Today - 27/02/2009

Presented by Edward Stourton and Evan Davis. Michael Fallon, a Conservative member of the Commons Treasury Select Committee, discusses banker Sir Fred Goodwin's pension arrangements. Jonny Dymond reports on the effects of the economic crisis on the people of Hungary. Foreign Secretary David Miliband has been in Iraq on his first visit since April 2008. He discusses what he hopes the trip will achieve. Business editor Robert Peston discusses the scale of losses announced by RBS, Lloyds Banking Group. Academics Professor Don Braben and Lord Krebs discuss if the government should increase funding for science. Farmers ploughing their fields in the Fens have been uncovering an unusually large number of 'bog oaks'. Environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee explains the importance of such finds. Professor Tony Travers of the LSE and Sir Jeremy Beecham of the LGA discuss rises in council tax. The former RBS boss Sir Fred Goodwin has rejected calls to give up his £693,000-a-year pension. Political editor Nick Robinson reports on the Treasury's reaction to this announcement and Labour MP John Prescott discusses his reaction to Sir Fred's decision. Today presenter Evan Davis has turned his talents to stand-up comedy for a Comic Relief series on Radio 4. Comedian Paul Merton, one of the mentors on the programme, discusses what makes a good stand-up routine. Publisher Tim Hely Hutchinson and independent bookseller James Daunt discuss if exclusive deals benefit booksellers. Nick Bryant reports on Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's apology to the Aborigines. Matthew Hill reports on a debate whether it is ethical to start clinical trials of voice box transplants. Nicola Stanbridge reports on a new exhibition of Gerhard Richter paintings at the National Portrait Gallery. Headteachers Anthony Seldon and Liz Steele discuss the efficiency of IT in schools.