Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Liam Byrne agreed that a majority of people thought benefit recipients were lazy and did not really want to work.

BBC: Political reporter, BBC News, in Manchester

"Their proposal is only a shadow of the smoking cessation treatment programme that their own witness testified to, " William Corr said.

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The programme also featured the shadow business secretary, Kenneth Clarke, who said that public spending will have to be reduced whoever wins the next election .

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Speaking on the programme Peter Hain, shadow Welsh Secretary Peter Hain, who chairs the National Policy Forum, said that changes needed by the party were "at least of the magnitude" of those made by Tony Blair when he became leader in 1994.

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Space enthusiasts, politicians and the public are, almost half a century later, still living in the shadow of the magnificent achievements of the Apollo programme achievements which seem all the more incredible as the years pass.

ECONOMIST: The space shuttle

For Labour, shadow Treasury minister Cathy Jamieson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme she was "surprised" the Lib Dems no longer seemed to support the policy and accused the party of being inconsistent.

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Shadow education secretary David Willetts told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was important to "make it easier for good schools to expand" and that Prime Minister Tony Blair should not "retreat" towards Lord Kinnock's position.

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The committee also took evidence from shadow education secretary Ed Balls, who said the decision to scrap the programme had been chaotic and "last-minute" and had dashed the hopes of some 17, 000 plus children.

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