Another One Breaks Ranks

First the great Frank Field. Now Tony Wright has noticed what's in front of his nose.

Mr Wright said the UK's population had topped 60 million for the first time last year and was expected to rise 12% in the next generation. The rises were equivalent to having a new Oxford, a new Middlesbrough and a new Ipswich every year, he said.

And migration was the main driver, he told the prime minister.

Mr Wright urged Mr Blair to set up a commission to give a cost and benefits analysis about different levels of population, which was being driven up mainly by migrants.

Asked if the government had a population policy, Mr Blair replied: "No, but .."