Emma Reynolds says his assessment is "total bunkum". And then the two end up somehow challenging each other to a chess match. Things are clearly getting out of hand.

Tom Newton-Dunn tells the Daily Politics he thinks the SNP will get more than 40 seats. "The SNP are going to have a blocking vote, a veto on every government that comes in," he says. "It does beg the question: what are the Tories going to do about the SNP? Will there be a deal to be done there?" The answer's 'no', Tory chairman Grant Shapps says. He says the only chance of the SNP getting into government is via Ed Miliband and Labour.

Labour's shadow housing minister Emma Reynolds is asked about whether or not Britain needs four new submarines for Trident, which David Cameron was pressed on. Does Labour support it or not? "This idea the Tories were trying to get up in PMQs is totally false," she says, as Tory chairman Grant Shapps presses her on a recent survey that suggested three-quarters of Labour candidates oppose Trident's renewal. Ms Reynolds says the world is too dangerous to give it up. "I hate to say it, but there's no dividing line between the parties," she insists.

‏tweets: Speaker apologises for comparing @EstherMcVeyMP to a washing machine says no offence intended

The Sun's Tom Newton-Dunn wasn't impressed by the tone of that session. "That really was Punch and Judy at its utter worst. What have the good British public done to deserve a spectacle like that?" he asks on the Daily Politics. He was surprised that Jeremy Clarkson didn't come up. And he points out that the PM wore a blue shirt for the first time - not a white one. "I'm not saying it's a big point," he adds. Still, worth noting.

tweets: Only two #PMQs to go. Not sure lobbing insults about being "despicable" (DC to EM) and "bully" (EM to DC) is helping anyone win votes.

One last question to catch up with - Jack Dromey, Labour MP for Birmingham Erdington (and Harriet Harman's husband) raised policing cuts. He quotes Sir Hugh Orde saying future spending cuts may make it impossible to adequately protect the public from criminals. This gives David Cameron an opportunity to address Labour's spending cuts plans. "As for the shadow chancellor's dossier, he briefed against it before we even had a chance!" Ed Balls shakes his head as the PM adds: "He now briefs against himself!"

And that's it for this week's PMQs. Just two more before the election now. We'll bring you reaction and analysis as it comes in.

tweets: Ed Balls nodding vigorously as Cameron says that Trident is non-negotiable

The SNP have been licking their lips in public, Tory MP Julian Lewis says, about the prospect of curtailing the UK's plans on Trident as part of a coalition deal after the election. Will the PM rule such a deal out, he asks. David Cameron says for him Trident and its replacement are "non-negotiable".

Gerry Sutcliffe, the Labour MP for Bradford South points out this will probably be his last question in PMQs. He's making his retirement plans - how about the PM's? David Cameron says: "We've all got plans for after 7 May. People we want to spend more time with, people we want to spend less time with. I've got a little list, I expect he's got one too!"

tweets: Anna Soubry goes 'eurgh' when Nigel Adams suggests voters could go to bed with Nigel Farage and wake up with Ed Miliband and Alex Salmond

Caroline Dineage seeks a commitment to the defence industry from the PM, skirting around the concerns of some of her Conservative backbench colleagues about recent defence spending predictions. In response David Cameron is able to talk about defence investment in her constituency.

The DUP's Greogory Campbell calls for a cross-border inquiry sexual abuse after claims the IRA subjected alleged victims to "kangaroo courts". Mr Cameron says he will look at the idea, but the Stormont agreement has provisions for dealing with crimes of the past.

‏tweets: A moment of harmony as David Cameron pays a warm tribute to "remarkable man" David Blunkett #pmqs

Nigel Adams, the Tory MP for Selby and Ainsty, raises David Cameron's previous warning about the perils of voting for UKIP. "If voters go to bed with Nigel Farage on May 7th, not only could they wake up with a new leader of the opposition but they could also wake up snuggled up to Alex Salmond," Mr Adams suggests. David Cameron runs with it. Who knows who voters might wake up with? he wonders. "It all points to the difference between the competence of the Conservatives and the chaos of the alternative."

David Blunkett says he was thinking about asking about the long-term economic plan - getting cheers - which, he says, grows longer and less attractive by the day. But instead he goes with his "imminent" relief neither of them will have to "pencil in" PMQs on a Wednesday - Mr Blunkett is standing down the election. Mr Cameron brushes off the comment, but pays tribute to Mr Blunkett, saying he is an "extraordinary" politician.

Annette Brooke, the third Lib Dem to get a question in this week, raises asbestos and the vulnerability of children to it. She wants the government's review on asbestos in schools to be published before parliament is dissolved. David Cameron says it will be published "in due course" and adds that "action will be taken".

