Less hectoring

The BBC Trust has agreed with the BBC Executive - that post-Budget broadcasts by political parties should end, and that Party Political Broadcasts should be seasonal, meaning those who meet the criteria get three a year, autumn, winter and spring, rather than tying them to party conferences, etc.

The Budget broadcasts have been tv-death for viewers for some time. Under-produced lectures, reminiscent of broadcasting in the 50s. Try these from last year by George Osborne and Ed Balls.

• Advisors to Lord Patten will probably enjoy pointing out to their leader, ahead of his meeting this week with Alex Salmond, that the Scottish National Party, who undoubtedly will find some reason to be furious about the Budget move, failed to contribute to the consultation.