Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 8 Dec 2013

1. DAY OF PRAYER FOR NELSON MANDELA

A day of “prayer and reflection” is being held in South Africa for the late president Nelson Mandela. A national memorial service will be held on Tuesday, ahead of a state funeral on December 15. President Jacob Zuma will attend a service at a Methodist church in Johannesburg today, with multi-faith services planned throughout the country.

2. CAMPBELL RETURNS TO LABOUR FOLD

Key Blairite figures Alastair Campbell and Alan Milburn will have key roles in Labour’s general election team, says The Observer. A top-secret memo, which reveals that a number of other advisers from the Blair years will also return to the fold, is expected to infuriate those on the left of the party who hoped the New Labour era was consigned to the past.

3. UKIP ‘SEND THEM HOME’ VIDEO STORM

A UKIP politician has been caught on camera saying she wants all immigrants sent home. Victoria Ayling was filmed saying: “I just want to send the lot back, but I can’t say that.” Ayling, who is a key ally of party leader Nigel Farage, told the Mail On Sunday that her “throwaway comment” was meant to apply only to illegal immigrants.

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4. 10-STONE TODDLER SEIZED BY COUNCIL

A 10-stone toddler has been taken into care by social workers, says the Sunday Times. The five-year-old girl’s weight had reached at least three times that expected of a healthy child her age. She was taken into care in Newport, south Wales, in August last year. Her weight has since dropped below eight stone, although her body mass index is still around double the normal level.

5. PHONE GLITCH DISRUPTS FLIGHTS

A telephone glitch caused hundreds of flights to be delayed in Britain yesterday. Thousands of passengers at airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Cardiff and Glasgow faced cancellations and delays after the National Air Traffic Service internal phone system broke down. The knock-on effect of the episode could cause further disruption today.

6. MPS SET TO RECEIVE 11% PAY RISE

MPs are set to receive an 11% pay rise when the parliamentary watchdog IPSA publishes its final recommendations on salaries. The rise, which is due after the 2015 general election, will take their pay to £74,000. It is estimated that the pay rise will cost the public purse £4.6m. All three party leaders disagreed with the rise when it was first proposed.

7. TROOPS FACE NEW IRAQ PROBES

British soldiers are to face 11 new inquiries into incidents in Iraq after a human rights ruling by the high court. The inquests, ordered by the Ministry of Defence, will examine the deaths of 11 Iraqi civilians after the 2003 invasion. The hearings will cost the taxpayer a total of £2m. There are concerns that the ruling will place undue pressure on troops in the future.

8. CAMERON SLAMMED FOR CHAIN VISIT

David Cameron has been criticised for visiting the book chain Waterstones after boasting that he was supporting Small Business Saturday. The prime minister tweeted a photograph of himself buying lamb cutlets at his local butchers, together with a statement of support for the event to boost independent retailers. However, he then apparently shopped at the book chain.

9. POLL FINDS SYMPATHY FOR NIGELLA

The public remains firmly on the side of celebrity chef Nigella Lawson according to a survey in the Sunday Times. The YouGov poll found that 39% of the public have more sympathy for Nigella than former husband Charles Saatchi, despite revelations about her drug use. Only 2% of those surveyed said they are on the side of Saatchi.

10. MOYES DEFIANT IN (ANOTHER) DEFEAT

Manchester United manager David Moyes insists his side can still challenge for the title despite suffering their second home defeat in four days. Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye scored the winner at Old Trafford, leaving Man Utd 12 points behind leaders Arsenal, who play Everton today. Chelsea lost ground on the leaders too, losing 3-2 to Stoke.