Private toll roads are not a cost-effective answer to traffic problems, the government has been told. What is the best way to solve transport problems?
A report by the Campaign for Better Transport said the UK's only private motorway toll, the M6 Toll, had not significantly cut congestion. It added that not only had the toll road failed to improve transport in the West Midlands, but drivers who paid the toll were not receiving value for money.
BBC transport correspondent Richard Scott says that with the public finances under pressure and road building under threat, the government is looking at how to improve the transport network in the most cost-effective way.
How can Britain's transport network be improved? Should toll roads be scrapped? Are there other road schemes which would ease/reduce congestion? Should the government invest more in other modes of transport?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments
President Obama has hailed the end of US combat operations in Iraq, saying the US has paid a "a huge price" to "put Iraq's future in its peoples' hands". What will the mission change mean for Iraq?
In a speech delivered in a rare Oval Office address, he said he was "awed" by the sacrifice of the US military. But he said America's "most urgent task" was now to "restore our economy".
He said the US would continue to support Iraq's government and people.
Do you believe invading Iraq and the war that followed was worth it? Is it premature for the US to change its combat mission? Will the change end the country's current political stalemate? Or will it be seen as a victory to the insurgents?
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
A review has concluded that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) needs fundamental reforms to the way it is managed. What difference would this make?
The IPCC has faced mounting pressure over errors in its last major assessment of climate science in 2007.
The body admitted it made a mistake in asserting that Himalayan glaciers could disappear by 2035. The panel said this error had not changed the broad picture of climate change.
Speaking in New York, Harold Shapiro, who chaired the review, conceded that the controversy over errors in climate assessment had dented the credibility of the process.
The review recommends the IPCC appoint an executive director to handle day-to-day operations, and create an executive committee which could include people from outside the body.
Do you think mistakes made by the IPCC have hit the credibility of climate change science? Would changes to the panel make a difference? What are your thoughts on man-made climate change?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
The NHS Direct helpline in England is being scrapped. What should replace it?
The government has confirmed that the 24-hour medical helpline NHS Direct will be scrapped and replaced with a new medical service.
Roughly 14,000 people a day contact the service by phone or internet for medical advice. NHS Direct also offers specialised support for patients with long term conditions, access to a GP and dental healthcare out of hours.
Critics claim the change would mean fewer qualified nurses answering calls, but Nick Chapman, chief executive of NHS Direct, told the BBC the new helpline would be better and more cost effective than NHS Direct.
Have you used NHS direct? What did you think of the service? What would you like to see replace it?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Internet service providers (ISPs) are not doing enough to crack down on cyber stalking, say victims' groups. How can cyber stalking be stopped?
Groups that support victims of online harassment say those targeted can suffer from anything from abusive messages to orchestrated campaigns.
The Internet Service Providers Association says it is doing all it can about the abuse but it is not possible to police the internet in the way demanded by victims' groups.
The Home Office, police and the Crown Prosecution Service are set to begin work with charities on an anti-stalking strategy in the autumn.
Are you worried about cyber harassment? Is it possible to police internet stalking? Should ISPs take more responsibility?
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
Government plans to lock up fewer criminals would not reduce offending or cut costs, a report says. Do you agree?
Professor Ken Pease, a former criminologist who worked for the Home Office, says community sentences appear to have no effect on reconviction rates.
In his report, Prison, Community Sentencing and Crime, for the think-tank Civitas, he also says that any move away from the use of custodial sentences should be based on more than just short-term political reasons.
Last month the justice secretary, Ken Clarke, called for alternatives to jail to be developed.
Should fewer criminals be jailed? Do you work in the justice system? Does community service work? What other methods could cut crime?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
The number of people in England undergoing NHS surgery to help them lose weight has risen tenfold in less than a decade, reports the British Medical Journal (BMJ). Is surgery the answer to long-term weight loss?
The BMJ stated that operations such as gastric banding and bypasses rose from 238 a year to more than 2,543 in 2007. Researchers from Imperial College London said more obese patients are becoming aware that surgery could be an effective option.
