George Osborne

Even Alistair Darling would have trouble spinning these numbers: Fewer than two million viewers tuned in to watch him debate with Chancellor-in-waiting George Osborne and the Lib Dem's Vince Cable last night. Nine million opted for EastEnders.

The first televised election debate kicks off on Channel 4 tonight, with a predictable focus on the state of the economy.

Alistair Darling, George Osborne and Vince Cable have kicked off the election campaign with a live televised debate on the economy which saw them trading blows on issues including the national debt, financial services regulation and long term care.

The Conservatives will try to seize the electoral initiative today with a pledge to reverse part of Labour's national insurance rise due to come into effect next year.

The Government is understood to be considering plans to offload its stakes in Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank of Scotland just weeks after the General Election.

The Conservatives will reverse the effects of Labours abolition of dividend tax credit for pension funds.