David Cameron travelled to Brussels this week on a mission to cut not only the EU budget, but Britain's contribution to it. With his party losing votes to Ukip in recent byelections and growing pressure from his backbenchers, he'll be hoping for more than the usual Euro-fudge. Meanwhile Greece is still hanging on for the latest tranche of its promised bailout funds and France has seen its credit rating downgraded.
Joining Tom Clark this week to discuss all this: Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee, the Observer's economics editor Heather Stewart and the Guardian's political supremo Michael White.
Also this week: the growing problem of in-work poverty. Government ministers may like to talk of 'strivers v skivers' in the debate on cutting welfare, but does it really make sense when most children in poverty come from working households?
And is the government really doing all it can to keep energy companies in check? With fuel poverty becoming a life or death issue in winter months, is there anything to underpin the prime minister's tough talking on fuel bills?
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