Today - 16/10/2009

Presented by James Naughtie and Justin Webb. A secret document has added to the tensions surrounding the dispute between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers' Union (CWU). The document suggests that Royal Mail has drawn up plans to no longer recognise the CWU, and wants to use the dispute to 'consider programme of reducing relationship with union'. General secretary of the CWU, Billy Hayes, discusses the report. An independent study by education academics at Cambridge University suggests children should not begin formal schooling until the age of six. The reports argues that children respond better to play-based learning at a young age, and that National Curriculum tests, SATS, should be scrapped. Correspondent Sarah Campbell went to one primary school which contributed to the study. The Commons Speaker, John Bercow, has defended the investigation into parliamentary expenses. Many MPs have criticised Sir Thomas Legg's inquiry and would like the Speaker to defy public opinion and find the retrospective rules on their claims unacceptable. Another MP, the Conservative David Wilshire, was forced to announce that he would stand down over allegations that he paid more than 100,000 pounds of office allowances to his own company. Mr Wilshire claims he did nothing wrong. Mike Warburton, tax director at accountants Grant Thornton, examines Mr Wilshire's case. The director general of MI5, Jonathan Evans, has defended the security service from accusations of collusion in torture. He was speaking at Bristol University last night. Security correspondent Gordon Corera, explains the allegations. Three weeks ago, 600 French gendarmes closed down 'the Jungle' illegal migrants camp in Calais. The closure was met with protests, as 300 refugees were rounded up by French police. The UN agency for refugees says the living conditions for migrants in Calais and elsewhere are now unacceptable. Reporter Andrew Hosken went to Calais to investigate the lives of the migrants after the closure. The husband of a woman who was brain damaged as the result of an undiagnosed haemorrhage has won nearly 4.5 million pounds in court. Cristina Malcolm has been left with a 'ten-minute memory' as a result of her experience, which her husband Sandy argued had come about because of the negligence of a GP. She requires round-the-clock care. Mr Malcolm discusses his family's ordeal. Thought for the Day with Lord Harries of Pentregarth, Gresham Professor of Divinity. Taliban attacks in Pakistan have killed at least 38 people, with three of the attacks aimed at security forces. The latest wave of violence has delayed a Pakistani army offensive on Taliban strongholds in South Waziristan. An expert on the Taliban, Ahmed Rashid, examines the current situation in the region. The biggest review of primary school teaching in England in 40 years says children should not begin formal learning until they reach the age of six. 'Children, their World, their Education' took three years to compile and concludes that pupils are taught too narrowly, with too much emphasis on the basics of Maths and English. Professor Robin Alexander, the lead author of the report, explains its findings. The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva will vote on whether to accept the report on the Gaza offensive compiled by the former South African judge, Richard Goldstone. The report concludes that both Israel and Hamas may have been guilty of war crimes. The decision could have a profound effect on the attempts to revive peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. The British government is expected to abstain in the vote. Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen comments on the implications for the peace process. A film of Cormac McCarthy's novel The Road will premiere at the London Film Festival tonight. The post-apocalyptic story tells the journey of a father and son through a landscape and society that has been devastated by some unknown catastrophe. The film's director, John Hillcoat, explains the making of the film. The Scottish National Party is starting its annual conference in Inverness. The SNP, who have been in power for two years, are still ahead of the polls. One of their main campaigns is to create an independent Scotland. SNP Deputy Leader and the Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, discusses what the party envisage for the future, and the possibility of a referendum on independence. Ranchers in America's northern Midwest are facing tough times. The high price of feed and low prices for cattle is making their lives, and the future of the cowboys who manage the cattle, uncertain. Correspondent Kevin Connolly went to Medora North Dakota, an old frontier town turned tourist attraction, to see what the future holds. A six-year-old boy who set off a massive search and rescue operation in the United States has been found alive. Falcon Heene was feared to be inside a missing helium balloon belonging to his father, which ended up floating thousands o