Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 7 Dec 2014

1. ARCHBISHOP STUNNED BY UK HUNGER

The Archbishop of Canterbury says he was left more shocked by the plight of Britain's hunger-stricken poor than suffering in African refugee camps. The Most Rev Justin Welby said food is being wasted at "astonishing" levels across the UK despite the fact that hunger "stalks large parts" of the country. Writing in the Mail On Sunday, he says more must be done.

2. ED MILIBAND ATTACKS PM ON CLIMATE

David Cameron has "abdicated responsibility" on environmental matters and left the UK behind the rest of the world on climate change, says Ed Miliband. Writing in the Independent On Sunday, the Labour leader says the prime minister does not give the issue sufficient attention as he no longer believes it “fashionable” and because Tory MPs are “flirting with climate change denial”.

3. JET IN DRONE NEAR MISS AT HEATHROW

A passenger jet was involved in a near-miss with a drone near Heathrow, a report published this week will reveal. In the first such incident recorded at Britain’s biggest airport, an Airbus A320 came dangerously close to a drone in July. There are now fears that drones, which prove increasingly popular Christmas presents, could cause a catastrophe.

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4. GEORGE OSBORNE AT WAR WITH LIB DEMS

George Osborne has gone to war with the Liberal Democrats, warning that they are just as likely as Labour to lead to a “return to economic chaos”. As the coalition continues to unravel ahead of next year’s general election, the chancellor said voters have to choose between “competence or chaos” when they vote. He says only the Tories will secure the recovery.

5. NON-WHITE LAWYERS FACE HURDLE

Ethnic minority lawyers are nearly four times less likely to be appointed as judges, according to new statistics from the Judicial Appointments Commission. Following reports that there has been an improvement in female representation it was revealed that only 3% of ethnic minority lawyers were appointed – the same figure as 2007.

6. SALMOND TO STAND IN WESTMINSTER

Alex Salmond will stand for a seat at Westminster at next May's general election, says the BBC. The former SNP leader will contest the Gordon seat held by retiring Lib Dem Sir Malcolm Bruce. Salmond stood down as SNP leader and Scotland's first minister after the "Yes" campaign was defeated in September's independence referendum.

7. HOSTAGES KILLED IN BOTCHED RAID

Two hostages were killed in Yemen yesterday as American special forces botched a rescue raid. Photojournalist Luke Somers, a US citizen who still has close family ties to Britain, and Pierre Korkie, were shot by their captors during a gun battle. Barack Obama has ordered the raid after intelligence indicated that Somers's life was in “imminent danger”.

8. MORGAN REJECTS GOVE’S PHILOSOPHY

Civil war has broken out in the cabinet as education secretary rejects Michael Gove’s portrayal of the education establishment as a left-wing “blob” and a senior Tory says Gove is refusing to let go of his former role. Morgan’s allies are denying that she is merely a “Stepford minister” and a front for Gove’s ideas. “Nicky is having a very difficult time of it,” says a source.

9. MAIL: A SECOND-CLASS CHRISTMAS

Thinking of sending your Christmas cards with first-class stamps? Then you may like to know that under an obscure rule, Royal Mail is under no obligation to deliver mail on the next working day during December. Royal Mail says it “always aims to provide a next-day service for first-class mail” but warned it has to cope with a “huge increase” in December.

10. CHELSEA LOSE ‘INVINCIBLE’ HOPE

Chelsea have lost their unbeaten run and dashed the hopes of those who believed they could go a whole season without losing a game. The Blues lost 2-1 to 10-man Newcastle United yesterday. Pressure has returned to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger after his side lost 3-2 to Stoke City. Sergio Aguero is out injured after hobbling off in tears against Everton.