Rosie Cooper, from the Labour benches, goes on universal benefits. She says retired pensioners in her area ask about the point of a free bus pass when there are no buses. She asks the PM - amidst a number of interruptions - to "do the right thing" and ensure concessionary travel is fair and equitable. Mr Cameron says buses are the responsibility of local councils and argues the government has kept its commitments to pensioners.

tweets: @GiselaStuart goes on defence spending, as Miliband should have done #pmqs

Sir David Amess, the Conservative backbencher for Southend West, wants David Cameron to outline which policies will continue the economic recovery. And he says he wants Southend to be made a city, too. The PM congratulates him for the "consistency of his campaign" on this but doesn't promise anything. On the "long-term economic plan", of course, he has rather a lot more to say.

tweets: Home Secretary will not make a decision about whether to authorise the use of water cannon on mainland Britain until after the election.

Labour's Gisela Stuart asks about 2% defence pledge, saying David Cameron must be "embarrassed" he is now backtracking. Mr Cameron denies reneging and asks about the SNP again, asking how Ms Stuart feels about a Labour coalition with the SNP who, Mr Cameron says, want to strip back the UK's defence - including Trident.

tweets: Both leaders say "anytime, any place, anywhere" and yet we're no closer to debates happening it seems. lots of bluster, and bitter too.

Greg Mulholland, a Lib Dem MP, tells MPs people with ultra-rare diseases are being let down. Children, some of who are gathered outside parliament, will be losing access to drugs soon, he says. "My understanding," David Cameron replies, "is that NHS England is holding a review. The review will be completed by the end of April." Because the drugs will be available until the end of May he doesn't see a problem for "continuity of care".

tweets: Mandelson in helpful mood today: predicts no Labour majority and says broadcasters would be wrong to 'empty chair' Cameron in #tvdebates

Paul Farrelly from Labour asks about looming deficits in the NHS. He asks why the government is trying to "cover-up" what's in store for parts of the service. Mr Cameron says Labour MPs are trying to frighten people and says the government is trying to build a strong NHS.

Mark Hunter, the Liberal Democrat MP for Cheadle, pays tribute to health professionals at a hospice in his constituency. Devolving £6bn of spending to Greater Manchester will help secure cash for local hospices, he suggests. David Cameron is very happy to agree with that. "I'm a parent which used a hospice in Oxford regularly and was absolutely amazed by the work that they do," the PM adds.

Naomi Long from the Alliance party asks if David Cameron shares her anger that Sinn Fein is "reneging" on promises made as part of Stormont agreement. Mr Cameron says what matters is now implementing the agreement. He says the Northern Ireland secretary is working hard to make sure everyone fulfils their pledges. More on the background here.

tweets: Maybe SNP MPs will turn up next week in coattails #pmqs

Maria Miller, the former culture secretary and ex-disability minister, asks the PM to welcome the Inclusion Zone in her Basingstoke constituency helping people with learning disabilities. David Cameron does so, and adds that over 1,000 employers have committed to changing their working practices under this government.

Caroline Lucas, the Green MP, says market structures in the NHS cost over £10bn a year. She asks why the prime minister doesn't think the money would be better spent elsewhere. David Cameron says his government is cutting bureaucracy, and says Ms Lucas is wrong if she thinks there is only one way to deliver healthcare.

Tory Stephen Metcalfe wants David Cameron to commit to sticking with the current science budget, which was ringfenced for the 2010-15 Parliament. The PM doesn't do so in his answer.

Lisa Nandy, the Labour backbencher for Wigan, poses a question about the miners' strike. David Cameron says unemployment in her constituency has fallen by 44% since the coalition began its work.

tweets: I think we can say goodbye to the idea of a grand Con-Lab Coalition after next a election #PMQs

tweets: "He's weak and despicable!" "He's chickening out! Feeble!" Is this a #fracas?

Mary MacLeod, the Tory MP, praises the coalition on women's rights. She asks if the PM will back a women's select committee in the Commons. David Cameron says the government is doing a lot to help women, the government has a "good record" on women's rights, he says.

tweets: The tediousness of the debate about the debates is probably the best argument for having them. #PMQs

Douglas Carswell, the UKIP MP asked about immigration, his party's big issue. "Why has he failed?" Mr Carswell asks the PM. Mr Cameron responds by saying his focus is on reforming welfare to prevent immigrants from taking benefits unfairly.

That's the end of the head-to head and next up is Tory MP Alistair Burt. He asks about a report on contaminated blood in Scotland and whether the prime minister will assure Parliament the issue will not slip from the agenda and the tragedy will be "closed down" in the next Parliament. Mr Cameron says the country should be helping people affected more and says he will tackle the issue if still PM after the election.

