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Britain and the US are refusing to rule out the possibility of arming the rebels in Libya. And the Chief Inspector of Constabulary for England and Wales says it will be very hard for police budgets to be cut without front-line services being affected.

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0615
Business news with Adam Shaw.

0709
Can cuts be made to the police force without damaging the front line? Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Denis O'Connor explains the "big challenge" posed by government funding cuts.

0713
What is the political motivation behind the opposition in Libya? Mike Thomson speaks to anti-Gaddafi protesters making their voices heard outside international talks at the Foreign Office. And shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander gives his reaction to the continuing crisis.

0720
Business news with Adam Shaw.

0722
As many as 450 libraries across the country are at risk of closure. Author Zadie Smith wrote an essay on the subject for this programme (no longer available), presenting her personal take on why libraries should matter to all of us.

0728
Sports news with Garry Richardson.

0735
A report out today says the 69 targets for teaching children up to the age of five are too bureaucratic and complicated. Reporter Andrew Bomford talks to a child minder about the pressures put on her by trying to meet the goals. Author of the report Dame Clare Tickell, chief executive of Action for Children, explains her findings.

0740
Review of the papers.

0743
When the Japanese earthquake and tsunami struck, many people felt moved to donate to the relief effort. Japan, a wealthy country and a global leader at disaster recovery, said it is largely able to cope and no international appeal for funds was launched. Tom Bateman reports on criticisms of some UK charities who are fundraising nonetheless.

0748
Thought for the Day with Reverend Dr Michael Banner, Dean and Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.

0751
Britain and the US are refusing to rule out the possibility of arming the rebels in Libya. Philip Gordon, assistant US secretary of state for European affairs, examines if it is safe to arm the opposition.

0810
A government-commissioned report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in England and Wales has concluded that it is going to be a "big challenge" for the cuts proposed by the government to the police budget be managed. Chief constable of Lancashire Steve Finnigan and police minister Nick Herbert give their reaction to the report.

0823
The richer you are the taller you are likely to be according to a new book , The Changing Body. Author Professor Sir Roderick Floud, provost of Gresham College London, explains his theory.

0826
Sports news with Garry Richardson.

0834
Arts Council England is announcing its funding decisions after its budget was cut by the government. More than 1,330 arts organisations are hearing if they have secured funding. Arts editor Will Gompertz and Alan Davey, chief executive of the council, discuss the decisions.

0844
In Yemen tens of thousands of people have been demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The president has withdrawn his offer to step down because he says without him, the country will fall into the hands of Al-Qaeda. Our unnamed correspondent reports from the Yemeni capital Sana'a.

0847
Business news with Adam Shaw.

0852
Earlier in the programme, the author Zadie Smith talked about the significance of having local libraries. She also argued that members of the cabinet might not understand the worth of libraries because they come from more privileged backgrounds. Shaun Bailey, an ambassador for the big society project, explains why he disagrees.

0855
There are few film and television leading roles for elderly women. So it has upset some that glamorous young Hollywood star, Jennifer Garner, will get the role of Miss Marple in a new Disney adaptation. Laura Thompson, Agatha Christie's biographer and Charlie Higson, author of the Young Bond, debate the reinvention of popular characters.

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