But the Office of Health Economics says more people are eligible for treatment, and £1.3bn could be saved over three years if a quarter of eligible patients got treatment.
Have you gone under the knife to lose weight? What other methods have you tried to lose the pounds? Should surgery be limited to the morbidly obese? Should these operations be financed by the NHS? Would more operations save the NHS money?
Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow have held their first joint interview in 15 years. Is their friendship "back for good"?
The two song-writers fell out years ago and Robbie left the band, Take That. Both continued their careers separately. However, they reunited in Los Angeles 18 months ago.
Theirs is not the first artistic friendship to be rocky. Simon and Garfunkel broke up in 1970 and then reunited for their Central Park gig in 1981. Members of the band Led Zeppelin went their separate ways but reunited in 2008.
Why do artists fall out? Have you fallen out with a friend or has your friendship survived turbulence? Have you fallen out with a friend and made up years later?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Engineers working on freeing the 33 Chilean miners trapped deep underground are hoping to reach them sooner than previously reported. What advice would you give the miners?
The rescue team believes it may be able to get to the miners in two months by widening an existing tunnel.
Workers are due on Monday to start drilling an escape shaft going about 700m (2,300ft) underground - a plan which is likely to take four months to complete.
Relatives of 28 of the miners are suing the mine owners and government inspectors, accusing the owners of safety lapses and officials of negligently allowing it to reopen in 2008 following an accident.
Is it better to know how long it will take to be rescued? Have you ever been in a situation where you have needed help? What helps you through difficult times?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
The deputy prime minister has expressed shock by the actions of a woman who dropped a cat in a bin. Has there been an overreaction to the incident?
Nick Clegg was speaking about 45-year-old Mary Bale who was caught on CCTV cameras putting four-year-old Lola into a wheelie bin outside her owners' home in Coventry. Darryl Mann found his trapped pet 15 hours later after hearing her cries.
Ms Bale has since apologised and has been interviewed by the RSPCA which is considering whether or not to prosecute.
The footage, which was uploaded on Youtube and Facebook, sparked fury with hundreds of threatening messages being posted. Local police confirmed that no criminal offence had been committed and community support officers were oustide Ms Bale's home monitoring a large group of people for public order purposes.
Should such instances be classed as crimes? Would the reaction be different if it had been another animal? What protection should animals have under the law?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
There were almost half a million new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK last year, according to the Health Protection Agency. Is the safe sex message failing?
The rise is in part due to more testing, and the use of tests which are more sensitive at picking up signs of an infection - but experts believe unsafe sexual behaviour is also part of the story.
Health ministers said they would look at what more could be done to increase young people's awareness of risks.
What should be done to make people more aware of the risks of unsafe sex? Do stories like this make you more conscious of your sexual health? Is there adequate access to screening and health clinics? How worried are you about STIs?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Fewer people are visiting their local library according to new figures from the government, with the number of weekly library goers in England going down by 32% in five years. When was the last time you visited your local library?
The government claims the figures show that the service must be "reshaped", and wants to encourage supermarkets and pubs to start lending books. One pub in the Yorkshire Dales already doubles as a library may be a vision of the future for many communities.
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Campaigners fear that up to 1000 libraries could close as local councils try to save money. The culture minister, Ed Vaizey says books need to be available in places where people go.
Would you be more likely to visit your library if it was in a pub or supermarket? Where else would you like to see a library? Should there be more mobile libraries? How can we encourage more people to use their library? Do you regularly use your local library?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
An undercover investigation into UK car garages suggests the vast majority miss simple mechanical faults, consumer watchdog Which? has said. Has this been your experience?
Which? found 48% of garages failed spot brake fluid was at the minimum level; 68% did not inflate the nearly flat spare tyre; 57% missed a blown reversing light bulb, and the low pressure in the nearside rear tyre was missed by 21%.
