Pick of the week: Je suis Charlie - Politics.co.uk

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Five: New plain packs 'evidence' is worthy of a laugh and little else We were less than impressed with the evidence on offer in a new report intended to nudge the UK toward imposing plan packs on cigarettes. The evidence is murky and the jury is still firmly out. But there is one interesting mental phenomenon: consumers found their chosen brand tastes worse once you remove the packaging. Even if it doesn't reduce smoking, plain packs might show us what fools branding makes of us. Four: Angela Merkel is saving the British economy Slipped in during a press conference hardly anyone was paying attention to – due to the Charlie Hebdo massacre – was an admission that Downing Street may be dropping one of its key immigration policies. Cameron preceded the comment by reminding everyone how he had always been clear on the issue. It's a sure sign the prime minister is about to pull a fast one. Our blog recognised that these U-turns – the result of Angela Merkel's stern approach to her UK counterpart – are saving the British economy from the its own government. Three: MoJ pulls the wool over its own eyes in G4S and Serco contracts Bleak signs for anyone hoping government departments were getting a handle on private contracts: it appears they don't even know how often firms like G4S or Serco are tendering. It's part of a commercial process which experiences very little scrutiny, with faith in the efficiency of the private sector trumping a concern for the taxpayer. Two: George Osborne has a point about Labour's spending plans We experience a rare moment of generosity for the British chancellor over his assessment of proposed Labour spending. The opposition has protested many of the cuts of the last few years without actually saying it would reverse them. The hypocrisy is staggering, whichever side of the debate you are on, and it has won them few friends. One: Charlie Hebdo attack: This is not about Islam - it's about free speech Our piece on the tragic events in Paris this week warned that anti-Islamic figures on right and left would use the attack to cement a false narrative of a battle between authoritarian Islam and a liberal West. But it also warned that images of the prophet were a valid part of satire and that suffering offence was an important part of living in a free society. It was an emotional week for everyone concerned. We don't know how severe the damage has been yet. Best of the week Prisoner book ban: Grayling wasted £72,000 of taxpayers' money on legal costs The government spent £72,000 in legal fees fighting to keep its prisoner book ban, it has emerged. Cameron's fear of TV debates shows how weak his presidential skills really are It's time to bring out the tub of lard A warning to students: Ministers are shrinking your voting power Tens of thousands of students are disappearing from the electoral register as the 2015 general election approaches. So why are ministers insisting the change in the rules is proving "very successful"? Comment: Britain's betrayal of Syrian refugees The UK government's unwillingness to go beyond tokenistic offers of resettlement for Syrian refugees is making things much, much worse. We're all to blame for child sexual exploitation Instead of protecting our young from the evils of sexual exploitation, we are blaming them for it. No wonder an MP's campaign to remove the term 'child prostitution' from the statute book is struggling to gain traction. The mansion tax row shows Labour finally understands devolved politics In devolved politics, independence from party is a strength not a weakness. Comment: Arms sales trump human rights as UK enters Bahrain UK decision to open up new naval base in Bahrain is the latest chapter in an ugly relationship Tories won't let facts come into the election campaign - and they don't need to The next four months won't be decided by facts, but by the impression of facts. And Tories are intent on keeping it that way.	Advertise your job vacancies here Alarm as cosmetics ban claim referred to ECJ Fears it could prove major setback to animal welfare. Labour pledge to legalise humanist marriages as Government blocks proposals, disappointing thousands of couples The Labour Party has today pledged to give legal recognition to humanist marriages if returned to power next year, as the government publish a report blocking Liberal Democrat party policy for reform. Advisers welcome common sense approach on digital firms’ VAT but warn uncertainty will remain Tax advisers have welcomed a government move1 which will save thousands of small businesses needing to register for European VAT on digital services from having to charge their customers UK VAT, provided their relevant turnover remains below the £81,000 threshold CML publishes new market forecasts Looking ahead over the next two years, housing and mortgage market developments appear well supported by relatively favourable economic fundamentals. RSPCA shakes up Christmas Thought-provoking video homage to festive classic set to shock. "Teacher recruitment and retention on the precipice of a crisis" NASUWT tells pay review body The NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK, is today giving oral evidence to the School Teachers’ Review Body (Review Body) to argue for a substantial above-inflation pay award for teachers in 2015/16. Call to end the exploitation of agency workers Politicians must show they are serious about cracking down on the exploitation of agency workers, including supply teachers, NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK, has said.

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