Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 28 Sep 2015

1. PM: ‘Everyone can see through pig claim’

David Cameron has made his first public denial of the allegation in Lord Ashcroft’s book that he took part in a lurid university club ritual with a dead pig’s head. “Everyone can see why the book was written and everyone can see straight through it,” claims the PM. “As for the specific issue raised, a very specific denial was made a week ago and I’ve nothing to add to that.”

2. Putin slams US as he readies IS move

Vladimir Putin has slammed America’s “failed” war on Islamic State. President Putin said US support for anti-government rebels in Syria is illegal and counter-productive, as he prepared to launch a coalition to fight the terror group. “We have proposed to co-operate with the countries in the region. We are trying to establish some kind of co-ordinated framework,” Putin told CBS.

US and Russia spar over vetoed Syria sanctions

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3. Catalonia nationalists win election

Catalonia nationalists have won regional elections. With nearly 100% of the votes counted, pro-independence parties in Spain's Catalonia region have won 72 seats in the 135-seat regional parliament. They had already declared that a majority would allow them to declare independence from Spain unilaterally within 18 months.

Catalonia: pro-independence parties claim victory in regional vote

4. McDonnell sets out plans for 'dynamic growth'

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has used his speech to the Labour Party conference to call for an end to austerity, and set out "an alternative based upon dynamically growing our economy, ending the tax cuts for the rich and addressing the scourge of tax evasion and avoidance". He also called on Labour MPs who had refused to serve under new leader Jeremy Corbyn "to come back".

5. Has migrant crisis swung public on EU?

More voters now want to leave the EU than stay in, according to a new survey in the The Times. The YouGov poll shows 40% backing a pullout and only 38% opting to stay in. The last time the “leave” campaign was in the front was in November 2014. The migrant crisis of recent weeks seems to have shifted people's opinion, the Times suggests.

Brexit: Theresa May says ‘trust me’ to deliver

6. Hospitals ‘unprepared for seven-day service’

Most hospitals still have no plan for seven-day services, Sky News reports. Freedom of Information requests show that despite months of political pressure, four out of five hospital trusts in England have not calculated the number of consultants they need, nor the likely cost of extending weekday services. David Cameron said last May that a seven-day service was a priority.

7. Blatter to remain as president of Fifa

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has insisted that he will remain president of football's governing body despite criminal proceedings which have been opened against him by Swiss investigators. Blatter was interrogated on Friday over claims involving a TV rights deal and a payment to Uefa president Michel Platini. Blatter is due to stand down in the new year.

Michel Platini will resign at Uefa's next congress

8. Clooney neighbours ‘disgusted’ by home repairs

Neighbours of George Clooney have expressed their “disgust” over repairs at his Oxfordshire home. Residents complain that the scaffolding is an eyesore and that lorries are ruining the tranquillity of Sonning. "I think the building work is disgusting and it's starting to drive me mad!” said one. "The whole place looks an absolute mess and it seems like there is no end in sight to the carnage.”

9. 1,700 jobs go as Redcar steel plant mothballed

Steel company SSI is to mothball its plant in Redcar with the loss of 1,700 jobs. Production was "paused" on 18 September because of poor trading conditions and a drop in world steel prices. The North East plant could remain closed for five years. Around 450 staff will be kept on and Redcar's coke ovens and the power station will continue to operate.

10. Stay united and beat Aussies, says Lancaster

England must stay "united" despite losing to Wales, says boss Stuart Lancaster. He said his team must now focus on next weekend's "knockout" World Cup game with Australia. The hosts threw away a 10-point lead as Wales won 28-25 at Twickenham, and defeat at the hands of the Aussies could all but end their hopes of qualifying from Group A.

Rugby World Cup: England and Lancaster face credibility crisis