Which? chief executive Peter Vicary-Smith said: "Almost all the garages in our investigation failed to fix basic faults. This could have endangered the lives of drivers and other road users and is simply not acceptable." The watchdog is now calling for a new industry-wide qualification for all mechanics.
What are your experiences of garages? Are you a mechanic? Should there be an industry-wide qualification for mechanics?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Australians are awaiting the outcome of their most closely-fought general election in decades. Who should form the next government?
The Labor Prime Minister Julia Gillard has held initial talks with independent candidates to try to form a government after an inconclusive election result left voters facing a hung parliament for the first time since 1940.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott said it was clear Labor had lost its parliamentary majority and its legitimacy.
Would a hung parliament be good or bad for the country? What are the pros and cons of a close-run election result? Are you in Australia? How is the country reacting to this election?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Israel and the Palestinians have agreed to resume direct negotiations for the first time in 20 months, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said. What does this mean for the Middle East?
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas have been invited to Washington on 2 September to start the year-long talks.
But correspondents say prospects of a comprehensive deal are slim.
Sensitive areas - including the construction of Jewish settlements on occupied territory, the status of Jerusalem, the borders of a future Palestinian state - will be difficult to overcome.
In which areas can a compromise be achieved? How optimistic should we feel about these talks? Is a year of negotiations long enough?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
The Home Office is looking at withdrawing benefits from people who're dependent on drugs and alcohol but refuse treatment. What is the best way to get addicts into rehabilitation?
The idea is in a consultation paper on the government's drug strategy for England, Wales and Scotland. Some experts have suggested that withdrawing benefits could lead addicts into crime and prostitution.
The proposals also suggest that addicts on benefits should not be required to seek work while receiving their treatment.
Would you, or do you know someone who'd be affected by the plans? What, do you think, is the best way to treat alcohol and drug addiction? What support should be given to addicts?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are receiving their A-level results, but despite record success many face disappointment over university places. Is a university degree necessary?
Some 660,000 students have applied to university this year, a 12% increase on last year's applications. Universities have more places on offer than in 2009 but numbers are capped and fewer places are available through "clearing". In Scotland, half of universities say courses are full.
Students at English and Welsh universities accumulate an average annual debt of between £5,000 and £6,000. In Scotland, where students do not pay tuition fees, average annual debt is under £3,000. Graduate unemployment has risen and there are concerns it could hit record levels due to planned public spending cuts.
Is a university degree necessary for success in later life? Are the costs of university now outweighing the benefits? Has having or not having a degree made any difference to your life?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
With the development of mobile phones and the internet, there are now more ways than ever to access media. We now spend almost half of our waking life viewing content. Is this your experience?
Media regulator, Ofcom, surveyed 1,138 adults and found that people in the UK spend seven hours a day watching TV, surfing the net and using mobile phones. It is also thought we may spend more time than that because we multi-task using more than one appliance at the same time.
However, despite the rise in new technologies, the report says we still rely more heavily on traditional radio and TV.
Is there a media overload? Do you spend more time multi-tasking? Do you find it stressful keeping across all the media outlets or do you find the new technology has helped your life?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
A Roman Catholic adoption charity has lost its appeal to not place children with gay people. How much should the law recognise religious teachings?
The charity, Catholic Care, applied for exemption from new anti-discrimination laws so it could restrict its services to homosexual couples on religious grounds.
The Charity Commission said gay people were suitable parents and religious views did not justify discrimination.
Can respect for religious views be a justification for discrimination? Should the law take precedence over religious beliefs? What should be the balance between the rights of organisations and the rights of minority groups?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
People will eventually be allowed to automatically change their name on reaching adulthood to escape their online past, Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt has predicted. Are you worried about your history online?
Mr Schmidt told the Wall Street Journal that he doesn't believe "society understands what happens when everything is available, knowable and recorded by everyone all the time", and predicted that young people could be able to change their name "in order to disown youthful hijinks stored on their friends' social media sites."
