A report by group Consumer Focus has recommended changes to the Post Office's business model, including the expansion of Post Office Locals.

It says the smaller branches benefit from better opening hours.

The consumer research also suggests inaccurate pricing advice is common in existing post offices.

Tory MP Louise Mensch has warned of a "problem with social media" after highlighting misogynist abuse on her Twitter feed. She said: "I thought it would be worth documenting the type of thing that women in public life get all the time - the insults, the threats of violence and the sexualised abuse. There is a problem with social media. I’m afraid this is the sort of thing that some people say from behind the safety of their keyboards."

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt is to unveil plans to force internet providers to give their customers the option of filtering out online pornography.

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt is to unveil plans to force internet providers to give their customers the option of filtering out online pornography.

The price of first and second class stamps is to increase, Royal Mail has announced. First class stamps will rise from 46 pence to 60 pence, while second class stamps will increase from 36 pence to 50 pence.

The move has come immediately after the communications regulator Ofcom scrapped price controls on stamps.

The Royal Mail can charge what it wants for first-class stamps under plans published by regulator Ofcom this morning. A consultation in October already recommended removing price controls for first-class stamps and some other services, although second-class stamps are expected not to be affected. 

Every single phone call, email and website visit is to be recorded and kept for a year under new legislation tabled for the next session of Parliament. Security services will also have access to social network site visits under a revised version of plans initially put forward by the Labour government.

A new report published today claims basic psychological techniques can be used by the Government to subtly alter the behaviour of the public. The Behavioural Insights Team, or "Nudge unit" as it has been dubbed, championed by Downing Street advisor Steve Hilton, has released what it says is the first evidence that its ideas work in practice.

Director-General Mark Thompson expressed “growing concern” this morning over rising arrests of journalists in Iran.

Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show, he suggested that BBC reporters were being specifically targeted but added:

“The authorities did a report on us which said we were impartial and that is why we are so dangerous. We have decided in being more public in calling for the Iranian authorities to desist from this.”

The Government should not "scare people" about the dangers of cybercrime, a Commons select committee has said. The Science and Technology Committee said most of the steps needed to counter cybercrime were "routine", but urged the Government to increase public understanding of online dangers.