Mr Cameron responds: "The truth is they've got nothing to say on policy, nothing to say on the economy." He says a Labour-SNP alliance would be one between the people who want to "bankrupt Britain" and the people who wants to "break-up Britain". He finishes by declaring: "The British people will never have it."

After another interruption from John Bercow, Ed Miliband says the only person posing a risk to the integrity of the UK is "this useless prime minister". He says the PM is running for cover "like all bullies" do when the heat is on.

David Cameron says Ed Miliband is being "despicable" and again presses the SNP question saying the Labour leader "wants to crawl to power in Alex Salmond's pocket" . If he had an ounce of courage, the prime minister says, he'd rule it out.

tweets: Ed Miliband says he will take part in #tvdebates but no mention of digital debate #PMQs

"If he's so confident," Ed Miliband replies, "why is he chickening out of the debate with me?" It matters because it goes to David Cameron's character, he says. He wants the PM to show more "backbone".

Ed Miliband says David Cameron should admit that "he's worried he might lose again". David Cameron replies: "He wants to talk about the future of a television programme. I want to talk about the future of the country." That gets a big cheer from the government backbenches.

David Cameron prompts some 'ahhs' from backbenchers as he quotes a Labour leaflet in Scotland. "They're not trying to win, they're just trying to crawl through Downing Street on the coat-tails of the SNP," he says. Ed Miliband, responding, says the only person preparing for defeat is the prime minister.

Speaker John Bercow intervenes, telling the Commons off for shouting and singling out Michael Gove for "smirking". Ed Miliband, resuming, says David Cameron is offering "pathetic, feeble excuses".

tweets: Rhyming couplet from Cameron "if he wants a debate, I offered a date" #pmqs

Ed Miliband invites David Cameron to "name the day" for a debate. The PM says 23 March is the date he'd like. Now, Mr Cameron says, what's changed is that "Labour can't win without the SNP".

The main exchanges begin with Ed Miliband facing the usual barrage of cheers and jeers from MPs. He leads with the TV debates. "When did he lose his nerve?" the Labour leader asks. Mr Cameron says he's offered a date already. "I'm going to be at the debate!" Mr Miliband responds.

Stella Creasy, the Labour MP, is up first on defence spending. She asks if tax cuts or defence are more important to the prime minister. Mr Cameron says economic security is key - his government has filled gaps in the economy are investing in defence.

Emma Reynolds, Labour's shadow housing minister, is on the Daily Politics defending the Milibands for appearing together on the BBC. "Justine and his kids are obviously a very big part of his life," she says. "I think it is absolutely right that people that stand up and do the decent thing like Ed shouldn't be shot down all the time. I do think people want to know more about him and his background and his family."

tweets: Momentum building behind digital debate. UKIP, lib Dems and Greens set to agree. No 10 " looking at it" . What do Labour do ? #tvdebates

tweets: Thanks for all the suggestions as to what I should ask the PM today. So many things to go on. #Pmq #AskDave

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More from UKIP's Nigel Farage on his decision to take part in a digital election debate: "I hope that the prime minister will muster up the courage to stand by his own words, and show up to try and defend his record in government. Mr Cameron has failed on nearly every pledge he made to the British public in 2010, and it is evident he's afraid of butting heads with UKIP on immigration, the EU, our NHS, defence, education policy and more."

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Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers accuses Sinn Fein of "setting back" the political situation in Northern Ireland by withdrawing their support for welfare reforms on Monday.

Their action has "put in jeopardy corporation tax, and devolution, a financial package and put in jeopardy a fresh approach to the passed" she complains.

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Conservative chairman Grant Shapps says he's not familiar with the "digital debate" offer (see 10.40am entry for details). But in general he sounds enthusiastic. "These debates are a good idea, if we can hold it before the election," he tells the Daily Politics. After Andrew Neil explains to him the details he adds: "I still think it would be preferable to have it on the main TV channels, but if the broadcasters can't sort it out this seems like a plausible way forward to me."

Conservative party chairman Grant Shapps doesn't say that the Conservative manifesto will include a pledge to maintain defence spending at 2% of GDP in the next Parliament when pressed on the issue on the Daily Politics. Instead his focus is on providing reassurance about the "defence of the realm". "We will do what is right to protect this country," he says. "We will make sure a future Conservative government will make sure we have not just the regular standing Army which we won't cut, but the equipment [too] to make sure we can defend this country."

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MPs are paying tribute to former Ulster Unionist Party leader James Molyneaux who died aged 94 earlier this week.

Northern Ireland Minister Andrew Murrison describes Lord Molyneaux as a "distinguished Second World War veteran and a fine parliamentarian serving Northern Ireland for more than four decades."

DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson, who represents Lord Molyneaux's former constituency of Lagan valley tells MPs that Lord Molyneaux was a "consummate parliamentarian who provided strong leadership during very dark days in Northern Ireland" who is still "fondly remembered by his constituents"

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Conservative backbencher James Gray is speaking out against the prime minister's defence spending plans on the Daily Politics, after the Financial Times reported No 10 had asked Oliver Letwin to find ways of including intelligence spending in what's defined as 'defence'. "For the prime minister to be even contemplating tinkering with the accounts… I think is quite wrong," Mr Gray says. "Sticking other things in there and pretending they're part of defence won't wash. People like me won't be fooled by that."

Alliance MP Naomi Long has kicked off proceedings over in the House of Commons urging the government to hurry up and publish a new law to enable the Electoral Commission to publish details of all donations made to Northern Ireland recipients since 2007, and loans made since 2008, will be published.

The government ran a consultation on creating the law in January last year. Northern Ireland Minister Andrew Murrison says he is "confident draft" legislation will be ready to lay early in the next parliament.

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Pub landlord Al Murray, who is standing in the same constituency as Nigel Farage, has announced he will be literally dropping into South Thanet this Friday 13th March. "I was shocked when it was widely regarded that I'd been parachuted into South Thanet," he says. "But I'm part of a new breed of politician, one who guarantees to give the electorate exactly what they want, no matter how dangerous or stupid it is." Mr Murray's big arrival will take place at Headcorn Aerodrome.

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MPs have been seen wandering the corridors of Parliament clutching a miniature bottle of whisky. It is part of a lobbying campaign by Drop the Duty, which is calling for a 2% cut in duty across all alcohol in next week's Budget. At a distillery near Edinburgh, Joel Harrison and Neil Ridley, authors of Distilled, a book about craft spirits, put the case for the economic benefit of a cut in tax on spirits. Watch their film which airs on Wednesday's Daily Politics around 12:40 GMT. They will then debate their call with Grant Shapps and Labour's Emma Reynolds.

Earlier today we published some readers' comments which were distinctly critical of Michael Grade's stance against the broadcasters. Here's some we've received since then that take an alternative view:

Lord Grade is absolutely right. The broadcasters do not have any divine right to call upon politicians to debate one another.

James Horrax

Completely agree with Lord Grade. Broadcasters are starting to enjoy being the centre of attention rather too much. Stop playing politics.

Jamie Page

It strikes me that the broadcasters when they want something are crusading for freedom, when they are told they are wrong they are poor bullied victims. They can't have it both ways that's what free speech is all about.

Bill Lord

Keep sending your comments over to politics@bbc.co.uk and we'll include some more this afternoon after PMQs.

tweets: For the 34th year in a row, Scotland generated more in tax per head than rest of UK. In stronger position than UK for 3 out of last 6 years.

A bit more on the plans for a digital debate involving party leaders ahead of the election. The consortium writes: "At this year's General Election, the internet will be the main source of news for the majority of UK voters, especially amongst those aged under 44.

"The Guardian, the Telegraph and YouTube will collectively provide the best possible online platform for such a debate, with direct connections to other election resources and party websites.

"Together, the partners provide scale and balance, backed by leading technical expertise and world-class political journalism."

Andrew Neil and Jo Coburn are joined by Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps, and shadow housing minister Emma Reynolds on BBC2's Daily Politics. They will discuss the election campaign so far, defence spending and also review Prime Minister's Questions. Desktop viewers can watch via the Live Coverage tab above, and the programme is on BBC2 from 11:30 to 13:00 GMT.

tweets: NEW: @ComResPolls for @itvnews finds Cameron has 'damaged his reputation'

tweets: There's a man in Westminster Hall dressed as Guy Fawkes

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Lord Ashdown says the Lib Dems are in favour of debate, but the prime minister should not be able to let the proposed digital debate excuse him from taking part in the TV equivalent.

He highlights that Lord Grade is a Conservative peer as well as a distinguished broadcaster, and says his comments this morning were arguing for the Conservative interest.

tweets: Paddy Ashdown to ITV on Clarkson and TV debates: "At least there's one member of the Chipping Norton set willing to come out and fight."

Here's some more on the latest figures on Scotland's finances. BBC Scotland correspondent James Cook reports that public finances north of the border have improved, with the net fiscal balance - or deficit - £12.4bn in the red in 2013/14, down from £14.3bn in a year. Scotland's deficit as a share of GDP fell from 9.7% in 2012/13 to 8.1% in 2013/14 but was higher than the United Kingdom average of 5.6%. More details here.