But his concerns about individual activity on social networks forming a permanent record are "overstated", according to some experts. Social media consultant Suw Charman-Anderson told the BBC that "the idea that everything is stored online is not true - it will be quite some time before that can become true because of the enormity of the internet."
Are you worried about information about you stored online? Or are these worries "overstated"? Is there something that you would be happy to delete permanently from the web?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Britain's first coalition government since 1945 is marking its first 100 days in office. How would you rate its performance so far?
In May Prime Minister David Cameron said his "historic" Conservative-led coalition government would be united and provide "strong and stable" leadership.
His deputy, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, acknowledged there were "big risks" but pledged a "bold, reforming government". Together they set their agenda to cut the UK deficit, support troops, clean up politics and build a "stronger society".
What do you think of their achievements so far? Are you happy with the policies which have been introduced? Did you vote for either party? What is your reaction to the way both parties have adapted to being part of a coalition?
Our panel's verdict: thumbs down or thumbs up.
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Decriminalising drug use could drastically reduce crime and improve health, the outgoing president of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has said. Do you agree?
Sir Ian Gilmore said he had formed his view after seeing the problems caused by dirty needles and contaminated drugs a product not of the drugs themselves but of prohibition.
Sir Ian said these were his own views rather than those of the RCP, and added that he believed that drugs should still be regulated, but the laws on misuse of drugs should be reviewed.
The government said it did not believe that decriminalisation was the right approach adding that they wanted to help addicts come off drugs for good.
What is the right approach to tackling drug abuse? Is Sir Ian right, is prohibition the problem? Should there be a review of the drugs laws in the UK?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair is to donate the profits from his memoirs to a sports centre for injured soldiers. Should he be commended for the donation?
A spokesman for Mr Blair said he would hand over the reported £4.6m advance payment plus all royalties in recognition of the courage and sacrifice of Britain's armed forces.
But anti-war activists accused the ex-premier of trying to "buy forgiveness" for bloody campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The book, A Journey, is due to be published in September.
Will you buy Mr Blair's memoirs? Could this donation alter opinion of Mr Blair? Is it an appropriate gesture?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Government plans to hold local referendums on new housing schemes in England could tear village communities apart, rural campaigners have said. Do you agree?
The Rural Coalition said plans to require at least 90% of local people to approve new building schemes in villages would create conflict and bring projects to a halt. Instead they would like to see elected parish councils being able to initiate community-led developments and councils freed up to help address the need for new housing for young families and low-income households in rural areas.
However, the government has defended the plans, saying it is only right new developments should have overwhelming local support and vowing that it is committed to protecting and preserving local villages.
Do you live in a rural community? What are your views on the government's plans? Are local referendums a good idea? Should there be more affordable housing in rural areas? Have you been priced out of staying in your local area?
This debate has now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Services have been held around the UK to mark the 65th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day. What does the 65th anniversary mean to you?
The Prince of Wales and Prime Minister David Cameron joined veterans at the Cenotaph in London to mark the loss of almost 30,000 UK lives in the Far East.
Mr Cameron said Britain must never forget the sacrifices made by those who served in World War II.
What are your memories of VJ Day? Do you have relatives who fought in the war? Are you currently serving in the armed forces? If so, what does this anniversary mean to you?
Thank you for sending your comments. This debate is now closed.
US President Barack Obama has staunchly defended controversial plans to build a mosque near Ground Zero in New York. What do you think of his reaction?
Opponents have protested against the construction of an Islamic cultural centre and mosque several hundred feet away from the site of the Twin Towers.
Mr Obama acknowledged "sensitivities" surround the 9/11 site, but said Muslims have the same right to practice their religion "as anyone else". "Our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable," Mr Obama said.
Since a New York developer announced plans to build an Islamic community centre and mosque near the former World Trade Center site, prominent Republican politicians, conservative pundits and some relatives of people who died on 9/11 have criticised the project.
