Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 4 Apr 2015

1. STURGEON ‘WOULD PREFER CAMERON AS PM’

Pressure is growing on Ed Miliband to match Nicola Sturgeon’s anti-austerity message, as her widely-praised performance in Thursday’s leaders’ debate puts Labour into panic. Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph claims the SNP leader has privately said that she would "rather see" David Cameron win the general election because Ed Miliband is not “prime minister material”.

2. MUSLIM MEN’S ‘CULTURAL’ PROBLEM

Some Muslim men have a “cultural” problem with women, says Sajid Javid, the culture secretary. Javid tells the Daily Telegraph that some of the values in certain Asian communities were “totally unacceptable in British society”. He added that a “misplaced sense of political correctness” prevented police and social workers from “properly investigating” claims of abuse.

3. HEALTH: IS A PAY NHS ON ITS WAY?

Patients could have to start to pay charges to use basic NHS services such as GPs, the leader of Britain’s doctors has warned. The head of the British Medical Association, Dr Mark Porter, said the next government will consider ushering in charges. He tells The Guardian: “I think they will be tempted. They said in 1950 that a Labour government wouldn’t introduce charging and it did.”

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4. IRAN AND US HARDLINERS DECRY DEAL

Hardliners in Iran and the US have condemned the landmark nuclear deal reached this week and vowed to try and derail the agreement. Both sides are complaining that too much ground has been given. Hossein Shariatmadari, the editor of the conservative Iranian newspaper Kayhan, said: “We gave a fully mounted horse and got a broken tether in return.”

5. POPE CONDEMNS ‘SILENCE’ ON PERSECUTION

Pope Francis has condemned the "complicit silence" about the killing and persecution of Christians. During a Good Friday service in Rome, he said: "We still see today our persecuted brothers, decapitated and crucified for their faith in you [Jesus], before our eyes and often with our complicit silence”. The service came a day after almost 150 people were killed in Kenya.

6. LABOUR PLANS NEW HOMES FUND

Labour is planning a home building fund for first time buyers. Banks would be encouraged to fund 125,000 new homes for first time-buyers in England under a Labour government, Ed Miliband will announce. The scheme would be based on the first-time buyer ISAs announced by George Osborne which sees the government top up money people save towards a deposit to buy their first house.

7. CLARE BALDING MARRIES PARTNER

Clare Balding has married her partner of 14 years. The 44-year-old television presenter said she and Alice Arnold returned to the register office where their civil partnership ceremony was held in 2006. Unlike the previous occasion, the pair did not have a ceremony, nor did they invite any guests. The couple live in West London with their Tibetan terrier, Archie.

8. FOX HUNTING CHIEFS RALLY FOR TORIES

MUM SLAPPED CHILD AT 1D CONCERT

A mother convicted of assaulting her young daughter at a One Direction concert was trying to “gain control” of her child after she became hysterical, a court heard. The mother, a nurse, “slapped and grabbed” the eight-year-old as the band performed at Wembley Stadium. She was given 150 hours of community service and 18-month supervision order

Prominent supporters of fox hunting are stepping up their support for the Conservatives – and they will expect a repeal of the ban in return. Two of Britain's fox hunting chiefs have sent a rallying email to their supporters to canvas on behalf of Conservative election candidates backing their campaign to overturn a ban on the blood sport.

9. MUM SLAPPED CHILD AT 1D CONCERT

A mother convicted of assaulting her young daughter at a One Direction concert was trying to “gain control” of her child after she became hysterical, a court heard. The mother, a nurse, “slapped and grabbed” the eight-year-old as the band performed at Wembley Stadium. She was given 150 hours of community service and 18-month supervision order

10. MATA: MAN UNITED CAN BEST CITY

Manchester United can finish above neighbours Manchester City, claims midfielder Juan Mata. As the Red Devils prepare to host strugglers Aston Villa, Mata says his side can finish second. Arsenal host Liverpool in the lunchtime kick-off today. Leaders Chelsea are at home to Stoke in the early evening tie of the day.