Today - 08/05/2009

Presented by James Naughtie and Evan Davis. Members of the cabinet are facing tough questions after full details of their expenses claims were published by the Daily Telegraph. Pakistan's PM says he has ordered the army to 'eliminate militants and terrorists', apparently referring to operations against the Taleban. Labour MP Sir Stuart Bell says a report into expenses could not be published now because data is incomplete. Robert Peston reports on the 44 million pound loss announced by the Royal Bank of Scotland. Former minister Nick Raynsford says highly populated, badly designed housing estates were a recipe for disaster. George Burrows, leader of the University of Portsmouth choir, discusses the brilliance of Handel. Edward Garnier and Simon Reed discuss whether too many offenders are receiving cautions or fines rather than appearing in court. Political Editor Nick Robinson says MPs were encouraged to abuse the expenses system. Thought for the day with Abdal Hakim Murad, Muslim Chaplain at the University of Cambridge. Pakistani military spokesman Major-General Athar Abbas says his objective is to eliminate militants from the Swat Valley in Pakistan. Harriet Harman admits that details of cabinet ministers' expenses look bad and have angered the public. Poets Luke Wright and Ruth Padel discuss how poetry should be read aloud. Joanna Lumley and immigration minister Phil Woolas discuss whether letters rejecting Gurkha residency will continue to be sent. Anthony Douglas, of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service, discusses if the case of Baby P has made social services more aware of the risks children face. UKIP leader Nigel Farage says the UK should not be paying 40 million pounds a day into the European Union. Robert Piggott reports on the hope for an increase in tourism in Jordan. Further revelations about politicians' expenses are likely to follow The Daily Telegraph's detailed breakdown of senior ministers' expenses. Conservative MP Peter Bottomley and Lib Dem MP Norman Baker discuss the implications for Parliament.