On Wednesday's Phone-In

IS IT TIME TO LAY OFF OUR MPS AND LET THEM GET ON WITH RUNNING THE COUNTRY? It's more than 5 months now since the Daily Telegraph started publishing details of members' claims and the row still hasn't been resolved. There's an independent review of the rules underway, some rules have been changed already, and now some MPs including the Prime Minister, are being asked to write a cheque for money they claimed perfectly legitimately under the regulations as they were.

SHOULD EMPLOYERS HAVE TO PICK UP THE PIECES OF BADLY EDUCATED CHILDREN? The man who runs one of our biggest supermarket chains, Tesco, says they just can't get the staff and it's all down to our schools. Sir Terry Leahy, Chief Executive of Tesco, who is also an education adviser to the prime minister, said his company was particularly concerned about education. He says standards in many state schools are "woefully low" and employers must "pick up the pieces".

DO YOU BUY CHRISTMAS ALBUMS? There's a long time to go until Christmas, in fact there are 73 shopping days but here's a suggestion for your festive soundtrack. Bob Dylan's released a Christmas album but would you want it playing as you're carving the Turkey? If you haven't heard it yet we'll play you some later on in the show - it's a treat worth waiting for.

Last updated: 14 October 2009