What do you think of Obama's stance on the issue? Is this a question of religious freedom? Are critics of the project right to protest? Are you in the US?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
A driver who was caught speeding in Switzerland could face a world-record fine of SFr1,080m ($1m; £656,000), prosecutors say. Should fines be income-linked?
The Swedish driver, who has not been named, was said to be driving his Mercedes sports car at 290km/h which is 170km/h over the limit.
Under Swiss law, the level of fine is determined by the wealth of the driver and the speed recorded. Earlier this year, a driver was fined $290,000 - the current world record.
Do income-based fines improve road safety? Would you like to see something similar in your country? Do you live in Switzerland?
Thank you for sending your comments. This debate is now closed.
The German economy grew by 2.2% in the three months to the end of June, its fastest quarterly growth in more than 20 years, while the French economy grew by 0.6% in the quarter. Is this a sign of recovery for Europe?
The Spanish economy, meanwhile, grew by 0.2% in the second quarter, compared with growth of 0.1% in the previous three months, its National Statistics Institute said.
Growth figures for the rest of the eurozone will be published later.
The German statistics agency, Destatis, says its numbers can partly be explained by a sustained period of export growth, as Germany's manufacturing sector begins to recover the markets it lost in 2009.
Are you in Germany? Do you think this is a sign of recovery for Europe's economies? How encouraging are the figures? Will it help to alleviate some of the pressure on the eurozone?
Thank you for sending your comments. This debate is now closed.
Britons could be putting the clocks forward permanently after the prime minister signalled he would consider a plan to introduce permanent summertime. Do you support the idea?
The plans are to be debated in the Commons later this year and speaking to tourism leaders in London, the prime minister said he could be willing to make the switch.
However, permanent summertime is unlikely to be well received in northern England and Scotland where an extra hour in the mornings would see the sun rising after 9am meaning children facing the prospect of starting school in the dark.
Do you think Britain should be on permanent summertime? Are you in northern England and Scotland and what is your reaction? Do you think the country would work with two timezones?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
England coach Fabio Capello has called time on former captain David Beckham's international career at the age of 35, saying the national team's future lies in the hands of younger players. Should age determine when you retire?
Capello's feelings were first revealed in a television interview before Wednesday night's friendly, prompting Beckham's agent to release a statement confirming the player's desire to carry on playing for England.
Elsewhere, the Princess Royal, who turns 60 on Sunday shows no signs of slowing down. With links to more than 200 charities and organisations, last year she carried out 600 engagements. When asked whether she planned to take things easier, her reply was "unlikely".
Is age just a number? Should Capello allow Beckham to carry on playing? Should Princess Anne pass some of her engagements to other younger royals? Who should decide how old is too old to work?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
The Brazilian government has ordered its air force and civilian pilots to officially record any sightings of unidentified flying objects. Do you agree with the order?
A government decree said all pilots as well as air traffic controllers should register any UFO sightings with the national aerospace defence command. There have been several reports of UFOs in Brazil in recent decades.
But the air force said it would limit itself to collecting information, and would not be chasing UFOs.
The move in Brazil comes days after newly-released files revealed that past governments in the UK ordered UFO sightings be kept secret to prevent "mass panic" and that British lawmakers took it so seriously in the 1950s that UK intelligence chiefs met to discuss the matter.
Do you think UFO sightings should be taken more seriously? Do you agree with the move by the Brazilian government? Have there been reported UFO sightings in your area?
Thank you for sending your comments. This debate is now closed.
Prime Minister David Cameron has urged people to be more "proud" of the UK and seize a "huge" opportunity to attract overseas visitors. What action should be taken to boost tourism?
Currently, the United Nations ranks the UK as the sixth-most visited destination in the world behind France, the US, Spain, China and Italy.
Measures to help the industry would include speeding up the process of getting visitors' visas for the UK for tourists from India and China. There will also be attempts to encourage UK citizens to spend more of their money at home rather than abroad.
A recent study for Visit Britain suggests that tourism's contribution to the economy could grow by more than 60% to £188bn by 2020.
