Labour rejoices after PM calls the shadow Chancellor a 'muttering idiot'

A muttering idiot? "The muttering idiot opposite!" The House went up. And kept going up for what might have been a minute. A minute is a long time in the House of Commons. The Speaker was left standing, powerless to control the new Tories' angry euphoria.

If the Prime Minister knows rudeness is bad for his image,

why does he insist on being rude?

Ed Miliband called today for industrial action to be avoided during the Olympic Games after London bus drivers were balloted over a potential strike in a row over pay.

The personal details of thousands of runners, possibly including politicians and celebrities, were made available to the public yesterday after a security breach on the London Marathon website.

Changes made in George Osborne's Budget yesterday will mean 1.3 million people on "relatively modest salaries" are forced into the higher 40p rate of income tax over the next few years, a respected economic think-tank said today.

The Government was accused of an "outrageous assault" on the elderly after it emerged that more than four million pensioners will be worse off following changes to simplify the tax system unveiled in the Budget.

George Osborne was today urged by Labour to implement “significant tax cuts” in next month's Budget.

One of the biggest union affiliates to Labour is set to debate its future links with the party after an "unprecedented" number of branches raised concerns, it was revealed today.

The shadow Health Secretary is furious at the coalition's plans for NHS reform, but reckons this is the one issue that could trigger David Cameron's downfall. Matt Chorley meets Andy Burnham

The public support Labour’s policy of cutting the deficit more slowly but do not trust the party to implement it, according to a survey for The Independent.

I begin with a little quiz. Who said the following words, and when? I will give you a clue, the second part of the question is at least as important as the first. Here are the words: "I have to level with you all ... a plan for growth now will help get the economy moving again and stop the vicious circle on the deficit – but by itself it won't secure our economic future or magic the deficit away. A steadier, more balanced, medium-term plan to get the deficit down will still mean difficult decisions and tough choices in the years ahead. Tough choices on tax and spending ... Discipline in public and private sector pay. And no matter how much we dislike particular Tory spending cuts or tax rises, we cannot make promises now to reverse them."

The challenge from the trade unions may be the opportunity Mr Miliband needs

Ed Miliband came under assault from Labour's union backers today, as fury over his decision to embrace austerity measures led to open discussions about the withdrawal of financial support for the party.