Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 27 Oct 2013

1. ENERGY GIANTS USE TAX LOOPHOLE

Energy companies are exploiting a legal loophole to avoid paying millions of pounds of tax, says the Independent On Sunday. As anger grows over soaring energy bills, it is revealed that Scotia Gas, half-owned by SSE, Electricity North West and UK Power Networks have avoided between £30m and £70m in tax. The Fuel Poverty Action group described the news as “absolutely shocking”.

2. US 'HAS BUGGED MERKEL SINCE 2002'

The US has been bugging German chancellor Angela Merkel's mobile phone since 2002, claims a report in Der Spiegel. The German magazine says it has seen secret documents from the National Security Agency which shows Merkel's number is on a list from 2002, before she became chancellor. Germany wants the US to sign a no-spy deal by the end of the year.

3. EMAILS REVEAL UNITE DIRTY TRICKS

Ed Miliband faces a fresh escalation of the Unite row after a cache of 1,000 emails has exposed a union plot to use dirty tricks to thwart the Labour leader's inquiry into allegations of electoral corruption. The dossier shows how union chiefs told PR officers to dig up “nasty stuff” on key Labour figures and wrote witnesses' testimony which withdrew allegations of wrongdoing.

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4. UK TROOPS IN NAZI PHOTO ROW

A photo has emerged of two serving British soldiers giving Nazi-style salutes in front of a union flag at an army base in Afghanistan. John Mann, chairman of the Commons’ All Party Group Against Anti-Semitism said: “These idiots need to be re-educated and they should be sent to visit Auschwitz and see what happened there and witness the evil which so many people fought to stop.”

5. SCHOOLS MINISTER 'MISLED PARLIAMENT'

Schools minister Lord Nash misled parliament with his claim that free schools outperform others in the state sector, claims the shadow education minister. Baroness Jones is demanding that her Tory counterpart return to parliament “at the earliest opportunity” to correct what she describes as “false information”. Controversy over free schools has heightened in recent weeks.

6. WEATHER: BRITAIN BRACES FOR STORM

The UK is braced for hurricane-strength winds and heavy rain on Sunday night and Monday morning. Gusts of up to 80mph are expected in the south west, moving north and eastwards overnight. The Met Office, which has issued an amber alert for several regions, said 20-40mm of rain might fall within nine hours.

7. ROW OVER PRINCE HARRY DRUGS JOKE

The BBC is under pressure to apologise after comedian Jo Brand implied on Have I Got News For You that Prince Harry has taken cocaine. Discussing Prince George's godparents, Brand said: “George’s godparents include Hugh van Cutsem... I presume that’s a nickname as in Hugh van cuts 'em and Harry then snorts 'em.”

8. MP ATTACKS 'FLAWED' CLOCKS CHANGE

Did you remember to put your clocks back? Millions of people across Europe, the Middle East and Mexico got an extra hour in bed this morning as daylight saving time came to an end. The clocks will go forward again on March 30 2014. Sir Greg Knight MP is a critic of the change, which he describes as the "flawed ritual of plunging the UK into darkness by mid-afternoon".

9. TELEVISION LICENCE FEE COULD BE CUT

The BBC could face a cut in the licence fee or be forced to share it with other broadcasters if it does not tackle a “culture” of secrecy, waste and unbalanced reporting, a senior Cabinet minister warns. Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps tells the Sunday Telegraph that the current £145.50 annual fee would be “too much” without necessary reforms.

10. LATE GOALS SAVE UNITED BLUSHES

Late goals from Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez gave Manchester United a much-needed victory over Stoke City. The champions had trailed 2-1 until the 80th minute. Earlier, Arsenal had cemented their position on the top of the table with a 2-0 victory at Crystal Palace. Liverpool, in second place, beat West Brom 4-1 at Anfield.