Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 1 Apr 2013

1. HOUSE PRICES SET TO SOAR BY 20%

Homeowners have been given a boost with the news that house prices are expected to rocket by £45,000 over the next five years. Experts say wage and population increases will be the drivers of the trend. Meanwhile, the Daily Express reports that mortgage rates are at a record low, with one building society offering a two-year fixed rate at 1.74%.

2. COALITION WELFARE REFORMS LAUNCHED

Sweeping changes to the welfare, justice, health and taxation systems come into effect today, including the 'bedroom tax'. The reforms are criticised by churches and charities. George Osborne and Iain Duncan Smith insist: "What we're doing this coming week is making welfare fairer, helping to create jobs, and making sure you can keep more of what you earn".

3. MILIBAND QUITS OVER DI CANIO HIRING

David Miliband has resigned from the board of Sunderland FC after the controversial Paolo Di Canio was appointed as the club's new manager. Miliband cited the Italian's "past political statements", which include his self-description that he is a "a fascist, not a racist". During his playing days, Di Canio was photographed making a one-armed salute to fans.

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4. SOUTH KOREA RESPONDS TO NORTH

South Korea has promised a "strong response" to North Korean aggression, as tensions continue to rise on the peninsula. President Park Geun-hye says she takes escalating threats from Pyongyang "very seriously". In recent days, North Korea has declared it is in a “state of war” with South Korea, and also issued a threat to bomb the US mainland.

5. COLDEST UK EASTER ON RECORD

Easter Sunday was the coldest since modern records began, with the lowest temperature recorded as -12.5C in the Scottish Highlands. The Met Office has confirmed March is on course to be colder than winter this year for the first time since 1975. Below average temperatures are set to remain until the middle of April, say forecasters.

6. INDIA: FEMALE TOURISM SLUMPS AFTER RAPE

The number of female tourists visiting India has fallen by 35% since the Delhi gang rape in which a 23-year-old student was killed. A survey of 1,200 tour operators in India found that large numbers of women from the UK, USA, Canada and Australia have cancelled trips. Overall tourism has dropped by 25% since the Delhi case.

7. OXFORD ROMP TO BOAT RACE VICTORY

Oxford comfortably won the 159th Boat Race yesterday. Having lost last year's re-started race, this time the dark blues built an early lead and went on to win by a length-and-a-third. With a finishing time of 17 minutes 27 seconds, this was Oxford's ninth win in the last 14 years, which cut Cambridge's overall lead to 81-77.

8. EGYPTIAN SATIRIST ARRESTED

An Egyptian satirist has been released on bail following his arrest for allegedly insulting Islam and the Egyptian president. The arrest of Bassem Youssef, who is known as 'Egypt's Jon Stewart', has been criticised by human rights groups, who believe a “crackdown” on free speech is underway. Opposition activists and lawyers were also arrested last week.

9. ANT & DEC 'RHUMBLE' TO THE TOP

Ant and Dec have enjoyed their first ever number one hit with Let's Get Ready To Rhumble – 19 years after it was first released. The track reentered the charts after the duo performed it on their ITV show, selling 84,000 copies in a week. Declan Donnelly said: "To get a number one single with this song 19 years later is very surreal, but we're genuinely chuffed!"

10. MURRAY WORLD'S NUMBER TWO

Andy Murray has regained the world number two ranking after beating David Ferrer in the Sony Open in Miami. He saved a match point on his way to winning 2-6 6-4 7-6 for his ninth Masters title. The Scot has now moved above Roger Federer in the world rankings for the first time. "It could have gone either way, both of us were struggling physically at the end,” said Murray.