Today - 02/12/2008

Presented by James Naughtie and Sarah Montague. Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith says social housing can act as a huge disincentive to going back to work. Peter Biles reports from the border between South Africa and Zimbabwe on an outbreak of cholera. Jonathan Head reports on the decision by the Thai courts to dissolve the governing People Power Party. The pound has fallen sharply against the dollar amid more bad economic data, which suggests a prolonged recession and further interest rate cuts. Economist Neil MacKinnon discusses the largest one day fall in percentage terms since 1992. Nick Robinson reports on the ongoing row surrounding the arrest of Tory frontbencher Damian Green. Rebecca Jones reports on the display of the original manuscripts of Jack Kerouac's On The Road. Thought for the day with the Reverend Dr David Wilkinson, principal of St John's College Durham. Justin Webb and author Carl Bernstein discuss Barack Obama's nomination of Hillary Clinton as his Secretary of State. Shadow Children's Secretary Michael Gove says Haringey's child protection department is dysfunctional. Historian Professor Peter Hennessy explains how Britain's nuclear system works and if it is failsafe. David Loyn discusses the recent deterioration in relations between Pakistan and India. Sir Kenneth Calman says devolution in Scotland has been a great success. Karen Abuzayd, commissioner general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), discusses how Britain could help with the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Writer Rick Thomas and scholar Stanley Wells discuss the theories behind Shakespeare's departure from London.