News in brief

David Cameron has vowed there will be no "lurch to the right" by the Conservatives in the wake of the party's drubbing in the Eastleigh by-election.

The PM insisted he would "stick to the course we are on" despite seeing the Tories beaten into third place behind Ukip.

But his comments are at odds with the Tory right including Justice Secretary Chris Grayling who said Conservatives would ditch the Human Rights Act if they won the next general election.

1/4 using payday loans for other debts

Consumer campaigners are calling for a crackdown to clean up the "irresponsible" credit industry after finding that a quarter of people who take out expensive payday loans are using them to plug other debts.

Which magazine said that "desperate" borrowers who find themselves locked out of mainstream credit are drowning in a vicious cycle of high-cost loans.

Ministers pledge inspection boost

The government said today that it will boost the number of unannounced inspections by the care watchdog.

The Department of Health confirmed the plans after figures revealed that 1,165 people have starved to death in NHS hospitals over the last four years.

Hammond calls for more welfare cuts

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond called for fresh welfare cuts at the weekend in order to protect spending on the armed forces.

Mr Hammond's comments have sparked further coalition tensions as Liberal Democrats say they are set on opposing any additional welfare cuts.