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The Archbishop of Canterbury has said the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland has lost "all credibility" over the way it dealt with paedophile priests. And a teaching union has claimed that efforts to give pupils a voice in school matters are being exploited by some head teachers.

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0709
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has singled out the president of Barclays, Bob Diamond, as the "unacceptable face of the banking sector" in his strongest attack on the City since the start of the financial crisis. Political correspondent Tim Reid outlines Lord Mandelson's comments.

0712
Israel is threatening to launch further attacks against Gaza after earlier this week commencing its biggest set of air strikes since the end of January 2009. Gaza correspondent Jon Donnison outlines Israel's latest offensive on Gaza.

0714
The paper review.

0717
A provocative liberation song, Shoot the Boer, has been banned in South Africa by a high court judge who ruled that the song was unconstitutional, and anyone caught singing it could be charged with inciting murder. Karen Allen reports from Johannesburg.

0722
On the Today programme yesterday we spoke to Bob Crow, leader of the RMT union, about the High Court's decision to grant an injunction halting a four-day national rail strike. Mr Crow argued that the law on balloting is unworkable after Network Rail was granted an injunction after it alleged discrepancies in the RMT's ballot for industrial action. Tom Flanagan, a specialist in employment law at Pinsent Masons, examines whether balloting rules restrict unions.

0725
Sports news with Rob Bonnet.

0732
Earlier this week the media regulator Ofcom ordered BSkyB to cut the price it charges rivals, such as BT and Virgin, to show its sports channels. Sky announced it would appeal against the decision. Torin Douglas asks if the outcome of the row could be determined by the upcoming general election.

0737
The paper review.

0740
MPs have criticised the lack of women on boards of big City companies, suggesting that having more women in top jobs in banks and other financial services would help guard against dangerous herd mentality. India Gary-Martin, president of the City Women's Network, and Patience Wheatcroft, editor in chief of Wall Street Journal Europe, consider how to increase the number in high powered careers.

0745
Around 6000 people in Northern Ireland still have no electricity after Tuesday's ice storms. Emergency relief centres have been opened to help people without heat or power. Ruth McDonald reports.

0748
Thought for the day with Catherine Pepinster, editor of the Tablet.

0752
Since the recession, the pay deals of those in the public sector including the BBC, charities, and councils, have come under closer scrutiny. Sir Andrew Foster, chairman of the Commission on 2020 Public Services, and Professor Stefano Harney, deputy director of the School of Business and Management at Queen Mary's University, examine whether large public service salaries should be offered to lure talented people from the private sector.

0810
This week business leaders backed a Tory proposal to partly reverse a planned rise in Nation Insurance contributions by 1%. Geoffrey Robinson MP, businessman and former Paymaster General during Tony Blair's government, gives his opinion on how Labour will be affected by the loss of support from some business leaders.

0817
A government drugs advisor has resigned in protest against the decision to make the drug, mephedrone, illegal. Eric Carlin is the second member of the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs to stand down this week, claiming that the recommendation to criminalise mephedrone was being rushed through and unduly based on media and political pressure. Mr Carlin, and Professor Colin Blakemore debate the role of government science advisers.

0827
The annual Oxford and Cambridge boat race takes place on the River Thames today, in one of the greatest battles of sportingpride. But a new book, Lords of the Sea by former Cambridge rower John Hale argues that rowing represents the foundation of democracy, describing how the rowers of the fleets of ancient Athens became the first ordinary people in history to get the vote. Mr Hale, and Deaglan McEachern, Cambridge University Boat Club President, reflect on the importance of rowing in Ancient Greece.

0831
Sports news with Rob Bonnet.

0837
The Pope's personal preacher has compared allegations that the Vatican tried to stifle cases of sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests to what he called 'the most shameful aspects of anti-Semitism.' Both Jewish organisations and victims of priest paedophiles have expressed outrage at the preacher's remarks, made in front of the Pope. Catherine Pepinster, editor of The Tablet, reacts to the comments.

0841
The paper review.

0843
Teachers are calling for industrial action over the increasing involvement of pupils in staff interviews and key decisions affecting schools. In England and Wales there is a legal requirement for schools to take pupils' views into account, whilst in Scotland and Northern Ireland pupils are encouraged to do so. Chris Keates, general secretary of the Teachers Union NASUWT, and Stephen Heppell of Bournemouth University, discuss whether students have too much influence on school matters.

0848
A headteacher who resigned after a row over the slaughter of a school lamb is to return to her post. Andrea Charman stepped down from Lydd Primary School, Romney Marsh in February after what some saw as an internet hate campaign. Michael Howard, Conservative MP for Folkestone and Hythe, comments on Ms Charman's reappointment.

0851
The Today programme is conducting a series of interviews with party elders in the run-up to Gordon Brown's expected visit to the Palace before the general election. In the first of the series, Charles Kennedy, former leader of the Liberal Democrats, gives his opinion of the party's campaign.

0856
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has personally attacked the president of Barclays, Bob Diamond, in an interview in The Times, describing Mr Diamond as the "unacceptable face" of banking for taking a £63m salary. Barclays has reacted to the comments, stating that Mr Diamond's salary is £250,000. Business editor Robert Peston comments on the row.

PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to offer transcripts for our programme interviews. Today is broadcast live and the running order is subject to change.

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