Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 19 Feb 2012

1. LABOUR BACKS TAX CUTS

Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls has proposed tax-cutting measures for next month's Budget. Writing in The Sunday Times, he concedes that a Labour Minister backing tax cuts is unusual, but says his proposals - including a VAT cut, and a 3p income tax cut - are needed to avoid "a permanent dent in our nation's prosperity".

2. PHONE AND EMAILS TO BE STORED

Records of phone calls, texts, emails and internet use will be stored in huge databases under controversial new Home Office anti-terrorism plans. Telecommunications companies and broadband providers will be ordered to store data for a year and surrender it to the government on request.

3. HOUSTON'S EX STORMS OUT OF SERVICE

Whitney Houston's ex-husband Bobby Brown stormed out of the superstar's funeral after a row with Houston's family over the seating of his ten-strong entourage. He missed songs from Alicia Keys and Stevie Wonder and a warm tribute from her ‘Bodyguard’ co-star Kevin Costner.

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4. PRESCOTT BACKS ED...JUST

Ed Miliband will suffer fresh discomfort today when Lord Prescott gives him less than fulsome backing during Desert Island Discs. Asked who he thinks the next PM will be, Prescott replies tentatively: "Er, I think it’ll be Ed". He adds: "It’s early stages. It’s not easy and particularly the circumstances with him."

5. OLYMPIC ORGANISERS IN AMBULANCE ROW

Vulnerable NHS patients could be stuck in unprecedented traffic congestion as Olympics VIPs speed past in expensive cars on specially reserved 'Games lanes', reports The Observer. London Olympic Organising Committee are under firing for banning the routine use of the lanes by ambulances.

6. CONCORDIA CAPTAIN'S COCAINE CONFUSION

Traces of cocaine have been discovered on a hair sample taken from the captain of the Costa Concordia, according to lawyers representing survivors. However, no presence of the drug was found in his urine or within the strands of his hair, suggesting he had not consumed the drug. Lawyers described the results as "very strange".

7. FUNERAL ATTACKED BY SYRIAN FORCES

Syrian troops have opened fire on mourners at a funeral in Damascus killing at least one person, say activists. The service was for three young people killed during a protest against President Bashar al-Assad on Friday. The funeral turned into a huge demonstration, with thousands chanting for the end of Assad.

8. HOME OWNERSHIP LOWEST SINCE 1988

Home ownership in Britain is at its lowest level for a generation, with record numbers renting in the private sector. The proportion of owner-occupiers has fallen to 66 per cent. The average age of a first-time buyer is now 37, up from 25 in the 1980s. Experts say it could soon rise to 43.

9. VICAR MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTED

A man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of the Reverend John Suddards, who was stabbed to death inside his vicarage near Bristol on Tuesday. Stephen Farrow, 47, was arrested in Folkestone, Kent early this morning after police were tipped-off on his whereabouts when they named as a suspect yesterday.

10. FURTHER AGONY FOR WENGER AND AVB

Arsene Wenger and Andre Villas-Boas are facing further criticism after their sides failed to win in yesterday's FA Cup. Wenger's Arsenal are almost certain to finish the season without a trophy after losing at Sunderland, while Chelsea fans chanted for the return of Jose Mourinho as their side drew 1-1 with Birmingham.