The alleged head of a multi-billion dollar smuggling ring in south-east China has confessed and now faces trial, Chinese state media say.

BBC: China

Partly because his budget is an unusual "ring-fenced" one, while other departments are being cut, the head of DfID - International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell - constantly emphasises his quest for value for money, for both aid recipients and the British taxpayer.

BBC: Liam Fox row: Where does the UK's aid money go?

If some areas of spending, such as the NHS and international aid, continue to be ring-fenced, "the outlook for all other unprotected spending looks grim indeed", said the IFS head.

BBC: Budget 2013: 'Cuts deferred' until after elections