Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 8 Feb 2015

1. PRINCE CHARLES: UK RADICALS ‘ALARMING’

Prince Charles says radicalisation of young people in Britain is “alarming” and one of his “greatest worries". Speaking to BBC radio, the Prince of Wales said people who had “come here, were born here or go to school here” should “abide by our values”. He added that it is “frightening” that young British Muslims were radicalised by “crazy stuff on the internet”.

2. TONY BLAIR VOWS TO BACK MILIBAND

Tony Blair has indicated that he will do whatever it takes to help Ed Miliband win the general election. After a series of businessmen criticised the current Labour leader, Blair’s office told The Observer that regarding: “his involvement in the party’s election campaign, he will do whatever the party wants”. Blair has previously confessed he has reservations over Miliband.

3. GOVERNMENT TO PROBE NHS DEATHS

Up to 1,000 patients a month are dying needlessly in NHS hospitals because of staff blunders, admits the health secretary. Jeremy Hunt sounded the warning as he announced radical reforms to bring an end to a “cover-up culture” which is putting lives at risk. Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, he unveiled plans to annually review a sample of 2,000 deaths at hospitals across the country.

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4. 1M BRITONS LOG-ON FOR ADULTERY

Have one million Brits signed up for an adultery website? American dating network Ashley Madison, which specialises in setting up extramarital affairs, says it has signed up more than 1m British members. The success comes despite the fact that the website — which signs on with the tag “Life is short. Have an affair” — has been prevented from advertising on UK television.

5. TORY MP IS FACING TAX PROBE

A Conservative MP has invested in a film partnership scheme being investigated over tax avoidance. Robert Buckland, who is also one of the government’s leading law officers, has been a member of the Invicta Film Partnership No 25 for nearly 10 years. A circular last year warned members that the scheme is “subject of an open HMRC inquiry”.

6. £150M DRIVE TO SAVE BRITAIN'S EELS

Efforts to reverse a 95% decline in the UK’s eel population could make the fish “Britain’s most expensive wildlife species”, says The Sunday Times. The Environment Agency’s plans designed to make weirs, sluices, pumping stations and locks "eel friendly" could cost up to double the £75m the body has set aside, say experts.

7. JEFFREY ARCHER: 'I AM IMPOTENT'

Jeffrey Archer has revealed that surgery for prostate cancer has left him impotent. Speaking to the Mail On Sunday, the Tory peer said: “You can still get the feeling, you can still get the urge, but you can’t do anything about it. Can’t do a thing. You live with it, like anything else. Get on with it. Not much I can do about it.”

8. RUGBY: SCOTS LOSE BUT IRISH WIN

Scotland lost their opening Six Nations tie for the ninth consecutive year. Five penalties from France’s fly-half Camille Lopez consigned the Scots to a 15-8 defeat. Reigning champions Ireland beat Italy 26-3 to get their defence off to a positive start. "If I had been offered a differential of 23 points before the match, I think I would have taken it," said coach Joe Schmidt.

9. HMRC TO SCRAP £100 LATE FINE?

HMRC may scrap its automatic £100 fine for late tax returns under radical government proposals. The tax authority has admitted that its penalties regime may be too inflexible, and is putting together proposals to end fines for taxpayers who miss the deadline “by a day or two”. Figures showed 890,000 people missed the January 31 deadline for completing their tax returns last week.

10. JOSE TALKS DOWN CHELSEA LEAD

Jose Mourinho has played down the significance of the seven-point lead his Chelsea side have at the top of the Premier League. After his team beat Aston Villa 2-1 yesterday, the Blues boss said: "There are 14 games to go and 42 points still to play for. Every game is difficult, and anything can happen." Elsewhere, Spurs beat rivals Arsenal 2-1 with two goals from Harry Kane.