They did what comes naturally and wrote a bill that was all about transfer payments, temporary tax subsidies, green industrial policy, homeowner subsidies, 99 weeks of jobless benefits and all the rest.

WSJ: Review & Outlook: Obama's Progressive Gamble

Under the pay reforms proposed in the government's Green Paper, successful teachers and schools would receive achievement-related payments, with an appraisal system determining whether teachers merit an extra increase in salary.

BBC: Ballot demanded for teachers' performance pay

Home Office minister Damian Green said the government was giving "active consideration" to cutting compensation payments in discrimination cases as part of its review of employment law.

BBC: Tribunals (Maximum Compensation Awards) Bill

The former News of the World editor is accused, along with ex-NoW royal correspondent Clive Goodman, 55, from Surrey, of requesting and authorising payments to public officials in exchange for information, including a royal phone directory known as the Green Book.

BBC: John Terry