The organisers of the digital election debate have sought to break the deadlock by offering to bring forward their date - to meet the prime minister's deadline.

Downing Street say David Cameron will only take part in a debate which takes place before 27 March. This morning the team behind the digital debates offered to bring forward their date from the end of the month to 26 or 27 March.

The proposed debate would include the leaders of the Conservatives, Labour, the Liberal Democrats, UKIP and the Greens. Downing Street say "they will look at" the digital debate proposals.

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Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has been taking quick-fire questions from readers of First News, the newspaper for young people, on Sky News this morning. The questions weren't the ones most political journalists would usually ask. Here's what we learned:

• Mr Clegg's biggest regret in politics is "not being prime minister"
• If he had to choose one MP to spend time with on a desert island, he'd pick Ken Clarke
• The last film he watched was Big Hero 6
• He can correctly spell the word 'accommodation'

In more serious political news, Mr Clegg also repeated his criticism of his coalition partner David Cameron and his Downing Street team over the TV debates. He said: "I think they're just behaving a little bit, sort of, arrogantly, sort of saying, 'Oh, we can't be bothered to turn up to debate, we're not going to lower ourselves to the level of everybody else'."

We mentioned earlier that Luke Coffey - a former adviser at the Ministry of Defence - had told the Today programme David Cameron had given a "personal assurance" defence spending would increase after 2015. Mr Coffey told the BBC the pledge during talks on cuts in 2010 had made it easier to swallow a "difficult pill". Meanwhile, former Army chief Gen Sir Peter Wall has said Mr Cameron had promised increased spending when the economy improved. Full story here.

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Former Tory policing minister Damian Green has written for the Times about what he describes as a "revolution" in policing in recent years. Mr Green says the introduction of police and crime commissioners and the college of policing has transformed scrutiny. He also praises the widening of direct entry to the police and the strengthening of complaint procedures. He argues the next Parliament will need to improve the ways police use technology and how individual forces are organised.

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The British economy is losing out on up to an eye-watering £55bn a year because employers aren't making the most of older workers, their business champion Dr Ros Altmann has said. She's told the BBC News Channel that getting more older people in work results in more jobs and higher wages for young people, too. And she wants ministers to do more to encourage those who want to stay in work, perhaps on a part-time basis, through their 60s and beyond. Dr Altmann adds: "A different attitude both in the workplace and with government encouraging more of this and enabling it could be a key to boosting the economy for generations to come."

tweets: If plain cigarette packaging goes through, will the metaphor about writing things on the back of one be rendered obsolete?

The Conservatives have published their shortlist for the Kensington constituency, where they are looking for a candidate after Sir Malcolm Rifkind announced he would not be seeking re-election following the latest "cash for access" claims. Charlotte Vere, Shaun Bailey and Victoria Borthwick have been nominated, with local party members set to decide at a meeting on Friday. You can read more about them here.

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They hold different views on the merits of EU membership, but Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, and UKIP leader Nigel Farage shared a lighter moment earlier before a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Here is a selection of the comments we've received this morning on Lord Grade's intervention in the TV debate saga:

Lord Grade is trying to bully the BBC into doing what the Conservative party want.

Pat Pierce

Lord Grade states that the seat of democracy in UK lies with the House of Commons not with the broadcasters. It lies with neither. It lies with the people who are entitled to see what their potential leaders have to offer.

Robert Peters

Who does Michael Grade think he is? After well over thirty years of listening to peers spouting their puffed up ideas you'd have thought they'd have learned their place, and have ditched their misguided ideas of their own importance.

Louis Lavery

Do you agree? Email us your comments to politics@bbc.co.uk and we'll include some later in the day.

tweets: Deficit on all spending vs revenue in Scotland 2013-14 reaches £12.4bn, or 8.1% of gdp. Equivalent UK figure: 5.6%. #gers

tweets: Scottish Labour MPs defying E Miliband, telling voters they wouldn't support post-election SNP deal. But how many will be around to matter?

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MPs are voting on whether to introduce standardised packaging for tobacco products later - and both sides of the debate claim the evidence is on their side.

"The public health community has been united in calling for the introduction of plain, standardised packaging of tobacco products across the UK," Cancer Research UK's Alison Cox states. "The growing weight of peer-reviewed evidence that standard packs reduce the appeal of smoking to children has crushed the tobacco company counter claims."

But the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association points to evidence from Australia which it says shows that plain packaging doesn't work. "We hope that when it comes to the vote, MPs will realise that this is simply a flawed policy and vote no to plain packaging," it says. "Dogma has got in the way of sensible, evidence-based policy making."

tweets: Why did Michael Grade concentrate on BBC in his remarks on TV debates? It seems very odd when he once held senior jobs with both ITV & C4

What's the best way for the Tories to tackle defence spending issue? Not how they are at the moment, says Isabel Hardman over on the Spectator. She writes that good arguments are being outweighed by blunders and insults thrown at those who argue in favour of 2% of GDP being spent on defence. More here.

