Today - 02/09/2008

Presented by Sarah Montague and Evan Davis. Hugh Pym outlines the government's plans to help the housing market. Kevin Connolly reports from New Orleans on how the city has coped with Hurricane Gustav. Evan Davis reports from inside Liverpool prison, with the governor Alan Brown and Michael Spurr, the operational head of the Prison Service. Tom Feilden has been for a sneak preview of the new addition to the The Natural History Museum in London. Sanjoy Majumder reports and Peter Ophoff, head of delegation for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in India, outlines what agencies are doing to help people in Bihar. Thought for the day with the Right Rev James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool. Hazel Blears, the Communities Secretary, and Dr Peter King, from the Centre for Housing Research, explain what the new housing measures will mean for hard-pressed families. The anti-fur campaign group PETA is attempting to convince the Ministry of Defence to replace the traditional bearskin worn by guardsmen. Group Captain Susan Gray explains the Army's position. Jim Naughtie reports from the Republican Party Convention in Minneapolis. David Burke, expert on Melita Norwood, Britain's 'granny spy', explains how she gave information to the Soviets. Nick Robinson examines whether the news will be about a stamp duty 'holiday' or a deferral on payment. Does prison reform and rehabilitate? Bobby Cummings, chief executive of Unlock, which deals with reformed offenders, Erwin James, Guardian columnist who has served 20 years of a life sentence, and Jill Sayward, who speaks for victims, discuss the problem with Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary.