Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 15 Mar 2015

1. NIGEL FARAGE NAMES TORY PACT PRICE

Nigel Farage has named his price for a post-election deal with the Tories: an EU referendum before Christmas. The UKIP leader said: “The terms of my deal with the Tories would be very precise and simple. I want a full and fair referendum to be held in 2015 to allow Britain to vote on being in or out of the European Union. There would be no wiggle room for ‘re-negotiation’ somewhere down the line.”

2. BLAIR IN £1M UNION-BUSTING DEAL

Tony Blair has brokered a secret £1m deal to weaken the grip of trade unions over Ed Miliband. The former prime minister hosted a dinner at his London pad last week to close a deal that will see Hull City FC chairman Assem Allam donate £500,000, with a further £500,000 if the Miliband loses funds by standing up to Unite’s general secretary, Len McCluskey.

3. MOST VANUATANS ‘ARE HOMELESS’

Vanuatu's president has told the BBC that most of the Pacific island nation’s population are homeless after the devastating cyclone yesterday. Baldwin Lonsdale said Cyclone Pam had destroyed most buildings in the capital Port Vila, including hospitals and schools. A state of emergency has been declared in the tiny state of 267,000 people, which is spread over 65 islands.

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4. POLICE STOP & SEARCH 300 TODDLERS

Nearly 300 toddlers have been stopped and searched by police in the last five years, reports The Sunday Times. Despite government attempts to crackdown on the controversial tactic, 288 children aged under-five years old have been subjected to searches on suspicion of terrorism, drugs and “anticipated violence”, according to official data.

5. OSBORNE TO UNVEIL PENSION REFORM

George Osborne is tipped to unveil plans allowing pensioners to cash in existing annuities as part of next week's Budget. The chancellor’s reform, which is not expected to come in before April 2016, could affect five million people. The Sunday Express claims that Osborne will also announce a long-anticipated slashing of inheritance tax.

6. BBC BOSS: CLARKSON CASE ‘LIKE SAVILE’

A senior BBC executive has compared Jeremy Clarkson to Jimmy Savile. Speaking to the Mail On Sunday, the executive said the pressure on the man Clarkson punched is “Savilesque”. He said that the Top Gear host is “self-destructing” and should check into “rehab”. The comments have drawn angry responses from Clarkson’s friends and supporters.

7. EX-HOSTAGE ON JIHADI THREATS

A former ISIS hostage has described how ‘Jihadi John’ threatened to cut his throat. Writing in The Sunday Times, Javier Espinosa said that the terrorist held a blade against his neck and said: “Feel it? Cold, isn’t it? Can you imagine the pain you’ll feel when it cuts? Unimaginable pain. The first hit will sever your veins. The blood mixes with your saliva.”

8. NICK CLEGG IN ‘WORST CABINET ROW’

Nick Clegg has blocked terror laws banning extremists from universities following one of the worst Cabinet rows during the coalition’s five-year tenure. The Liberal Democrat leader said he could not support the moves to force university bosses to vet visiting speakers because his party feared the move would erode “free speech”.

9. DON’T APOLOGISE, CAREY TELLS CHRISTIANS

Christians should not apologise for their beliefs, says Lord Carey. Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, the former Archbishop of Canterbury argued that society is becoming "increasingly illiterate" about religion, forcing Christians to hide their faith in the workplace. He wrote: "Don’t be intimidated by a hostile workplace, challenge the hostility with good humour."

10. BURNLEY DENT CITY TITLE HOPES

A defeat at the hands of Burnley has left a huge dent in the title hopes of Manchester City. The reigning champions are now five points behind Chelsea, who have two games in hand. The Stamford Bridge outfit host Southampton today. Elsewhere, Tottenham are at Manchester United as the battle for a top-four finish hots up.