Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 17 May 2015

1. CAMERON ADVISER SLAMS RICH DONORS

David Cameron’s former strategy guru has attacked party donors and said the prime minister should do more for the poor. Speaking to The Sunday Times, Steve Hilton said it was “outrageous” that 2m people in Britain who work all week are unable to support themselves without benefits. He also warned that big donors buy influence with “a ruling class that seeks to perpetuate its privilege”.

2. UNIONS TO ‘HIJACK’ LABOUR LEADER BID

Trade unions are poised to “hijack” Labour’s leadership election, shoving the Blairites out of the way and installing their preferred candidate, Andy Burnham. That is the claim in The Sunday Times, after Jim Murphy quit as Scottish leader with an outspoken attack on the Unite union, accusing its leader of “destructive behaviour” and trying to “pick” Ed Miliband’s successor.

3. SAUDIS DECIDE TO GO NUCLEAR

The Saudis have decided to acquire nuclear weapons. The gulf kingdom has taken the “strategic decision” to obtain “off-the-shelf” atomic weapons from Pakistan, says The Sunday Times. The move risks a new arms race in the Middle East, according to senior American officials. “For the Saudis the moment has come,” a former American defence official said.

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4. FARAGE: I’ll BOOT OUT DISSENTERS

Ukip leader Nigel Farage has threatened to “boot out” any dissenters in his party’s ranks. Speaking at the end of a week of infighting, he said “future bickering will be dealt with severely”, adding: “We had a few kindergarten games this week which were given maximum coverage by those who wish to see us divided ahead of the referendum.”

5. CLINTONS DISCLOSE SPEAKING FORTUNE

Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton have reported they earned more than $25m (£16m) in speaking fees since last year. Mrs Clinton's presidential campaign team said she and her husband were paid the sum for more than 100 speeches between January 2014 and May 2015. The Clintons paid an effective tax rate of more than 30% in the 2014 tax year, a Clinton campaign official said.

6. HARRY: BRING BACK NATIONAL SERVICE

Prince Harry has called for the restoration of national service. "I dread to think where I'd be without the Army. Bring back National Service - I've said that before," he said. Speaking at the end of a week-long trip to New Zealand, he also suggested a future in the forces for his nephew and niece Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

7. LABOUR FACES ‘WORST CRISIS IN HISTORY’

The MP leading Labour’s review into its election defeat says the party is facing the greatest crisis in its history. Jon Cruddas told the BBC: "Arguably, it's one of the great crises of the Labour Party's history. I argued that the 2010 defeat was actually the worst defeat in Labour history since 1918, and the defeat of 10 days ago was much worse - so this is profound."

8. THOMAS COOK RECEIVES CORFU PAYOUT

Thomas Cook has confirmed it received compensation after two British children died through carbon monoxide poisoning while on holiday in Corfu. Bobby and Christi Shepherd passed away after being overcome by a faulty boiler's fumes at the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel in 2006. The Mail on Sunday reported a £3.5m payout was made for loss of profits and other expenses from the tragedy.

9. MOBILE-FREE SCHOOLS SEE BETTER GRADES

Schools that ban mobile phones see better academic results, according to a study. The effect of banning mobile phones from school premises adds up to the equivalent of an extra week’s schooling over a pupil’s academic year, according to research by published by the Centre for Economic Performance at the London School of Economics. The ban improves scores by 6.4%.

10. ‘EMOTIONAL’ GERRARD IN ANFIELD BOW

Steven Gerrard has brought his 17-year career at Anfield to an "emotional" end after playing his final home match for Liverpool. The Reds lost 3-1 to Crystal Palace. Today, attention turns to the top four, as Manchester United host Arsenal, while Manchester City travel to Swansea. Yesterday, Southampton thrashed FA Cup finalists Aston Villa 6-1.