The BBC has been criticised after it emerged that only 26 out of 680 new jobs created at its new Media City site went to locals.

Andrew Lansley, the Health Secretary, has drawn much flack for his highly contentious proposed reforms of the NHS. But let us not overlook what he is doing to reform the English language.

Among senior politicians and officials working in and around Downing Street, the arrival of Sue Gray in a meeting is not necessarily something to be welcomed.

In a crisis, those struggling to assert authority rapidly develop a common language. Last week, experts, politicians and community leaders engaged in another battle – the prolific use of "R" words: responsibility, respect and rules. And robust – as in the desired policing strategy. We're told one section of Britain doesn't want to abide by the rules. They don't know the real meaning of respect, and they have no interest in shouldering responsibility. That might be true of many who took part in the casual violence and happy- go-lucky looting and arson, but we need to look closely at our own personal ethics before rushing to blame one age group or social class.

Men with a record of domestic violence would be prevented from using the internet to meet unsuspecting women under plans being considered by the Home Secretary, Theresa May. The Home Office said yesterday that the Police National Database could be used to keep watch on contacts made by men with violent pasts.

The campaign to pass a new law empowering women to find out whether the men they are dating on the internet have violent backgrounds gains momentum today, as the former minister Hazel Blears and the father of murder victim Clare Wood launch their demand for the passage of what is being called "Clare's Law". The Home Secretary, Teresa May, has already let it be known that she looks with favour on the broad idea.

Women could be given the right to know whether their partners have a history of violence under plans to be considered by the Government.

The niece of a countess sitting next to the son of a hereditary peer faced a baronet and an international banker's Oxbridge son educated at the third of Britain's four major public schools (and who defeated for the party leadership another old boy from his school, who himself had a double-barrelled name when I knew him at Oxford).

Britain's biggest union is in talks to form an "unholy alliance" with rightwing Conservatives to oppose next year's referendum on electoral reform, The Independent has learnt.

Neatly timed for the publication of the 127th book about the first instalment (Jonathan Powell's), the Labour Civil War Mark II began at the weekend. Leading the neo-Blairite cavaliers was Peter Hyman, the Mr Tony adviser turned inner-city Mr Chips and Newsnight sage, who deflected any suspicions about his friend David Miliband's sense of entitlement by accusing Little Ed of "stealing his brother's crown". Ed's victory was a "catastrophe" for Labour, says Peter.