George Osborne will appeal today for voters to let him finish the job of overhauling the economy, despite rising borrowing and the prospect of more painful spending cuts.
In his final Autumn Statement before the general election, the Chancellor is expected to be able to boast that UK plc is creating jobs and growing faster than any other G7 power.
But the latest forecasts are also likely to indicate that the Government's deficit could rise this year amid stalling tax receipts. Instead of balancing the books by the end of the parliament as he originally promised, experts believe the gap between income and outgoings is on track to be more than £90 billion.
Childbirth better at home says NICE
Women are better off giving birth at home or in midwife-led centres than in hospital where doctors are more likely to make interventions such as caesareans, the health advisory body has said.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) said new evidence shows women who have had straightforward pregnancies are safer in labour when cared for by midwives, either in specialist birth centres or at home.
Women who chose to give birth in traditional labour wards at hospitals, which make up 90% of births, undergo a higher rate of intervention by specialist obstetricians, including a birth by forceps, a caesarean or an episiotomy .
Warning over sleeping with babies
Parents who sleep alongside their baby in bed or on the sofa could be putting the newborn at risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the health advisory body has warned.
But the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) stopped short of telling parents to stop the practice, admitting that health professionals are "stuck between a rock and a hard place" because of conflicts over breastfeeding.
Instead, updated guidance published today intends only to make parents aware of an association between co-sleeping with their baby in a bed, on a sofa or on a chair - even occasionally - and an increased risk of SIDS up to the age of one year.
Boys born from their gran's womb
Two women have given birth after womb transplants from their own mothers, it has been reported.
The babies - both boys - were born a month ago in Sweden and are doing well with their mothers at home, according to the Daily Mail.
The grandmothers underwent hysterectomies to allow their daughters the chance to experience motherhood.
50% survive cancer for 10 years
Half of cancer patients in England and Wales can expect to survive at least 10 years after diagnosis, research has shown.
Four decades ago only a quarter of people with cancer were likely to live that long.
But the positive overall trend masks poor progress in the fight against certain cancers. Even today, 1% of pancreatic cancer patients manage to reach the 10-year survival mark.
First food deflation since 2006
Consumers have reason to look forward to shopping for Christmas dinner this year following the first annual food deflation in at least eight years.
The latest shop price index from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Nielsen shows annual food deflation for the first time since the series began in December 2006, falling 0.2% in November.
Both the fresh and ambient food categories reported annual deflation, falling 0.3% and 0.2% respectively.
Judges to hear Rigby killers' appeals
The two Islamic fanatics found guilty of the murder of soldier Lee Rigby are having appeals heard by leading judges today.
Michael Adebolajo wants to challenge his conviction and a whole-life sentence which condemns him to die behind bars.
Lawyers for his co-accused Michael Adebowale, who was jailed for life with a minimum term of 45 years, will be arguing for a reduction in sentence.
Anni family to discuss Dewani case
The family of honeymoon murder victim Anni Dewani are due to hold a press conference as reports in South Africa suggest the trial of her widower is on the verge of collapse.
Ms Dewani's brother Anish is expected to speak on behalf of the family, days after the Hindochas broke their silence on discussing the case.
It comes as judge Jeanette Traverso is due to decide on Monday whether to throw out the case against murder accused Shrien Dewani, following an application from the defence that the prosecution's argument was weak, inconsistent and based on the testimony of unreliable witnesses.
Gaga reveals teenage rape ordeal
Lady Gaga has said that she was raped as a teenager.
In an interview with Howard Stern the singer said she was assaulted at the age of 19 by a man 20 years older than her.
She said: "I went through some horrific things. I'm able to laugh now because I've gone through a lot of mental and physical therapy and emotional therapy to heal over the years, my music has been wonderful for me."
Med diet helps you live longer
Sticking to a Mediterranean diet could be the key to a longer life, according to a major study.
The study, published in the British Medical Journal, monitored the health of 4,676 middle-aged nurses over more than a decade, analysing the impact of the diet on a component of DNA called telomeres.
Researchers in the US found that those who adhered to the diet, which is based on oily fish, poultry, fresh fruit and vegetables, showed fewer signs of ageing in their cells.
Cricket world in farewell to Hughes
Cricket stars from around the world joined relatives and friends to celebrate the life of Phillip Hughes amid the grief and sorrow still evident from his death.
Hughes, 25, died last Thursday after being hit near an ear by a ball during a match at Sydney Cricket Ground.
Australia's cricket captain Michael Clarke and the rest of the test squad gathered at Hughes's funeral at his home town of Macksville on the northern coast of New South Wales state, 350 miles north of Sydney.
Bryan Robson and Terry Venables
