Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 23 May 2015

1. BANK OF ENGLAND LEAKS EU PROJECT

The Bank of England has admitted it is researching the economic risks of the UK leaving the EU after it "inadvertently" sent details of its project to The Guardian. An official at the Bank gave the game away yesterday when they accidentally emailed details of the project – including how the bank intended to fend off any inquiries about its work – direct to an editor at the newspaper.

2. ISLAMIC STATE ADVANCES ON BAGHDAD

Islamic State has vowed to take Baghdad, reports Sky News. Fighters from the group were just 70 miles away from the Iraqi capital on Saturday morning. Over loudspeakers in the mosques, IS announced to their followers in Mosul that Baghdad would be in their control soon. The announcement follows the group’s takeover of Ramadi.

3. IS ED BALLS GIVING UP POLITICS?

Ed Balls is to give up politics following his defeat at the general election, says The Guardian. In his first interview since losing his seat, the former shadow chancellor said: “I want to make a difference to the world outside of politics ... I’m not going to be dashing back.” On Labour’s election campaign, he said: “I think I wanted to be more pro-business but I also backed Ed Miliband 100%.”

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4. BUCK HOUSE MORALE AT ‘ROCK BOTTOM’

Morale below stairs at Buckingham Palace is said to be “at rock bottom” after the Queen axed at least four senior officials in a matter of months. The servants were made redundant as part of sweeping cost-cutting measures, says the Daily Mail. Palace porters have had their overtime stopped – but are still being expected to undertake the same level of work.

5. COUNTING STARTS IN IRELAND GAY POLL

Counting starts this morning after Ireland voted on whether to legalise same-sex marriage. More than 3.2m people were asked whether they wanted to amend the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. Polling stations reported an "unusually high" turnout on Friday. The referendum was held 22 years after homosexual acts were decriminalised in Ireland.

6. HUNTING BAN BID ‘WITHIN WEEKS’

The Conservatives’ bid to scrap hunting ban could start within weeks, reports the Daily Telegraph. It has emerged that David Cameron has met with senior colleagues to discuss how to organise a free vote on the matter. The government is planning to support a backbench Private Members Bill which is less certain to be successful.

7. CARSWELL SLAMS NIGEL FARAGE

Nigel Farage should not front the EU referendum campaign, says Douglas Carswell. The UKIP MP has sparked a storm by claiming that Farage should take a backseat in the upcoming European Union referendum. Carswell's comments come a week after he told the leader to "take a break" and claimed that his party had not been striking the right "tone".

8. CCTV CAMERAS SWITCHED OFF

CCTV cameras across the country are being switched off by local councils who cannot afford to keep them running, reports The Independent. The cost-cutting measure in towns and cities throughout the UK is making it “increasingly difficult” for police to investigate serious crimes, the government’s surveillance camera watchdog has warned.

9. PM WANTS ‘EARLY PROGRESS’ ON EU

David Cameron says he is aiming for 'early progress' on EU renegotiation, reports the Daily Telegraph. The prime minister says “the sooner” he can reform Britain's membership of the European Union “the better”, following a diplomatic blitz at summit. Officials want to complete the bulk of the renegotiation with European leaders before the end of the year.

10. CHILD ABUSE CHIEF IN NEW PAYOFF ROW

The child protection chief who was criticised for failing to speak out about widespread sexual abuse by British Pakistani gangs is embroiled in a new payoff scandal. After quitting her job with a six-figure payoff, Sue Berelowitz has been immediately rehired on almost £1,000 a day. MPs and families of the victims of abuse said that the payoff was scandalous.