Does tourism offer an economic opportunity for Britain? Which part of the UK would you recommend for overseas visitors? Do you work in the tourism industry? Would you holiday in the UK?
David Cameron: Tourism vital to British economy
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Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and his new Colombian counterpart, Juan Manuel Santos, have agreed to restore diplomatic relations. Will this agreement last?
Mr Chavez cut ties last month after Colombia accused Venezuela of harbouring left-wing rebels. But at a meeting in the Colombian city of Santa Marta, the two leaders agreed to relaunch bilateral relations.
They admitted personal differences, but said they were putting them aside in the interest of both nations.
What is the significance of this agreement? Is it possible for both countries to keep a peaceful relationship? How does it affect the balance of power in the region?
Your advice to Colombia's new President
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Modern chart music is becoming increasingly pornographic according to veteran music producer Mike Stock. Has the industry gone too far?
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Mr Stock who was part of the Stock, Aitken and Waterman production team said that young people were affected by the sexualised content of artists such as Lady Gaga and Britney Spears.
He also criticised the recent launch of a clothes range by Madonna's 13-year-old daughter Lourdes, which includes short skirts and slashed tops.
Do you agree with Mike Stock's views? How can parents protect their children? Do you work in the music industry?
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
Steven Slater, the US flight attendant who allegedly made an exit through a plane's emergency slide after having a row with a passenger, has been released on bail in New York. What has driven you over the edge?
The JetBlue flight attendant reportedly had an argument with a passenger who opened his overhead locker before the plane had stopped. Mr Slater then used the loudspeaker to tell him off, before allegedly grabbing some beer from the kitchen and activating the slide.
He was arrested and charged with criminal mischief, trespassing and reckless endangerment. However, he has also become an internet hero - a Facebook group supporting him has gained more than 80,000 followers.
How would you leave a job you hate? Have you ever stormed off? Why has he attracted support on the internet?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
A recruitment drive to lure Britons to jobs as diverse as koala catcher and beer taster has been launched by the government of South Australia. Are you persuaded?
The South Australian government conducted a survey of 2,000 British employees which suggested 60% were bored with their jobs. It is advertising a range of jobs "in stark contrast to the UK's long working hours, high taxes and increasing retirement age".
There are job adverts for a Little Penguin home remodeller on Kangaroo Island, a shark personality profiler at Port Lincoln and a "roo poo" harvester. It hopes the promise of the "ultimate work-life balance" will tempt 18 to 30-year-olds abroad.
Are you a bored Brit? Do these job advertisments lure you to work abroad? Does South Australia offer more exciting work and travel options than anywhere else in the world?
This debate has now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Former Mexican president Vicente Fox has called for drugs to be legalised, arguing that prohibition has failed to curb drug-related violence in the country. Is he right?
Mr Fox said legalisation did not mean that he thought drugs were good.
But he said it was a strategy that could reduce the power of the cartels.
The current Mexican president, Felipe Calderon last week called for a debate on legalisation, but he said he personally opposed the idea.
What do you think? Would legalising drugs help counter violence in Mexico? What is the solution?
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
David Cameron is to unveil a crackdown on benefit fraud which could see greater use of credit reference agencies to detect wrong claims. Is this a good idea?
He will promise "uncompromising strategy" to reduce the £5.2bn annual cost of fraud and error. Writing in the Manchester Evening News, Mr Cameron said: "At a time when we're having to take such difficult decisions about how to cut back without damaging the things that matter the most, we should strain every sinew to cut error, waste and fraud in our welfare system."
Credit ratings firm Experian says it is in talks over a deal which could see it paid according to the number of fraudsters uncovered. It said it already had a contract to scrutinise new housing benefit claimants, in a deal agreed by the previous government which had saved £17m.
Should there be tougher penalties for benefit fraud and more prosecutions? Will the use of credit reference agencies help the crackdown on benefit fraud? What further measures could be taken? Are you a benefit claimant?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Extra money could be given to councils in England to encourage the building of more new homes. Is this a good idea?
