As the controversy over MPs' expenses continues, with fresh revelations in the press and a row over the Speaker's recent intervention, former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey has weighed into the argument accusing parliamentarians of “clawing greed”.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, a research body bringing together the world's richest developed countries, has suggested that fears about migration and hostility towards migrant workers are unjustified.

People working with migrants in the churches and civic organisations have expressed dismay at the recent comments on immigration by former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey, who has joined a cross-party group calling for stricter controls.

The Christian think tank Ekklesia has renewed its call for the repeal of the UK's archaic blasphemy laws. An amendment to abolish the offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel has been tabled by Evan Harris MP to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill, and the issue is drawing support from people of all faiths and none.

An MP will this week seek to bring an end to Britain's controversial blasphemy laws - as a broad cross-section of believers, humanists and civil rights campaigners continue to argue that they are unnecessary, repressive and outdated.

Replying to questions on a BBC TV programme today, Lord Carey of Clifton, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, has publicly agreed with the Christian think-tank Ekklesia that it is time for Britain's archaic blasphemy law to be abolished.

The former Archbishop of Canterbury believes the Church of England should be disestablished if the government opts for a fully-elected second chamber, claims a leading religion writer.