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What's the betting that Jeremy Clarkson's suspension from Top Gear will feature at prime minister's questions this lunchtime? The Change.org petition requesting that the controversial presenter should be reinstated has notched up 225,000 signatures in just 16 hours - the kind of response most political petitioners would die for. "There's a 'fracas' every week at #PMQs," Tory MP Michael Fabricant has tweeted. "Who will be dismissed today?"

tweets: Got a top slot at Prime Ministers Questions today. Any suggestions folks?

tweets: PMQs today. 'My lousy 30% in the polls mean I have a better claim to be Prime Minister than your lousy 30%'. #thethirtypercenters

You can listen back to Lord Grade's comments about the TV debates on the Today programme here.

Times columnist and Tory peer Danny Finkelstein is much more impressed than Mary Riddell (see 08:12 below) by his party's election poster showing Ed Miliband in Alex Salmond's pocket. He says the concept of 'loss aversion' means the Conservative strategy makes sense: people are wary of things getting worse which is why the Scots voted 'No' last September, Lord Finkelstein argues. "Warning of risky change and potential loss is a very strong card for the Conservatives. It even works despite the fact that there are obvious risks from a Tory victory too," he writes. "This is why Ed Miliband has to rule out a deal with the SNP and has to provide reassurance on spending and on providing continuity as well as change."

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Our assistant political editor tells the BBC News channel: I think we are seeing concerted pressure now being heaped on the broadcasters because Lord Grade, yes he's a Conservative peer, but most people will know him as one of the iconic figures in broadcasting - a former boss of the BBC and ITV.

His criticism is utterly scathing - talking about shambolic negotiations by the broadcasters, of trying to bully the politicians. And perhaps most damning of all suggesting basically that they are overreaching their legitimacy.

Lord Grade's view is there is no right for there to be television debates - it's up to the politicians to decide to take part. And the broadcasters, by threatening to "empty chair" the prime minister, are overreaching themselves and potentially breaching their own rules on impartiality.

You just sense amidst this blame game the prospect of debates is beginning to slip through everyone's hands.

tweets: When photo opps go wrong! Not every pupil was enthralled by Australian PM @TonyAbbottMHR (h/t @matthewchampion)

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The Mail's sketchwriter Quentin Letts has delivered his verdict on James Landale's interview with Ed Miliband's family on BBC News last night. "What a weirdly tidy kitchen," he writes. "What charming little boys. What chutzpah from a politician who only recently said he deplored and would spurn the politics of the cheapshot photo opportunity." Mr Letts' forensic political eye noted the Milibands don't have any bananas in their fruit bowl - perhaps because of David Miliband's unfortunate brush with the fruit. And he speculated that Justine Miliband "must live in constant terror every time he, with his Frank Spencer characteristics, goes near the lavatory or the taps". You can watch her interview with the BBC here.

The Guardian tackles Tony Blair's donation to 106 Labour general election candidates - and the refusal of some to accept the money - in an editorial this morning. The paper says the row shows the extent to which some Labour members still "revile" the former prime minister, but also that the party must come to terms with its Blairite past. More here.

It's not just the UK general election debates that are causing rows. Over on BuzzFeed, Jamie Ross reports that UKIP is considering legal action over plans for debates in Scotland. The report says BBC Scotland wants to hold three debates; one featuring the four main parties in Scotland (the SNP, Labour, the Lib Dems and the Conservatives), one with six (adding the Greens and UKIP) and a possible head-to-head between SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy. UKIP, however, believes it should be be in each of the debates. More here.

The Today programme's tour of 100 constituencies in 100 days reaches Ceredigion in rural Wales today. It's a Lib Dem seat where Plaid Cymru are hoping to overturn Mark Williams' 8,324 majority. But the local Plaid council's reorganisation of schools has cost them popularity, Hywel Griffith reports. One voter tells him: "They upset me this time, and not only me, a lot of people in the area." This contest may come down to voters' view of what Westminster can do for the farming community. Another says: "I hope the new government will be able to help people in rural Wales." You can listen to Hywel's report in full here.

tweets: Lord Grade was superb on the Today programme just now. Broadcasters don't have a divine right to hold debates and shouldn't threaten the PM

Over at the Scotsman Allan Massie has been looking at the defence spending question. He argues foreign and defence policies are being "determined less than by what is needed than by what the Treasury decrees may be afforded". Calling on David Cameron to listen to the views of defence chiefs, he adds that cuts in spending on defence are "the height of irresponsibility". More from him here.