Under the New Homes Bonus scheme the government will match the council tax raised on each new house for six years. Housing Minister Grant Shapps said action was needed as home building was at its lowest levels since the 1920s.
Critics say the cost could run into billions and make it harder for local communities to block construction.
Should councils be given extra money for building new homes? What are the pros and cons of this idea? Does your community need new homes?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
The scheme offering free milk to children under five will not be scrapped, despite earlier government proposals as part of a spending review. What is your reaction?
Downing Street said Prime Minister David Cameron "did not like" the idea of scrapping the free milk scheme.
Ms Milton's letter said there was no evidence that the scheme improved the health of children and that it was too expensive - next year it would cost £59m to run.
But she said that she was considering increasing the value of Healthy Start vouchers, which can be spent on milk or fruit and vegetables, and are given to pregnant women and children under four.
Would scrapping the milk scheme have been an acceptable cost-cutting measure? Should it continue to be universally available? Are Healthy Start vouchers a better investment?
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
A disproportionately high concentration of CCTV cameras located in mainly Muslim areas of Birmingham has caused anger among some residents. Should the cameras be removed?
When the cameras first appeared - there had been no public consultation before - the police said they were for fighting normal crime, like anti-social behaviour and car crime.
But it turned out more than £3m from a special government anti-terror fund had paid for them. The system will not be dismantled and despite earlier assurances could yet be used for counter-terrorism purposes, West Midlands Police have told the BBC.
Should there be more police patrols rather than CCTV cameras? Does the use of cameras in this way disrupt community cohesion? Do CCTV cameras protect communities or are they eroding civil liberties?
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
Liverpool FC is up for sale, and among rival bidders are thought to be two large foreign investors, from Syria and China. Does it matter who owns a football club?
The current owners of Liverpool FC, the Americans George Gillett and Tom Hicks, put the club on the market in April.
Foreign investors in English clubs have caused controversy in the past. Several clubs have suffered financial hardship after promises of riches from new takeovers failed to materialise.
And Portsmouth are free to begin the new Championship season after a challenge to their Company Voluntary Agreement by HM Revenue & Customs failed. They had four owners last season.
Does it matter who owns a football club? Are the rules over new ownership strict enough? Should fans have more of a say over the running of football clubs?
This debate has now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Latest figures show that overall radio listening figures in the UK have reached a record high, breaking the previous record that was set in the last published figures. Why are more people listening to radio?
Over 90% of people aged 15 and over tune in to their favourite radio stations weekly, with digital platforms making up 25% of listenership.
Figures for the BBC fell slightly giving it a share of over 56% of listeners, while figures for commercial radio grew giving it over 43% of listeners.
How important is your radio to you? Do you listen to radio differently to the way you watch television? When and how do you listen to radio?
Read more about the story here
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Weddings are self-indulgent and over-blown vanity projects according to the Reverend Giles Fraser, Canon Chancellor of St Paul's speaking on Radio 4's Today programme. Have we lost sight of the true meaning of marriage?
The Reverend went on to say that celebrity weddings featured in magazines have damaged the true meaning of the marriage ceremony.
Catherine Westwood, editor of Wedding Magazine, responded by calling the Reverend "old-fashioned". She says that a wedding should be a party and it is still a way of celebrating a life-time commitment.
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What are your feelings about modern-day weddings? Are they a huge expense without meaning? Or are they a way of proving enduring love? What was your budget like? Have you been a guest at a wedding and felt under pressure to spend a lot of money on transport, accomodation and a gift?
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
Thirty-eight US billionaires have pledged at least 50% of their wealth to charity through a campaign started by investor Warren Buffet and Microsoft founder Bill Gates. If you were a billionaire who would you donate your money to?
The campaign called "The Giving Pledge" was started in June to convince US billionaires to give away at least half of their fortunes either during their lifetimes or after their deaths.
"We've really just started but already we've had a terrific response," Mr Buffett said.
