Do as we do

The messages to the BBC from the coalition are mixed, but the theme seems to be: sort yourselves out, or we'll be round.

So the weekend papers suggested that the current licence fee settlement, which allows for £3 rises in April 2011 and 2012 will go ahead. But the signals about salaries couldn't be clearer.

In the civil service, David Laws will have to authorise every (new ?) salary above £142.5k - which is the salary of David Cameron (though it should be noted he also receives £65k for his basic MP role). There's a clampdown on 1st Class travel and there'll be no dedicated chauffeur cars. Actually, Mr Laws used the term "public service" - and that's what the BBC claims to be. Over to you, Mr Thompson.