tweets: On Lord Grade, Lab source: "This shows how rattled Cameron is. It's a desperate move to send out a Tory peer to try to bully broadcasters"

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Telegraph columnist Mary Riddell isn't impressed by the English parties' tone in this pre-campaign warm-up period. She writes today that their scaremongering over the SNP is especially concerning when the Conservatives, Labour and the rest should be imitating the nationalists' passion, not sniping at them: "So far this election campaign has been defined by a defensive, mean-minded politics based on persuading the voters that other leaders are a worse bet and that Mr Salmond and Ms Sturgeon are the most toxic choice of all. This attitude is close to tragic."

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Alexander Temerko, a Ukrainian-born British businessman who is also a major donor to the Conservative party, has written for the Guardian calling for Britain to arm Ukraine in the face of Russian threat. "Power is the only language they understand; anything else is a weakness to be exploited for as long as it prevails," he warns. "A united and genuine show of resolve by the US and the EU to do whatever it takes to preserve Ukraine's territorial integrity would stop the Kremlin in its tracks." He praises David Cameron's willingness to call for sanctions but criticises the prime minister for being "silent" while Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande took the lead in talks with Vladimir Putin.

tweets: A disturbingly Orwellian performance from Michael Grade @BBCr4today. Apparently 'impartiality' means 'do what David Cameron wants' @bbctrust

tweets: That, by Lord Grade on @BBCr4today talking about TV debates, was weapons grade disingenuousness.

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David Cameron faces intense pressure to keep defence spending above 2% of GDP - Nato requires it and a significant group of Tory backbenchers are determined to ensure it. Now the PM is trying to find a way of continuing to meet that commitment while cutting defence spending, the FT reports. It says the prime minister has asked Oliver Letwin to see whether other budgets, like intelligence spending, can be included. MPs will be focusing on the issue tomorrow afternoon after a debate request from Conservative MP John Baron. He says: "The adage that defence of the realm is the first duty of government is forged from events. We ignore history at our peril."

tweets: Confused Tory Lord Grade mixes up nation's interests with Tory Party's interests, Cameron's blundering arrogance exposed again.

tweets: Tory Lord Grade doesn't understand impartiality regs: they do not allow one politician to dictate broadcast formats #BBCradio4Today

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Britain's failure to change its laws over prisoner voting is endangering the UK's negotiating position on human rights, parliamentarians are warning today. A report from the joint committee on human rights finds the government should have already implemented Strasbourg's view that prisoners should be given the vote. The Commons has made clear it disagrees, but ministers have accepted they must comply with The European Court of Human Rights. So why haven't they, MPs and peers are asking. "The continuing failure to amend the law on prisoner voting undermines the UK's credibility when invoking the rule of law to pressurise other states to comply with their legal obligations," their report states.

If you can't achieve impartiality, you can't have the debates, Lord Grade says.

Lord Grade says the idea broadcasters can threaten politicians with "empty chairs" is "completely unacceptable" and against impartiality rules. It's for broadcasters to choose the format and politicians to decide if they will take part, he says. The BBC should stand up later today and say they are not going to empty-chair or threaten anybody, Lord Grade adds.

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TV debates are voluntary- there is no "divine right" to have them, Lord Grade says. The idea of empty-chairing the prime minister is a political gesture, he tells Today. It may be in the public interest to have them - depending on who is defining public interest - but politicians also have the right to refuse to go on them, he adds.

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Lord Grade is speaking now about the pre-election TV debates. He wrote in The Times this morning that broadcasters are breaching impartiality rules and "playing politics". Here's our story.

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A British Library exhibition marking this year's 800th anniversary of Magna Carta reveals something unexpected about the document's history: Winston Churchill offered to give one of the four copies to the US in exchange for American assistance in World War Two. The plan only fell through because the document didn't actually belong to the government. You can take a look at some of the items on display here.

Luke Coffey says negotiations over cuts to the defence budget back in 2010 may have continued on a different path without assurances from Conservative government figures. And he suggests there could have been military resignations over the issue.

Luke Coffey, a former adviser to Liam Fox when he was defence secretary, is discussing the UK's defence commitments. The Tories have been urged to commit to ensuring Britain continues to spend 2% of GDP on defence over the course of the next Parliament. Mr Coffey says it was clear in 2010, when defence cuts were announced, that there would be a real-terms increase in spending between 2015 and 2020. He says a "personal assurance" was made by David Cameron.

tweets: Average of the Ashcroft National Poll 16th Feb to 9th Mar CON 32.5% LAB 32.0% LDEM 7.0% UKIP 14.0% GRNS 7.8%

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Good news for the Treasury: The British Chambers of Commerce has upgraded its growth forecast. It predicts GDP is going to rise to 2.7% in 2015, not 2.6% as it had previously thought. In 2016, it now thinks 2.6% is likely rather than 2.4%.