The billionaires include New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, CNN founder Ted Turner and film producer George Lucas.
Should billionaires feel morally obligated to give money? What impact will giving money have on charities? Do you give money to charity? Are you a charity worker? If so, what is your reaction?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen says that all mothers should be made to breastfeed their babies for the first six months of their lives. Do you agree with her?
In an interview with Harper's Bazaar magazine, she said: "I think there should be a worldwide law, in my opinion, that mothers should breastfeed their babies for six months."
Sue Jacob, midwife teacher at the Royal College of Midwives, welcomes Gisele's aspiration that all mums breastfeed. She said: "We know breastfeeding is good for women and children, but we also don't want to marginalise women who can't breastfeed for whatever reason."
Should all mothers breastfeed their children? Did you breastfeed your child? Should there be more support for mothers wanting to breastfeed? Is there too much pressure on new mothers to breastfeed?
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
Meat from the offspring of a cloned cow was eaten in Britain last year, the Food Standards Agency has said. What is your reaction?
The FSA began an investigation after claims that a British farmer had admitted selling milk from a cow that had been bred from a clone.
Scientists have said that there are no known health risks from consuming food and drink sourced from cloned animals but public concern has been raised in relation to the use of biotechnology in food production.
Would you eat meat from a cloned animal? Are you concerned about where your food has come from? Does science play too great a part in food production?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
The prime minister and his deputy have written to cabinet colleagues to remind them that reducing the deficit is the "most urgent issue facing Britain". Do you agree?
The joint letter comes as government ministers are negotiating with the treasury over the scale of the cuts to be made. But amid fears the coalition is in danger of being defined solely by its emphasis on cuts, David Cameron and Nick Clegg also say any proposals to promote economic growth will be treated favourably in the departmental spending review.
The prime minister also said his government is seeking to "avoid" making cuts that can be "restored" in the future, at a Direct PM event in Birmingham.
Is the government right to concentrate on cuts or should economic growth be the priority? How are you planning to cope with action to cut the deficit? Have you already made changes to your lifestyle? Were you at the Direct PM event in Birmingham?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
The television licence fee is "obsolete and unfair" and should be replaced with a voluntary subscription service for certain programming, a report says. Do you agree?
The growing use of the internet for viewing has made licensing TV sets outdated, according to right-wing think tank the Adam Smith Institute. The report singles out the success of Sky with its subscription model, adding that the BBC could have "the global presence of a Hollywood studio but with a wider range of output".
A BBC Trust spokeswoman said BBC funding was a matter for government. Negotiations between the BBC and the government on the next licence fee settlement are due to begin next year.
Do you think the licence fee should be abolished to make way for a voluntary subscription? Do you think public service broadcasting has a future in Britain? Is the licence fee value for money?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Many people fear that their motives may be misconstrued if they help a child in need, a survey suggests. Would you help a child in distress?
A total of 44% of men and 28% of women told researchers for a UK survey that they would be wary of helping a child, in case witnesses thought they were trying to abduct the youngster.
The research also suggests 79% of adults believe community spirit has weakened since they were children.
Many also said they would hesitate to help a child in need of assistance in case the child was abusive to them.
Would you help a child in need? Or would you be fearful that your motives might be misjudged? Do you think that community spirit has weakened? Are you worried about talking to children because they may be abusive?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Police have played down fears that allowing parents to check if someone with access to their children is a sex offender may cause vigilante attacks. Would parents keep the information they have obtained to themselves?
The scheme known as "Sarah's Law" was proposed after the murder of eight-year-old Sarah Payne in 2000. It was then piloted in four areas in England from September 2008.
The Home Office pilot scheme is now being extended to eight more forces. Chief Constable Paul West of the Association of Chief Police Officers said it was "realistic" to think people would keep information to themselves.
Would children be safer because of "Sarah's Law"? How widespread should the information be about sex offenders in an area? Could the scheme backfire? Is there a risk of vigilante action and sex offenders going underground?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
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