The message for Westminster from the BCC's director-general, John Longworth, is that politicians need to keep level-headed in the coming campaign. "As we edge closer to the general election, businesses must keep focused on the fundamental strengths of our economy and Britain as a place to do business," he says. "By the same token, politicians need also to focus on the fundamentals, not on short-term vote winners, if we are to have guaranteed prosperity in the years to come."

tweets: No 10 say Lord Grade attack on broadcasters over #tvdebates for -inflated and misguided idea of own importance - "chimes" with PMs view

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As we mentioned earlier, the DUP will later use its parliamentary time at Westminster to discuss the TV debates. Stephen Walker, our Northern Ireland political correspondent, reports the party will call for an independent body to be put in charge of television election debates. The DUP motion to be discussed later says the debates have been "inconsistently and incompetently formulated" by the broadcasters. More here.

A group of Welsh Assembly Members has said organisations without women on their boards should be stopped from getting Welsh government grants or contracts worth over £250,000. According to the Women in Democracy Caucus, women's voices are "not being heard". It also wants more support for female politicians and more women experts in the media. But the Welsh government has already said it thinks banning some companies from the procurement process would be against the law. More here.

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Here's our overnight roundup of today's front pages, which offer a range of excellent puns on 'Top Gear' over Jeremy Clarkson's suspension. But there are some decent political stories on offer too, including:

• Michael Grade's intervention the TV debates is highlighted in the Times
• The i warns that '5 million patients face new NHS shake-up'
• Justine Miliband's first major interview makes the front page of the Telegraph
• The Mail focuses on yesterday's appearance by relatives of the three Syria schoolgirls. Its splash declares: 'Now it's all the police's fault!'

BBC Scotland publishes further results of its poll on attitudes towards immigration north of the border today. The latest findings suggest most Scots think job recruiters should give priority to British people over immigrants. It also suggests Scots are more positive than people across the rest of the UK about the role of new arrivals in the economy. More details here.

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Up to 85 backbenchers could rebel, the Telegraph reports, but the expectation is that standardised packaging for cigarettes will be passed by the Commons later. There won't actually be a division in the Commons on this; instead MPs are expected to follow the alternative 'deferred division' process in which they vote on slips of paper. The result's expected this evening. More here.

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Conservative peer Michael Grade, the former boss of the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, has written in today's Times about the TV debates. He hits out out at the broadcasters for "playing politics" over the negotiations as the standoff over whether David Cameron will participate continues.

"Who do the broadcasters think they are?" he writes. "After thirty years or more in charge of most of our public service channels (at one time or another), I thought I knew. But their behaviour over the election debates leads me to believe they suddenly have grossly inflated and misguided ideas of their own importance."

You can read our story on his intervention here. And keep an ear on the Today programme too, as Lord Grade will be interviewed at around 07:30. Click on the 'live coverage' tab on desktop above to listen in.

Here's a look at what we're expecting today:

• Ed Miliband and David Cameron face each other across the despatch box at midday for their usual PMQs clash
• MPs will be voting on plain packages for cigarettes
• Defence secretary Michael Fallon is speaking in Washington DC later after meeting with his new American counterpart, Ashton Carter
• The Democratic Unionist Party is using one of its very limited opportunities to dictate the Commons agenda to focus on the TV debates
• The BBC's Tony Hall will face questions from parliamentarians on the European scrutiny committee after facing calls to appear for over a year

Here's a recap of some of the stories that occupied us on Tuesday:

• Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said "apologists" for those who commit acts of terrorism were partly responsible for the violence. He also warned of Russia's "aggressive behaviour" and said ministers must act "decisively" to give more powers to the security services so they can "get on" with keeping the UK safe
• Relatives of the three British schoolgirls missing in Syria gave evidence to the home affairs select committee. They were strongly critical of the police for failing to alert them to the risk that the girls could be becoming radicalised
• Gordon Brown said leaving the European Union would make Britain the North Korea of Europe with "few friends [and] no influence"
• Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said 105,000 troubled families targeted by a government scheme have had their lives "turned around"

Welcome to another day of coverage from the Politics Live team. Nick Eardley and Alex Stevenson will guide you through all the action and reaction with 57 days to go until the general election. They'll be across everything from the Today programme and Breakfast news to Newsnight and Today in Parliament. And we'll bring you live coverage and reaction from PMQs at 12:00.